group that followed John the Baptist or the group that followed the Pharisees. The disciples of Jesus did not have to be associated with these other religious groups or attach themselves to such groups or follow their customs of fasting, or any other religious ceremony that these groups may have been practicing. Jesus did not come to patch up and prolong old worn-out systems of worship that were ready for discarding. He was establishing something entirely new, and any persons wanting life and who were still in the old systems must come to the new, and not try to use the new merely as a patch to bolster their failing religious systems that were due to be discarded. Hence the new Christian organization that Jesus was forming was not to be as a new patch on an old garment or as new wine in an old wineskin. It was not to be attached to or bound by or engulfed by previous religious groups. These old systems could not contain the new system of things, were not adequate for this new system, could not exist alongside the new system, but would be brought to their end by this new system of things. Even the Law of Moses was to be nailed to the torture stake as being fulfilled and canceled.

Hence the followers of Christ did not conform themselves to the practices of fasting while Christ was present. Jesus did say that when the bridegroom would be taken away, then they would fast. However, by this he was not meaning to say that they should do this, but the facts are that they did. After his death on the torture stake his disciples mourned and were greatly confused because they had expected him to establish his kingdom on earth at that time, and when he was put to death they did not understand why that had been allowed to happen, and they fell into their old ways of fasting and mourning because of this lack of understanding. However, after Pentecost and the outpouring of the holy spirit and their enlightenment on matters, they recovered from this temporary lapse into fasting such as the older religious groups practiced.

From all of this we see that Jesus was bringing in an apt illustration to drive home the point of the discussion. Just as a new outer garment was not to be cut up and used to patch up hopelessly old garments, but was to remain intact and entirely new; just as new wine was not to be poured into dried-up old wineskins that had lost their elasticity and would burst, but was to have its own new wineskin, just so the new Christian organization was to be an entirely new system of things, permanently separate from the old religious systems that had either failed or had passed the period of their usefulness.

● At Numbers 30:6-8 it states that a woman’s vows may be set aside by her husband. Does this apply today?—T. P., Indiana.

If we come into the truth and vow vows to Jehovah God, then we should pay such, especially our vow to do his will from henceforth. What the text above describes is the inferior position of wives under the Mosaic Law and how the husband was responsible for the obligations to which the wife bound herself. But we are not under the Law today and this subjection of women to their husbands with respect to vows does not apply, because if it did, then no wife who had an unbelieving husband opposed to the truth could really make a vow giving herself to the Lord God to do his will and follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. So now God deals with the women as individuals with regard to vows made, and the husband does not affect the matter or have any power to cancel or forbid them. Of course, a wife should not make unreasonable vows that would interfere with the performance of her proper Scriptural duties to her husband. (Eccl. 5:1-6) Additionally, we should remember that in Israel there would be no husbands not in covenant relationship with Jehovah God, and hence it is unlikely that they would disallow any proper vows involving godly devotion that their wives might make to Jehovah. Such vows are the vital ones.

● What does Isaiah 4:1 mean, which states: “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach”?—C. S., Washington.

Note that the verse Isa 4:1 opens with the conjunction “and”, which connects this verse with what has preceded. The closing verses of the preceding chapter read: “Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.” (Isa. 3:25, 26) Isaiah was telling the delinquent Israelites of the time of war and desolation coming, and showed the inroads such times would make on the manpower of the nation, creating such a shortage that several women would attach themselves to one man. They would be glad to take his name and have some male attentions, even if they had to share him with other women. They would accept polygamy or concubinage, to have some little part of a man’s life.

So today, in these last days of trouble and strife and war, with many men being killed and others removed from civilian life by army demands, marriageable men are scarce. Some sociologists have even publicly expressed such views of having women share one man, that part of a man is better than nothing at all. In some nations polygamy is practiced, and everywhere sexual relations become more promiscuous and with less fidelity to legal mates, even where monogamy is the outwardly accepted practice. Many women are content to share a man with other women, if necessary, to have some male attentions and satisfaction for themselves. Hence it seems, in view of the context, that Isaiah 4:1 foretold the shortage of men that would later occur, both at the time of Jerusalem’s desolation and in these days. However, this condition is not the approved way for men and women to live today.

Announcements

“PRAISE JEHOVAH AS KING”

A command to praise the Almighty Creator, Jehovah, is found in the Christian Greek Scriptures at Revelation 19:6, NW, in these words: “Praise Jah, you people.” In response, an ever-increasing crowd of sincere worshipers offer as praise “the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name”. (Heb. 13:15, NW) The opportunity to thus use one’s lips and take part in this grand proclamation is now here. God-fearing persons, recognizing the fulfillment of Bible prophecies, know that the most important work in this world today is that of rendering praise to the honor and glory of the now ruling King. It is with this group of proclaimers that you are now invited to work, sharing in life-giving praise. During the month of December, the book What Has Religion Done for Mankind? and a booklet will be offered to truth-seeking people on a contribution of 50c. To permit the efforts put forth in this month’s activity to be accurately determined, a report of the time you spend should be turned in to the company of Jehovah’s witnesses in your locality or mailed in to the nearest branch office listed under the front cover of this magazine.

CALENDAR AND YEARBOOK FOR 1952

With the passing away of the old, everyone looks forward to the new. That is true of the year now closing and of the one just ahead, and especially is this so when one considers the work of Jehovah’s witnesses and their activities world-wide. Every day of the year and in all parts of the earth, east, west, north and south, in the heat or cold, they keep on proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom. You will enjoy reading the 1952 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses as you consider the heartwarming experiences they had in the year 1951 and thrill to the prospects of the coming year, which promises to be even more outstanding for them. A companion to the Yearbook is the colorful 1952 Calendar which displays the yeartext: “Say to the prisoners, Go forth” (Isa. 49:9), and the monthly Scriptural periods and themes. The calendars can be had for 25c, or 5 for $1.00 when sent to one address. The Yearbook, bound in an attractive cover, will be sent on a contribution of 50c.

RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION NOW

Are you a subscriber for the Watchtower magazine? If yes, then your subscription may be one of the more than 1/4-million new subscriptions sent in during the first four months of the 1951 calendar year. In that case your subscription may be nearing the time for renewal. It is well to send in your renewal before expiration, in order to have uninterrupted mailing service and ensure regular delivery of it. Your possessing this journal indicates a desire to increase your knowledge of God’s Word the Bible. Keep on in such a course and be assured of real success and happiness as you continue in the path that leads to life. Whether your subscription is due to be renewed now or in the near future, don’t put it off; send it in immediately. If you are not a subscriber as yet, then why not send in $1.00 for a year’s subscription now?

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

Week of January 6: “Princes Shall Rule in Justice,” ¶1-22.

Week of January 13: “Princes Shall Rule in Justice,” ¶23-25; also Theocratic Organization Re-established.