odor to the other, that molds one as a vessel of wrath and the other as a vessel of mercy.—2 Cor. 2:14-16, NW.

26. Of what may we be sure, and what question faces each individual?

²⁶ Of this all may be sure. We will allow God to either reshape us or make us shapeless. We will become vessels of mercy and conform to the molding influences of his Word, or we will harden as vessels of wrath and be reduced to formless rubble by his King’s iron rod. (Ps. 2:6-9) The question before each individual is, Do we choose to remain a vessel of wrath, or to reform as a vessel of mercy? We are free moral agents empowered to answer as we choose, unhindered by predestination, uncoerced by foreknowledge.

Questions From Readers

● What is the correct understanding of Exodus 4:24-26? Also, Exodus 4:20 reads as though Moses had returned to Egypt, but the next verse speaks of that return as still future. Why?—J. K., Japan.

At Exodus 4:20 it states: “Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt.” Ex 4 Verse 21 continues: “And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt”; which contradicts the thought that he had already returned. The difficulty is in the translating of Ex 4 verse 20. It reads as though the return was complete, whereas actually the Hebrew verb form indicates the return was under way but not completed. Other translations allow for this view. “Moses taketh his wife, and his sons, and causeth them to ride on the ass, and turneth back to the land of Egypt.” (Yg) “So Moses took his wife and sons, and mounted them on an ass, to return to the land of Egypt.” (AT) Hence it is perfectly logical for Ex 4 verse 21 to speak of the return as future, since it was not accomplished as yet.

Exodus 4:24-26 (AS) recounts an incident taking place during this return journey: “And it came to pass on the way at the lodging-place, that Jehovah met him, and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a flint, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet; and she said, Surely a bridegroom of blood art thou to me. So he let him alone. Then she said, A bridegroom of blood art thou, because of the circumcision.” It seems that Moses had been delinquent in some respect. For one thing, he had not circumcised his son, and thus had failed to live up to God’s covenant of circumcision made with his forefather Abraham. (Gen. 17:9-14) Jehovah, through his representative angel, met Moses along the way and was going to execute the uncircumcised child. Moses’ wife, Zipporah, realized what was necessary to right matters. She took a sharp stone, a customary instrument in those days, and cut off her son’s foreskin and threw it, not at the feet of Moses, but at the feet of the angel representing Jehovah. Meeting this requirement appeased the anger of Jehovah and the child was spared.

Then Zipporah said to Jehovah, through the representative angel, “Surely a bridegroom of blood art thou to me.” By her compliance with the requirements of the covenant of circumcision, Zipporah acknowledged and entered a covenant relationship with Jehovah, and Jehovah became as a husband to her and she as a wife to him. That such a covenant relationship with Jehovah can make him as a husband married to the other party of the covenant is shown by the Law covenant made with Israel. Because of this covenant Jehovah says concerning the Israelites: “I was an husband unto them.” (Jer. 31:32) So by this rite of circumcision Zipporah said to Jehovah’s representative angel, “A bridegroom of blood art thou.” Or, according to the King James Version: “Surely a bloody husband art thou to me”; “a bloody husband thou art.” So through Zipporah’s quick action “he let him alone” (AS); that is, Jehovah’s angel let the child alone, not slaying him as he otherwise would have. (Gen. 17:14) But Jewish tradition makes Moses the one whose life was threatened for his remissness. Moses was responsible for the treatment of his son.—See The Watchtower, Nov. 15, 1944, page 347, ¶38.

Announcements

SHARING IN THE PROSPERITY OF GOD’S PEOPLE

In all the world today there is no sure and lasting prosperity among the nations. In sharp contrast with this condition, the organization of Jehovah God abounds in the prosperity that really counts, rich spiritual prosperity that brings salvation. No wonder the psalmist prayed to God for the opportunity of enjoying this prosperity with Jehovah’s chosen people. (Ps. 106:4, 5, AS) There are many persons of good will who will desire to share in the great spiritual prosperity of God’s people once they learn of it. To this end Jehovah’s servants will go forth in June with an offer of three bound books on a contribution of $1.50. Three booklets will be given free with each set of three books. Where there is opportunity to do so, go into isolated territory and visit people who do not regularly have opportunity to hear the good news. Take a good supply of tracts with you and use them during June in all your preaching activity.

THREE VALUABLE BOOKS

It is only natural to conclude that any books having reached a distribution of more than 16,000,000 (sixteen million) copies over a short period of just a few years must be books of interest to the general reading public. That is why we urge all readers of the The Watchtower to send for “Let God Be True”, “This Means Everlasting Life” and What Has Religion Done for Mankind? These three books, each of more than 300 pages, have a combined distribution of more than sixteen million copies, and the end is not in sight yet! They contain a wealth of information on the basic doctrines of the Bible, presenting scriptures to support the conclusions drawn. The history of both true and false religion comes in for detailed treatment. With attractive covers of brown, red and yellow, respectively, the three books are complete with scripture indexes, and two have subject indexes. Write today for these three books, asking for them by name and enclosing a remittance of $1.50 to cover costs.

BROOKLYN BETHEL VACATION

The Society’s offices, factory and Bethel home in Brooklyn, New York, will be closed from July 31 to August 10 for the annual vacation. The Bethel family will also be occupied with convention matters from July 19 to 26, although the home and factory will be open for four days following the convention, July 27 to 30, for inspection by visitors. This means that, in the period from July 19 through August 10, very little mail will be handled and few orders shipped. To avoid delays, anticipate your literature needs now and place your orders immediately.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

Week of July 5: Predestination and Jehovah’s Foreknowledge; also, Foreknowledge Compatible with Free Will, ¶1-6.

Week of July 12: Foreknowledge Compatible with Free Will, ¶7-26.