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She WAICHIOWE AND HERALD OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM Vout. LX Fesruary 1, 1939 No. 3 DRAMA OF VINDICATION PART 1 “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law.” —Josh. 1:7. EHOVAH was never under any obligation to dis- J close to human creatures the means of executing his purpose in vindication of his name. What he has done is a manifestation of his loving-kindness toward those who obey him. God has caused to be enacted and recorded many prophetic pictures set- ting forth in detail the manner of carrying out his purpose. “The last days” are here, and these are times of peril, and Satan and his forces are viciously assaulting the people of God, and for the purpose of giving to those faithful ones courage and comfort and hope Jehovah now reveals to them the manner of carrying out his purpose, and this he does through prophetic pictures. (Rom. 15:4) Because Christ Je- sus, the Beloved One, is the Executive Officer and Vindicator of Jehovah, the prophetic pictures iden- tify him specifically. Aside from Jesus, however, the prophetic pictures do not foretell or foreshadow individuals and do not show God’s dealing with in- dividuals, but do set forth the work of God and Christ in which the faithful people of God are priv- ileged to have some part. Individuals are not im- portant, but the work in which they engage is impor- tant. Generally the faithful are permitted to have some part in the Lord’s work relating to the exe- cution of his purpose, and thereafter they are per- mitted, by the grace of God, to see how they have been led by the hand of the Lord and used in his service. Such revelation serves to increase their faith and courage, and hence they joyfully sing the praises of God and say: “By his hand he leadeth me.” Surrounded by the enemy that viciously as- saults the “remnant” and their “companions”, these faithful ones, full of faith and confidence in the Lord, say : “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress: therefore, for thy name’s sake, lead me and guide me.”—Ps. 31: 1-3. 35

• Prophetic pictures enable those who trust Jeho-

vah to keep in mind that underneath are his ever- lasting arms’ bearing them up (Deut. 33:27), that the battle is God’s and not man’s, and that the vie- tory is with Jehovah and Christ Jesus, and that those who remain true and steadfast shall profit by that victory.

• Jehovah withdrew his chosen people from the

land of Eegypt, and by the hand of his servant Moses he led them for forty years on a trek through the wilderness, using them in that time to make pictures of greater things that must come to pass in future days. When Moses had about finished the work com- mitted into his hands he assembled the Israelites on the plains of Moab and there recounted to them what God had done for them and instructed them what they must do in the days to come. That in- struction was given for the benefit of the antitypical Israelites, the true followers of Christ Jesus, whom God builds up into his capital organization. Finish- ing his work, Moses died, and Joshua was assigned to the place once filled by Moses. God was about to enact a prophetic drama foretelling events that lead up to the full vindication of his name. Those dramas which are here considered were, to wit: The cross- ing of the Jordan; Rahab, who because of her faith- fulness gained God’s approval; the siege and fall of Jericho; sin in the ranks of God’s typical people; and the assault upon and destruction of Ai. The fulfillment of these prophetic pictures are today of keenest interest to the people of God on earth who are in a covenant with him to do his will. JORDAN ‘This drama opens with Joshua in command of the host of Israel, which host were encamped on the plains of Moab waiting the commandment from their visible leader: “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister.” (Josh. 1:1) There Joshua pictures the Lord Jesus