We know that people cannot continue turning their backs on God, and criticizing His prophet for proclaiming the truth. The Lord told them that if they did not want to hear what He had to say in the finest Hebrew of Jerusalem, then they could listen to the language of the Assyrians and Babylonians. These people would not under stand at all. The day of invasion and captivity was just ahead. Then it would be too late to hear pre cept upon precept, and line upon line. This is the background of the passage. Remember to always read the context with the surrounding verses. Again, as to basic Bible study, we do learn in this manner. Generally, the problem for most people is consistency and keeping up a regular program day-by-day of Scripture reading and applica tion. Q. Yorba Linda, Calif. "Is it always proper to end a prayer by saying 'In Jesus' name/ or should this just be an attitude of the heart?" A. In Colossians 3:17 we read, "Whatsover ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." John 14:13 gives our Saviour's words, "Whatsoever ye ask in my name, I will do it." Certainly our prayers should always end, begin, and be saturated with a proper attitude of heart. The Bible reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God. We are commanded to pray. Yet we should pray very explicitly on regular occasions. At these times, we should pray in Je sus' name. Just as an aside, probably if we
were honest in our intercession, because of the many things we re quest for ourselves, we might be more accurate to say, "This I ask for my own sake." Prayer is not for self-gratification. Everything we do should be to the glory of our blessed Lord. When we say the words "in Jesus' name" we are ut tering a very serious phrase. It is not just an appropriate way to end a prayer and let everyone else know we have finished. We are lit erally requesting God's highest and holiest to be real in our lives. Q. Los Angeles, Calif. "I have heard a faith healer use the 53rd chapter of Isaiah as a basis for affirming that physical healing is covered in the atonement. This leaves me somewhat perplexed about God's methods of healing today." A. You will need to read not only verses four and five, but this entire wonderful chapter. Consider this very basic interpretation. If this passage is talking about physical healing, "with his stripes we are healed," then the previous clause indicates that chastisement for our peace was also upon Him. This must similarly refer to physical peace as well. We have to under stand that some things are to be realized and applied in the spir itual sense. As an example, consider II Cor inthians 8:9, "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." Does that mean He had a certain amount of money in the bank? Of course, He had all kinds of riches in a material realm, since
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