I f one fell and broke his leg, and there was no pain, he wouldn’t know to have it set and properly cared for. Sick ness can be a real blessing, too. In the biography o f Dr. A. C. Pierson, one -of the great leaders o f modern mis sions in past generations, he tells of making a tour around the world. While in China he became seriously ill. He had to come right home. A friend who came to call on him ex pressed his sorrow as the Christian leader lay on a bed of sickness. Dr. Pierson said, “Don’t feel sorry. The Lord had some things to say to me, but I was so busy I didn’t have time to listen.” So sickness can be a bless ing to us. It all depends on how we look at it. I f we can see the hand of the Lord in our trials, and realize that He is trying to tell us something, then when He lays us aside, we can find renewed joy and blessing (Phil. 1 :2 9 ). Paul jsaid, “Most gladly there fore will I rather glory in my infir mities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (II Cor. 1 2 :9 ). Q . Los Angeles, California — “/ began working when my husband became ill; now that he is well and able to work, he still expects m e to go on working while he does very little. Should I rebel?” A. Our best advice would be, if the husband knows the Lord, for them both to go to & respected Christian minister and talk out the matter. There is no value in rebellion. I think that will not change much of the situa tion. It needs to be discussed in a quiet, unheated way. The husband must come to realize that he is re sponsible to take care of his house hold. Q . Springfield, Ohio — "What was the city o f David? B ethlehem or Jeru salem? Also, when it speaks o f the Lord Jesu s in Matthew U being taken up to a pinacle o f the holy city, was this Jeru salem or where?" A. The city of David is definitely spo ken of as Bethlehem. We read “Joseph also went up from Galilee, out o f the
city of Nazareth, into Judea unto the city o f David, which is called Bethle hem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David)” (Luke 2 :4 ). The pinacle of the temple was in Jeru salem. Q . Modesto, California — "The B ible re cords the birth o f the twelve sons o f Jacob, but names only one daughter. Do you think Ja co b had any other daughters?” A. Genesis 3 0 :21 indicates that Jacob had a daughter, Dinah. The Word of God gives us no indication of any oth er daughters. Q . Eugene, Oregon — “In Acts 28:2 and U, there is mention o f barbarous people on the island o f Melita. Were they savages or cannibals?” A. We do not believe that they were either savages or cannibals. They were people who were not of the Jewish faith. Sometimes Gentiles were called “barbarians.” This was not a word of disrespect, but simply to distin guish them from the Jews or the Greeks. They lived in the Mediter ranean area, and doubtless had many of the benefits of the most advanced civilizations of that time. Q . Tulare, California — “How can an unbelieving husband be head o f a home when only the w ife is a Chris tian?" The imposing entry to Biola's new music building with Prot. Marvin McKissick (left), and Dr. Lester ftemsen.
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