2017 Watchman's Teaching Letters

Watchman's Teaching Letter #232 August 2017

This is my two hundred and thirty-second monthly teaching letter and continues my twentieth year of publication. I have resolved to do a series of lessons providing clarifying criticism of Howard B. Rand’s books, tracts and articles published in his Destiny Magazine.With this lesson I will continue where I left off with the “The Book Of The Kingdom”, chapter XIII of XXIV, “The Reign Of Saul”, Destiny, for part #2 of chapter XIII, February 1950, (and I will edit it out of necessity):

“.... Saul was informed of what the people were doing and he immediately issued a command that they cease violating the law. Then he gave instructions that all the cattle to be prepared for food were to be brought to him and prepared according to the requirements of the law. After this the King offered a sacrifice to Yahweh and the people satisfied their hunger.

“Results of a Rash Oath

“Saul then issued orders that the army was to pursue the Philistines all that night, assail them at dawn and leave not a man alive. The captains of his hosts, as well as the men themselves, assented, but the priest with Saul informed him it would be better for him to make inquiry of Yahweh before carrying out this order. The King did as suggested and inquired of Yahweh if he was to pursue the enemy that night, but he received no answer to his question. Saul immediately recognized that there was sin in his camp because Yahweh refused to be inquired of concerning his campaign.

“The King gathered the captains and all the people together to make inquiry to find out who had sinned. Saul declared that if it proved to be his own son Jonathan, he would surely die. Thus, again, he passed hasty judgment before the facts were known. Lots were cast and Saul and his son Jonathan were taken. Again the lots were cast and Jonathan was selected as the offender. His father thereupon asked him what he had done. Jonathan confessed that he ate some honey as they passed through some woods when they were pursuing the Philistines. He wanted to know if he must die because he ate the honey when he was hungry....

Watchman's Teaching Letter #231 July 2017

This is my two hundred and thirty-first monthly teaching letter and continues my twentieth year of publication. I have resolved to do a series of lessons providing clarifying criticism of Howard B. Rand’s books, tracts and articles published in his Destiny Magazine.With this lesson I will continue a critical review of a series entitled “The Book Of The Kingdom” found in Destiny magazines from January, 1949 until April, 1952, in 24 chapters, by Howard B. Rand and I will continue with chapter XII, Destiny 1949, plus chapter XIII, “The Reign Of Saul”, Destiny, January 1950 (and I will edit it out of necessity):

The Ark Captured And Restored:

... “Samuel Instructs Saul

Before leaving Saul, Samuel gave him instructions concerning experiences he would have on his journey home. He told him he would meet two men by Rachel’s sepulchre. They would inform him that the asses that had strayed away had been found but that his father was now worried about him. After this he would meet three men going up to the House of Yahweh at Bethel, taking sacrifices with them. One would be carrying three kids, another three loaves of bread and the third man a bottle of wine. They would salute him and give him two loaves of bread which Saul was to take. Later, Samuel said, Saul would come to the hill of Yahweh where a garrison of the Philistines was encamped. There he would meet a company of prophets coming down from the top of the hill and, advancing before them, minstrels would be playing music while they prophesied. Yahweh would then inspire Saul and he would prophesy along with the prophets. Thereafter Saul would be a different man; that is, the heart of the peasant would be changed into the heart of a king. Samuel’s concluding bit of advice was also in a sense a warning to Saul:

And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for Yahweh is with thee.’ (1 Sam. 10:7.)

After that Saul was to go to Gilgal and wait there until Samuel came and offer a burnt offering and a sacrifice. At that time he would receive specific instructions as to what he should do.

All that Samuel had said came to pass and when the people saw Saul prophesying among the prophets they wondered about it and asked if Saul was also a prophet. After that it became a proverb in Israel, ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’...

Watchman's Teaching Letter #230 June 2017

This is my two hundred and thirtieth monthly teaching letter and continues my twentieth year of publication. I have resolved to do a series of lessons providing clarifying criticism of Howard B. Rand’s books, tracts and articles published in his Destiny Magazine. I will continue # XI “The Ark Captured And Restored” & # XII, “Israel Demands A King”, for November & December, 1949 (and editing will be necessary):

The Ark Captured And Restored:

Israel’s Fighting Men went out to meet the Philistines who had come against them to battle at Aphek, and the hosts of Israel were routed before their enemies. Four thousand Israelites fell in one day upon the field of battle. When the army returned to their fortified camp, the elders of Israel sought the reason why Yahweh had allowed His people to be smitten before their enemies.

Ark Brought Into Camp

It was decided to send to Shiloh and have the Ark of the Covenant brought into the camp of Israel so that its presence might rescue them from the Philistines and assure victory over their enemies. With the Ark came Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were very wicked in the sight of Yahweh. Actually, the people themselves had turned away from Yahweh and were worshipping idols, refusing to obey the Almighty’s commandments and keep His statutes. Herein lay the real reason why they had been defeated, for they had lost full contact with Yahweh their Almighty by their failure to walk in the paths of righteousness. Now they were seeking to compel Yahweh to protect them by bringing the Ark of the Covenant of Yahweh into the midst of the battle. They could not conceive of Yahweh allowing the uncircumcised Philistines to gain possession of their most sacred thing, the Ark of the Covenant with its Mercy Seat, where the Almighty’s people met with Yahweh.

Condition for Victory

What the elders in Israel and the people were failing to recognize was that Yahweh could protect the Ark, even though it might be necessary to allow it to be captured by the Philistines because of sin in the camp of Israel. Subsequent events clearly demonstrate the accuracy of this assertion. Even the presence of the Ark of the Covenant could not assure victory to a sinful nation. Yahweh had declared Israel must keep His Sabbaths and reverence His sanctuary, and then He said:

If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them ... ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.’ (Lev. 26:3-8.)

But if Israel persisted in despising His statutes and abhorring His judgments, refusing to obey all His commandments, and so breaking His [marriage] Covenant, among the things to be visited upon them was the following:

... I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant ...’ (Lev. 26:25.)

Watchman's Teaching Letter #229 May 2017

This is my two hundred and twenty-ninth monthly teaching letter and begins my twentieth year of publication. I have resolved to do a series of lessons providing clarifying criticism of Howard B. Rand’s books, tracts and articles published in his Destiny Magazine, which includes several guest writers of varying degrees in excellence. Although I rate Rand and his associate writers only 50%, some of their articles are simply outstanding.

With this lesson, I will continue this critical review of a series entitled “The Book Of The Kingdom” found in Destiny magazines from January, 1949 until April, 1952, in 24 chapters.

With WTL #228, I completed chapters VI & VII of “The Book Of The Kingdom”, Destiny, June 1949: With this lesson, I will cite chapters IX & X of XXIV, entitled “Boaz And Ruth”, plus “Birth And Dedication of Samuel”, (edited to improve clarity):

Boaz And Ruth:

The Bookof Ruth opens with the statement that at one time during the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in Israel’s land. Because of its severity, a certain man of Bethlehem Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to sojourn in the land of Moab, for the famine did not extend into that country. The man’s name was Elimelech and his wife was Naomi. Naomi’s husband died and her two sons married two women of Moab. Finally the two sons also died, leaving Naomi with her two daughters-in-law.

Ruth’s Decision

When Naomi found out that the famine conditions had been relieved in her homeland, she made preparations to return with her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. As they commenced their journey down the road, Naomi advised the two girls to return to their former homes in Moab. They had probably talked this over many times and this was her final insistence that the young widows find other husbands in Moab instead of remaining with her. Orpah returned but Ruth refused to leave her, saying:

... Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy Almighty my Almighty. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.’ (Ruth 1:16-17.)

Therefore, the two, Naomi and Ruth, went on together to Bethlehem where Naomi received a warm welcome. However, she told her relatives not to call her Naomi, which means pleasant, but rather to call her Mara, meaning bitter, for she said, ‘The Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.’ She had left her native land with a husband and two sons; now she was returning empty handed.

Watchman's Teaching Letter #228 April 2017

This is my two hundred and twenty-eighth monthly teaching letter and ends my nineteenth year of publication. I have resolved to do a series of lessons providing clarifying criticism of Howard B. Rand’s books, tracts and articles published in his Destiny Magazine, which includes several guest writers of varying degrees in excellence. Although I rate Rand and his associate writers only 50%, some of their articles are simply outstanding.

With this lesson, I will continue a critical review of a series entitled “The Book Of The Kingdom” found in Destiny magazines from January, 1949 until April, 1952 in 24 chapters, and oddly enough Rand does not identify an author. He may have written it all himself, or it might have been a team effort by him and some of his associated writers. So Rand either wrote it, or if by the help of others, at least he approved of it, and is responsible for it (and it will be edited by me):

With WTL #227 on “The Book Of The Kingdom”,Destiny, June 1949: chapter VII of XXIV, “Samson The Nazarite”, I was unable to finish in its entirety, which I will do here by starting with Delilah and Samson’s death:

Delilah waited until Samson had fallen asleep with his head in her lap. She called for a man [probably a barber, C.A.E] to shave off his hair, then, awakening him, she told him that the Philistines were upon him. He arose, expecting to do what he had done before, not knowing that the Spirit of Yahweh had left him. The Philistines seized him and, putting out his eyes, they took him down to Gaza where they bound him in chains and set him to grinding corn in the prison with the slaves. Thus, Samson’s love of a woman who was willing to trade his devotion to her for financial reward brought about his ultimate downfall. Samson himself betrayed Yahweh by disclosing to a daughter of the enemies of his people the source of his strength.

Watchman's Teaching Letter #227 March 2017

This is my two hundred and twenty-seventh monthly teaching letter and continues my nineteenth year of publication. I have resolved to do a series of lessons providing clarifying criticism of Howard B. Rand’s books, tracts and articles published in his Destiny Magazine, which includes several guest writers of varying degrees in excellence. Although I rate Rand and his associate writers only 50%, some of their articles are simply outstanding.

With this lesson, I will continue a critical review of a series entitled “The Book Of The Kingdom” found in Destiny magazines from January, 1949 until April, 1952 in 24 chapters, and oddly enough Rand does not identify an author. He may have written it all himself, or it might have been a team effort by him and some of his associated writers. So Rand either wrote it, or if by the help of others at least he approved of it and is responsible for it (and it will be edited by me):

With WTL #226 I had completed “The Book Of The Kingdom”,Destiny, June 1949: chapter VI of XXIV. With this lesson, I will reviewchapter VII of XXIV thusly,

Samson The Nazarite

Therewasaman of Zorah, of the tribe of Dan, whose name was Manoah and he and his wife were childless. However, the Angel of Yahweh appeared to his wife one day and said to her:

... Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.’ (Judges 13:3.)

The Angel of Yahweh then proceeded to give her specific instructions. She was told to take great care and see to it that she did not drink any wine, nor liquors of any kind. She was to refrain from eating any unclean thing for she was with child. When her son was born, no razor was to be used upon his head, for he was to be a Nazarite and consecrated to Yahweh from the day of his birth. Yahweh declared that through her son He would deliver Israel from the Philistines.

Watchman's Teaching Letter #226 February 2017

This is my two hundred and twenty-sixth monthly teaching letter and continues my nineteenth year of publication. I have resolved to do a series of lessons providing clarifying criticism of Howard B. Rand’s books, tracts and articles published in his Destiny Magazine, which includes several guest writers of varying degrees in excellence. Although I rate Rand and his associate writers only 50%, some of their articles are simply outstanding.

With this lesson, I will continue a critical review of a series entitled “The Book Of The Kingdom” found in Destiny magazines from January, 1949 until April, 1952, in 24 chapters, and oddly enough Rand does not identify an author. He may have written it all himself, or it might have been a team effort by him and some of his associated writers. So Rand either wrote it, or if by the help of others, at least he approved of it and is responsible for it (with revision where needed):

Continuing from WTL #225 and “The Book Of The Kingdom”,Destiny, April 1949: chapter V of XXIV, “The Period Of The Judges”, and before we continue with chapter V, I would like to repeat a paragraph cited in WTL #225 thusly:

Victory Over Sisera

It was under Deborah’s direction that Barak attacked the armies of Sisera (Judges 4:4-10). Sisera escaped and took refuge with Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. He instructed her to say that no man had passed that way and he retired in her tent. While he was asleep Jael slew him by driving a peg into his temple. She then went out to meet Barak and led him to the tent where he found the body of his enemy. Deborah’s prophecy was fulfilled that Sisera would be delivered into the hand of a woman. This victory over Sisera was commemorated by a song sung by Deborah in which reference was made to the fact that deliverance came ‘when the people willingly offered themselves’ (Judges 5:2)”. [“Kenite”, (smith) most likely by occupation only. C.A.E.]

AtPsalm 83:1-18 (a song or Psalm of Asaph), gives us a list of the enemies that hate us:

1 Keep not thou silence, O Yahweh: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O Yahweh. 2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. 4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. 5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: 6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; 7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen [i.e., helped] the children of Lot. 9Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: 10Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: 12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of Yahweh in possession. 13 O my Almighty, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. 14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire; 15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm. 16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O Yahweh. 17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: 18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Yahweh, art the most high over all the earth.”

Watchman's Teaching Letter #225 January 2017

This is my two hundred and twenty-fifth monthly teaching letter and continues my nineteenth year of publication. I have resolved to do a series of lessons providing clarifying criticism of Howard B. Rand’s books, tracts and articles published in his Destiny Magazine, which includes several guest writers of varying degrees in excellence. Although I rate Rand and his associates’ research only 50%, some of their articles are simply outstanding.

With this lesson, I will continue a critical review of a series entitled “The Book Of The Kingdom” found in Destiny magazines from January, 1949 until April, 1952, in 24 chapters, and oddly enough Rand does not identify an author. He may have written it all himself, or it might have been a team effort with some of his associated writers. So Rand either wrote it or if by the help of others, at least he authorized it, and is therefore responsible for it (and it will be edited by me):

The Book Of The Kingdom”, chapter V of XXIV, Destiny, April 1949:

The Period Of The Judges”:

Because the generations that followed Joshua’s [i.e., Yahshua’s] day refused to heed the commandments of Yahweh, He allowed their adversaries to plunder and rob them. A time of religious corruption and anarchy was initiated in the conditions which existed in the land during this interval in Israel’s history known as the period of the judges.

Yahweh was moved to pity by the groans of the people due to their intense suffering under the grip of tyrants and oppressors. Leaders, called judges, were raised up in Israel to deliver them from the power of those who were despoiling them. Under their leadership the people were directed to repent of their evil ways but they refused to heed the warnings given and continued their evil practices. Thus, though Israel was rescued from time to time out of the hands of their enemies, the deliverance was always only temporary. As soon as one judge died the people would lapse into disobedience, often corrupting themselves worse than before by forsaking their own Almighty to worship and make sacrifices to [heathen deities].

And the anger of Yahweh was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua [i.e., Yahshua] left when he died’.” (Judges 2:20-21)

Trying Israel

Why had Joshua [i.e., Yahshua] failed to drive out all the nations that the Almighty had commanded should be driven out of Canaan? The account states that Yahweh refused to let Joshua [i.e., Yahshua] complete this task for He wished to try Israel to see if they would obey His commands as their fathers had done. So He left some of the inhabitants in the land to prove, or test, them. A list of the nations which were left in the land for this purpose is given. Israel violated the Almighty’s covenant by taking the daughters of the heathen nations to be their wives and by giving their daughters to the sons of the Canaanites in marriage, and by serving heathen [deities] :

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of Yahweh, and forgat Yahweh their Almighty, and served Baalim and the groves’.” (Judges 3: 7.)

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