was concerned about the procreative powers of his typical people of Israel, he must likewise be so about those of his spiritual Israelites, because he authorizes them to be parents and bring up offspring in the fear of God.

If anyone was sexually sterilized before coming to a knowledge of the truth and he survived Armageddon, it would require a miracle from God through Christ the King of mankind to enable such sterilized person to take part then in fulfilling the procreation mandate.

There are several other methods used today to avoid parenthood, and on these the Society remains silent, leaving each married couple to make their own decision. (See The Watchtower, March 1, 1951, page 159; April 1, 1953, page 222.) However, it is absolutely wrong for a person to think that in order to stay free for the Kingdom service and avoid family responsibilities in the way of children he is justified in getting himself sexually sterilized. If he is so desirous of avoiding family responsibilities, then let him stay single, and thus, as Jesus said, make himself a eunuch for the sake of God’s kingdom. (Matt. 19:12) A person who has himself sterilized does an injustice to his marriage partner who may at some time want and be entitled to children. He may think he is thus making himself free from trials and temptation by the Devil in this respect, but he is exposing himself to other trials and temptations in this very same respect. It is best to live a normal life with all the powers and faculties God has given a creature physically.

If one was sterilized before understanding the truth, then let him draw comfort from Isaiah 56:3-7.

● Who was the father of Shealtiel? The Bible account at Matthew 1:12 says his father was Jechoniah, while Luke 3:27 says Neri. How can these two genealogies be harmonized?—H. H., U.S.A.

On page 130 of the book “Your Will Be Done on Earth” it is correctly stated: “But before finally merging in King David, the ancestral lines of Joseph and Mary meet in Zerubbabel and his father Shealtiel.” As Matthew says, Shealtiel was the direct son of King Jechoniah or Jehoiachin. How, then, was he the son of Neri? He was the son of Neri also because he married Neri’s daughter and became in reality the son-in-law of Neri. The Hebrews, however, spoke of a son-in-law as a son, just as Joseph the direct son of Jacob is spoken of by Luke as a son of Heli because Joseph married Heli’s daughter Mary.—Luke 3:23.

It is interesting to note in this connection that in Luke 3:27 the Cambridge manuscript of Beza, which is designated by the international symbol “D,” reads: “the son of Jechoniah,” not Neri.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

The Bible-study aid “Your Will Be Done on Earth” and a booklet will be offered by Jehovah’s witnesses in their ministry during July, on a contribution of 50c. Congregations throughout the world will endeavor to cover all their territory with this offer during the next three months, so people everywhere will have the opportunity to obtain the book.

JOIN THE THRONGS IN ASSEMBLY THIS SUMMER!

“When God Speaks Peace to All Nations” is the title of the featured talk at the 1959 Awake Ministers District Assemblies. All together, four days of vital information have been arranged for by the Watch Tower Society that will be shared by thousands of active ministers and those with whom they are studying the Bible, as well as other persons who are of good will toward Jehovah God and his new world of righteousness. You will want to join these thousands in attendance throughout the United States and Canada at the convention city nearest you. In spite of world conditions and a threatening future, there is real hope for those who put their trust in God’s provision. Hear it discussed at any one of the assemblies scheduled. For details write WATCHTOWER CONVENTION, 117 Adams St., Brooklyn 1, N. Y.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

August 16: Keeping Kingdom Interests First. Page 396.

August 23: Resisting Entanglement with This World’s Interests. Page 401.