treatment resulted, as the Israelites had a more serious account to render before Jehovah God than did peoples who were without his laws. The Most High was also working matters out for the blessing of all mankind and permitting all to benefit from his bountiful provisions for life. Individuals of other nations were not prevented from turning to him and receiving his favorable attention.​—Pp. 355, 356.

● How can we avoid arousing feelings of improper jealousy in ourselves and others?

We should endeavor to cultivate greater love for our fellow humans and learn to appreciate their fine qualities and accomplishments. We should give thought to our words and actions so as not to arouse others’ jealousy.​—Pp. 388, 389.

● As shown at Hebrews 4:12, how was the ‘word of God alive’ in connection with the promise made to Israel?

The Israelites who were delivered from Egyptian bondage had the promise of entering into God’s rest, that is, enjoying during their lifetime in the Promised Land a rest from former slavery and oppression. That word of promise was not dead but alive, certain of fulfillment. Those who exercised faith in the promise did enter into a rest in the Promised Land.​—P. 439.

Annual Meeting October 1, 1976

The annual meeting of the members of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania on October 1, 1976, will be held at Jehovah’s Witnesses Assembly Hall, R. D. 3, Spring Run Road Extension, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania 15108. Through the Assembly Hall Committee, the brothers in the Pittsburgh area have invited the Society to hold its annual meeting at this newly completed Assembly Hall and the invitation has been gladly accepted. The meeting will be at 10:00 o’clock in the forenoon of Friday, October 1, 1976.

It will be appreciated if the members of the corporation will now see to it that the Secretary’s Office has their present mailing addresses so that the regular letters of notice and proxies can reach them shortly after September 1.

The proxies, which will be sent to the members along with the notice of the annual meeting, are to be returned so as to reach the Office of the Secretary of the Society not later than September 15. As each member knows, he should complete and return his proxy promptly whether he is going to be at the meeting personally or not. The information given on each proxy should be definite on this point as it will be relied upon in determining in advance those who will actually be personally present.

Questions From Readers

● The Watchtower (March 1 and 15, 1976, on Hosea) speaks of Jehovah God, the heavenly Husband, as being married to spiritual Israel. How can this be in view of what the apostle Paul says about the Christian congregation as being promised in marriage to one husband, Jesus Christ? (2 Cor. 11:2) Is this not contradictory and confusing?

Care should be taken, when considering Scriptural figures of speech, not to confuse them but to consider each one in its own setting. For example, Jehovah God refers to his heavenly universal organization as his wife. We find this as early as Genesis 3:15 and a number of times in the prophecy of Isaiah. Yet the chief one of his organization is his only-begotten Son. From one standpoint, Jesus Christ is the chief member of God’s “woman,” and from another standpoint he is the firstborn of all of God’s sons. Did God marry his only-begotten Son? No; we must be careful not to confuse figures of speech. From one standpoint he is God’s Son; from another, part of God’s “woman.”

Thus also the Scriptures refer to Christ’s followers under various figures of speech. They are termed his brothers. (Matt. 25:40; Heb. 2:17) They are also referred to as Christ’s body. (1 Cor. 12:27) And they are further spoken of prospectively as “the Lamb’s wife.” (Rev. 21:9) But to speak of Jesus as marrying his brothers, or his own body would be a confusing of figures of speech. From one standpoint his followers are like this, and from another standpoint, like that.