and the city elders handled legal cases. The Israelites were not just to retain God’s law in their hearts and teach it to their children. They were also to demonstrate by action (as expressed by the hands) that they adhered to it. Just as if God’s law were written between their eyes for all to see, they were to identify themselves publicly as its upholders. This would be a far more effective way to maintain faithfulness than the literal wearing of passages from God’s law on their person or writing such passages on their doorposts or gates.

Even a hypocritical person could wear scripture-containing cases. In fact, Jesus Christ censured the Pharisees for ‘broadening the scripture-containing cases that they wore as safeguards.’ (Matt. 23:5) By enlarging these cases, they apparently wanted to impress others with their zeal for the Law. But they disregarded its real purpose. Hence, their outward manifestations meant nothing.

Surely we today should want to prove ourselves to be obedient servants of Jehovah from the heart. This means our hearts should move us to respond with appreciative obedience to the guidance of God’s written Word. Our minds should be on the serious, righteous, lovable, virtuous, chaste and praiseworthy things. (Phil. 4:8) In whatever we are doing, we should “work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men.” (Col. 3:23) Yes, our every action should prove that God’s commands are always before us.

Do You Shun Religion?

Many men think that religion is hypocritical. Some feel that it is a moneymaking business. And they have good reason for thinking so.

But there is a religion that is not like that. Its people sincerely practice what it teaches about God and his Word. You probably believe there is a God. So why not investigate what God’s own Word teaches?

The Watchtower is designed to help you to do this. Send only $1.50, and receive two issues a month for one year.

Please send me by mail for one year the Watchtower magazine, for which I enclose $1.50. For mailing the coupon I am to receive free three timely booklets on Bible themes.