Congregation Bible Study (30 min.): Rr ch. 9 paras. 18-26 and Boxes 9A and 9B.
18. What type of shepherds would Jehovah use for his people?
He will use faithful and loyal men according to Ezekiel 34:10, 12. In these verses Jehovah assured his faithful servants: "I will rescue my sheep from his mouth and I will seek and care for them."
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jehovah helped his people by removing these wicked and corrupt shepherds, since in the mistakes that their sheep made, these shepherds were greatly to blame for what Jehovah said: "I will not allow you to feed my sheep."
As Ezekiel 34:12 says, Jehovah promised his faithful servants that he would take care of them, like a shepherd who has found his scattered sheep and feeds them.
The shepherds who led Jehovah's people at that time were wicked and corrupt and caused Jehovah's people to make many mistakes, so Jehovah was no longer going to allow such a situation. He was going to use faithful and loyal shepherds to take care of his people.
19. What did Jehovah promise regarding unity?
In Ezekiel 11:19 Jehovah promises: “I will unify their hearts and put a new spirit in them,” since when they returned to their beloved land they were united with Jehovah and with each other, thus forgetting the sadness they felt when they were in exile.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jehovah promised that by being united no enemy would attack them and Jehovah would give them glory instead of shame or disgrace and, in the minds of his faithful prophets, the rebellion of his people would be a thing of the past.
What Ezekiel 11: 9 says that he would unify the hearts of his people and put in it a new spirit. The false prophets and corrupt pastors had a very strong influence on the people, so much so that they turned them against the faithful prophets of Jehovah, this caused that Jehovah's people were not united and various groups of different opinions arose. But that was going to change very soon as Jehovah promised, his people would remain united to Jehovah and among themselves, thus they would worship Jehovah and give him the glory that he deserves.
20, 21. How were God's promises fulfilled in the Jews who returned from exile?
His promises were fulfilled in harmony with what Joshua 23:14 said: "Not a word has failed, they were all fulfilled in your favor", and just as Josué saw them fulfilled in his days, so it would happen when the people returned to their home, When they arrived, they began to cultivate the land and enjoy a productive life, thus Jehovah showed that he was blessing them.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
His beloved people left behind idolatry and the disgusting practices of false religion and returned to rebuild Jehovah's altar and offered him the sacrifices that were pleasing to him.
All the promises were fulfilled to the letter, the lesson we can draw is that as Joshua 23:14 says, Not a single word of all the good promises that Jehovah makes, has failed, all are fulfilled. We fully trust in Jehovah, everything he has said has been fulfilled, is being fulfilled and will be fulfilled.
The 5 promises of Jehovah can be seen in Information Box 9A of the book
Worship without idolatry. How was it fulfilled? The Jews turned away from false religion by ceasing to practice idolatry and other disgusting things.
Back in a fertile land. How was it fulfilled? Although it may be difficult to believe, the Jews returned home, to cultivate and bear good fruits, leading a productive life thanks to that fertile land.
Offerings Pleasing to Jehovah. How was it fulfilled? They rebuilt Jehovah's altar in Jerusalem so that they could offer offerings that Jehovah was going to accept because they would be pleasing to him.
Direction by faithful men. How was it fulfilled? Thanks to Jehovah, the Jews could now be led by good, truly spiritual men. As were Ezra, Nehemiah, Zerubbabel, Joshua. Haggai, Zacharias and Malachi. Faithful servants of Jehovah who played their role well.
United to worship God in the temple. How was it fulfilled? If they followed Jehovah's standards, they would enjoy unity because all Jews would be worshiping the only true God who was going to protect and help them in everything.
22. How do we know that the restoration prophecies would have a much greater fulfillment?
We know this because the first fulfillment was only a small anticipation of something greater since the restoration promises are guaranteed by what Joshua affirmed, that Jehovah's words are always fulfilled.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jehovah would fulfill and keep his promise as long as his people were obedient and humble. Sadly as time passed, they returned to their wrongdoing, yet Jehovah kept his promise which would have a greater fulfillment and with lasting effects.
What Jehovah promised the Jews had one condition, that he would keep those promises if they were obedient and allowed to be taught. After a while, the Jews were not like that and ended up being disobedient and rebellious. Because Jehovah keeps everything he says, those promises he made are still in force and will be fulfilled and will last forever.
"I will take pleasure in you"
23, 24. How and when did “the times of the restoration of all things” begin?
Thanks to Jehovah and our study of the Bible, we know that 1914 marks the end of this evil system. This causes us great joy and not pessimism, since the Bible indicates that in 1914 they begin: "The times of the restoration of all things" (Acts 3:21).
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We know this because in 1914 a great war took place in heaven in which Jesus Christ emerged victorious and was named heavenly king, thus demonstrating Jehovah that he fulfilled the promise given to King David in 1 Chronicles 17: 11-14.
Jehovah promised David that someone of his seed would reign and that it would be forever. Jesus is a descendant of King David so he could inherit the throne. So it was, in the year 1914, Jehovah gave the throne to his son Jesus who was waiting in heaven. Acts 3:21 says, "He must remain in heaven until the times of restoration of all things that God announced." Therefore, from the year 1914 is when these times of restoration begin, Jehovah was going to use Jesus, to continue with the restoration.
25, 26. a) When did the exile in Babylon the Great end? How do we know? (See also the box “And why 1919?”)
The spiritual captivity ended in 1919. And it was time for Jehovah to restore pure worship, so his servants were released and the work began. They organized a historic convention, a new publication was designed, and faithful servants were appointed.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It ended when Christ as king next to His Father inspected pure worship on earth in harmony with Malachi 3: 1-5 and just as predicted, the weeds and wheat had grown together and it was time to effect the harvest.
When Jehovah said it was time, it was early in the year 1919. Bible students, as Jehovah's Witnesses were called at that time, began to separate themselves from Babylon the Great, false religions and uncover their false teachings .
Information Box 9B, for related prophecies.
We know that Jesus began to reign in heaven in 1914.
Bible students went through a difficult period between 1914 and 1919. Many expected to see the end of the system in 1914, but it did not come. In addition, Russell died in 1916, who was the brother who guided them with great enthusiasm. Another brother, Rutherford, arrived, but they turned against him because of their affection for Russell. This caused that in the year 1917 the organization was almost divided.
In 1918 Rutherford and 7 collaborators were imprisoned. The world headquarters even had to close.
But in 1919 everything changed, the brothers were released from prison and immediately organized an assembly, released a new publication, which we know today as “Awake! Ministry".
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