The Study Watchtower, “Article 31,” Week of October 4-10, 2021, Are We Willing to Wait for Jehovah to Act ?, Answers.

The Study Watchtower, “Article 31,” October 4-10, 2021, Are We Willing To Wait For Jehovah To Act ?, Answers.

1, 2. What will we discuss in this article?

We will discuss several biblical principles that can help us continue to wait patiently. Then we will discuss two situations in which we must be patient and wait for Jehovah to act. And finally, we will analyze the blessings that will receive those who are willing to do so.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We will look at several biblical principles that can help us continue to wait patiently. As in Proverbs 13:12 which says that expectations that take time to be fulfilled make the heart sick, but the wish fulfilled is a tree of life, so if we know the reasons then we will have more patience. Then we will deal with 2 situations in which we must be patient and wait for Jehovah to act and finally, as I said in the advance, we will analyze the Blessings of those who are willing to wait patiently.

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES THAT TEACH US TO BE PATIENTS

3. What principle stands out in Proverbs 13:11?

There it is emphasized that the wisest thing to do is to do things patiently, step by step.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, the text says that the riches that are obtained quickly will decrease, but those that are gathered little by little will increase. That the wisest thing is to do things patiently, step by step as verse 11 of Proverbs 13 says little by little.

4. What principle do we find in Proverbs 4:18?

These words show us that Jehovah is progressively teaching his people his purpose. And if we apply it to the spiritual progress of the Christian, it teaches us that it is progress that takes time. Only by studying carefully and putting into practice the advice we receive through the Word of God and its organization, will we adopt the personality of Christ and get to know God better.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In that text he speaks that the path of the righteous is brighter and brighter every day, that is, enlightenment progresses, that refers to the spiritual progress of a Christian progressively. It is a process that takes time that cannot be accelerated. For example, while we study we put into practice and thus we go little by little adopting the personality of Christ and of course knowing Jehovah better.

5. What example did Jesus use to teach us that spiritual growth is progressive?

Jesus compared the Kingdom message to a little seed that grows little by little inside good-hearted people. Once a person draws closer to Jehovah, we begin to notice the changes they make in his life. And just as it is God who makes the seed in the earth grow and produce its fruit, so it is with the spiritual growth of a person.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

I compare it to the growth of a seed in Mark 4: 27-28 it is seen that little by little the plants grow, this is what happens with preaching. People with a good heart, that is, who accept the message of the kingdom, grow spiritually like a plant. Little by little. And we perceive that when the students gradually make changes in their personality but as it says at the end of paragraph 5, We must remember that it is Jehovah who makes it grow at the rate that it should happen.

ILLUSTRATION:

Picture series: The Bible student's progress is compared to the gradual growth of a plant. 1. A farmer sows seeds; a man listens to a brother who preaches next to a cart of publications. 2. The seeds sprout; the man studies the Bible, but he still has a Christmas tree in his house. 3. Plants grow; the man greets a brother at a congregation meeting. 4. The seeds bear fruit; the man is baptized.

The person who hears and accepts the message of the Kingdom grows spiritually like a plant: little by little. (See paragraph 5.)

6, 7. What do we learn from the way Jehovah created the earth?

We learn that Jehovah is patient and takes whatever time is necessary to carry out his works. And he does it for himself as well as for other people, at the time of creating the earth, the Bible says that he "fixed its dimensions", fitted "its foundations" and "placed its cornerstone", and even took time to reflect on its construction site. Thanks to that, he created everything very good.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Because of Jehovah's patience, he takes whatever time is necessary to do something. In the book of Job chapter 38 he uses expressions such as: fixed its dimensions, fitted its bases and placed its cornerstone. In other words, I was gradually creating each thing. That is why Jehovah took thousands of years to create the earth, the stars and the living beings and he was examining as the Genesis account indicates every time he saw something or examined something he said it was very good. So he was taking his time and this is also how he is progressively advancing in this case in what had to do with creation.

8. What will we see now?

We will look at two situations in which we must be willing to wait for Jehovah to act.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We will discuss two situations in which we must be willing to wait for Jehovah to act, that is, to be patient.

SITUATIONS IN WHICH WE SHOULD WAIT FOR JEHOVAH TO ACT

9. In what situation do we have to wait for Jehovah to act?

For example, when it seems to us that Jehovah does not answer our prayers immediately. Perhaps we have asked him to give us strength to face a problem or to help us overcome a weakness, however, we may feel that he is taking longer to answer us than we expected.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

If, in these situations where even our loyalty could be tested, we must be patient, Jehovah expects us to manifest this quality at all times, knowing that he is aware of what we are needing.

When we have the impression that Jehovah is taking time to answer our prayers and we have the impression that he is taking time.

10. Why should we be patient when we pray?

We must be patient because Jehovah is certainly aware of what we have been asking of him. Our patience will show you how interested we are in what we ask of you, and if we are determined to live according to your will. If we do so and act on our prayers, we can be sure that he will answer us.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The very words of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 7: 7,8 show us that Jesus was implying that there would be prayers that Jehovah would not answer immediately, hence encouraging us to keep asking, not to give up, but rather , insist. And in the end, our heavenly father will answer us.

Because for the most part we do not have the same way of thinking and seeing things as Jehovah sees them. For example, sometimes we say Jehovah does not listen to my prayers but in Psalm 65: 2, Jehovah says that if he listens to them in Hebrews 11: 6 it is indicated that he considers our prayers as proof that we have faith because if we keep speaking asking then indicates that we have faith in him. Another thing that the first letter of John 3:22 also mentions is that what we are requesting is according to the will of Jehovah, it may be the cause that the prayer is not answered or in the case of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 7 : 7,8 He said very clearly keep asking and it will be given to you, keep looking and you will find with these words he was implying that God might not answer some of our prayers immediately.

11. How does Hebrews 4:16 help us when it seems that the answer to a prayer is slow in coming?

Hebrews 4:16 shows us that Jehovah will respond just when we need help, that is, he will respond to us at the right time. And although through time many brothers have asked to be alive for the arrival of his kingdom, the most sensible thing is to wait for the moment that he has designated arrives, because that will be the best moment for everyone.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well in the text almost in the final part it said that he will respond to the just "At the right time." There are requests that we have been asking God for decades, how to ask that his Kingdom end this system. So it is wise to keep waiting for Jehovah to act and keep praying in faith. It will come at the time that Jehovah has designated for the day and hour that his Kingdom will end this system. It is Jehovah and he has already put it, he is only waiting for that moment to come to fulfill what he has offered.

ILLUSTRATION:

[Pictures on page 11]

Let us continue to pray in faith as we wait for Jehovah to act. (See paragraph 11) *

12. When can it be especially difficult to be patient?

One occasion is when we suffer injustice, either because of our culture, race, ethnicity, or simply because we are Jehovah's Witnesses. Patience may also be needed when we learn of a serious sin committed by someone in the congregation. Patience should lead us to trust that the elders will deal with the matter following Jehovah's guidance.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

When we suffer injustices. Today people treat others badly, whether because of their gender, race, ethnicity, culture, nationality or even because of a physical or mental disability. In some countries, Jehovah's servants are treated unfairly for following God's word, and sometimes we even become concerned about brothers who commit serious sin and we despair for the elders to act. Because they do not do something, it will be that they are not aware, as it says here, let us be patient, let us trust that the matter will be dealt with following the guidance of Jehovah.

13. How does Jehovah want serious sins to be handled?

With patience, taking the time that is due to see the matter as he sees it. For example, getting all the facts takes time. Then pray, advise the person carefully, and give him correction "To the right degree." it also takes time. Although they will not delay your decision, they will not make it in a hurry either. That way, everyone in the congregation will benefit.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

He wants to be treated as he would, to be seen as he sees it. In this case, the objective of the elders is not to expel someone for a sin that they have committed but rather to make that person turn from the wrong path even if they have sinned, repentance can still be achieved as it says here if it is possible. The main cause is to try to help this person but we also want to protect the congregation and comfort those who are injured if they are also within the congregation, it may seem to us that the elders take time to attend to the matter but it is not that they are sometimes Obtaining all the facts, investigating and that takes time but they are not letting the decision-making pass unnecessarily, but neither do they have to do it in a hasty way as James 3 said:

14. What biblical example can help us if a brother has done us a lot of harm?

The example of Joseph can help us, although the betrayal of his brothers surely hurt him a lot, he did not allow it to embitter him, he focused on serving Jehovah and he blessed him for his patience and endurance (Gen. 39:21). We must do the same, instead of becoming bitter, we must draw close to Jehovah and let him be the one to do justice.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Joseph is a clear example of holding out until Jehovah fixes things. The injustices and sins that his brothers committed against him did not embitter him but he remained focused on serving Jehovah and was blessed by his patience and endurance. Later he forgave his brothers and they saw how Jehovah had blessed him.

ILLUSTRATION:

Series of images: 1. José's brothers drag him and throw him into an empty cistern. 2. Joseph looks up at the sky from inside a prison. 3. José is very happy with his father, Jacob.

What lesson in patience does Joseph's example teach us? (See paragraphs 12-14).

15. What helped a sister to endure an injustice with patience?

It helped her to think about the example of Jesus, who did not return insults when insulted. So he decided to downplay what happened. Later, she learned that the companion suffered from a serious health problem and her nerves were on the edge of her skin. That made him conclude that his partner probably had no bad intentions. So she was at peace and was very glad that she had been patient when she was treated unfairly.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

A sister discovered that a co-worker was saying bad things about her that weren't true. Although she was very hurt, she began to think about the example of Jesus who did not give importance to what happened, then she found out that the companion suffered a serious health problem and her nerves were on the surface. He concluded that possibly his partner had no bad intentions when she said those things.

16. What can comfort us if we are enduring an injustice? (1 Peter 3:12).

It may be comforting to remember that Jehovah is the judge of all the earth and his eyes see everything, as 1 Peter 3:12 shows. We just have to be willing to wait for Jehovah to act.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

As Peter's first letter indicates, Jehovah's eyes are on the righteous. That is why he watches for difficult problems that we cannot solve and waits for the right moment to act on behalf of those who are heartbroken and patient.

THOSE WHO WAIT FOR JEHOVAH TO ACT WILL HAVE ENDLESS BLESSINGS

17. What does Jehovah promise us in Isaiah 30:18?

Isaiah shows that Jehovah patiently waits to show favor, to those who wait for him, he will rise up to show mercy. So he promises abundant blessings both now and in the future for those who are eagerly waiting for me to act.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Please wait patiently to show us favor and mercy. So many blessings await us now and in the future New World.

18. What blessings await us?

In the new world, we will never have to put up with the problems and concerns we face today again. There will be no more injustice or pain. Nor will we have to worry about getting the necessary things, because there will be everything in abundance.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In the new world we will never again have to put up with the problems and concerns we face today. There will be no more injustice or pain. Neither will the necessary things be scarce because there will be everything in abundance.

19. What is Jehovah gradually preparing us for?

Jehovah is preparing us for when we live under his rule. The best is yet to come. A wonderful future awaits us, so let us continue to be willing to wait patiently for Jehovah to fulfill all that he has promised us.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

For when we live under his rule. So we are aware that the best is yet to come, a wonderful future awaits us, so we must not get discouraged or give up. We know perfectly well that Jehovah has had far more patience than we have.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

What biblical principles can help us continue to wait patiently?

Proverbs 13:11 which reminds us that it is best to go little by little. Proverbs 4:18, which shows us that spiritual progress is also a process that takes time.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Proverbs 13:11 where it said that the wisest thing is to do things patiently step by step, it was also mentioned, Proverbs 4:18 says that we must have patience as not being able to accelerate the spiritual progress of a Christian like a seed that gives a little is growing and we cannot accelerate the proverb was said of the path of the just that progresses little by little every morning.

In what two situations do we have to be patient?

1) When it seems to us that Jehovah does not answer our prayers immediately. 2) When we suffer injustices.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

When we get the impression that Jehovah does not answer prayers when we want to. But he does listen to them and will act at the moment that has the best effect on us. Another situation is when we suffer injustices. Even so we know of serious sins committed by someone in the congregation let us leave it to the elders who acting with the wisdom from above will treat the matter as Jehovah would.

What blessings will those who are willing to wait receive?

In the present we will receive answers to your prayers. In the new world we will never again have to put up with the problems and concerns we face today. There will be no more injustice or pain. Nor will we have to worry about getting the necessary things, because there will be everything in abundance.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Before long, we will not have to put up with the problems and concerns that we face today. The injustices and the pain will disappear. For now, let's try to overcome bad habits and cultivate Christian qualities to prepare ourselves when we live under Jehovah's rule.