Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
I kept drawing them with the ropes of love (Hos. 11:4).
The Bible says that Jehovah's love for his servants is like a cord or rope. In what sense? Let's take an example. Imagine you are drowning in rough seas and someone drops a life preserver on you from a boat. I'm sure he appreciates it, because this is going to help him stay afloat. But just having a lifeguard is not enough. Since the water is cold, to survive you will need someone to throw you a rope and help you get to the boat. Well, as today's text says, Jehovah continued to lovingly attract the Israelites who had drifted away. That is what God wants to do today with those who are inactive and drown in a sea of problems and worries. He wants them to know that he loves them and wants to help them get back. And he can use us to express that love to them.
As we read in Luke 15:17-24, how did the father treat his repentant son?
What qualities must we show if we want to help those who want to return to Jehovah? Let's see what lessons the parable of the lost son teaches us (read Luke 15:17-24). Jesus says that the son ends up coming to his senses and decides to return to his house. The father runs to meet him and hugs him lovingly to assure him that he still loves him. The young man has many regrets and thinks that he no longer deserves to be called his son. The father is moved to see that his son opens her heart to him and is repentant. So he organizes a banquet and orders that they give him clothes of the best quality. In this way, he shows her that he does not receive her as one of his workers, but as a beloved member of the family.
What qualities must we have to help the inactive return to Jehovah? (See sidebar “How to Help Those Who Want to Return.”)
Jehovah is like the father in this parable. He loves our inactive brothers and wants them to return to him. If we imitate it, we can help them return. For this we must have patience, empathy and love. Why do we need these particular qualities, and how can we demonstrate them?
Why do we need patience to help an inactive person?
We need patience because it will take time for a person to recover his friendship with Jehovah. Many Christians who were inactive admit that the elders and other brothers in the congregation had to visit them many times before they returned to Jehovah. A sister named Nancy from Southeast Asia writes: “A good friend in the congregation helped me tremendously. He loved me like I was his older sister. It reminded me of the good times we had together. When I told him about my feelings, he listened patiently and did not hesitate to advise me. She was a true friend and was always there to help me.”
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