1, 2. (a) Why do many find it difficult to trust those in authority?
Most people find it hard to trust those in authority because laws and politics almost always favor the rich and powerful, the poor are treated unfairly and looked down upon.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Many today find it hard to trust anyone in authority. Why? Because they see that laws and politics generally favor the rich and powerful, but the poor are treated unfairly. No wonder the Bible says: "Man has dominated man to his own evil." Also, the conduct of some religious leaders leaves much to be desired, and this has caused some people to lose trust in God.
Because they see that laws and politics generally favor the rich and powerful, but men are treated unfairly. Also, the misconduct of some religious leaders has caused some people to stop trusting God and turn away from him.
Because it is observed that laws and politics generally favor the rich and powerful. In addition, many have stopped trusting God because of the conduct of some religious leaders.
b) What will we see in this article?
We will see three of them. First, when we read certain stories from the Bible. Second, when we receive instructions from Jehovah's organization. And, third, when we face tests in the future.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In this article we will look at three of them. First, when we read certain stories from the Bible. Second, when we receive instructions from Jehovah's organization. And, third, when we face tests in the future.
We will see how we can trust Jehovah when we read certain Bible accounts, when we receive instructions from Jehovah's organization, and when we face trials in the future.
We will see how Jehovah leads his people and how they test our faith. First, when we read certain stories from the Bible. Second, when we receive instructions from Jehovah's organization. And, third, when we face tests in the future.
WE TRUST JEHOVAH WHEN WE READ THE BIBLE
3. Why can some stories in the Bible test our trust in Jehovah?
For example, in the book of Numbers, Jehovah sentenced an Israelite to death for gathering firewood on the Sabbath. But in the Second Book of Samuel we read that Jehovah forgave King David even though he had committed adultery and murder. We are most likely to ask ourselves, "Why did the Lord forgive David such serious sins, but he condemned the other man for a sin that did not seem so serious?" These accounts could test our trust in Jehovah.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
As we read the Bible, we may wonder why Jehovah treated some people in a certain way or why he made certain decisions. For example, in the book of Numbers we read that Jehovah sentenced an Israelite to death for gathering firewood on the Sabbath. But in the Second Book of Samuel we read that, centuries later, Jehovah forgave King David even though he had committed adultery and murder.
They can put our faith because we may not understand or wonder why Jehovah treated some people in a certain way or why he made certain decisions. For example, we may wonder why Jehovah forgave David's serious sins but condemned the man who went to collect firewood on the Sabbath.
We may not understand how Jehovah acted on certain occasions. For example, he killed an Israelite for gathering wood on the Sabbath. But I forgive King David for committing adultery and murder.
4. How do Genesis 18:20, 21 and Deuteronomy 10:17 help us trust in Jehovah's decisions?
It helps us understand that Jehovah never commits injustice. The more we know Jehovah, the more we will trust his decisions. Jehovah is righteous in all his ways.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We can be sure that Jehovah “never commits injustice.” Human beings often make mistakes in judging because we get carried away by things like the opinion of others or prejudices. But Jehovah is not like that, he takes into account all the facts.
The more we know Jehovah and his rules, the more we will trust his decisions. So, if reading the Bible brings up questions that we cannot answer right now, what we know about Jehovah is more than enough to give us confidence that he “is righteous in all his ways.”
In Genesis 18:21 it says that Jehovah was going to see if the complaints about Sodom and Gomorrah were true and if they were really behaving badly. So we tend to judge by the opinion of others, Jehovah makes sure and takes into account the facts. He never acts unfairly.
And although we do not know all the details of some story, as is the case of the man who went to get firewood on the Sabbath, what we know about Jehovah is more than enough to trust that he "is just in all his ways", as he says. Psalm 145:17.
Jehovah takes into account all the facts and makes sure before making a decision as the Genesis account says. And in Deuteronomy he shows who is impartial. So although we cannot answer or understand certain matters we know that Jehovah, "is righteous in all his ways."
5. What effect does imperfection have on our sense of justice? (See the sidebar “Imperfection Clouds Our Sense of Justice.”)
Because we are imperfect, we can make mistakes in judgment, even when we think we have all the information.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Imperfection clouds our sense of justice. Since God made us in his image, we do not like injustice. But, because we are imperfect, we can make mistakes in judgment, even when we think we have all the information.
Imperfection clouds our sense of justice. Just as a person with fogged-up glasses cannot see things clearly, imperfection clouds our sense of justice, making it hard for us to understand why Jehovah does things a certain way.
And we have the example of Jehovah. For him the fair thing was to destroy the Ninevites and he was very angry with Jehovah because he decided to show them mercy. So we see that it was Jonah who was wrong, not Jehovah, and thanks to his decision, more than 120,000 Ninevites were saved.
Because we are made in the image of Jehovah we do not like injustice. But because we are imperfect, we make mistakes in judging even when we think we have all the information. So it happened to Jonah, that he did not agree that he will spare more than 120,000 Ninevites.
Imperfection clouds our sense of justice
ILLUSTRATION:
A man with foggy glasses that prevent him from seeing his surroundings clearly.
Because we are imperfect, we are sometimes harsher or more forgiving than Jehovah (1 Sam. 16:7). That can make us question the way he does things. Our situation is similar to that of someone who has fogged up glasses: no matter how hard he tries, he cannot see things clearly. Similarly, imperfection can cloud our sense of justice and make it hard for us to understand why Jehovah does things the way he does. When that happens, it is our way of seeing things that is wrong, not Jehovah's (Ezek. 18:29).
6. Why is Jehovah not obliged to explain to us?
He is not obliged to give us explanations, he is our creator and he does not need us to give him the go-ahead for anything.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It is true that in the past Jehovah allowed some of his servants to weigh in on decisions he had made or was about to make. And, sometimes, he explained why he had made a certain decision. But he is under no obligation to explain to us why he does things. He is our Creator and he does not need our approval to do anything, neither before nor after doing it.
Because he is our creator and he does not have to give us explanations as to why he does things. He does not need our approval to do anything, neither before nor after doing it. As Isaiah 40:13 says, "Who has measured the spirit of the Lord, or who can be his counselor and teach him?" We are just simple imperfect humans.
It is our creator and does not need our approval to do anything before or after doing it.
TRUST JEHOVAH WHEN RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS
7. Whom might we have a hard time trusting, and why?
We can have a hard time trusting Jehovah's representatives here on earth. Because we will wonder if they are doing things Jehovah's way or the way it seems to them.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
But we may have a hard time trusting their representatives here on Earth. We may wonder if they are doing things Jehovah's way or their own. The reality is this: we cannot say that we trust Jehovah if we do not trust his representatives on earth, whom he trusts.
We may have a hard time trusting God's representatives here on Earth. We may wonder if they are doing things Jehovah's way and Jehovah's way. And that's what happened to some people in Bible times.
Continuing with the comment, possibly a relative of the man who violated the Sabbath wondered if Moses consulted Jehovah before pronouncing the sentence. Or a friend of Uriah may have wondered if David took advantage of being king to escape the punishment he deserved. But the truth is that if we do not trust God's representatives on earth, we are not trusting Jehovah either.
Jehovah's representatives here on earth together can perhaps ask ourselves if they are doing things Jehovah's way. If we say that we trust in Jehovah we must do so in his representatives on earth.
8. What similarity is there between what is mentioned at Acts 16:4, 5 and the way the congregation functions today?
Jehovah uses the “faithful and wise slave” to direct the earthly part of his organization. Like the governing body of the first century, this slave directs the worldwide work and gives instructions to the elders of the congregations.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Today, Jehovah uses the “faithful and wise slave” to direct the earthly part of his organization. Like the governing body of the first century, this slave directs the worldwide work and gives instructions to the elders of the congregations.
And the elders see to it that these instructions are followed in the congregations. If we follow the instructions of the organization and the elders, we will show that we trust Jehovah's way of doing things.
The similarity is that, like the governing body of the first century, today the faithful and wise slave directs the worldwide work and gives instructions to the elders of the congregations. So if we show trust and follow the instructions of the organization, we will be trusting in Jehovah's way of doing things.
Jehovah uses the faithful and wise slave to direct the worldwide work and give instructions to the elders. These in turn put them into practice in the congregations. Obeying these instructions means that we trust Jehovah's way of doing things.
9. When might it be difficult for us to support the elders' decisions, and why?
For example, it may happen that in the congregation, in order to make better use of the Kingdom Hall space, the elders have asked some brothers to change congregations. In this case it would be difficult for us to support this decision if it were the case of our family and friends.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In some cases, to make better use of Kingdom Hall space, the elders have asked some publishers to change congregations. If that happened to us, it might be difficult for us to leave our family and friends. Does Jehovah tell the elders where each publisher is to go? No. And it may be precisely for this reason that it is difficult for us to follow the instructions they give us.
In recent years we have had restructuring in the congregations and circuits. And perhaps we were asked to change congregations and leave close family and friends behind. Those decisions of where each brother would go are not decided by Jehovah, but by the elders of each congregation. And precisely that can make it difficult for us to follow the instructions they give us, but we must do so because Jehovah trusts them.
An example is the reorganization of many congregations and circuits to make better use of Kingdom Halls. We have been asked to change congregations. That involves sacrifices like getting away from our family and friends, and supporting these arrangements.
10. According to Hebrews 13:17, why should we support the elderly?
Because when we do, we maintain the unity of God's people.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because when we do, we maintain the unity of God's people. In addition, the congregation benefits when we are all humble and accept the decisions of the elders. More importantly, because in this way we show Jehovah that we trust him, since he has appointed the elders to take care of us.
Because by doing so we are the unity of the people of God. As Ephesians 4:3 says, we must "do all we can" to maintain that unity and that peace. So all the members will be happy and we will benefit if we accept the decisions of the elders. And more importantly, we will show that we trust in Jehovah.
That is the best way to maintain unity in the people of God. And more importantly, we show Jehovah that we trust him and the men he has appointed to take care of us.
11. What can help us to trust more in the guidance of the elders?
It can help us to remember that they ask Jehovah for holy spirit when they are going to make decisions that are for the congregation.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Remember that they ask Jehovah for holy spirit when they are going to make decisions that have to do with the congregation. They also take into account biblical principles and the organization's instructions. They sincerely want to please Jehovah and give the best possible care to the brothers. These faithful men know that God will hold them accountable for the way they do their jobs.
It will help us that they ask Jehovah for holy spirit to make good decisions within the congregation. In addition, they also take into account the biblical principles and the instructions of the organization.
They make decisions based on biblical principles and the organization's instructions. They ask Jehovah for his guidance in making those decisions because they know that God will hold them accountable for the way they do their work.
12. What questions should the elders discuss to know if a person is repentant?
They have to find out if the person is truly sorry, and ask themselves: Does he really hate what he did? Is she determined not to commit that sin again? If bad friendships led her to sin, is she willing to cut them off?.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
They should discuss questions such as the following: Even if that person says he is sorry, does he really hate what he did? Is she determined not to commit that sin again? If bad friends led her to sin, is she willing to cut them off? The elders pray to Jehovah, analyze the facts according to what the Bible says, and take into account the attitude that the person shows towards what he did. So they decide if he can stay in the congregation or not. Depending on the case, the sinner may have to be expelled.
They must analyze if that person who claims to be sorry really hates what he did and if he is determined not to commit that sin again. And in case you have bad friends, if the person is willing to cut them off.
And continuing with the brother's comment, what the elders do is pray to Jehovah and analyze the facts based on biblical principles. Once this is done, they will decide whether he is expelled or is heartily sorry.
They take into account the attitude that the person demonstrates, they must see evidence of repentance, that he really hates what he has done and that he is determined not to commit that sin again. They must make the decision that helps keep the congregation clean.
13. What might concern us if a family member or friend of ours is expelled?
We might be concerned that they did not take all the factors into account, or that they did not judge the matter the way Jehovah would.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
If someone who is not our friend or relative is expelled, we may readily accept the decision of the elders. But what if they expel someone who is very close to us? Then our trust in the elderly could be tested. We may worry that they did not consider all the factors or that they did not judge the matter Jehovah's way.
Perhaps our trust in the elderly could be tested. We may worry that they did not consider all the facts or that they did not judge the matter Jehovah's way.
We might believe that not all factors have been taken into account or that the matter is not being judged Jehovah's way.
14. What should we remember if the elders decide to expel a family member or friend of ours?
We must remember that the expulsion is a measure that Jehovah has established for the good of the congregation and the sinner.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We must remember that the expulsion is a measure that Jehovah has established for the good of the congregation and the sinner. If someone who has not repented were allowed to remain in the congregation, this person would be a bad influence. Furthermore, he may not realize the seriousness of his sin and that he has to change his way of thinking and acting in order to regain his friendship with Jehovah.
We can be sure that the elders take very seriously their responsibility to decide whether someone should be expelled or not. Like the judges of ancient Israel, they know that they "judge not for any man, but for Jehovah."
We must remember that the expulsion is a measure that Jehovah has established for the good of the congregation and the sinner. In addition, if this measure is not taken, perhaps the sinner might think that what he did is not so serious and then he would not change his way of acting.
And it is also very important to be clear that the elders take very seriously their responsibility to decide if someone is expelled or not. It is not a matter that they take lightly, but as 2 Chronicles 19:6 says "they judge for the Lord, not for men".
What is a measure that Jehovah has established for the good of the congregation and the sinner. In addition, the congregation is protected from bad influence and helps the sinner to change his way of thinking and acting to regain friendship with Jehovah.
TRUSTING JEHOVAH NOW PREPARES US FOR THE FUTURE
15. Why do we need to trust in Jehovah's guidance today more than ever?
Because the end of this system is near, and today more than ever we have to trust Jehovah's way of doing things.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The end of this system is getting closer. Therefore, today more than ever we have to trust in Jehovah's way of doing things. This is because during the Apocalypse we may receive instructions that seem strange, impractical, or illogical. That will not be the time to doubt and wonder if those instructions come from Jehovah or if the responsible brothers are doing things his way.
Because the end of this system is getting closer and closer and perhaps during the great tribulation we will receive instructions that seem strange or illogical to us. Therefore, we must trust more than ever in the guidance that Jehovah gives us through his representatives on Earth. If we already obey these instructions, it is likely that we will do the same during the great tribulation.
During the Apocalypse, we may receive instructions that seem strange, practical, or illogical. That is why how we react now to the guidance of Jehovah's Organization is important.
ILLUSTRATION:
A group of brothers and sisters gathered in a basement. As one brother gives instructions, another looks at him skeptically.
What will help us trust and obey the instructions we receive during the Apocalypse? (See paragraph 15).
16. How will our trust in Jehovah’s decisions soon be tested?
Our confidence will be tested at Armageddon, because it will be Jehovah, through Jesus, who decides what will happen to our family and friends. It will not be up to us to decide who will receive Jehovah's mercy and who will not.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Now we hope that many of those who do not serve Jehovah, including some of our relatives, will decide to do so before the end comes. But at Armageddon it will be Jehovah, through Jesus, who decides what will happen to them. It will not be up to us to decide who will receive Jehovah's mercy and who will not. Will we trust Jehovah, or will we turn our backs on him because we disagree with what he has decided? It is clear: we need to strengthen our trust in Jehovah now so that we can fully trust him in the future.
Our trust in Jehovah will be tested because the day will come when he, through Jesus, will decide who will receive Jehovah's mercy and who will not. And among those people will be relatives of ours. We will have to agree with and trust in Jehovah's decisions, and to do so we must strengthen our trust in Jehovah now.
At Armageddon Jehovah through Jesus will decide what will happen to our relatives or friends. It is not for us to decide who will receive Jehovah's mercy and who will not. So we must now be willing to trust God to accept the decisions he makes later.
17. What will be the results of Jehovah's decisions at the end of this system?
The results will be the best because neither the false religion nor the greedy commercial system nor the governments that oppress and make people suffer will exist anymore. Everything will be in the past, like our health problems, old age and the death of our loved ones.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Neither the false religion nor the greedy commercial system nor the governments that oppress and make people suffer will exist anymore. Health problems, old age and the death of our loved ones will be a thing of the past. Satan and his demons will be locked up for 1,000 years. All the damage that his rebellion has caused will be gone.
The results will be the best there can be. False religion and human governments that oppress people will no longer exist. There will be no sickness, no old age, and no death. Also, satan will be locked up for 1000 years and all the damage he did will be gone.
Neither the false religion nor the greedy commercial system nor the governments that oppress and make people suffer will exist anymore. Health problems, old age and death will end. Satan and his demons will be locked up for 1000 years.
18. What lessons do we learn from the example of the Israelites mentioned at Numbers 11:4-6 and 21:5?
We learn that the more grateful we are now for what Jehovah gives us, the more grateful we will be in the future.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We don't know how much we will have to work to clean up the Earth and turn it little by little into a paradise. There may be a lot to do and life may not be very easy at first. Will we complain about what Jehovah gives us then? The more grateful we are now for what Jehovah gives us, the more likely we will be in the future.
When Jehovah delivered the Israelites from Egypt, soon some began to complain about the manna because they missed fresh food. This teaches us that when we are in the new world, we do not know how long we will have to spend cleaning the Earth to turn it into a paradise, and life may not be easy at first. But we must now be grateful for all that Jehovah gives us and not forget about it, as some Israelites did.
Shortly after being delivered from Egypt the Israelites complained about Yahweh's provisions. We do not know how much we have to work to clean the Earth and turn it into a paradise. There will be a lot to do and at first life will not be easy.
19. How would you summarize the main points of this article?
Jehovah's way of doing things is always correct. And we must be convinced of that.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We also have to trust the people he has chosen to carry out his instructions. Let us never forget what Jehovah said through the prophet Isaiah: “Your strength from him will depend on your keeping calm and showing confidence.”
The main points are: that Jehovah's way of doing things is always the best and we should trust him. And also to trust the people he has chosen to carry out his instructions. As Isaiah 30:15 says, our "strength will depend on your remaining calm and confident."
Jehovah always does things the right way. We must trust the people he has chosen to carry out his instructions. Accept the decisions that, although they seem wrong, are the best.
WHAT WILL HELP US IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS TO TRUST JEHOVAH'S WAY OF DOING THINGS?
When we read some stories from the Bible.
The Bible does not always give all the details. For example, we know that David truly repented of everything he did. But what kind of person was the man who disobeyed the Sabbath law? Was he sorry for what he had done? The Bible doesn't say. However, we can be sure that Jehovah “never commits injustice.” Human beings often make mistakes in judging because we get carried away by things like the opinion of others or prejudices. But Jehovah is not like that, he takes into account all the facts.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It will help us to know that the Bible does not always give all the details, that Jehovah never commits injustice, and that our imperfection can cloud our sense of justice, so we may not understand certain things.
The Bible doesn't say. However, we can be sure that Jehovah “never commits injustice.” Human beings often make mistakes in judging because we get carried away by things like the opinion of others or prejudices. But Jehovah is not like that, he takes into account all the facts. The more we know Jehovah and his standards, the more we will trust his decisions.
Imperfection clouds our sense of justice. Since God made us in his image, we do not like injustice. But, because we are imperfect, we can make mistakes in judgment, even when we think we have all the information. Let us remember, for example, what happened to Jonah.
Some situations we do not fully understand why Jehovah acted in a certain way. But we are sure that Jehovah knew well the hearts of the characters who intervened in those stories and that he acted impartially.
When we receive instructions.
Surely we are convinced that Jehovah always does the right thing. But we may have a hard time trusting his representatives here on Earth. For example: David had committed adultery with Uriah's wife, and that friend may have wondered if David had taken advantage of his position as king to escape the punishment he deserved from him. The reality is this: we cannot say that we trust Jehovah if we do not trust his representatives on earth, whom he trusts.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
When we do, we maintain the unity of God's people. In addition, the congregation benefits when we are all humble and accept the decisions of the elders. More importantly, because in this way we show Jehovah that we trust him, since he has appointed the elders to take care of us.
We can be sure that the elders take very seriously their responsibility to decide whether someone should be expelled or not. Like the judges of ancient Israel, they know that they "judge not for any man, but for Jehovah."
It will help us to remember that Jehovah trusts his representatives here on earth and so should we. He uses the faithful and wise slave to direct the earthly organization, and we must support his instructions and also those of the elders, who are guided by Jehovah's holy spirit.
Through the “faithful and wise slave” Jehovah transmits instructions for the congregations and the elders are in charge of carrying them out in each congregation and thus they continue to grow under Jehovah's instructions.
When we face trials in the future.
Today more than ever we have to trust Jehovah's way of doing things. This is because during the Apocalypse we may receive instructions that seem strange, impractical, or illogical. Of course, Jehovah will not speak directly to us. He will probably use his representatives here on Earth to give us instructions. That will not be the time to doubt and wonder if those instructions come from Jehovah or if the responsible brothers are doing things his way.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
During the Apocalypse, we may receive instructions that seem strange, impractical, or illogical. That will not be the time to doubt and wonder if those instructions come from Jehovah or if the responsible brothers are doing things their way. Will we trust Jehovah and his organization at such an important time in history? How we react now to the organization's guidance will help us know the answer.
How we react now to the organization's guidance will help us know the answer. If we trust the instructions we receive now and obey them right away, we will probably do the same during the Apocalypse.
It will help us strengthen our trust in Jehovah from now on. Instructions may be given that seem strange or illogical to us, but if we have full confidence in Jehovah we will not hesitate to obey and the results will be worth it.
Recognize that Jehovah will always give the best for his people and lead them with love in fulfillment of his biblical promises.
Comments
Post a Comment