TREASURES OF THE BIBLE, Week July 4-10, 2022, “Barzillai recognized his limitations”, Prepared Speech.

TREASURES OF THE BIBLE, July 4-10, 2022, “Barzillai Recognized His Limitations,” Prepared Speech.

“Barzillai recognized his limitations” (10 mins.)

The history of art tells that almost 500 years ago a man was born who was a prodigy in the design of architecture, painting and, above all, sculpture. Already at the age of 21 he had made one of his masterpieces that exists to this day, indicating that he was a man who knew how to do things very well. But when he was asked to make a painting that still exists and is a work of art, he flatly refused because he said that he was useless for painting but for making sculptures.

Because we cite this example, because there are times when a person recognizes what he is good for and when it is time to do it. That is what we are going to talk about in this section of Treasures of the Bible: «Barzillai recognized his limitations». Who was this character named Barzillai? It is said that he was a wealthy Gileadite, a "very great" personage, says the Bible, and that he supported King David in giving him supplies of food and lodging during Absalom's rebellion. At the conclusion of this rebellion, he escorted him to the Jordan. And that's when David makes a really impressive proposal.

LET'S READ: 2 Samuel 19:32,33.

32 Barzillai was very old, he was 80 years old. During the time that the king was staying in Mahanaim, Barzillai provided him with provisions, for he was a very rich man. 33 So the king said to Barzillai, "Come and cross with me, and in Jerusalem I will see to it that you have food."

It is clear that David was a man who always recognized| the good work of others and he was very appreciative. But here this proposal that he accompany him to the King was not only due to gratitude for the help they had received, both from him and from two other men who allowed David to stay in those territories. What David was wanting here was to take a very wise man to his side, a man who knew how to do things very well with enough experience for David to continue his reign without major setbacks.

And we can already imagine that taking a permanent position in the palace would be a great honor for a man like Barzillai. That would help him have more prestige because he had the friendship of the king. Thinking about this example and us. How do you feel when someone, some brother with responsibilities, whether in the congregation or in the organization, has made you a proposal to carry out a task that you had never thought of? It is true that in most cases, when something like this has been proposed to us, we come to think that we are not qualified to do it.

However, when Jehovah grants a privilege, it is because he believes that you are ready to exercise it. Of course, more help is needed, more training and the organization will give it to you. However, how do we react to these kinds of situations when we already have many theocratic activities to do, either in the congregation or in the organization? What would be the sensible way to act?

As we said a few moments ago, when this already consecrated artist at only 21 years old was offered to do an extraordinary work of painting for the time. He turned her down because he said that what he was making the sculptures with was more than enough. He recognized what it was good for. Barzillai is here receiving an offer from King David to be one of his advisers. How would you have reacted? How do you react when you are offered a position of greater responsibility within the congregation?

LET'S READ: 2 Samuel 19:34,35.

34 But Barzillai said to the king, “How many years of life do I have left? Why am I going up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am already 80 years old. Can I tell the difference between the good things and the bad? Can this servant of yours taste what he eats and drinks? Am I still able to hear the voice of male and female singers? What is the point of this servant of yours becoming one more burden for my lord the king?

This example of Barzillai makes us think that when we receive a proposal for a new privilege within the congregation, we want to analyze very carefully if we will be more useful in our service, or perhaps we could allow someone else to do the same job more effectively. The example of Barzilái today makes us think that one has to be modest, that is, recognize their limitations and that if we either already have a privilege and cannot perform it well, or if they offer us a position of greater responsibility than the one we currently have, and we believe that it is not appropriate because we are already overloaded with activity, we could seriously think of someone else doing it.

As a current example of modesty. We are going to cite the case of a brother named Shigeo in 1976, when he was 30 years old. He was appointed a member of a branch committee in 2004, that is, 28 years later, at the age of 58, he became the coordinator of this committee. Without a doubt, a privilege worthy of praise. But over time he realized that he no longer had the strength he had before and he was not as fast in his work. So he spoke to Jehovah about the matter and thought of the advantages of having a younger brother take his place. 

Today, Shigeo is no longer the coordinator of that 4-branch committee, but he is still a part of the committee and collaborating with its members. This example of Barzillai and Shigeo teaches us that a humble and modest person does not focus on the lack of experience of young people, but on their strengths. He sees them as his companions, not his rivals. And so it happened in the case of Barzillai. He recommended that David better take his son Kimhan so that he could help him in the tasks that he wanted Barzillai to perform.

LET'S READ: Micah 6:8.

8 He has told you, O man, what is good. And what does Jehovah expect of you? Only that you practice justice, love loyalty and walk modestly with your God!

Modesty is recognizing our limitations and is essential to pleasing Jehovah. We want to be modest people. We want to recognize our limitations and not gain more prominence, or perhaps want to encompass many activities and neglect others, such as our personal study, preaching, or caring for our families. Without a doubt, Barzilai is an excellent example of recognizing how far we can go.

We want to give our best to Jehovah, but possibly; Others can do this job better than us. Let's help others to progress. Let's see in the young people, in the congregation, a good prospect for them to get to do the work that we would like to do. They will receive Jehovah's blessing and the entire congregation or organization will receive the blessings through the work of these brothers.