Watchtower Study, Week April 29 to May 5, 2024, Always follow Jehovah's guidance, Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, April 29-May 5, 2024, Always Follow Jehovah's Guidance, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response.

Dark Yellow: Additional Response.

Light Blue: Additional Points.

“I, Jehovah, am […] the one who guides you” (IS. 48:17).

1. Explain with an example why we should follow Jehovah's guidance.

IMAGINE that you are lost in the middle of a jungle. He is surrounded by dangers: wild animals, poisonous plants and insects of all kinds. You also run the risk of tripping on a rock and falling. Wouldn't you appreciate it if someone with experience would guide you and help you avoid all those dangers? Well, the world is like that jungle. It is full of dangers, especially for our spirituality. But we have the best possible guide: Jehovah. He shows us the path we must follow to avoid dangers and reach the new world, where we will live forever.

2. How does Jehovah guide us?

2 How does Jehovah guide us? Mainly, through his Word. But he also uses human beings as his representatives. For example, through “the faithful and prudent slave” he gives us spiritual food that helps us make good decisions (Matt. 24:45). These are not the only men that Jehovah uses to guide us. Circuit overseers and congregation elders encourage and counsel us in coping with difficulties. We are very grateful that Jehovah gives us such good guidance in these last very complicated days. This way we can continue being his friends and continue walking the path that leads to life.

3. What will we analyze in this article?

3 Even so, we may sometimes find it difficult to follow Jehovah's guidance, especially when it comes to us through imperfect men. Because? Maybe what they tell us is not what we want to hear. Or we may think that their advice is impractical or misguided, and therefore cannot come from Jehovah. It is at these times that we most need to trust that Jehovah is guiding his people and that the best thing we can do is follow his guidance. To strengthen that trust, in this article we are going to analyze the following three ideas: 1) how Jehovah guided his people in biblical times, 2) how he is guiding us today, and 3) what are the benefits of always following his guidance.

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. Joshua listens respectfully to Moses. 2. King Hezekiah listens with respect to the prophet Isaiah's explanation of a portion of the Scriptures. 3. A meeting of the apostles and elders of Jerusalem. 4. A meeting of the Governing Body in our days. Throughout history, Jehovah has always used human beings to guide his people. (See paragraph 3).

HOW JEHOVAH GUIDED THE NATION OF ISRAEL

4, 5. How did Jehovah demonstrate that he was using Moses to guide the Israelites? (See cover drawing).

4 Jehovah appointed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and he gave them clear evidence that he was using this man to guide them. One of those tests was the pillar of cloud they saw during the day and the pillar of fire they saw at night (Ex. 13:21). Moses followed that column, and as a result, he and the Israelites reached the Red Sea. When the Israelites thought they were trapped between the sea and the Egyptian army, they panicked. They assumed that Moses had made a terrible mistake in bringing them there. But he had nothing wrong. It was Jehovah who had Moses take them right to that place (Ex. 14:2). And then he saved them with a stunning miracle (Ex. 14:26-28).

5 For 40 years, Moses followed the pillar of cloud to lead God's people through the desert. a Jehovah sometimes had the pillar placed over Moses’ tent, where everyone could see it. (Ex. 33:7, 9, 10) From that pillar, Jehovah spoke to Moses, and he then conveyed his instructions to the people (Ps. 99:7). So the Israelites had ample evidence that Jehovah was using Moses to guide them.

ILLUSTRATION

A crowd of Israelite men, women and children following the pillar of cloud in the desert. Moses followed the pillar of cloud to lead God's people through the desert. (See paragraphs 4 and 5).

6. How did the Israelites respond to Jehovah’s guidance? (Numbers 14:2, 10, 11).

6 Unfortunately, most Israelites rejected the clear evidence that Jehovah had chosen Moses as his representative. (Read Numbers 14:2, 10, 11.) Because they repeatedly refused to recognize Moses' role, Jehovah did not allow them to enter the Promised Land (Num. 14:30).

7. Who followed Jehovah's guidance? (Numbers 14:24; see also image).

7 Now there were some Israelites who did follow the guidance of Jehovah. For example, Jehovah said: “Caleb […] continued to follow me with all his heart” (read Numbers 14:24). God rewarded him and even allowed him to choose where in Canaan he wanted to live (Josh. 14:12-14). Like Caleb, the next generation of Israelites let Jehovah guide them. In fact, “all the days of his life they deeply respected” Joshua, the man whom Jehovah chose to replace Moses as leader of the nation.​—Josh. 4:14. Therefore, Jehovah blessed them and allowed them to enter the Promised Land (Josh. 21:43, 44).

ILLUSTRATION

Joshua listens respectfully to Moses. Moses and his successor, Joshua. (See paragraphs 5 and 7).

8. How did Jehovah guide his people during the time of the kings? (See also the image).

8 Years later, Jehovah appointed judges to guide his people. Later, during the time of the kings, he appointed prophets for this work. The kings who were faithful to God listened to the advice of the prophets. For example, King David humbly accepted the prophet Nathan's correction (2 Sam. 12:7, 13; 1 Chron. 17:3, 4). King Jehoshaphat heeded what the prophet Jahaziel told him and encouraged the inhabitants of Judah to have faith in God's prophets (2 Chron. 20:14, 15, 20). And, in times of trouble, King Hezekiah asked the prophet Isaiah for help (Is. 37:1-6). Whenever the kings followed Jehovah’s guidance, he blessed them and protected the nation. (2 Chron. 20:29, 30; 32:22) It was as clear as day that Jehovah used the prophets to guide his people. However, most of the kings and Israelites rejected them (Jer. 35:12-15).

ILLUSTRATION

King Hezekiah listens with respect to the prophet Isaiah's explanation of a portion of the Scriptures. King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah. (See paragraph 8).

HOW JEHOVAH GUIDED THE EARLY CHRISTIANS

9. How did Jehovah guide first-century Christians? (See also the image).

9 In the first century, Jehovah formed the Christian congregation. How did he guide his people at that time? He appointed Jesus as head of the congregation (Eph. 5:23). But, of course, Jesus did not speak directly to each Christian to tell him what to do, but he used the apostles and elders of Jerusalem to direct the work (Acts 15: 1, 2). Additionally, elders were appointed in each congregation to guide the brothers (1 Thes. 5:12; Titus 1:5).

ILLUSTRATION

A meeting of the apostles and elders of Jerusalem. The apostles and elders of Jerusalem. (See paragraph 9).

10. a) How did most first-century Christians respond to the instructions they received? (Acts 15:30, 31). b) Why did some not accept Jehovah's representatives in biblical times? (See the sidebar “Why some refuse to accept the obvious.”)

10 And how did first-century Christians respond to the instructions they received?  a)  Most of them followed them willingly. In fact, “they were happy because of the words of encouragement” they received (read Acts 15:30, 31). Now, how has Jehovah been guiding his people in our days?

Why some refuse to accept the obvious

Why do some refuse to accept clear evidence that Jehovah uses human beings to guide his people?  b)  In many cases, out of pride (John 3:19; 2 Pet. 3:3, 4; Jude 18). For example, some Israelites did not want to accept that Jehovah had chosen Moses because they believed themselves to be too important.​—Num. 16:1-3. For similar reasons, many rejected Jesus despite the miracles he performed (John 12:37, 43). On the other hand, those who are humble and have a heart for the truth can clearly see that Jehovah is using men to guide his people.​—Matt. 16:16, 17. Following that guide is always best.

HOW JEHOVAH GUIDES US TODAY

11. Give an example that shows how Jehovah has guided his representatives today.

11 In our day, Jehovah continues to guide his people through his Word and his Son, the head of the congregation. Do we have evidence that he has continued to use human beings as his representatives? Yes. Let's think, for example, about what happened at the end of the nineteenth century. Charles Russell and his collaborators realized that 1914 would be a very important year for the Kingdom of God (Dan. 4:25, 26). How did they come to that conclusion? Studying the prophecies of the Bible. And, without a doubt, Jehovah guided his research work. What happened in the world in 1914 confirmed that the Kingdom of God had begun to rule: World War I broke out and there were epidemics, earthquakes, and famine (Luke 21:10, 11) . It became clear that Jehovah was using these good-hearted men to help his people.

12, 13. What was done during World War II to give a boost to preaching and teaching?

12 Let's also think about something that happened during World War II. The brothers responsible for the world headquarters studied what Revelation 17:8 says and understood that after the Second World War Armageddon would not come, but rather there would be a period of peace that would allow them to preach to more people. For this reason, Jehovah's organization made a decision that may not have seemed very logical at the time: it started the Watchtower Bible College of Gilead, with the purpose of preparing missionaries to preach and teach others. places of the world. Even during the war, brothers were sent to different countries. Additionally, the faithful slave created the Theocratic Ministry Course to help all publishers become better teachers. All this prepared Jehovah's servants for the work ahead.

13 We can clearly see that Jehovah guided his people in that difficult time. Since the end of World War II, Jehovah’s servants have been able to preach freely in many places. In fact, many people have come to know Jehovah, and today he is preached throughout the Earth.

14. Why can we trust in the guidance of Jehovah's organization and the elders? (Revelation 2:1; see also image).

14 Today, members of the Governing Body continue to seek guidance from Christ. They do their best to ensure that the instructions they give are in harmony with the views of Jehovah and Jesus. And, through circuit overseers and elders, they deliver those instructions to the congregations. d The anointed elders—and, by extension, all elders—are at the “right hand” of Christ (read Revelation 2:1). Because they are imperfect, they sometimes make mistakes, just as Moses, Joshua, and the apostles did (Num. 20:12; Josh. 9:14, 15; Rom. 3:23). However, we know that Jesus closely guides the faithful slave and elders, and will continue to do so “every day until the end of the system” (Matt. 28:20). Therefore, we have strong reasons to trust in the guidance that he gives us through these brothers.

ILLUSTRATION

A meeting of the Governing Body in our days. The Governing Body in our days. (See paragraph 14).

THE BENEFITS OF ALWAYS FOLLOWING JEHOVAH'S GUIDE

15, 16. What do you learn from those who have allowed themselves to be guided by Jehovah?

Always following Jehovah's guidance benefits us even now. For example, Andy and his wife, Robyn, applied the advice to live a simple life (see the second study note on Matthew 6:22, in the Study Bible). This allowed them to collaborate on construction projects for the organization. She says: “We have lived in very small places, and many times we had nowhere to cook. Also, I love photography, but I had to sell a lot of my cameras and accessories. Although I sold them with tears in my eyes, I was determined to be like Sarah, Abraham's wife, and not look back, but forward” (Heb. 11:15). Are you happy with the decision you made? She continues: “We feel very happy because we know that we are giving everything we have to Jehovah. Every time we work for Jehovah it is as if we are getting a taste of what life will be like in the new world.” And what does Andy think? He says, “There is no greater joy than to wear yourself out completely for the Kingdom.”

16 What is another benefit of always following Jehovah's guidance? Let's look at the case of a sister named Marcia. When she finished her studies, she decided to follow the advice to begin pioneering (Matt. 6:33; Rom. 12:11). She explains: “A university offered me a four-year scholarship. But I wanted to focus on spiritual goals, so I decided to enroll in a technical school to learn a trade where I could earn a living and be a pioneer. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Now I am a regular pioneer, and my work schedule allows me to be an external volunteer at Bethel and enjoy other nice privileges.”

17. In what other ways can we benefit from always following Jehovah's guidance? (Isaiah 48:17, 18).

17 Jehovah's organization sometimes gives us advice that protects us from materialism and other things that might lead us to disobey God's standards. In these cases, following Jehovah’s guidance also benefits us, keeping a clear conscience and avoiding many unnecessary headaches . This way we can focus completely on our service to Jehovah. There is nothing that makes us so happy and gives us so much peace (read Isaiah 48:17, 18).

18. Why do you always want to follow Jehovah's guidance?

18 Jehovah will continue to use humans to guide his people during the great tribulation and during the Thousand Year Reign (Ps. 45:16). In that time, will we follow his guidance even when it means setting aside our preferences? If we are obedient now, it will be easier for us to be obedient in the future as well. Therefore, let us always follow Jehovah's guidance, including what he gives us through the men he has appointed to care for us.​—Isa. 32:1, 2; Heb. 13:17. We have every reason to trust in Jehovah, our guide, who helps us avoid spiritual dangers and reach the new world, where we will live forever.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

How did Jehovah guide the nation of Israel?

There were tapas, and in them, Jehovah appointed a leader, we can mention Moses, Joshua, the judges, and then the kings and the prophets. They received direct and unequivocal messages from God through his holy spirit or some angelic being, as well as miracles that confirmed that God was guiding them.

How did Jehovah guide the early Christians?

God appointed Jesus as head of the congregation. But, of course, Jesus did not speak directly to each Christian to tell them what to do, but he used the Apostles and the elders of Jerusalem to direct the work. In addition, elders were appointed in each congregation to guide the brothers.

How does following Jehovah's guidance benefit us?

Following Jehovah's guidance that he gives us in the Bible in our lives, in fact, our salvation is at stake by obeying or disobeying what he says in the Bible. For this reason, if we are obedient now, it will be easier for us to be obedient in the future as well.