DAILY TEXT, Monday March 31, 2025, The wisdom from above is ready to obey (James 3:17).

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Monday March 31, 2025

The wisdom from above is ready to obey (James 3:17).

After Jehovah appointed Gideon a judge, his obedience and courage were tested. He received a very dangerous mission: to destroy his father's altar of Baal (Judges 6:25, 26). Later, Gideon raised a large army, and on two occasions Jehovah told him that he had to reduce it (Judges 7:2-7). Finally, by order of Jehovah he had to attack the enemy camp in the middle of the night (Judg. 7:9-11). Elders must be ready to obey. When an elder is obedient, he willingly follows the guidance given by the Scriptures and God's organization, and thus sets an example for others. But it may not always be easy for you to obey. Sometimes you may have a hard time keeping up with all the incoming instructions. At times you may wonder if following a certain guideline is the most practical or wise thing to do. Or you may be asked to do something that jeopardizes your freedom. In situations like these, how can elders imitate Gideon's obedient attitude? Paying attention to instructions and following them. w23.06 4, 5 paras. 9-11.

How can an elder's obedience be tested?

Elders must be ready to obey (James 3:17). When an elder is obedient, he willingly follows the guidance given by the Scriptures and God's organization, and thus sets an example for others. But it may not always be easy for you to obey. Sometimes you may have a hard time keeping up with all the incoming instructions. At times you may wonder if following a certain guideline is the most practical or wise thing to do. Or you may be asked to do something that jeopardizes your freedom. In situations like these, how can elders imitate Gideon's obedient attitude?

What can help the elderly to be obedient?

Pay attention to the instructions and follow them. God told Gideon how to destroy his father's altar, where to build an altar to Jehovah, and what animal to sacrifice. Gideon did not question the instructions; He followed them without thinking twice. Today, elders receive instructions from Jehovah's organization through letters, announcements, and guidelines. All this is to take care of ourselves in a physical and spiritual sense. Because our elders follow the guidance of Jehovah's organization to the letter, we love them very much. Because of his obedience, the entire congregation benefits (Ps. 119:112).

How can elders put Hebrews 13:17 into practice when Jehovah's organization recommends a change?

Be willing to adapt to changes. Let us remember that Jehovah told Gideon that he had to keep less than 1 % of his soldiers (Judg. 7:8). Perhaps you thought: "But will it be necessary to make this change? Will things turn out well?" Despite everything, Gideon obeyed. How do the elderly follow your example? Applying the changes recommended by Jehovah's organization (read Hebrews 13:17). For example, in 2014, the Governing Body changed the way it finances Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls (2 Cor. 8:12-14). In the past, congregations were given a loan to build the hall, and then they had to pay back the money. But now there is a pool of money from all the congregations in the world to build meeting places where they are needed, no matter how much the local congregations can contribute. When an old man named Joseph heard about this change, he had his doubts. He thought, "That will work in other parts of the world, but not here. You see, not a single Kingdom Hall is going to be built." However, he supported this new measure. Because? He says: "I remembered what Proverbs 3:5, 6 says, that I must trust in Jehovah. And the results have been wonderful! Not only have we built more Kingdom Halls, but we have learned to do our part to make compensation happen."

What was Gideon convinced of? b) What can elders do to be like Gideon? (See also the image).

Do the will of Jehovah with courage. Gideon obeyed Jehovah despite the dangers and his own fears (Judg. 9:17). After Jehovah confirmed his support, Gideon was completely convinced that God would help him protect his people. Elders who live in places where our activities are prohibited are like Gideon. They courageously organize meetings and lead the preaching work even though they may be arrested, questioned, fired from their jobs, or treated with violence.c During the great tribulation, the elders will have to be very courageous to follow instructions no matter the danger they face. Perhaps the instructions have to do with the proclamation of the message of condemnation symbolized by large hailstones. Or perhaps they relate to what we have to do to survive the attack of Gog of Magog (Ezek. 38:18; Rev. 16:21).

How was Gideon's endurance tested?

As Israel's judge, Gideon had to put a lot of physical strain. When the Midianites fled in that night battle, he pursued them from the Jezreel Valley to the Jordan River, which probably had its banks filled with thorn bushes (Judges 7:22). What did he do then? Did it stop? Of course not! Although he and his 300 men were tired, they crossed the river and continued the chase. In the end, they overtook the Midianites and defeated them (Judges 8:4-12).

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