Congregation Book Study:

Chapter 3, par. 11-18
Question: Why would they stop one paragraph short of a main point.  Paragraph 11 is the last paragraph under the heading “Holiness belongs to Jehovah”. It seems strange to not finish the thought of the heading, yet here we have our first paragraph of this week starting is the final thought of last week’s topic.  One sentence from the paragraph intrigues me: “The content of their songs suggests that these mighty spirit creatures play an important role in making Jehovah’s holiness known throughout the universe.” Since our official belief is that it is unlikely that there is any other intelligent life in the physical universe, this seems like an odd statement to make.
Paragraph 13 say: “We long for the sanctification of his name and the vindication of his sovereignty, and we delight to play any part in the grand purpose.” Since we carry his name publicly, it is doubly tragic that our record on handling cases of child abuse is so poor, as this brings reproach on the name is a highly esteem. Our misuse and abuse of the disfellowshipping process is yet another example of where we have frequently brought shame to God’s name.

Theocratic Ministry School

Bible Reading: Genesis 32-35  
This week our Bible reading covers the affair of Dinah. She is raped and the two sons of Jacob take it upon themselves to retaliate against Hamor the Hivite and all his people by tricking them into a vulnerable state and then coming in and slaughtering all the males, and taking all the females and children for themselves. This is, of course, an indefensible act of brutality. However, it will only shock us if we think that these individuals are the chosen ones of God. In fact, Jacob was chosen by God. After him, Joseph was chosen by God. As for the other sons, well, they did serve as reproductive stock to get the race going.
If they come back in the resurrection, and we have no reason to think otherwise, this outrageous sin will be known the world over. They will be living it down for a very long time. It would be a very interesting meeting to witness when Simeon and Levi meet up with Hamor and his people.
This week we have the Theocratic Ministry School Review.
Question 10 asks “What is one way to avoid consequences like those that be told Dinah?”  The references to w01 8/1 pp. 20-21 which reads:
In contrast, Dinah fared poorly because of a bad habit. She “used to go out to see the daughters of the land,” who were not worshipers of Jehovah. (Genesis 34:1) This seemingly innocent habit led to disaster. First, she was violated by Shechem, a young man considered “the most honorable of the whole house of his father.” Then, the vengeful reaction of two of her brothers led them to slaughter all the males in an entire city. What a terrible outcome!
Are we really blaming the woman for being raped? Is the message we are trying to teach our young daughters, ‘Don’t develop bad habits dear. For all you know you could get raped and then your brother’s will have to slaughter all the men in that family and steal their women folk and children.  And it will all be your fault.’
There is nothing wrong with teaching our young ones to avoid bad habits. But doing it this way is sending the wrong message. It also makes us appear parochial and misogynistic. Since this week’s Bible study makes the claim that we delight in playing our part in the sanctification of Jehovah’s name, perhaps we should avoid teaching our kids that it’s the woman’s fault if she gets raped.

Service Meeting

5 min: Start a Bible study on the First Saturday
15 min: The Importance of Persistence
10 min: “Memorial Invitational Campaign Starts March 22”

Meleti Vivlon

Articles by Meleti Vivlon.
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