[From ws15/04 p. 15 for June 15-21]
“Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.” – James 4:8
This week’s Watchtower study opens with the words:
“Are you a dedicated, baptized Witness of Jehovah? If so, you have a precious possession—a personal relationship with God.” – par. 1
The assumption is that the reader already has a personal relationship with God by virtue of being both a baptized and a dedicated Witness of Jehovah. However, the context of the letter of James reveals another scenario in the first century congregation. He rebukes the congregation for wars and fights, murdering and coveting, all originating from fleshly desires among the Christians. (James 4:1-3) He admonishes those who slander and judge their brothers. (James 4:11, 12) He warns against pride and materialism. (James 4:13-17)
It is in the middle of this rebuke that he tells them to draw close to God, but he adds in the very same verse, “Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you indecisive ones.” As Jehovah’s Witnesses, let us not ignore the context or think that we are free from all the maladies that afflicted our first century brethren.
What Personal Relationship?
The relationship being referred to in the article is one of friendship with God. Paragraph 3 affirms with an illustration:
“Having regular communication with Jehovah is a vital part of drawing close to him. How can you communicate with God? Well, how do you communicate with a friend who lives far away?”
We all have friends, whether many or few. If Jehovah is our friend, he becomes one more in that group. We might call him our best friend or our special friend, but he is still one of several, or even many. In short, a person can have many friends just like a father can have many sons, but a son or daughter can have only one father. So given the choice, which relationship would you prefer to have with Jehovah: beloved Friend or beloved child?
Since we are using James for this discussion on building a close relationship with God, we might ask him what type of relationship he had in mind. He opens his letter with the salutation:
“James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the 12 tribes that are scattered about: Greetings!” (James 1:1)
James was not writing to Jews, but to Christians. So his reference to the 12 tribes must be taken in that context. John wrote about the 12 tribes of Israel from which the 144,000 were to be drawn. (Re 7:4) The whole of the Christian Scriptures is directed to the Children of God. (Ro 8:19) James does speak of friendship, but it is friendship with the world. He doesn’t contrast it with friendship with God, but rather enmity with him. Therefore, a child of God can become a friend of the world, but in so doing the child becomes an enemy of the Father. (James 4:4)
If we are going to draw close to God by building a personal relationship with the Divine One, then hadn’t we better understand the nature of that relation first? Otherwise, we could sabotage our efforts before we even begin.
Regular Communication
Paragraph 3 of the study talks of the need for regular communication with God through prayer and personal Bible study. I was raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and for well over half a century, I have prayed and studied, but always with the understanding that I was God’s friend. Only recently have I come to understand my true relationship with Jehovah. He is my Father; I am his son. When I came to that understanding, everything changed. After more than sixty years, I finally began to feel close to him. My prayers became far more meaningful. Jehovah became closer to me. Not just a friend, but a Father who cared about me. A loving father will do anything for his children. What a wonderful relationship to have with the creator of the universe. It is beyond words.
I began to talk to him differently, more intimately. My understanding of his word changed as well. The Christian Scriptures are in essence a father speaking to his children. I was no longer understanding them vicariously. Now they spoke to me directly.
Many who have shared this journey have expressed similar thoughts.
While exhorting us to build a closer relationship with God, the leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses are denying us the very thing needed to accomplish that. They deny us membership in God’s family, the inheritance which Jesus himself came to the earth to make possible. (John 1:14)
How dare they? I say again, “HOW DARE THEY!”
We are called to be forgiving, but some things are much harder to forgive than others.
Bible Study—Father Speaks to You
The counsel from paragraphs 4 through 10 is good if you accept it within the framework of your relationship with God as a child with a Father. However, there are some things to be wary of. Given that a picture is worth a thousand words, the idea planted in the brain by the illustration on page 22 is that one’s relationship with God goes hand in hand with one’s advancement in the Organization. Many, myself included, can attest that the two bear no relationship to each other.
Another cautionary note pertains to the point made in paragraph 10. While I make no claim to divine inspiration, I would venture to “prophesy” that come the actual study, someone in the audience will answer the question to this paragraph by applying it to the Organization. The reason will be that since the Governing Body is being directed by Jehovah, and we shouldn’t question Jehovah’s actions even when we don’t understand them, we should do likewise regarding direction coming from the organization.
I shall let your comments determine whether I am a “true prophet” or a false one in this. Honestly, I would be most pleased to be proven wrong about this.
A Tangential Observation
I must say that for those claiming to be a slave that is both faithful and discreet, there is a remarkable lack of discretion in the choice of Biblical examples employed to illustrate the point of recent articles. Last week we had the overnight visit of Saul to Samuel as a Bible example of the training Elders should provide.
This week the example is even sillier. We are trying to explain in paragraph 8 that sometimes Jehovah does things that might seem wrong to us, but that we must accept out of faith that God always acts justly. We use the example of Azariah, stating:
“Azariah himself ‘continued to do what was right in Jehovah’s eyes.’ Yet, ‘Jehovah afflicted the king, and he remained a leper until the day of this death.’ Why? The account does not say. Should this disturb us or cause us to wonder whether Jehovah punished Azariah without due cause?”
This would be a great example to illustrate the point were it not for the fact that we know exactly why Azariah was struck with leprosy. What is more, we explain the reason in the very next paragraph, thereby totally undermining the illustration. This is just plain stupid, and does little to inspire confidence in the writer’s qualifications to instruct us in God’s word.
Prayer—You Speak to Father
Paragraphs 11 through 15 speaks of improving our relationship with God through prayer. I’ve read it all before, countless times in the publications over the decades. It never helped. A relationship with God through prayer is not something that can be taught. It is not an academic exercise. It is born from the heart. It is a thing of our very nature. Jehovah made us to have a relationship with him, for we were made in his image. All we have to do to achieve it is to remove the roadblocks. The first, as we’ve already discussed, is to stop thinking of Him as a friend and see him as he is, our Heavenly Father. Once that major roadblock is removed, you can begin to look at the personal obstacles we’ve put in the way. Perhaps we feel unworthy of his love. Perhaps our sins have weighed us down. Is our faith weak, causing us to doubt that he cares or even listens?
Whatever type of human father we may have had, we all know what a good, loving, caring father should be like. Jehovah is all that and more. Whatever may be impeding our way to him in prayer can be removed by listening to him and dwelling on his words. Regular Bible reading, particularly of those Scriptures written to us as God’s children, will help us to feel God’s love. The spirit he gives will guide us into the true meaning of the Scriptures, but if we don’t read, how can the spirit do its work? (John 16:13)
Let us speak to Him as a child speaks to a loving parent—the most caring, understanding Father imaginable. We must tell him all we feel and then listen to him as he speaks to us, both in his word and in our heart. The spirit will light up our mind. It will take us down paths of understanding we had never imagined before. All this is now possible, because we’ve cut the cords which have bound us to the ideologies of men and opened our minds to experience the “glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Ro 8:21)
Archived Comments
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Comment by Buster on 2015-06-15 19:23:35
paragraph 10. Let us not miss the point. Suppose clarifying details had not been included in God’s Word, as is the case with other abbreviated Bible accounts? Would you be inclined to question the righteousness of God? Or would you reason that the Bible contains enough information to assure us that Jehovah always does what is right and is, in fact, the very standard of what is right and what is wrong?
Gods wod does not change, and either does he make or his Great Son makes predictions of the end times, but I guess we can chalk it up to our Understanding, or like last few weeks Article on Loyally supporting Christ Brothers paragraph 5. On the sheep and goates, in the early 1920's, Jehovah helped his people refine their Understanding of this Illustration.... Right
It seems the. organization has long past being humble, I remember back in the 80's and 90's we had things rough but now.. Wow, and. This past week convention was all about the Most humble Man who ever liked. Of course I still have a great relationship with Jehovah and his son. Yes I am imperfect, but I will gladly admit that the big O , seems not so much. Great work and. I hope for more write ups for the convention. PS. Governing Body Anthony Morris was Great some great information and a lot of not so great.
Comment by Buster on 2015-06-15 19:24:53
Most Humble Man who Ever Lived... My bad, ah this keyboard
Comment by Skye on 2015-06-15 20:02:46
And the spirit is given to those who are obedient.
Acts 5:32 "We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
Comment by Wild Olive on 2015-06-15 20:06:54
Nice article Meleti, if I can add my penny's worth.
After 35 years in the truth I had to step down from position of elder due to my sons chronic epilepsy,what was so shocking for me was the realisation that in all that time I had not gone anywhere spiritually, yet I had done all the prescribed works that were meant to indicate spiritual progress,utter fallacy.
This might bring a smile,while I was getting over the shock of not having progressed spiritually, I had a lot to do with Muslims through work.Something stood out with these people, they are all polite and well mannered also very hospitable, they take prayer seriously, they observe rituals meticulously,and take a hard line against alcohol, I couldn't help but notice how similar they are to JWs,the penny dropped, they are almost identical, they have no covenant, they aren't viewed as children of God, their righteousness is established by a system of works which mostly are beneficial, they are harsh on dissenters and don't tolerate those who leave,in practical terms the same as most JWs, I had to start again and find Jesus. After that I started to progress spiritually, Lo and behold even my prayers got answered,wow that was something new! The irony is that the truth is right under everyone's noses but the GB are laying a smokescreen with their "spiritual food" .
Comment by qspf on 2015-06-15 20:59:52
Just a minor point. As with so many articles of this type, the focus always seems to return to the lightning rod of the GB as the so-called faithful and discrete slave.
Put aside for the moment that because of their many proposed prophetic dates that failed to materialize it makes them fit hand-in-glove with the description of the evil slave, not the faithful one. (How else could he say 'my master is delaying' if not for the many proposed dates when the master was supposed to return, only to experience disappointment when it didn't happen that way?)
My question is, how on earth could an organization with millions of followers whose loyalty is demanded and who are severely punished for any sign of disloyalty, having billions of dollars, vast real estate assets and financial holdings throughout the world, possibly be considered a SLAVE? Where, ANYWHERE in the scriptures, is a slave ever depicted as having vast wealth and power and commanding millions of his own (let's face it ...) SLAVES? A slave who owns other slaves?
Which parable describes THAT, pray tell? That's what I thought.Reply by peely on 2015-06-16 21:39:38
Hi qspf,
Your words remind me of Jeremiah's complaint:
You are always righteous, Lord,
when I bring a case before you.
Yet I would speak with you about your justice:
Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why do all the faithless live at ease?
2 You have planted them, and they have taken root;
they grow and bear fruit.
You are always on their lips
but far from their hearts. Jer 12:1,2
Well.....
"These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”
20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” 2 Pet 2:17-22
love,
peely
Comment by menrov on 2015-06-16 04:21:38
When I read a statement like this one in par. 1: ARE you a dedicated, baptized Witness of Jehovah? If so, you have a precious possession—a personal relationship with God.
I think: how arrogant to think only a person who is baptised in the WBTS organisation as a JW has a relationship with God. In other words, excluding almost 7 billion people from this so-called precious possession. Pure, top arrogance.
This statement in par 2 is most confusing: How real to you is your personal relationship with Jehovah? Would you like to strengthen it? James 4:8 tells you how you can do that: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.
Is this the otherway around? Do people not draw close(r) to God BEFORE they undergo baptism? Or is the organisation saying that there are many JW's baptised without having drawn close to God? If so, how can they posses a so-called precious possession?
Par 4 says: You no doubt agree that the Bible contains God’s message for mankind in general.
Really?? I thought the doctrine is that the bible was written for the anointed.....
Par 7 can only now be written as it is because they altered the rendering of John 17:3 in the 2013 NWT. It is now in line with the rendering already found for decades in other bibles.
Par 10: As we get to know Jehovah better as a Person
As a PERSON??? Not as our FATHER??
Also, do not question His acts.....in other words, do not question the gb......
Par 12: Some people believe that prayer is only of psychological benefit.
Of course, no reference to any official study. It is amazing that they come away with such statements without anyone posing questions or even give it some thought. It is like saying that SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT TREES CAN TALK....yes, likely there exist some people but what is the relevance? What is the relevance of this statement to 7 million people whom are already baptised and should be aware of the value of prayers??
Par 13 is a rather strange example but I guess we are getting used to that. Why was Jesus heard? Because He is HIS SON. A Father listens to His children. Then they make again a point of the "psychological crutch". I wonder how they would explain this effect of prayer in Phi. 4:6,7: 6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
What is complete "forgotten" in this study is:
Joh 6:44 No one can come to me [Jesus] unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
And
Joh 14:6 Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Comment by Katrina on 2015-06-16 04:46:55
At a DC about 7 yrs ago they interviewed a newly baptised brother, he was Aboriginal and came from a back ground of abuse and alcoholism, he never had a father that care for him, he mentioned that the Aboriginal community have elders that overseer, but none of them took a personal interest in him, he really needed a father figure.
He said since finding the truth he has now got that father he always wanted in Jehovah, he looks to Jehovah as his father, so many tears in the audience and the elder interviewing said, how wonderful brother to now have a Father like Jehovah where human fathers fail us but our Heavenly Father never does.
So here we have confusion, what I find with the articles most of the time is contradiction after contradiction.Reply by Skye on 2015-06-16 05:41:31
I think it's worth remembering that these are the kind of experiences the GB love to highlight - it's part of the great deception programme. Lonely and hurting people are usually desperate for comfort and acceptance - and so this is how it works, they are duped and deceived by those who themselves are weak and easily led.
Reply by Claudelle on 2015-06-16 15:55:08
Katrina.
Have you noticed that the aboriginal presence it not very "visible?". At least, not in the way other nationalities are. I have asked a relative of mine about this, considering this is a multi racial religion. I was told that they have their own congregations or places they feel more comfortable in.
What do you think of this? Am I understanding this the wrong way? For, I don't want to go all controversial about this. Put me straight about this if you can.Reply by on 2015-06-16 19:05:20
Hi Claudelle
The reason I was given 15 years ago was they are too shy and won’t go to the hall with non aboriginals. No one else seemed to care. The attitude was the elders know what they are doing.
I don’t think this is the way Holy Spirit works hence the lack of visibility. They are also very superstitious and humble and can be manipulated easily into studies and meetings but when the help stops they stop. I do know some very faithful and spirituals strong aboriginal brothers and sisters so I’m not underestimating them.. In our territory most of the return visits are with lonely people or the venerable, same principle with the aboriginals but they can be maneuvered more easily into studying.
So I’m with you Claudelle. JJ
Comment by on 2015-06-16 07:52:17
This reminds me of a talk a brother gave in the 1980's, he asked the question why Ones were leaving the Organisation...he answered that by saying, it had to do with John 17:3... Reference Bible Joh 17:3 This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ....He highlighted how having knowledge of Jeh was not enough...eg know al the doctrines etc, etc,...he then said what the word was in the Greek kingdom interlinear was .....not knowledge but to know God... Kingdom Interlinear Joh 17:3 αὕτηThis δέbut ἐστινis ἡthe αἰώνιοςeverlasting ζωὴlife ἵναin order that γινώσκωσιthey may be knowing σὲyou τὸνthe μόνονonly ἀληθινὸνtrue θεὸνGod καὶand ὃνwhom ἀπέστειλαςyou sent forth ἸησοῦνJesus Χριστόν.Christ....he emphasised to serve Jeh We needed to know our father intimately....and interestingly the Revised.New World Translation says Joh 17:3 This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ....yes I agree Meleti that we should see Jeh as our Father as he(Jehovah)has already signed off on those adoption papers a long time ago.
Reply by smolderingwick1 on 2015-06-20 11:25:03
It wasn’t until about fifteen years ago that our CO included John 17:3 in a talk at the circuit assembly. He said that rendering the Greek verb as “taking in knowledge” was vastly inadequate and should have been far more intensive. So I asked some of the Greek brothers between sessions and they all agreed to the point that when I began seriously checking other translations and discovered that ours was so wrong, I began investigating other passages we claimed were more accurate too.
StrongsNotes says of this particular rendering: “a prolonged form of a primary verb; to ‘know’ (absolutely)” How absolutely? Albert Barnes adds this note:
The word “know” here, as in other places, expresses more than a mere speculative acquaintance with the character and perfections of God. “It includes all the impressions on the mind and life which a just view of God and of the Saviour is fitted to produce.” It includes, of course, love, reverence, obedience, honor, gratitude, supreme affection. “To know God as he is” is to know and regard him as a lawgiver, a sovereign, a parent, a friend. It is to yield the whole soul to him, and strive to obey his law.
Even our present translation “coming to know you” is to me such a minor adjustment it leaves us inadequately wanting—but then I understand why now because the Governing Body needs to keep the bridle and saddle on us, spurring us on before we discover how tightly we’ve been corralled by all of their dogma.
sw
Comment by Katrina on 2015-06-16 08:03:32
Skye yes the GB like to highlight all these heartstring experiences. But the contradiction here of the brother finding Father not friend in Jehovah, I have found since I awoke I see so many contradictions in the WT publications, and experiences approved for a DC, then they will have a study on how Jehovah is just a friend of the GC not a father, have to wait another 1,000 yrs.
Comment by rufus2015 on 2015-06-16 11:23:50
The political left is now speaking of a different FDS - "faith-derangement syndrome." This is similar to the "mental disease" that apostates were supposed to suffer, except that the left is pointing to Supreme Court Justice Scalia for his Bible-based views.
Likewise, our Governing Body member David Splane suggests there was not enough spiritual food or light until 1919 to warrant a faithful slave, even though James, a Bible writer, identifies himself at James 1:1 as “James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ."
Earlier we discussed reasons why JW's baptized after the 1985 dedication vow have baptized themselves into an organization, but not into the Christ per Peter's exhortation at Acts 2:38, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (New Living Translation)
But even since May 31st, 1935 baptisms offered by officials of the Watchtower Society and their appointed congregation servants or elders have not offered that spirit gift.
The right to address our heavenly father in prayer as "our father" derives only through brother-ship with the Christ. And the "one name" necessary for salvation is Jesus, not the made-up English word Jehovah. Romans 10: 9-12. The New World Translation seriously misleads on this point.
Some years ago, counsel was offered against prayers in which brothers were asking from the platform for Jehovah to give their greetings to Jesus.
Psalms 2:12 "Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him." New Intl. Version.Reply by qspf on 2015-06-16 11:49:59
My take on FDS is that they have failed on all three counts. They are not the first two, and no one wielding as much wealth and power as they do could possibly be called a slave, when the real slaves (to them) are the ones who bow down before the GB. To me, they are the Unfaithful, Indiscrete Masters. UIM, if you want an acronym :-)
Reply by Skye on 2015-06-16 12:18:44
That's interesting, Romans 10:9-13. Taking that in context and then in verse 13, Paul is quoting from Joel 2:32, referring to God. But in the NT it is applied to Jesus as God's perfect agent. And therefore, if that is the case, then Romans 10:13 is referring to Jesus and not to Jehovah.
Reply by rufus2015 on 2015-06-16 12:56:52
My point, exactly. If asked of rank-and-file JWs, "Which is the one name, according to Romans 10:13, that we must use..." based on rNWT not one in 10,000 would answer correctly in accord with Paul's argument there. That is a bias and serious error that must be laid at the feet of the translators.
Reply by qspf on 2015-06-16 14:03:37
Then there is Romans 10:17: "So faith follows the thing heard. In turn the thing heard is through the word about Christ." You have Christ mentioned before 10:13 and after 10:13 and the word is clearly Kyrios in the text, not YHWH, and yet they claim to say this is a quotation from Joel, based on the cross-reference, and on that basis insert "Jehovah" as they are wont to do. But suppose it is not a quote at all, and claiming it quotes Joel is simply an interpretation on their part. That would make this a pretty serious mistranslation.
A much more likely and consistent translation in harmony with scriptures and context (and not dogma) would read, "For everyone who calls on the name of [Christ] the Lord will be saved" with no quotation marks rendered. It's not a quotation from Joel, even if the wording is similar. It's a direct statement from Paul.Reply by Skye on 2015-06-16 14:48:16
qspf, Romans 10:13. I think we must agree that this is a verse referring to the Lord God in Hebrew scriptures. But in the NT it is applied to Jesus because he works as the perfect agent of God. And therefore it would be incorrect for a translation to change wording in any way, and it wouldn't be necessary anyway.
Reply by Wild Olive on 2015-06-17 01:00:29
I had to laugh when that verse Joh17:3 was brought up at the realease of the RNWT,Guy Pierce made it sound as if they had found some gem of translation, yet, the wording is nearly identical to the KJV, and that was done 400 yrs ago lol.
I heard a preacher on TV say something interesting about a relationship with God. He said the basis for a relationship is already in place with the ransom of Christ, you have no say over that you either accept it or reject it but either way it's already there,what he differentiated was, do you have fellowship with God? As the relationship is already there, where does that relationship take a person? To something closer? He made me think.
Comment by freedomwithgrace on 2015-06-16 11:40:08
Thank you so much for this, we all need clarity on the loving relationship that Jehovah offers us as a father rather than a friend. Like so many here it took me a lifetime to realize that. Great post and I appreciate all of the comments.
Comment by Skye on 2015-06-16 16:14:36
qspf, Another point on Romans 10:13. The problem in the NWT is that they have inserted "Jehovah" instead of "Lord" in the scripture. "Lord" is correct even though it refers to Jesus for reasons I have already mentioned with regard to the agency principle. As we know it would have been an easy matter for the NT writers to have preserved the Hebrew name of God and so it is a corruption of scripture to insist on inserting it into the NT documents, which the NWT has done.
Reply by qspf on 2015-06-16 16:54:58
That's probably true. However, the idea that this is a quote from Joel rather than a coincidence that Paul used similar wording is just a common conclusion among Bible scholars, not a fact cast in stone. That is, there is no reference to Joel in the text, as there was in Acts 2:16. At least we must concede the possibility that in Romans the similarity in wording might be, but need not be, an intentional quotation.
Reply by Skye on 2015-06-16 17:46:07
Hi qspf, Not in total agreement with you on this one for reasons I have already stated, but I have enjoyed the research, thank you.
Comment by eyeontorah on 2015-06-17 13:35:49
Nicely written.
You mentioned James' letter wasn't written to Jews, but to Christians. This is a bit of subject, but I've been studying this for the past year. Allow me, if you will, to share some things I've gathered...
The lost tribes of Israel included the ten lost tribes of the northern kingdom.. aka Ephraim, or simply Israel.
The lost tribes were scattered about and from a human standpoint, unrecognizable. These are the "lost sheep" that Jesus was sent to. (Matt. 15:24)
There have been many assumptions as to who or what Israel is. Many would say it's a small country in the middle East. Others say it's another name for the Jews. Yet still others say that it's now the congregation of believers (Christians). While these all may have an element of truth to them, they are still lacking the full picture as to what the Scriptures give us in recognizing the true Biblical Israel.
Just like the U.S., Israel ended up being divided in two with a northern and southern kingdom. Yet unlike the U.S., Israel never came back together. In fact, after some time, these two kingdoms were both banished from their land and taken into captivity. The northern kingdom was taken into Syria and the southern kingdom into Babylon. Then, only the southern kingdom, the majority of it, returned to its land. The Scriptures normally define the Northern Kingdom as the "House of Israel" and the Southern Kingdom as the "House of Judah". However, at times, “House of Israel” or just “Israel” can refer to both.
As we read the Scriptures concerning the House of Israel and the House of Judah, we simply assume that it is in reference to all 12 tribes of Israel every time. Yet, this is not always the case. The Scriptures are quite clear in distinguishing these divisions of Israel as two separate entities, kingdoms or nations.
Understanding the division of Israel is paramount and absolutely foundational. When one comes to this understanding, the Bible becomes self-explanatory and their comprehension of the Scriptures will go beyond what has ever been imagined. Even illustrations like that of the prodigal son will reveal what has been missed for all these years. Even the two sticks that come together in Ezekiel 37.
First there was Saul.
Then David.
Then Solomon.
All twelve tribes and the aliens, (or gentiles) who joined them, were governed by all three of these three kings. But then Solomon began leading the people of Israel to follow other gods. Remember, God said he would scatter them among the nations if they didn't follow His instructions.
So after Solomon died, God gave ten tribes of Israel to Solomon's servant Jeroboam. Thus, the beginning of the spreading of Israel across the nations would begin.
(1 Kings 11:31-33)
Jeroboam was given ten tribes of Israel. It's interesting to note that Jeroboam was actually from the tribe of Ephraim (1 Kings 11:26)
He was also in charge of the whole labor force of the house of Joseph as given just a couple verses later.
It was Ephraim, son of Joseph, that was promised to become the fullness of the nations ... the gentiles (Gen. 48:19 Hebrew word Goyim - Gentiles). The fullness of those NOT belonging to - God's nation. And so, here we see the prophecy to Ephraim begin to manifest.
It is here that Israel is divided in to two divisions. A northern and a southern kingdom:
The northern kingdom, that being the ten tribes that left with Jeroboam, often referred in Scripture as the "House of Israel", "House of Joseph" or "Ephraim".
And
The southern kingdom, that being Judah and Benjamin - with Benjamin eventually assimilating into Judah, referred to in the Scripture as the "House of Judah."
The northern kingdom eventually established their capitol in Samaria. And yet for over 200 years the northern kingdom did nothing different than that of Solomon in the eyes of the Lord. They disobeyed God's instruction and followed after other gods. It came to the point that God no longer called them His people... (Hosea 1:9)
In 721 BC, God had Assyria conquer Samaria and take the northern kingdom captive to Assyria.
The northern 10 tribe kingdom were scattered throughout the 120 nations that formed the Assyria empire. They assimilated with the gentiles, and, until recently were lost as a people.
Knowing this fact changes how we look at scripture, and even prophecies concerning the re gathering of Israel and Judah and making them one again.
Most christian denominations. Including JWs teach Israel was rejected and forever cast off and replaced as God's chosen ppl. As a result many prophecies have been misinterpreted. Because of the idea that Israel is rejected, any interpretation can be plugged into the scripture. For example, when Jesus spoke of the "sheep that are not of this fold" (John 10:16) a completely unique doctrine was created by JWs that there is a "little flock" (anointed ones), who have a different hope than the "great crowd". When really Jesus was talking about the lost tribes of Israel who were scattered among the nations and mixed in with the Gentiles. (Please read Isaiah. 56:8, Ezekiel 34:23, and Ezekiel 37:24)Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-17 15:33:13
Hi eyeontorah,
You raise many points and it is an interesting discussion, best suited for www.discussthetruth.com.
If you want to open the topic there, I’ll gladly participate.
I don’t want to open a discussion here, but only by way of rebuttal, I would suggest that the fact that Jesus preached only to the Jews and not the Samaritans (the Samaritan women and her group being notable exceptions) shows that when he spoke of “lost sheep” he meant lost in the spiritual sense and was referring to his people, the Jews.
Isaiah. 56:8, Ezekiel 34:23, and Ezekiel 37:24 seem to apply more readily to the gentiles as the Jews of Jesus’ day understood the word, meaning the nations, people who were not direct descendants of Jacob (Israel). Historically, the other sheep Jesus referred to were the people of the nations, such as those Paul preached to. The Scriptures identify this group calling them gentiles. If we think they are members of the lost tribes, we are saddled with two problems. 1) How do you know who is a member of the lost tribes? 2) Since Jesus spoke of no third group, only “this fold” and “other sheep”, there is no place for a non-Jewish, non-Ephraimite group.Reply by eyeontorah on 2015-06-17 15:43:22
Thanks for replying. I guess I'll take the discussion there!
Comment by smolderingwick1 on 2015-06-20 01:24:43
Just a little point here but since Acts 4:12 says there's not another name under heaven by which we can be saved (other than Jesus) and being that Jesus means "Jehovah is salvation" how is it that we need to add Jehovah to the NT athe all? Are we that certain the "name" was not inspired to be left out for all of the above reasons?
Comment by on 2015-06-20 04:49:07
thanks so much, i hope this site will continue to give these kinds of updates and will never end...
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-20 07:16:21
With God's help, we will strive to do just that.
Comment by Name on 2015-06-20 04:54:41
I also began learning truth when the generation teaching came, and now i consider my self agnostic, atheist and scientist
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-20 07:27:30
I'm sorry that the false teachings of a bunch of men have damaged your belief if God, but please don't hold Him responsible. In fact, he has warned us in advance through his son of these very men. They are the same ones that confronted Jesus. Their lineage goes back to the founding of the world. We focus so much on the seed that brings salvation that we can forget there is another seed, a counterpart. One is light, and one is darkness. One breathes truth, the other spews lies.
Like their forefathers before them, the religious leaders that opposed and eventually killed Jesus were considered the holiest of men by their followers, but he knew them as Satan's seed.
“. . .You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a murderer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie.” (Joh 8:44)
Satan didn't directly murder Adam and Eve, but their deaths were a direct result of his lies; thus he is rightly called a murderer. If the lying teachings of the modern day counterpart to the first century spawn of Satan has caused you to lose your faith in Jesus and God, then they are following in the footsteps of the murdering progenitor.
Yet, you still have a choice. The truth is found in God's word and it is supported by the book of nature. Please don't let the Pharisees win.Reply by Name on 2015-06-21 21:07:54
anyway i was born in. i'm still attending the meetings, reporting monthly hours but not joining any ministry now. When i started to question JW beliefs i began to read the bible deeply and was moved to partake the memorial emblem, but it didn't quench my thirst for truth, and so i began to read more and more and now i realized that everything could have just been by chance, religion is just part of earth history, religion is one branch of science. science is the study of life, and so is religion. Is just that life needs to belong just like animals too, so we invented religion. For now i really don't believe that there is God somewhere, Yes we might have a beginning but i don't believe the Bible can answer it.
Comment by kev on 2015-06-20 14:12:26
Paragraph 8 to 10. Seems to be an attempt to make people belıeve that whatever ıs wrıtten ın the bıble and by extensıon the publıcatıons should be accepted wıthout questıon. Even ıf we dont understand the logıc. Wow
Comment by Buster on 2015-06-21 03:35:37
Exactly Kev the whole middle of the article is about questioning God or Not to .... Which I know I sure ain't Gonna Question God or his Son, but we all know coming in a few hours when we are at our Kingdom Hall a Elder is gonna say some About Mother Organization. I know we Are not suppose to bet, but I Bet it will happen
Comment by abc on 2015-06-22 04:15:56
hi everyone, just want to share this thought before i forget it. Do we as human have brains? Definitely yes, and we use it is search for God, and so we care for life. How about the viruses, do they have brains? Maybe, but do they care life? Definitely YES, all these viruses that attacked humans really care for their life, they thrive just to be alive, they multiply and even if humans create vaccines, they try to thrive and always wish to live, they have purpose in life, but the question is, DO VIRUSES SEARCH FOR GOD? DO they believe God exists?
Reply by kev on 2015-06-24 03:11:50
That could be an ecumenical matter. !
Reply by father jack on 2015-06-24 03:16:00
Yes. That would be an ecumenical matter !
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-24 08:34:23
Technically, from what I've read about biology, viruses aren't really alive. They are more like biological code that needs to interact with DNA to reproduce copies of themselves. Therefore, they can only reproduce by entering living cells and taking over the reproduction facilities. The smallest living thing is a cell, so bacteria qualify as living things, at least based on some definitions. Of course, this in no way invalidates the point you were making, abc.
Reply by Jw guy on 2015-08-18 03:03:10
Actually the smallest is a partickle
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-08-18 07:50:34
Ah, but a particle is not alive.