“He was awaiting the city having real foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” – Hebrews 11:10
[Study 32 From ws 08/20 p.8 October 05 – October 11, 2020]
In paragraph 3 it says “Jehovah proves that he is humble by how he deals with imperfect human worshippers. Not only does he accept our worship but he also views us as his friends. (Psalm 25:14)”. We need to be reminded that here once again the Organization is subtly pushing its agenda that there are “sons of God” and that there are “friends of God” as two separate classes.
The NWT 1989 Reference Bible reads “The intimacy with Jehovah belongs to those fearful of him, Also his covenant, to cause them to know it”. However, in the 2013 Edition, it was changed to “Close friendship with Jehovah belongs to those who fear him”. A son or daughter can have intimacy with a father. The Hebrew word translated as “intimacy” and “friendship” is actually “sod”[i] pronounced “sode” whose primary meaning is “council, counsel”, hence closest companions. With a Father that would be his wife and children, while for a King that would likely be his inner council of most closest, trusted advisors. However, they may not necessarily be his friends. Just because you trust someone, does not mean he is your friend. We therefore once again have the situation where the Organization has chosen wording to support their teachings, rather than an accurate conveyance of the real meaning of the scripture passage.
The Organization shows this is its intent as the very next sentence in paragraph 3 states “In order to make friendship with him possible, Jehovah took the initiative by providing his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”
Yet Hosea 1:10 states ”It must occur that in the place in which it sued to be said to them “You men are not my people”, it will be said to them “The sons of the living God””. It does not say “friends of the living God”. This verse was also quoted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 9:25-26. Does not Galatians 3:26-27 say “YOU are all, in fact, sons of God through YOUR faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of YOU who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ”.
The next reason for this line of reasoning being pursued by the Organization is shown in paragraph 6 as it suggests “If our heavenly Father—who does not need help from anyone—delegates authority to others, how much more so should we do the same! For instance, are you a family head or an elder in the congregation? Follow Jehovah’s example by delegating tasks to others and then resisting the urge to micromanage them. When you imitate Jehovah, not only will you get the work done but you will also train others and boost their confidence. (Isaiah 41:10)”.
The implication being made here is that Jehovah delegates authority to the elders in the congregation, via the Governing Body. However, the head of the Christian congregation, God’s Son, Jesus is left out and quietly ignored. Furthermore, the assumption is being made that God actually appointed the Governing Body and delegated authority to them and hence by extension the elders and of course, there is no proof at all that this is the case. That is without a discussion as to whether the authority that has been assumed or taken by the Governing Body or elders is actually warranted by scripture.
A good point is made in paragraph 7 that “The Bible indicates that Jehovah is interested in the opinions of his angelic sons. (1 Kings 22:19-22) Parents, how can you imitate Jehovah’s example? When appropriate, ask your children for their opinions on how a task should be done. And when fitting, follow their suggestions”.
Paragraph 15 gives the principle that it is good for all of us to follow, stating, “We imitate Jesus’ example of modesty by applying the Bible’s counsel found at 1 Corinthians 4:6. There we are told: “Do not go beyond the things that are written.” So when asked for advice, we never want to promote our own opinion or simply say the first thing that comes to our mind. Rather, we should direct attention to the counsel found in the Bible and in our Bible-based publications [when they agree with the Bible]. In this way, we acknowledge our limitations. With modesty, we give credit to the “righteous decrees” of the Almighty. Revelation 15:3, 4.”. This is a good point to remember, provided we heed the clarification added by us [in bold]. Sadly, all too often the Bible-based publications of the Organization go well beyond what is written, and do not agree with the context or facts of the scriptures, and make matters of conscience into laws to the detriment of those obeying them.
How we benefit from being humble and modest
Under this heading, paragraph 17 makes the reasonable point that “When we are humble and modest, we are more likely to be joyful. Why so? When we are aware of our limitations, we will be grateful and happy for any help that we receive from others”.
It continues “For example, think of the occasion when Jesus healed ten lepers. Only one of them returned to thank Jesus for curing him of his dreadful disease—something the man could never have done on his own. This humble and modest man was thankful for the help he received, and he glorified God for it. Luke 17:11-19”.
This is a good reminder for us all, not only to be thankful to Jehovah and Jesus for the blessings we do have, but for making arrangements for us to be able to have a better future. Also, we need to be thankful to others, instead of expecting things free of charge from others, just because they are our fellow brothers and sisters. They too, have to make a living as well.
Indeed, we should endeavor to walk in a humble and modest way, but we should not confuse these attributes with, turning a blind eye to wrongdoing and false teachings. That is false modesty and false humility. We need to remember that the Bible teaches we can be God’s sons and daughters, not just friends. Yes, real intimacy with Jehovah and Jesus is being accepted as one of God’s sons or daughters, just as Adam and Eve were originally a son and daughter of God.
[i] https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5475.htm
Archived Comments
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Comment by Jack on 2020-10-04 11:34:28
Everything the present Governing Body touches has been DIMINISHED from the NWT, to the Watchtower, to their immodest JW Broadcasting etc.
They have attempted to elevate themselves above their predecessors. But Small they are proving to be. If God were truly with them they would not have taken the FDS mantle upon themselves. Knorr and Frederic Franz did not.
They continue to BEAT their fellow with articles like this that they themselves to do not practice.
The true FDS is not a HYPOCRITE neither are God's anointed.Reply by Jack on 2020-10-04 12:35:06
In the end, they are brothers.
And I love them. Truly.
Having been cut from the same cloth, the Watchtower, I cannot help but love them.Reply by Jack on 2020-10-04 13:41:14
Of course, Jesus did not put his love for his fellow Jewish brothers, born into their religion, above his love for his Father!
Reply by huang on 2020-10-10 12:24:25
"cut from the same cloth, the Watchtower, I cannot help but love them".
You seem to have a case of cognitive dissonance. Either you follow Jesus or you follow WatchtowerReply by dani on 2020-10-10 20:14:13
I think if you read Jacks comment, you will find that he said “he loves them” NOT that he follows them!!
Having come out from the teachings of the WT, Jack is in the position of being able to understand why they believe as they do, no matter how misguided, and to know that there are many genuine and loving Christians within the WT organisation.
It is not a matter of cognitive dissonance to have love for fellow christians, even if you disagree with them. In fact it is a requirement...for if you do not love your brother whom you can see, how can you be loving God whom you have not seen? As true Christians we are also to keep loving even our enemies and to pray for those persecuting us.
Love is the identifying mark of true Christianity.
Comment by Chet on 2020-10-04 14:22:14
They never miss an opportunity. It is truly tragic that this organization has found a way to convince people that they are Christians, while withholding from them the one sacrament all Christians are commanded to observe. For those whom have passed away, this could mean losing out on the First Resurrection and the opportunity to serve as kings and priests under Christ, the King. For those alive at Christ’s return, they may find themselves as subjects of the Kingdom, but not participants. It’s really an insidious way to keep sincere people at arm’s length from Christianity, while exploiting a contrived distinction to elevate a select few to a special status. I’m sure that Nathan Knorr is spinning furiously in his grave.
At this point in time, Watchtower articles have been reduced to cheap shots, intended to prolong the status quo for as long as possible. The organization no longer exists in the form it did, even a few years ago, and the GB strikes me as milking the situation for all they can. They will probably end up in about the same situation as the Plymouth Brethern, existing as an obscure sect that no one knows or cares about.
I have to bring up something humorous. Even though it is essentially impossible to conduct Field Ministry under the current circumstances, as I hear it, active JWs still fall-in at the prescribed time for field ministry, dressed as they would be for door to door work, and then waste time writing letters or bothering people with phone calls, which are of dubious legality in many places. Imagine people, trapped at home, but dressing up for the occasion, then pretending that the nothing they are doing is actually something. Pavlov and his dogs has nothing up on the Watchtower.Reply by Jack on 2020-10-04 14:35:13
"For those whom have passed away, this could mean losing out on the First Resurrection and the opportunity to serve as kings and priests under Christ, the King."
Do you really believe God will let those He has called to lose out on their calling merely because men have deceived them? No.
When God calls we respond no matter what men say. This is why thousands in the Watchtower have continued to defy the false teaching in the Watchtower and partake.Reply by Jack on 2020-10-04 14:53:15
God's spirit helps us to partake though we are vilified even by the elders in our own congregation.
Comment by Leonardo Josephus on 2020-10-08 04:54:23
Thank you so much for your incisive coverage, Tadua.
I just cannot believe how many times the GB try some of these lines of reasoning . The scriptures are clear, but it is so sad how so many seem to accept this, and gulp it down as good spiritual food. I guess when you are starving, anything seems tasty.
The NWT is being exposed as a biased and unreliable translation, if it can be called a translation at all. I would ask what was going on when their Bible was being compiled. It is a real curate's egg, only good in parts.
Bible Students ? They were called this once, and somewhere along the line they stopped living up to this. Was that in Rutherford's day, or even earlier ? Were they ever really Bible Students ?
Comment by Menrov on 2020-10-08 06:57:30
Such topics to be presented by the leaders of the WT sound to me very hypocritical. In what sense have the leaders themselves shown modesty and humbleness? In the way they live? In the way they treat those who (correctly) disagree with their teachings? With those who were innocent victims of abuse just because their own 2-witness rule was not met? In the way they show up in broadcasts?
Many of the leaders of mainstream Christianity behave the same way.
Rom. 2:21 therefore you who teach someone else, do you not teach yourself?
I believe this section is the starting point to ask for $ support to show your gratitude for what YHWH has done (synonym for what WT has done ....)
“For example, think of the occasion when Jesus healed ten lepers. Only one of them returned to thank Jesus for curing him of his dreadful disease—something the man could never have done on his own. This humble and modest man was thankful for the help he received, and he glorified God for it. Luke 17:11-19” (Bold mine to emphasize)
Comment by yobec on 2020-10-04 21:15:21
Jesus said " All those doing the will of my father... these ones are my brothers. So, if we are doing the will of the Father, we are Christ's brother. And if Christ is a son of God, how can we not be?
Reply by Naomi on 2020-10-11 08:59:16
Excellent reasoning points that can’t be argued, except by the so-called faithful and discreet slave of the watchtower. We can find so many reasoning points from the Scriptures that show all Christians are gods children, sons of God. Even Jesus model prayer, telling us to address his father as our father. We’re all descendants of Adam and he was described as a son of God. They just want to separate Christians into groups of unequal value. , & preventing them from being real Christians. This could be described as wicked. Trying to prevent people from sharing in the Kingdom.
Comment by Deano on 2020-10-28 11:22:36
The content of humility is only ever shown when you disagree with someone.
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2020-10-28 12:38:55
Did you mean "quality of humility"?
Reply by Deano on 2020-12-15 11:41:24
You have corrected me publicly and you are correct to do so :), my humility shines through. :)