“Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18
[Study 51 from ws 12/20 p.16, February 15 – February 21, 2021]
One assumes that the aim of this Watchtower Study article is to bolster the flagging spirits of the brothers and sisters, many of whom are despairing they will ever see Armageddon in their lifetime. Based on the theme, one would expect clear evidence to be presented that Jehovah intervenes to save discouraged ones.
The first two examples given in the Study article are Joseph, and Naomi and Ruth.
Now as the account of Joseph shows there is clear evidence that Jehovah was involved in the final outcome which was advantageous not only to Joseph, but also his family, both brothers, and father. However, what is not mentioned, is that it was Jehovah’s purpose that Jacob and Joseph survive and prosper so that not only a nation would come from them that would be God’s special possession for 1700+ years, but that the line of the promised Messiah would come. Given this important point, using the example of Joseph to suggest that God would deal with us in such a special way as he did with Joseph, just by us remaining in the Organization, (which they view as synonymous as serving God), is misleading and damaging. At the end of paragraph 7, the Organization appears to be trying to infer that young Witnesses unjustly imprisoned will have similar help from God as to that given to Joseph. Perhaps this is aimed particularly at younger Witnesses imprisoned in Russia. While God could personally intervene on their behalf, the chances are very slim. That is not the way God usually works according to the evidence of the scriptures.
With the account of Naomi and Ruth, there is no obvious intervention by God. It is basically an account relating how a good-hearted wealthy man ensured that justice and help was given to two individuals who while prepared to work hard, had fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. It is true, there were provisions made for needy ones in the Mosaic law given by God to the Israelites, but Witnesses today are not living in Israel under the benefits of that Mosaic law. Despite the book of Acts showing clearly how early Christians cared for one another, arguably, there are no such similar arrangements within the Organization today. Instead of sending contributions directly to the needy, we are expected to contribute to the Organization and accept their word that they have helped others with that money. Therefore, this raises the question, can the Organization truly qualify as God’s Organization even on this one point alone? Arguably not.[i]
This contrasts with the fact that practicing Muslims feel moved to make a minimum contribution each year in terms of money and property or goods to help others (admittedly, primarily Muslims). These acts of charity are described as "Zakat", and "Sadaqah". In large cities and towns, sometimes, such as in harsh winters especially, these Muslims will be found feeding the homeless (Muslim or not) and providing overnight shelter where possible. The author has personally worked with Muslim colleagues who have participated in this work and who stated how important it was to them. (NOTE: This statement should not be taken to infer that the Muslim faith is God’s Organization, merely that on this point, they would be a better candidate than the Organization).
Likewise, the accounts of the Levite priest and the apostle Peter give no hint of angelic intervention. The Levite encouraged himself, when he analyzed his blessings, while Peter was forgiven and encouraged by Jesus, particularly because Jesus wanted him to spearhead the spreading of Christianity to the Jews in the first century.
The theme promises encouragement, but rather turns out to be pretty empty of real solid encouragement and precedent that we can be saved from discouragement. Instead, the Organization misrepresents Jehovah by implying he will personally intervene on the behalf of any suffering discouragement. As a result, many Witnesses will expect Jehovah to bail them out of their predicament, (often the result of wrong decisions, heavily influenced by the Organization and its publications), but the reality is that he will not. Sadly, this could lead to a loss of faith in God by many of them.
[i] Occasional natural disaster relief, currently being scaled back, does not come close to filling the requirements of this attitude of mind.
Archived Comments
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Comment by Stephen_E on 2021-02-20 16:04:11
To share an encouraging story. I recently awoke from 30 plus years in the society. I would also like to thank Tadua and the whole family here. I would highly recommend the documentary a lamp in the dark and its sequel tares among the wheat. After watching this I went out and bought a 1611 King James Version. I am now convinced I have the true Bible believers inspired words of God in my hands instead of the revised NWT that has clearly perverted omitted and added to Gods Words leading to the destruction of faith to many sincere ones. I don’t blame any human for this but I believe the devil deceived Russell into putting his faith in scholars rather than God to preserve his word. Check out wt 1882 Hear O Israel! Jehovah Our God is One-Jehovah we find this statement Russell: The only text in scripture which was ever claimed to prove, or affirm, that the Father, Son and Spirit are one, is a portion of 1 John 5:7,8 This appears only in manuscripts written since the fifth century, and is acknowledged by all trinitarians to be a forgery. So indisputable is this that the translators of the Revised Version recently published omit the clause without note or comment, though those revisions were themselves believers in Trinity”.
Russell was at best deceived saying that all trinitarians believe 1 John 5:7,8 to be a forgery. One look at commentators proves this is not the case. However the anti scriptural “Higher Criticism” had infected universities by this time and many scholars were perverted from the truth. Westcott & Hort worked hard to get unitarians who do not believe in a trinity on both revision committees ESV and 1901 ASV (from which Rutherford got the name Jehovah’s Witnesses). So Russell is incorrect even on this finer point. Consider what this means Russell influenced millions across the world to stop believing in Jesus Christ as God the Son. So we can’t say that our beliefs come from the King James or that no major doctrine is affected by minor changes to Gods preserved Words. After the Bible students read this July issue they started writing in saying “yeah yeah, I didn’t believe that, either. Good thing those scholars found this out”. At this point I had to ask myself is my belief in God preserving his words through bible believers or surrendering to godless and faithless critics who treat the Bible as any other book?
Look up the “1647 Westminster Confession of Faith” vs what replaced it in the early 1800s “Textual Criticism”Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2021-02-20 19:20:25
Where do we find "God the Son" in scripture?
Reply by Stephen_E on 2021-02-28 07:27:09
Sorry for the late reply. My week has been rather turbulent. My brother was close to suicide last Sunday, my sister last year came very close so its been rather scary. I believe I will very shortly be POMO and this situation has pushed this issue much faster than I had planned. I would really appreciate your prayers right now this is a lovely group and I have enjoyed your articles and videos. Your right that term isn’t found in the Bible and apologies if you thought I was being dogmatic I just wanted to share my faith and some of my research. It is a commonly used term by many Christians and I would argue that The Bible in certain places speaks of: God the Son, God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit by implication, by using the term it helps me undo the damage the watchtower society has done to my faith, I consider them above all others to have launched greatest assault on the Deity of Jesus. (I believe Westcott and Hort did most of the damage see “look whats missing” by David W Daniels, then NWT added Jehovah into the Greek and further confused the issue and actually changes who is being referred to in some verses as well as the infamous “others” added to Col 1:16-20). But as stated this is just my opinion but always open to discuss or share anything else anyone may have found. With Christian Love Stephen
Comment by Ad_Lang on 2021-02-22 06:30:53
I had this "lovely" experience in the Zoom meeting of the local congregation yesterday (I'm attending by phone):
Paragraph 13 concludes saying "But he [Jehovah] will help us to cope, perhaps through acts of loyal love expressed by our spiritual family." A brother had actually already connected that to the mark of true discipleship, love "among yourselves" (John 13:34,35).
I then continued to point out that, if we are to obey the implied direction, we need to spend time with/on each other first. So if I want to auxilary pioneer (50 hours per month ministry), I should also spend at least that much time to the benefit of my brothers, e.g. 20 hours meetings, 30 hours personal contact, practical help etc. If I wouldn't do that, my love would be misdirected. So first love for each other, then love for those in the world. If we do that, then we can be useful in Jehovah's hands.
Just as I had finished it, the study conductor thanked me and I muted myself again. Immediately, two things happened: first my group overseer blasting into the meeting how important the ministry is and that we have to follow the direction to make it a priority. Secondly, I was informed that the host requested me to unmute my microphone. Why? Whoever was hosting that meeting (probably my group overseer) had tried to mute me, but as he was doing so, I was a fraction of a second quicker to mute myself, so that he would have unmuted me (but can't due to the privacy measures implemented last year). I decided to send him a text to agree and note that this is a good reason why Jesus said we can't pursue selfish goals (serve two Masters), Mat. 6:24.
I have to admit that I felt really good about it, and reminded how the scribes and Pharisees had sought a reason to kill Jesus, and later the apostles, in a way quite similar to what I am experiencing right now. Not that long ago, I've been accused of "twisting the Scriptures" in a shepherding call by an elder who didn't want to read any verse I came up with. I know I'll be kicked out at some point, but I'm putting up a right fight to ensure that everyone knows the true reason once that happens.
Divine intervention
Some have mentioned divine intervention in the comments, and I think we need to be clear on that. Concluding the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of two potential outcomes for each one hearing (or reading) his words, according to how they would respond. Those who forget and/or carry on as if they hadn't heard them, will fail. Those who listen and respond, applying his words in their lives will succeed (see also James 1:22-25).
Note that in both instances, the storm is still coming. Relying on Jesus' authority by obeying his words will make all the difference between making it through, or not. By doing this, we put faith in him. We display that faith by using his guidance to determine how we deal with all the difficulties we face. As the world gets trapped into turmoil and goes from bad to worse, the difference will become clear and we may become a "guiding light", as it were, reflecting Jesus' glory, who in turn reflects Jehovah's glory (see also Malachi 3:16-18).
As we continue doing so, and make this a matter of lifestyle, sooner or later we will find that divine intervention will come, but only at the appointed time and for the whole of mankind. That is the intervention we are expecting and looking forward to. In the meanwhile, we can trust that we will receive whatever we need to deal with the problems in our own life, until the time this is no longer necessary (Acts 1:6-8).Reply by Deano on 2021-02-24 12:53:55
Its not an open forum for discussion, the meetings that is. If you are not prepared to read the bold txt highlight to what the answer should be they really are not interested. When leading a watchtower once, a brother gave a scripture that was not in the paragraph and was chastised for it, "we must only use the scriptures cited....", complete nonsense, are we really saying don't use the bible to highlight something. Needless to say the Elder taking the wt., was a nonworking layabout of 30 years experience, walked around with a head full of scripture and a heart full of hate, for non believers and most of his brothers. What does Jehovah think of it all.....study being a better person/Christian and most of the issues disappear.
Comment by Kairaat on 2021-02-21 02:20:41
Thank you for your article. But does this mean that God does not intervene in our lives today when we sincerely call out to him in prayer? Now that's a discouraging thought.. Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor? Romans
My point is that who are we to decide when, how and for whom does God intervene?
That was something I never quite understood when witnesses said that the only prayers that God listened of non-JWs were of those asking for help in understanding the Bible. The rest of the prayers "answered" were just a matter of coincidence.Reply by Frankie on 2021-02-25 15:59:19
Hi Kairaat.
You are right. Our heavenly Father hears every prayer (Matt 7:11-12) that is spoken in faith (Matt 21:22), in accordance with His will (1 John 5:14) and when I want not my will to be done, but the will of Jehovah (Matt 26:39):
"... nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."
When I pray to God for anything, I always remember the Lord's prayer to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, and in the end I say, "... but let all things be done according to your will" (Matt. 6:10).
God always responds to my (and to every Christian's) prayer - "And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." (1 John 5:15). The word is always important - I do not say this as some possibility or theory, I say this as a fact based on my own experiences. My heavenly Father knows me best and knows all the circumstances that I do not see. He will act for my good as he sees fit. It may not be immediately or tomorrow, maybe it will be in a month or a year. However, His perfect solution will always be for my good and at the right time.
You certainly know that God will not ignore any of our prayers, because God is love and we are His children.
God bless you Kairaat.
Frankie
Comment by Naomi on 2021-02-22 07:14:15
Thank you so much for this insightful review. I always look forward to readying your reviews & the comments.
Comment by Frankie on 2021-02-25 17:44:52
Hi Tadua.
Thank you for your review covering the theme that is very close to my heart. You pointed well several problems regarding WT application of this (IMO) important verse. I'd like mention few aspects regarding this article to encourage brothers and sisters that are in difficult situation.
You are right; the WT article contains examples of God's interventions that are not relevant or at least debatable. Nevertheless, God answers prayers and does intervene in every case. Psalm 34:18 speaks of specific intervention on behalf of people in specific situation.
The writers of this WT article assume that God acts in the interests of groups of people based on membership in an organization. The WT assumes that God will intervene for a group (or sometimes for all) of its members, because the WT sees itself as God's representative (similar to the Pope) on Earth. However, Christians are not under the Mosaic Law (Gal. 3:19). Regarding all Christians (not only JWs), God always treats each one individually, because each Christian has his own, individual responsibility before God (Romans 14:12; 2 Cor 5:10).
There are many examples in the Bible where God heard someone's prayer and intervened (e.g. Acts 10:37). In prayer, we can ask for anything (John 14: 13-14). There is no small thing for which we would not want to "bother” Jehovah. All the more we can turn to Jehovah with problems that are bringing us to our knees, and our heavenly Father will certainly always act:
"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you .... so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you" (John 15:7,16).
Our heavenly Father hears every prayer (Matt 7:11-12) that is spoken in faith (Matt. 21:22), in accordance with Jehovah's will (1 John 5:14) and when I want not my will to be done, but the will of Jehovah (Matt 26:39). Then God will act. When He does not intervene immediately and not according to our wishes, He has a good reason for that. Let us keep in mind that God is love and his solutions are perfect.
With regard to the last paragraph, I'd like to point out the following.
God is upbringing us continually, and if He does not respond to our requests in a situation caused by our mistakes, He is still working on us. God hears our prayers and He may let to roll the rocks over us for a while when we are in a situation of "blood, sweat and tears." It's as if a loving human father is acting as part of his child's upbringing to make the child realize where he/she made a mistake to remember it [fathers know it well :-)].
But if a loving human father does not leave his child - all the more then our heavenly Father (Matt 7:11, 18:14). And we can be sure of one thing - at the moment when we are making bad decision God has a good solution for us.
Prayer and response - this is the basis for communication with God, and basis for building the relationship and love with our heavenly Father. Love is built on personal communication. We need to feel the contact with God. We need to know that our heavenly Father helps us, that we are not left to ourselves, that we will never be alone, let all people leave us.
And so God always acts - one way or another - and always with love. All our prayers will always be heard (John 15: 7,16) and God will always arrange everything (sooner or later) for our good. Let us not hesitate to thank and ask (Philippians 4:6). The line to God is never busy and none of our prayers will be forgotten (Rev 8:3-4).
Thank you Tadua again for your hard work. Frankie.Reply by Tadua on 2021-02-25 19:45:19
Hi Frankie
Thank you for your warm heartfelt comments.
I certainly believe the encouraging words of Philippians 4:6-7 which reads “Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let YOUR petitions be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard YOUR hearts and YOUR mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.“
However God manouvering others / other events in our favor is another matter. Not that he or Jesus do not have the power, but on what basis would they choose us over someone else? Questions in this regard include, would they force someone to do something against their own will in order to help us? Further, there are very sad occurrences where a child being abused has prayed for it to stop, without results.
Perhaps it can be summed up as: will God and Jesus give us peace of mind? Yes. Will God and Jesus change our circumstances so we have peace? Questionable.Reply by Frankie on 2021-03-25 18:29:40
Thank you Tadua for your kind response. My answer is late. I had notes ready for my response on February 27, and I was revising their concept. And it was then, unexpectedly, that sudden severe abdominal pains began to begin, followed by serious flu with a high fever attacking 40 °C for 5 days which was only slowly declining.
I am still weak but after almost 4 weeks I am capable to work a bit with my PC. So what about my notes? Dear Tadua, I understood the following questions from your answer, and I would like to share some of my thoughts with you.
1. "Gods's maneuvering others / other events in our favor .... would God or Jesus force someone to do something against their own will in order to help us?”
You well remarked that God or Jesus could do anything. There is a beautiful example in the Bible of asking for our heavenly Father and His Son to influence events and circumstances:
"But he, our God, and the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, make our way unto you straight (1 Thess 3:11).
Jehovah will arrange things as he wants them to, not according to our imagination. And this is very good because our God says:
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9).
In addition, God does not have to influence the people around us or the surrounding circumstances; He can guide us. He can focus our attention on the things or situations in which we find ourselves so that we could understand everything and find a way out of problems. He doesn't have to remove the obstacle but he will tell us how to get around it. He can push forward us a little - "go there my child".
God is wise, powerful, righteous, and He loves us. God is love (1 John 4:16), and Jehovah will certainly do no harm to anyone. His solutions are optimal for everyone. He has the right to influence everything. If it affects someone or something in our favor, it will certainly be to the advantage of others.
2. " ... would they force someone to do something against their own will ... "
a) Christians
It is clear from the whole Bible that everyone should seek God's will. This applies to both OT and NT. Jesus himself said:
" ... because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 5:30).
There is no longer free will for a Christian if he has given his will to Christ.
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20a).
If Christ lives in a Christian, then the Christian no longer does his will but Christ's. Does this mean that we cannot act freely at all? No, we can suppress Christ's will by our human will, but then we will no longer live God's will (1 Peter 4: 1-2).
b) Others
God has the right to influence anyone, especially when it comes to enforcing his purpose. Nowhere in the Bible has Jehovah committed himself not to act against one's free will. A nice example is king Nebuchadnezzar. God acted against his free will. The king himself finally said:
”all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?"”
At the same time, Isaiah 55: 9 and 1 John 4:16 have to be considered.
Note: Is there a term "free will" in the Bible? I did not find it. The term free will is not defined in the Bible; it is our logical conclusion.
3. "Child being abused has prayed for it to stop, without results.”
Such a terrible situation is related to the theme of "why God allows evil", which is not easy. God sees evil and sometimes does not intervene for a long time. However, I am convinced that even this always makes sense. Everything that God does has a sense.
Cases of abused children are very sad. God sees them and hears their prayers. Then why doesn't He intervene immediately? Again, we can return to Isaiah 55: 9 and 1 John 4:16.
There are examples in the Bible where God allowed evil to last longer and it made always sense. An example might be Job or the situation in Corinth (1 Cor 11:19). Job did not know the cause of his troubles. God showed by the example of Job that man will not serve God only when he will succeed. In Corinth, the heresy was allowed to show who is who.
I do not know what God means when He allows the abuse of a child. I can only guess. Sometimes it can be similar to Corinth. But the suffering of one can expose evil in many to lesson all (see Barbara Anderson's mission).
In no case, however, can I accuse God of not intentionally intervening so as not to violate someone's free will. So I can't tell a suffering child - "it's good that you're praying, but you know, God sometimes hears you and sometimes not." Definitely not.
Our little ones, God always hears your prayers, God loves you. God's action or inaction always makes sense, and God always will intervene, sooner or later. Your prayers will not be forgotten. And then woe to those who hurt you or do not protect you - either at this time or before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10) - because:
" .... whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matt 18:6, KJV).
God bless you my brother.
Frankie
Comment by Ian howat on 2021-02-18 13:54:05
I love these short sum ups of the weeks WT study as I can no longer stand to sit in front of a screen for two hours listening to the repetitive blurb from the "faithfull evil slave " but at least I'm able to know and discuss with my jw wife the latest light from on high .thank you .
Reply by Naomi on 2021-02-22 07:12:37
My sentiments exactly! I really appreciate these WT reviews along with all the well thought out comments. I learn more from these than from any WT article. I also can’t stand listening to the zoom meetings & hearing the repetitious comments from the Organizations brainwashing. That is very discouraging. But like you, I want to keep up with what’s being taught there, at least for now. Someday I may be freed from all of that. But for now it seems best I keep abreast with what is going on with them.
Reply by Leonardo Josephus on 2021-02-19 04:12:00
I feel about the same, Ian. Tadua's summaries are regularly hitting the nail on the head, and show excellent insight. What comes from the Org seems to be just another way of propping the tent up with thin pieces of wood.
Comment by Truth-Seeker on 2021-02-19 07:41:44
Yes, I always thought God's blessing was not upon me because I wasn't helped in a miraculous way as with such faithful examples of old. This is what Watchtower's teaching seemed to inculcate in me and it was very discouraging. In the meantime, I have recaptured my brain and doing my own thinking. If the Lord God did not even spare his first-born Son from a tortuous death, why should I expect miraculous intervention? And why shouldn't I use my brain to avoid suffering instead of 'rejoicing' with it and even bringing it on? Watchtower gave me a certain disciplinary 'tutoring', but the time came to leave that 'house' with its complexes and make my own way on the journey.
Reply by Frankie on 2021-02-25 15:28:24
Hi Truth-Seeker.
I believe your way is not your own way, but it is our Lord's way and you certainly are the man of "this way" (Acts 9:2).
Wish you many God's blessings on your truth-seeking journey.
Frankie