Good post Bill,
Although it is difficult to make up one’s mind about which is the most silly and brain-dead Watchtower cliché I think that “Wait on Jehovah” must be at least among the top ten.
Typically it is used mainly when the credibility of the Watchtower “Organization” or the leader’s authority is in question.
When some completely goofy and incomprehensible “new” understanding (which is going to be changed in the next Watchtower) is published and people express their concern, they are asked to “wait on Jehovah”. When I told the elders in 1988 that the teaching about the 1914 generation was embarrassing they didn’t “understand” it until 1995, but I was of course wrong not to “wait on Jehovah” because he didn’t get his finger out. It took him 7 years longer than me to figure this simple thing out. Not very impressive to say the least:
*** w88 1/15 22 Were You Once Associated With Jehovah's Organization? ***
Did You Disagree With a Teaching?
It may be that you left Jehovah’s organization because you had a different understanding of some Scriptural point. Just as the Israelites rescued from Egypt quickly “forgot [God’s] works” on their behalf and “did not wait for his counsel,” you may hastily have concluded that since the organization did not espouse the viewpoint you considered correct, you would sever ties with it. (Psalm 106:13) Perhaps the point has since been clarified, either being changed or established by further Scriptural research under the direction of God’s spirit. Would it not have been better just to have stayed with the organization, waiting on Jehovah?
It is good to remember that Jehovah has always worked through one organization only. In our day, “the faithful and discreet slave” is dispensing spiritual food “at the proper time.” Note that this slave was to be ‘found doing so when the Master arrived.’ (Matthew 24:45-47) Really, who today realizes that the Master has already arrived? And who is busy with the work indicated? Only those associated with Jehovah’s organization of Christian witnesses!
It doesn’t take much fantasy to understand that in the case of child molesting elders and high Watchtower officials would benefit largely if all the victims was “waiting”- say 50-60 years. Of course all the Nazi war criminals and such would have had a great benefit if their victims had waited for the “justice” of God.
Here is a little sample of all the reasons all Jehovah's Witnesses have to “wait on Jehovah”:
*** w99 10/1 5 "For Everything There Is an Appointed Time" ***
“For the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7) What a marvelous promise! But we must realize that Jehovah reveals his confidential matters at the time he deems advisable. For that purpose God has authorized a “faithful and discreet slave” to provide his people with “their [spiritual] food at the proper time.” (Matthew 24:45) There is, therefore, no reason for us to become overly concerned, or even agitated, that certain matters are not fully explained. Rather, we can be confident that if we patiently wait on Jehovah, he will provide, through the faithful slave, what is needed “at the proper time.”*** w99 10/1 26 Divine Riddles and God's Purpose ***
Unlocking Sacred Secrets
For many of us, sight is the most precious of our five senses. But without light, human vision would be almost useless. We would be virtually blind. So, too, the human mind. It has an amazing ability to match patterns, apply logic, and thus solve puzzles. Yet, something more is needed to unlock sacred secrets. While others may offer solutions to the riddles posed in the Bible, only their Author, Jehovah, the God of light, can reveal their intended meaning.—1 John 1:5.
Unfortunately, men are often too proud and independent to wait on Jehovah for answers.
*** w97 3/15 10 Do You Long to Serve More Fully? ***
But his disappointment at not being able to serve as an elder pushed his appreciation for them into the background temporarily. By refocusing on them, he was able to regain his equilibrium and patiently wait on Jehovah.
*** w95 6/15 12 Patience-Why So Rare? ***
Truly, exercising patience will bring us fine rewards. We will avoid many accidents and problems caused by rushing about or by being too quick with our tongue. We will be happier, calmer, and likely healthier. We will experience greater joy and peace in our ministry, in the congregation, and at home. But most of all, we will enjoy a closer relationship with God. So wait on Jehovah. Exercise patience!
*** w94 1/15 28 Thrilling Conventions Promote Divine Teaching ***
The first talk in the afternoon had the comforting theme “Throw All Your Anxieties Upon Jehovah.” Many things cause anxiety; yet, God’s Word says that we should throw all our anxieties upon him. (1 Peter 5:6, 7) True, some problems persist, and in this regard the speaker urged: ‘Be patient. Wait on Jehovah. Firmly believe that following the Bible is always best. If we keep our hearts fixed on Jehovah, we will come to enjoy “the peace of God” that excels all thought.’—Philippians 4:6, 7.
*** w94 5/15 23 Can You Exercise Patience? ***
“Jehovah is very tender in affection” toward Christians who patiently endure trials. (James 5:10, 11) Such individuals enjoy a clean conscience because of doing his will. In your case, then, if you wait on Jehovah and patiently endure trials, your forbearance will result in Jehovah’s approval and blessing.
*** w82 6/1 20 Loyally Submitting to Theocratic Order ***
Waiting on Jehovah
15 At times, some bring to the attention of the “slave” class various doctrinal or organizational matters that they feel ought to be revised. Certainly, suggestions for improvement are proper, as are inquiries for clarification.
*** w82 6/1 20 Loyally Submitting to Theocratic Order ***
16 The proper spirit after offering suggestions is to be content to leave the matter to the prayerful consideration of the mature brothers directing the work in Jehovah’s organization. But if those making the suggestions are not content with that and continue to dispute the subject in the congregations with a view to getting others to support them, what then? That would create divisions, and could subvert the faith of some.
As we know the human life span is quite short, at least compared to God’s which is supposed to be eternal. It must be quite satisfactory for a man/woman in their forties and want to get married to be told to “wait on Jehovah”. For what? Apparently for him to find a suitable partner?
*** w93 1/15 31 Questions From Readers ***
Questions From Readers
What can a Christian do when he or she is unable to find a suitable marriage partner?...Never forget that Jehovah understands the situation of all single people serving him. He knows that you may not feel that your present circumstances are what you would prefer. Our loving heavenly Father is also aware of what is in your best interests in the long term, both spiritually
But some times the Watchtower, inadvertently show us how completely stupid this whole matter is. A guy who like so many other Jehovah's Witnesses had spent a lifetime “waiting on Jehovah”. A man who had seen 1914, come and go, who witnessed the failures of the “Finished Mystery” book about 1918, 1919 and 1920, and last but no least 1925. Had this to say about waiting for Jehovah:
*** w70 1/15 56-61 Waiting on Jehovah with Endurance ***
Waiting on Jehovah with Endurance
As told by George E. Hannan …And all of this travel and meeting with fellow Witnesses in so many lands has served to add zest to the work to be done here at Bethel—the work of supplying that increasing army of zealous Witnesses with the publications they need for their ministry.
Not merely waiting on Jehovah to do something, as are many peoples of all nations today, is what is important; there is more than that. God’s Word, the Bible, holds out precious promises of reward for ‘those who are seeking glory and honor by endurance in work that is good.’ (Rom. 2:7) How satisfying to fill the time of waiting with works that give proof of our love for Jehovah!
Here it turns out that merely “waiting on Jehovah” is something that “people of the nations” are doing and it doesn’t seem to be “enough”. I agree. There is no need to let child molesters and other sick individuals get off the hook by listening to insane drivel and bilge from Brooklyn.
Norm.
