While I was shopping yesterday, I was obviously directed by holy spirit to find this magazine on the ground. I decided to pick up my shopping cart at the opposite location of where I normally pick up my cart, and there it was, just waiting for me! So, taking the counsel of the Organization to heart against wasting literature or leaving the magazines with people who are not deserving of the Good News, I picked up this treasure and brought it home to share with you. I transcribed the first study article, and even inserted my own comments in violet coloured type. Where appropriate, I made editorial changes to suit. Feel free to add your own comments. Enjoy!
Love, Scully
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L oyally Submit to Godly Authority
Jehovah is our Judge, Jehovah is our Statute-giver, Jehovah is our King. - isaiah 33:22
I n 1513 B.C.E., the nation of Israel came into existence. At that time, it had no capital city, no homeland, and no visible king. Its subjects were former slaves. However, that new nation was unique in yet another way. Jehovah God was its invisible Judge, Statute-giver, and King. (Exodus 19:5, 6; Isaiah 33:22) No other nation could make that claim!
2 Since Jehovah is a God of order, as well as a God of peace, we would expect that any nation he ruled would be well organized. (1Corinthians 14:33) That certainly was the case with Israel. But how could an earthly, visible organization be directed by an invisible God? (Excellent question, and I bet youre going to shove the answer down our throats.) We do well to consider the way Jehovah governed that ancient nation, noting in particular how his dealings with Israel highlight the importance of loyally submitting to godly authority. (Welcome to the regularly-scheduled OBEY THE ELDERS AND GOVERNING BODY lecture.)
How Ancient Israel Was Governed
3 Although Jehovah was Israels invisible King, he appointed faithful men as his visible representatives. There were chieftains, heads of paternal houses, and older men to serve the people as counselors and judges. (Exodus 18:25, 26; Deuteronomy 1:15) However, we must not conclude that without divine guidance those responsible men could somehow judge matters with flawless discernment and understanding. (God guides them to make mistakes?) They were not perfect, and they could not read the hearts of their fellow worshipers. (So why judge them, if the judging belongs to God to do?) Still, God-fearing judges could give their fellow believers helpful counsel because it was based on Jehovah's Law. (Counsel implies a choice for the recipient to follow it or not; but thats not what elders do, is it?) - Deuteronomy 19:15; Psalm 119:97-100.
4 There was more to being a judge than knowing the Law, however. Being imperfect, the older men had to be alert to curb any of their own wayward tendencies such as selfishness, partiality, and greed (qualities that might be at the root of things like pedophilia perhaps?) that might pervert (interesting word choice) their judgment. Moses told them: " You must not be partial in judgment. You should hear the little on the same as the great one. You must not become frightened because of a man, for the judgment belongs to God." Yes, Israel's judges were judging for God. What an awe-inspiring privilege that was! - Deuteronomy 1:16, 17.
5 Jehovah made other provisions to care for the spiritual needs of his people. Even before they arrived in the Promised Land, he commanded them to build the tabernacle, the center of true worship. He also set up a priesthood to teach the Law, to offer animal sacrifices, and to burn the morning and evening incense. (interesting how JWs dont use incense nowadays because it is associated with demonism!) God installed Moses' older brother, Aaron, as Israel's first high priest and appointed Aaron's sons to assist their father with his duties. - Exodus 28:1; Numbers 3:10; 2 Chronicles 13:10, 11.
6 Caring for the spiritual needs of several million people was an enormous task, and the priests were relatively few in number. So provision was made for them to be assisted by other members of the tribe of Levi. Jehovah told Moses: "You must give the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They are the given ones, given to him and the sons of Israel." - Numbers 3:9, 39.
7 The Levites were well organized. They were divided according to the three families - the Gershonites, the Kohathites, and the Merarites - each with an assignment of work to do. (Numbers 3:14-17, 23-37) Some assignments may have seemed more important than others but all were essential. The work of the Kohathite Levites brought them into close proximity with the sacred ark of the covenant and the furnishings of the tabernacle. However, every Levite, whether a Kohathite or not, enjoyed marvelous privileges. (Numbers 1:51, 53) Sadly, some did not appreciate their privileges. Rather than loyally submitting to godly authority, they became dissatisfied and gave in to pride, ambition, and jealousy. A Levite named Korah was of that number.
Must You Men Also Try to Secure the Priesthood?
8 Korah was not the head of the paternal house of Levi, nor was th the head of the families of the Kohathites. (Numbers 8:30, 32) Nevertheless, he was a respected chieftain in Israel. Korah's duties might have brought him into close association with Aaron and his sons. (Numbers 4:18, 19) Seeing firsthand the imperfections of these men, Korah might have reasoned: 'These priests are decidedly imperfect, yet I am expected to be in subjection to them! Not long ago Aaron made a golden calf. Worshiping that calf caused our people to fall into idolatry. Now Aaron, Moses brother, is serving as high priest! What favoritism! And what of Aarons sons, Nadab and Abihu? Why, they showed such gross disrespect for their privileges of service that Jehovah had to put them to death!'* (Exodus 32:1-5; Leviticus 10:1, 2) Whatever Korah's reasoning might have been, it is clear that he began to view the priesthood from a human standpoint. That led to his rebellion against Moses and Aaron and, ultimately, against Jehovah. - 1 Samuel 15:23; James 1:14, 15.
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*Aaron's other two sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, were exemplary in their service to Jehovah. - Leviticus 10:6.
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9 Being a man of influence, it was not difficult for Korah to rally to himself others of like mind. He, along with Dathan and Abiram, found 250 sympathizers all chieftains of the assembly. Together they approached Moses and Aaron and said: " The whole assembly are all of them holy and Jehovah is in their midst. Why, then, should you lift yourselves up above the congregation of Jehovah?" - Numbers 16:1-3.
10 The rebels should have known better than to challenge Moses' authority. Not long before, Aaron and Miriam had done just that. Why, they had even used reasoning similar to that of Korah! (please overlook the fact that we made up Korah's "reasoning") According to Numbers 12:1, 2, they asked: Is it just by Moses alone that Jehovah has spoken? Is it not by us also that he has spoken? Jehovah was listening. He commanded Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to assemble at the entrance of the tent of meeting so that He (Why is this one reference to God capitalized, when others in the text are not?) could indicate his choice of leader. Then, in unambiguous terms, Jehovah said: "If there came to be a prophet of yours for Jehovah, it would be in a vision I would make myself known to him. In a dream I would speak to him. Not so my servant Moses! He is being entrusted with all my house." (Which of these means does Jehovah use to appoint the Governing Body, elders or ministerial servants? How does Jehovah give them their authority?) Following that, Jehovah temporarily struck Miriam with leprosy. (Are there any lepers in your congregation to indicate which ones have rebelled against God-given authority? If there are no lepers, does it mean there is no rebellion against authority that elders assume, or does it mean that the authority is not God-given?) Numbers 12:4-7, 10.
11 Korah and those who sided with him must have been aware of that incident. Their rebellion was inexcusable. Still, Moses tried patiently to reason with them. He urged them to be more appreciative of their privileges, saying: " Is it such a little thing for you men that the God of Israel has separated you men from the assembly of Israel to present you to himself?" No, it was not "a little thing"! The Levites already had so much. What more could they desire? Moses further words exposed the reasonings of their heart: " Must you men also try to secure the priesthood?"* (Numbers 12:3; 16:9, 10) How, though, did Jehovah react to this rebellion against godly authority?
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*Korah's fellow conspirators, Dathan and Abiram, were Reubenites. As such, they apparently did not covet the priesthood. In their case, they resented Moses leadership and the fact that up to that time, their expectation of reaching the Promised Land had not been fulfilled. Numbers 16:12-14. (So because Armageddon hasnt come when the WTS predicted on several occasions JWs are not allowed to become resentful of the ones making the predictions, unless they want to be viewed as rebellious!)
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Israel's Judge Intervenes
12 When Jehovah gave the Law to Israel, he told the people that if they were obedient, they would become a holy nation and that the nation could remain holy as long as they accepted Jehovah's arrangement. (Exodus 19:5, 6) Now, with an open rebellion afoot, it was time for Israel's Judge and Statute-giver to intervene! Moses said to Korah: "You and all your assembly, be present before Jehovah, you and they and Aaron, tomorrow. And take each one of you his fire holder, and you men must put incense upon them and present each one his fire holder before Jehovah, two hundred and fifty fire holders, and you and Aaron each his fire holder." - Numbers 16:16, 17.
13 According to God's Law, only the priests could offer incense. The very idea of a non-priestly Levite offering incense before Jehovah should have shaken those rebels to their senses. (Exodus 30:7; Numbers 4:16) Not so Korah and his supporters! The next day he got all the assembly together against [Moses and Aaron] at the entrance of the tent of meeting. The record tells us: "Jehovah now spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: 'Separate yourselves from the midst of this assembly, that I may exterminate them in an instant.'" But Moses and Aaron pleaded for the lives of the people to be spared. Jehovah consented to their pleas. As for Korah and his crowd, a fire came out from Jehovah and proceeded to consume the two hundred and fifty men offering the incense. - Numbers 16:19-23, 35.*
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*In patriarchal times, each family head represented his wife and children before God, even offering sacrifices in their behalf. (Genesis 8:20; 46:1; Job 1:5) However, when the Law was instituted, Jehovah appointed male members of Aaron's family as priests through whom sacrifices should be offered. The 250 rebels were apparently not willing to cooperate with this adjustment in procedure. (But it gives JWs an excuse to over-ride a non-believing husband's wishes, or usurp his headship if a JW husband suddenly rebels against WT Law.)
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14 Strangely enough, the Israelites who saw how Jehovah dealt with the rebels still did not learn their lesson. "The next day the whole assembly began to murmur against Moses and Aaron, saying: 'You men have put Jehovah's people to death.'" The Israelites were taking the side of the conspirators! Finally, Jehovahs patience came to an end. No one not even Moses or Aaron could intercede for the people now. Jehovah caused a scourge to afflict the disobedient ones, and those dead from the scourge amounted to fourteen thousand seven hundred, aside from those dead on account of Korah. - Numbers 16: 41-49.
15It was so unnecessary for all those people to lose their lives. If only they had reasoned matters out. They could have asked themselves such questions as: 'Who appeared before Pharaoh at the risk of their lives? Who demanded that the Israelites be set free? Who alone was invited to ascend Mount Horeb after Israel's deliverance to speak face-to-face with God's angel?' Surely the remarkable record of Moses and Aaron gave proof of their loyalty to Jehovah and their love for the people. (So where is the remarkable record of the Governing Body that proves their loyalty to Jehovah and their love for the people?)(Exodus 10:28; 19:24; 24:12-15) Jehovah took no pleasure in putting the rebels to death.(Yes, he did. It's what Jehovah does best.) Still, when it became evident that the people were going to persist in their rebellion(prove the leadership to be corrupt), he took decisive action (to eliminate the troublemakers). (Ezekiel 33:11) All of this is of great significance to us today. Why? (Why, indeed?)
Identifying the Channel Today
16 Today, there is a new nation that has Jehovah as its invisible Judge, its Statute-giver, and its King. (Matthew 21:43) That nation came into existence in the first century C.E. By that time, the tabernacle of Moses day had been replaced with a beautiful temple in Jerusalem, where Levites were still officiating. (Luke 1:5, 8, 9) However, in the year 29 C.E., another temple, a spiritual one, came into existence, with Jesus Christ as High Priest. (Hebrews 9:9, 11) The question of godly authority arose once more(due to the invisible nature of the spiritual temple, no doubt) . Who was Jehovah going to use to lead this new nation? Jesus proved himself to be unconditionally loyal to God. He loved the people (and never killed or harmed anyone like Jehovah did) . He also performed many marvelous signs. However, like their stiff-necked ancestors (and the modern Governing Body), the majority of Levites refused to accept Jesus. (Matthew 26:63-68; Acts 4:5, 6, 18; 5:17) Finally, Jehovah replaced the Levitical priesthood with a very different one a royal priesthood. That royal priesthood continues down to this day(invisibly, of course).
17 Who make up this royal priesthood today? The apostle Peter answers that question in his first inspired letter. To anointed members of the body of Christ(Because there were no non-anointed members back then? Here we are trying to prove that there are two classes of Christians), Peter wrote: You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you should declare abroad the excellencies of the one that called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9) From these words it is clear(it is??) that, as a group, the anointed footstep followers of Jesus make up this royal priesthood, which Peter also called a holy nation. They constitute the channel that Jehovah uses to provide his people with instruction and spiritual bum-steering
direction. - Matthew 24:45-47.
18 Representing the royal priesthood are appointed elders, who serve in positions of responsibility in congregations of Jehovah's people around the earth. These men deserve our respect and wholehearted support, whether they are of the anointed or not(even if they commit acts of gross indecency, like engaging in incest or pedophilia). Why? Because, through his holy spirit, Jehovah has appointed the older men to their positions(but we cant expect the holy spirit to make perfect choices). (Hebrews 13:7, 17) How can that be?(good question!)
19 These older men meet the requirements(like being "above reproach"? and being "irreprehensible"??)that are set out in God's Word, which is a product of God's spirit. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) Hence, their appointment can be said to be by holy spirit. (Acts 20:28) The older men, or elders, must be thoroughly familiar with God's Word(including the parts in Leviticus about sexual deviances?). Like the Supreme Judge who appointed them, the elders also must (outwardly, at least) hate anything that resembles partiality in judgment(but how can we be sure that they exercise impartiality when all their judgments are made in secret?). - Deuteronomy 10:17, 18.
20 Rather than challenge their authority, we truly appreciate our hardworking elders! Their record of faithful service, often over many decades, inspires our trust(because the record of misconduct is carefully guarded in congregation files, and their accusers are threatened with disfellowshipping if they dare to blow their cover). They faithfully prepare for(at least 10 minutes)and conduct congregation meetings, work side-by-side with(child molesters among) us in preaching the good news of the Kingdom, and provide Scriptural advice when (they think) we need it. (Matthew 24:14; Hebrews 20:23, 25; 1 Peter 5:2) They visit us when we are sick and comfort us when we mourn(like HELL they do!) (only if they can count it as service time). They (dis)loyally and unselfishly support Kingdom interests. Jehovah's spirit is (not)upon them; they have his (dis)approval. - Galatians 5:22, 23.
21 Of course, the older men are not perfect. (Never) Mindful of their limitations, they do not try to lord it over the flock, Gods inheritance. Rather, they consider themselves fellow workers for the joy of the brothers. (1 Peter 5:3; 2 Corinthians 1:24) Humble, hardworking elders love (the WTS) Jehovah, and they know that the closer they come to imitating(the deranged maniacs of the Governing Body) him, the more(power and control) good they will be able to(have) do in the congregation. With this in mind, they constantly strive to cultivate such(un)godly qualities as(hate), love(of power), compassion(lessness),and (im)patience.
22 How happy we are to have Jehovah as our invisible Ruler, Jesus Christ as our High Priest, members of the anointed royal priesthood as our teachers, and faithful Christian older men as our counselors! Although no organization directed by humans can be perfect(so quit dogging us about our multitude of mistakes already!), we are delighted to be able to serve God in the company of faithful fellow believers, who gladly submit to (the Governing Body's) godly authority!
Edited by - Scully on 7 October 2002 17:30:34
