COMMENTS YOU WILL NOT HEAR AT THE 10-5-03 WT STUDY Reviewer comments are in black and parentheses ()
WT article quotes are in
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WHAT DOES JEHOVAHEXPECT OF US?
"What is Jehovah asking back from you but to exercise justice and to love kindness and to be modest in walking with your God?"-MICAH 6:8. (NWT) But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously--take God seriously.? Micah 6:8 (MSG) Opening Comments
What do you think of when you read "exercise justice"? Or "love kindness"? Or walking modestly with God? Do you think of the injustice regarding abuse victims? Do you think of the legalistic approach in the WTS with the disfellowshipping procedure? Do you think of the Mighty Men, the glorious ones, the princes, chieftains, all "titles" of the elders?
Notice that it does not say "to study the Bible and Bible-based publications and to attend all five meetings and to be whole-souled in the preaching work making sure that you turn your time in every month." Yet the first paragraph starts with the theme of field service.
START OF ARTICLE
VERA is a faithful Christian about 75 years of age and in poor health. "Sometimes," she says, "I look out the window and see my Christian brothers and sisters preaching from house to house. It brings tears to my eyes because I want to be with them, but sickness limits my service to Jehovah."
Have you ever felt like that?
Or been made to feel like that? Is this the only way to "meet his requirements" in the field service?
We may be somewhat
discouraged (or made to feel discouraged by talks to do more every week and comparisons made with "good examples" from the platform).How God Treats His People
Let us first look at Micah 6:3-5 and note how Jehovah (the WTS) treats his people?rebellious. Even so, Jehovah (the WTS) compassionately addresses them with the words?Rather than harshly accuse them, he (the WTS) tries to reach their heart by asking, "What have I done to you?"
He (WTS) even encourages them to "testify against" him.
Does the WTS really encourage his people to testify against them? Does the Vicki Boer case or any of the abuse cases show that?
We have been encouraged to do everything possible (a "do more" phrase)
to promote true worship so that we may walk in God's name forever.?addressed them with the term "please."
We should display compassion and kindness in our dealings with those who are a part of the congregation (only those part of the congregation?) Granted, some may not be easy to get along with, or they may be spiritually weak.Who decides who is not easy to get along with or is spiritually weak? Who gets to label people? Did Jesus label people weak?
What has the WTS had to say about the spiritually weak? Are they good association?
10/1/01 WT 17-18 In one congregation, well-meaning adults who wanted to help some youths who had become spiritually weak invited them to gatherings to play popular music together. Though the youths readily complied and enjoyed such sessions, their influence on one another eventually led them to cut their ties with the congregation. 8/1/99 WT pp. 23-24 Even within the Christian congregation, we can come under the influence of unwholesome peer pressure if we choose spiritually weak individuals as our close associates.If they love Jehovah, however, we want to help them and show them compassion.And who judges whether they love Jehovah or not? The elders?
No, it is not possible to please Jehovah "with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of torrents of oil." But there is something that will please him. What is that? (so sacrifices are not what God looks for---not even sacrifice of lips)So what does it mean if many hours are spent in the field service but there is no love in the congregation? Wouldn?t this sacrifice be without value then?
We Must Exercise Justice "To exercise justice" means to do what is right. God's way of doing things is the standard of justice.Then that would mean going to the Bible where God?s standard of justice is not to this book:
Pay Attention to Yourselves and All The Flock?Secret Elder?s Handbookhttp://home2.inet.tele.dk/carloc/
false measures, false weights, and false speech are rampant in the commercial world of Micah's day.Unjust practices are not limited to the marketplace. They are also common in court . (judicial committees) Micah 7:3 indicates that "the prince (Isa 32:2: elders are considered princes) is asking for something"?Bribes are given to judges so that they will impose unjust sentences upon innocent people. "The great one," or influential citizen, joins in the crimes. In fact, Micah says that the prince, the judge, and the great man "interweave," or coordinate, their wicked deeds.6/1/99 WT p. 9Notice the prophetic description of these elders, or "princes": "Each one must prove to be like a hiding place from the wind and a place of concealment from the rainstorm, like streams of water in a waterless country, like the shadow of a heavy crag in an exhausted land." (Isaiah 32:1, 2)2/1/99 WT p. 19And as the last aged anointed Witnesses finish their earthly course, princely sa·rim´ of the other sheep will have been well trained to carry out administrative duties as the chieftain class on earthMicah 7:5 notes that a lack of justice has led to a lack of trust between companions, confidential friends, and even marriage mates. (how can there be trust when you worry that friends and family will turn you into the elders for a perceived flaw)? wherein relatives as close as sons and fathers, daughters and mothers, despise one another (disfellowshipping) w97 8/15 p. 27The Law stated that if a person was a witness to apostate acts, sedition, murder, or certain other serious crimes, it was his responsibility to report it and to testify to what he knew.Unless it is child sexual abuse, which is swept under the rug.
What about today? Do we not see similar conditions? Like Micah, we are surrounded by a lack of justice, an atmosphere of distrust, and a breakdown of social and family life. (and that is only in the congregation!)VOMIT ALERT!Do you not agree that by exercising justice we enjoy rich blessings resulting from a brotherhood that manifests real trust?
How Do People Hear "the Very Voice of Jehovah"? Today, in the final fulfillment of this prophecy, not one particular nation, but individuals of all nations are benefiting from God's impartial justice. How is this proving true?Micah 6:9 states: "To the city the very voice of Jehovah calls out, and the person of practical wisdom will fear your name." How do people of all nations hear "the very voice of Jehovah," and how does this relate to our exercising of justice? Of course, people today do not literally hear God's voice. Through our worldwide preaching work, however, Jehovah's voice is being heard by individuals of all races and walks of life .So the WTS thinks it speaks with the voice of God?
Acts 12:21-23 But on a set day Herod clothed himself with royal raiment and sat down upon the judgment seat and began giving them a public address. 22 In turn the assembled people began shouting: "A god?s voice, and not a man?s!" 23 Instantly the angel of Jehovah struck him, because he did not give the glory to God; and he became eaten up with worms and expired. We are certainly acting in a just and loving way by serving as zealous Kingdom proclaimers (another Do More phrase). We Must Love KindnessNext let us discuss the second?"to love kindness." The Hebrew word translated "kindness" is also rendered "loving-kindness," or "loyal love." Loving-kindness is an active regard for others, a compassionate concern for them.The WTS says that this compassionate concern is show by the preaching work. But are words enough?
James 2:15-16If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, 16 yet a certain one of YOU says to them: "Go in peace, keep warm and well fed," but YOU do not give them the necessities for [their] body, of what benefit is it? Loving-kindness always involves people, especially those serving God . Loving-kindness is shown willingly and freely because we want to show it. Like Jehovah, we find pleasure, or delight in showing loving-kindness to those in need.Today, such loving-kindness is a mark of God's people.But this love is conditional in the WTS. You must meet their standards (which are more numerous than the original Law code).
Consider just one example. In June of 2001, a tropical storm caused massive flooding in Texas, U.S.A., damaging thousands of homes, including hundreds of homes of Jehovah's Witnesses. To help their Christian brothers in need, some 10,000 Witnesses willingly and freely offered their time and energy. For more than half a year, volunteers worked tirelessly, using their days, nights, and weekends to rebuild 8 Kingdom Halls and over 700 homes for their Christian brothers. Those who could not do such work donated food, supplies, and money. Why did all these thousands of Witnesses come to the aid of their brothers? Because they "love kindness." And how heartwarming it is to know that such deeds of loving-kindness are shown by our brothers worldwide! Yes, meeting the requirement to "love kindness" is, not a burden, but a joy!But were any non-JWs helped? Were the JWs who were helped "encouraged" to sign over the insurance money?
Matthew 5:46-47
For if YOU love those loving YOU, what reward do YOU have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 And if YOU greet YOUR brothers only, what extraordinary thing are YOU doing: Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing?Be Modest in Walking With GodThe third requirement found at Micah 6:8 is "to be modest in walking with your God." This means to recognize our limitations and to depend on God. To illustrate: Picture for a moment a little girl holding on tightly to the hand of her father while they walk through a storm. The girl well knows that her strength is limited, but she has confidence in her father. We too must know our limitations but have confidence in our heavenly Father. Translation: Have confidence in the WTS. Know that you can?t do anything without God?s organization (WTS). According to Micah 6:4, 5, God says: "I brought you up out of the land of Egypt." Yes, Jehovah was Israel's Deliverer. Jehovah further says: "I proceeded to send before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam." Moses and Aaron were used to guide the nation, and Miriam led the women of Israel in a victory dance. Jehovah provided guidance by means of his servants . As we walk with God, he delivers us from Satan's world, guides us by means of his Word and his organization, and protects us as a group (not as individuals) when we are under attack by opposers.We thus have ample reason to hold on tightly to the hand of our heavenly Father as we walk with him through the stormy final leg (the end is close) of our journey to something far greater than the ancient Promised Land-God's righteous new world.
Being modest in walking with God helps us to have a realistic view of our circumstances. This is so because displaying modesty includes being aware of our limitations. Advanced age or failing health may place certain limits ... Instead of allowing this to discourage us,?that God accepts our efforts and sacrifices 'according to what we have, not according to what we do not have.' (another Do More phrase) Indeed, Jehovah expects us to serve him in a whole-souled way, doing whatever our circumstances allow. (another Do More phrase) When we earnestly and zealously do all we can in his service, God blesses us richly. (Inactive ones need not expect blessings)A Waiting Attitude Brings Blessings"I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation." Having a waiting attitude, or patience, helps us to avoid feeling disappointed that Jehovah's day has not yet come.But the WTS does not take responsibility for giving the rank and file false hopes in 1914, 1925, 1975?
However, every week thousands of people are just beginning to walk with God. Knowing that gives us a reason for showing a waiting attitude .The WTS says this even though they have said that the preaching will never be completed before the "end" comes.
At Micah 7:18, 19, the prophet highlights Jehovah's desire to forgive those who repent. We may ask ourselves if we imitate Jehovah in this regard. Do we pardon the errors that others may commit against us? When such ones are repentant and seek to make amends, surely we will want to reflect Jehovah's willingness to forgive completely and permanently.Is that why people are treated like spiritual pariahs for years after being reinstated?
Exodus 20:5-6Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation, in the case of those who hate me;We have been encouraged to do everything possible (another Do More phrase) to promote true worship so that we may walk in God's name forever. (yes, everlasting life is the goal held out once again) Closing CommentsYes, the rank and file and not doing enough in the field service. No preaching, no everlasting life. The WTS can preach a good sermon but does not do very well when it comes to living it. There is no justice, no love, no humility in the WTS these days. It has become as legalistic as the Jewish system of Jesus? day. Every magazine adds or strengthens a new rule or law.
Matthew 23:13"Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men; for YOU yourselves do not go in, neither do YOU permit those on their way in to go in.Blondie