Comments You Will Not Hear at the 12-7-03 WT Study Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()
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red and quotes ""Quotes from other sources will be in
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WOMEN who MADEJEHOVAH'S HEART REJOICE "May Jehovah reward the way you act, and may there come to be a perfect wage
for you from Jehovah." RUTH 2:12. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD , the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." ?Ruth 2:12 (NIV) Opening Comments
There is much that JW and ex-JW women could say about the place the WTS has given them. But that would take a book. Here let?s focus on why the WTS at least once a year devotes one if not 2 WT study articles to the role of women. It is under the guise of making them feel wanted but it is more likely a passive-aggressive means to show women what their place is and to stay there.
Such as the equal but not equal equation:
w99
8/1 p. 5 Inequality?Did God Intend It?That God created humans to be equal does not mean that he intended for all of them to be equal in every respect. They could differ in talents, interests, and personality. They could also differ in station or in degree of authority. For example, man and woman are not equal in all respects, but God created the woman "as a complement" of the man.
In the same year, even if a women excels:
w99 12/1 p. 29 Do Not Let Your Strength Become Your Weakness
Women have many other gifts. A Christian wife, for example, may be more gifted mentally than her husband is. Nevertheless, as "a capable wife" who fears Jehovah, she would respect her husband and use her gifts to complement him, not to compete with him.w97 6/15 p. 15 "Male and Female He Created Them"
But Adam did not live up to his responsibility, and Eve used her femininity in a persuasive way to entice Adam to join her in disobeying God.This article concentrates on women in the Old Testament, next week?s will concentrate on New Testament women. The 3 themes above and many others really demean women. If any of the women in the WTS acted like the women described below, they would be labeled as troublemakers.
START OF ARTICLE
FEAR of God impelled two women to defy a Pharaoh. Faith moved a prostitute to risk her life so as to protect two Israelite spies. Sensibleness and humility in a crisis helped a woman to save many lives and to prevent the anointed of Jehovah from incurring bloodguilt. Faith in Jehovah God along with a spirit of hospitality moved a widow and mother to give the last of her food to a prophet of God. These are just some of the many Scriptural examples of women who made Jehovah's heart rejoice.Does that mean that women in the congregation can defy authority that goes against God, "fear of God impelled two women to defy a Pharaoh"? Does this mean that women today can "prevent" the self-proclaimed anointed of Jehovah today "from incurring bloodguilt"? Does this mean that women today are encouraged to give up ?the last of their food? or money or property to the "prophet of God" the WTS? ( http://quotes.jehovahswitnesses.com/prophet.htm )
Jehovah's attitude toward such women and the blessings he bestowed upon them demonstrate that what pleases him above all else are spiritual qualities, which transcend gender .Spiritual qualities transcend gender?what does that tell us? That the most important thing according to the WTS is spirituality, spiritual qualifications, yet gender makes women unqualified to be elders, MS, COs, DOs, even mike handlers in spite of their spiritual qualifications that "transcend gender."
In today's world, obsessed as it is with the physical, giving priority to one's spirituality is a challenge. But that challenge can be met, as is demonstrated by millions of God-fearing women who form a large part of God's people today.What was the ratio of women to men in JW congregations today? Of the 6,000,000 plus JWs today at least 2/3 are women (females). Yet their gender disqualifies them from being an elder, etc?
Such Christian women imitate the faith, discretion, hospitality, and other fine qualities demonstrated by God-fearing women mentioned in the Bible.Aren?t Christians supposed to be imitating Christ? Is Christ deficient as a model to be imitating?
1 Corinthians 11:1 (NWT)
Become imitators of me, even as I am of Christ. 1 Peter 2:21 (NWT)In fact, to this [course] YOU were called, because even Christ suffered for YOU, leaving YOU a model for YOU to follow his steps closely.
Of course, Christian men too want to imitate the qualities shown by such exemplary women of ancient times.
To see how we may do so to a fuller degree (buzzword meaning a JW is doing token service but not enough to get privileges) , let us consider in more detail the Bible accounts about the women mentioned at the outset.?Romans 15:4; James 4:8.School Guide Book
p. 192
Very likely you have already made a certain amount of advancement
and do show a certain willingness, and that is fine. But are there other ways in which your advancement can be made manifest, by making yourself available to a fuller degree?Women Who Defied a Pharaoh
At the Nuremberg trials, held in Germany after World War II, many who were convicted of mass murder tried to excuse the crimes they committed by arguing that they were simply obeying orders. Now compare these individuals with two Israelite midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, who lived in ancient Egypt during the reign of an unnamed but tyrannical Pharaoh. Fearing a burgeoning Hebrew population, Pharaoh ordered the two midwives to make sure that every newborn Hebrew male was killed. How did the women respond to that heinous command? "They did not do as the king of Egypt had spoken to them, but would preserve the male children alive." Why did these women not succumb to the fear of man? Because they "feared the true god." ?Exodus 1:15, 17; Genesis 9:6.Yes, these women disobeyed Pharaoah?s authority, why, because he was asking them to go against their personal conscience. There was no Law code to follow.
What about elders today who call Legal in Brooklyn or consult the CO, the WTS representative, for advice? Are they "simply obeying orders"? Are they ready to take responsibility for their decisions regarding child abuse cases? Elders are instructed to call Legal at Brooklyn and these elders must follow Legal?s orders. What will they tell the courts, "I was only following orders"?
Yes, the midwives took refuge in Jehovah, and he, in turn, proved to be "a shield" to them, protecting them from Pharaoh?s wrath.(2 Samuel 22:31; Exodus 1:18-20) But Jehovah?s blessing did not stop there. He rewarded Shiphrah and Puah with families of their own. He even honoured these women by having their names and deeds recorded in his inspired Word for future generations to read. Whereas the name of the Pharaoh has been lost in the sands of time.?Exodus 1:21;1 Samuel 2:30b; Proverbs 10:7.
It was a big thing for a woman to have her name in the Bible. Do you know the name of Noah?s wife, the names of Shem?s, Japtheth?s, or Ham?s wives? What about Adam?s daughters, what were their names?
Are there women like Shiphrah and Puah today? Yes, indeed! Each year, thousands of such women fearlessly preach the Bible's lifesaving message in lands where "the order of the king" forbids it, thus risking their freedom or even their life. (Hebrews 11:23; Acts 5:28, 29) Impelled by love of God and neighbour, such brave women allow no one to stop them from sharing the good news of God's Kingdom with others. Consequently, many Christian women contend with opposition and persecution. (Mark 12:30, 31; 13:9-13) As with Shiphrah and Puah, Jehovah is fully aware of the deeds of such excellent, courageous women, and he will demonstrate his love for them by preserving their names in his "book of life," provided they endure faithfully to the end.-Philippians 4:3; Matthew 24:13.
What does the WTS equate with these women risking their lives to save the lives of these babies? Preaching the good news. I could accept that if JWs used their Bibles. And the goal/motive: having their names in the book of life.
Do they mention the Kingdom? Do they encourage people to read the Bible or to get and read a WT publication?
December 2001 KM
"At this time of year, most people think about Jesus Christ, whether they believe in him or not. Some say that he was not a real person. What is your view? [After a response, read Matthew 16:15, 16.] I am sure you will enjoy reading this article about ?The Real Jesus? to see how he affects you today and will affect you in the future."
Yes teach them early that the only way to understand Jesus is through a WT publication not through reading the Bible.
A Former Prostitute Brings Joy to Jehovah's Heart
In the year 1473 B.C.E., a prostitute named Rahab lived in the Canaanite city of Jericho. Evidently, Rahab was a well-informed woman. When two Israelite spies sought refuge in her home, she was able to relate to them specific details about Israel's miraculous Exodus from Egypt, even though that had occurred 40 years earlier! She was also familiar with Israel's more recent victories over the Amorite Kings Sihon and Og. Note how that knowledge affected her. To the spies, she said: "I do know that Jehovah will certainly give you the land,... for Jehovah your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath." (Joshua 2:1, 9-11) Yes, what Rahab learned about Jehovah and his deeds in behalf of Israel touched a responsive chord in her heart and caused her to have faith in him.?Romans 10:10.
I always wondered why the WTS always brings up that Rahab was a prostitute. When talking about David, do they say, "King David, adulterer and murderer"?
Rahab's faith moved her to action
. (faith = works) She received the Israelite spies "in a peaceable way," and she obeyed their life-saving instructions (JWs today must obey the live-saving instructions from the WTS) when Israel attacked Jericho. (Hebrews 11:31; Joshua 2:18-21) There is no doubt that Rahab's works of faith brought joy to Jehovah's heart, for he inspired the Christian disciple James to place her name alongside that of Abraham, God's friend, as an example for Christians to imitate. James wrote: "In the same manner was not also Rahab the harlot declared righteous by works, after she had received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way?"?James 2:25.Yes, a mere woman and an immoral Gentile had her name alongside that of Abraham?s!!!! Where are the names of the women in the WT organization today? When the visiting speaker is announced do they mention his wife?s name? Did you know that married women are referred to by their husband?s name in any correspondence with the WTS? Example, Sister David Husbandkiller, not Sister Bathsheba Husbandkiller. And if a sister keeps her last name legally, the brothers will still call on her using her husband?s last name. Do you think Rahab is listed as Mrs. Salmon Israelite?
Jehovah rewarded Rahab in a number of ways
. For one thing, he miraculously spared her life and the lives of all who sought refuge in her home (in fact men, women, children, babies, everything alive was destroyed in Jericho) ?namely, "the household of her father and all who belonged to her." Then he allowed these ones to dwell "in the midst of Israel," where they were to be treated as natives. (Joshua 2:13; 6:22-25; Leviticus 19:33,34) But that is not all. Jehovah also bestowed upon Rahab the honour of becoming an ancestress of Jesus Christ (Yes she was allowed to contaminate the gene pool) . What an overwhelming demonstration of loving-kindness toward a woman who had once been an idolworshiping Canaanite!* (not that Israelites weren?t idol worshippers) ?Psalm 130:3, 4.Not as overwhelming a "demonstration of loving-kindness" toward a man, David, who was an adulterer and murderer but side-stepped execution under the Law.
Like Rahab, some Christian women, from the first century right down to today, have abandoned an immoral way of life in order to please God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Not that the WTS is suggesting that Christian women today were prostitutes, just fornicators and adulterers.
No doubt some of them grew up in an environment comparable to that of ancient Canaan, where immorality was rife and even viewed as normal. Yet, they changed their ways, impelled by faith based on an accurate knowledge of the Scriptures. (Romans 10:17) Hence, it could also be said of such women that "God is not ashamed of them, to be called upon as their God." (Hebrews 11:16) What an honour!
Blessed for Her Sensibleness
Many faithful women of old (or is that old faithful women?) displayed in an outstanding way the quality of sensibleness, making them a precious asset to Jehovah's people. One such woman was Abigail, wife of the wealthy Israelite landowner Nabal. Abigail's sensibleness contributed to the saving of lives and prevented David, Israel's future king, from becoming bloodguilty. We can read about Abigail in the account recorded at 1 Samuel chapter 25 (will anyone actually read this before the study?) .
Insight Book p. 510 Nose RingAt Proverbs 11:22 an outwardly beautiful woman who rejects sensibleness is compared to "a gold nose ring in the snout of a pig."How does one gain sensibleness?
WT 9/1/98 pp. 14-15
Like the "noble-minded" Beroeans of old, they do not follow humans but constantly verify in the Bible the things that they are learning. (Acts 17:10, 11; Psalm 119:33-36) They pray like the psalmist: "Teach me goodness, sensibleness and knowledge themselves, for in your commandments I have exercised faith."?Psalm 119:66.Whoops, the WTS takes it back.
WT 2/15/81 p. 18 Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible? How shall we view the spiritual food provided by this "faithful and discreet slave"? Should it be viewed critically??Oh, well, it might be true but then again it might not be and so we have to scrutinize it very critically?? Some apparently have felt that way about it. To support their way of thinking they have quoted Acts 17:11, which says of newly interested persons at Beroea: "Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so."But does this mean that those Beroeans were looking for flaws in the message they were hearing, or that their attitude was one of doubting? Does this set a precedent for regarding critically the publications brought forth by the "faithful and discreet slave," with a view to finding fault? Not at all! WT 1/15/97 p. 8 Femininity is often equated with physical attractiveness. But the speaker asked: "If a woman is pretty but lacks sensibleness and is argumentative, sarcastic, or arrogant, can she really be pretty in the true sense of the word, truly feminine?" WT 7/1/97 p. 15 A Discreet Woman Averts DisasterThis Bible account shows that it is by no means wrong for a godly woman to take appropriate initiative if it is needed?Abigail acted against the wishes of her husband, Nabal, but the Bible does not censure her for this?Although in general a wife should display a spirit of godly subjection, she may properly disagree with her husband when right principles are at stake. WT 9/1/73 p. 523 And this is just as true of the girl who does have physical beauty. She should realize that many beautiful women wind up leading very empty, and often immoral, lives. As the story begins, David and his followers are encamped near Nabal's flocks, which they protect free of charge day and night out of kindness to their Israelite brother Nabal. When David's provisions are running low, he sends ten young men to Nabal to request food. Nabal now has an opportunity to show his appreciation to David and to honour him as Jehovah's anointed (as we should honour the anointed today?) . But Nabal does the opposite. In a fit of rage, he insults David and turns the young men away emptyhanded. When David hears about this, he assembles 400 armed men and sets out to exact revenge. (would the anointed do this today or want to?hmmm?) Abigail learns about her husband's harsh response and acts quickly and prudently to appease David by sending a generous consignment of provisions. Then she herself goes to David.?Verses 2-20.
When Abigail meets David (don?t do this today sisters, go above your head, your husband) , her humble appeal for mercy reveals her deep respect for Jehovah's anointed. "Jehovah will without fail make for my lord a lasting house, because the wars of Jehovah are what my lord is fighting," she says, adding that Jehovah will commission David as leader over Israel. (Verses 28-30) At the same time, Abigail shows considerable courage (because she is a woman telling a man what to do, could a sister tell an elder what to do if it might lead to bloodguilt?) by telling David that his pursuit of revenge, if unchecked, will lead to bloodguilt. (Verses 26, 31) David is brought to his senses by Abigail's humility, deep respect, and clear thinking. He responds: "Blessed be Jehovah the God of Israel, who has sent you this day to meet me! And blessed be your sensibleness, and blessed be you who have restrained me this day from entering into bloodguilt."?Verses 32,33.Upon returning home. Abigail bravely seeks to inform her husband of her gift to David. When she finds him, however, he is "as drunk as could be." So she waits until he is sober and then tells him (yes ladies don?t ever tell your husband something he doesn?t want to hear when he is drunk. If he hits you, then it is your fault) . How does Nabal react? He is so stunned that he is overcome by what may be some form of paralysis. Ten days later he dies at God's hand. When David learns of Nabal's death, he proposes marriage to Abigail, whom he evidently admires and deeply respects (That was a quick courtship. Evidently, she was enough for David because he committed adultery with Bathsheba later down the road) Abigail accepts David's offer.?Verses 34-42.
Can You Be Like Abigail?Do you see some qualities in Abigail that you?men as well as women?would like to cultivate to a greater degree? Perhaps you desire to act more prudently and sensibly when difficulties arise. Or maybe you want to speak in a calm and reasonable manner when the emotions of others around you are running high. If so, why not pray to Jehovah about the matter? He promises to give wisdom, discernment, and thinking ability to all who "keep on asking in faith."?James 1:5, 6; Proverbs 2:1-6,10,11.
Yes, you men out there could imitate Abigail!!! Can you act "prudently and sensibly when difficulties arise?" It might cut down on some of that yelling at the elders? meetings if you would "speak in a calm and reasonable manner when the emotions of others around you are running high."
Such fine qualities are especially important for a woman with an unbelieving husband who pays little or no heed to Bible principles. Perhaps he drinks to excess. Hopefully, such men will change their ways. Many have done so?often in response to the mild manner, deep respect, and chaste conduct of their wives (I wonder what AA would have to say to this, no intervention) .?1 Peter 3:1, 2, 4.Not a mention of leaving the abusive ***** . Yes, if he is abusive, it is because you aren?t being a Christian wife.
Awake 8/8/97 p. 30 From Our ReadersI have been the victim of verbal violence from my husband for years. I?ve managed to avoid falling into desperation by cultivating the fruits of God?s spirit and by busying myself in the full-time preaching work. Your articles made me feel less alone?that someone understands the problem.M. N., Italy Awake 12/22/77 p. 16 Coping with the Threat of Alcohol Abuse But then the wife began a study of the Bible with one of Jehovah?s Witnesses. She learned from God?s Word the best way for a wife to conduct herself with a husband, even an alcoholic one. She began treating him better. In time, he noted this and wanted to know what could make such fine changes in her. So he too began studying the Bible. As he learned more, he depended less and less on his drinking.Whatever difficulties you may have to put up with at home, remember that Jehovah is always there to support you (because the elders and the congregation won?t be; they will expect your conduct to do it) . (1 Peter 3:12) So strive to fortify yourself spiritually. Pray for wisdom and a calm heart. Yes, draw closer to Jehovah through regular Bible study, prayer, meditation, and association with fellow Christians. Abigail's love for God and her attitude toward his anointed servant were not affected by her husband's unspiritual outlook. She acted on the basis of righteous principles. Even in a household where the husband is an exemplary servant of God, a Christian wife realizes that she needs to continue to work hard to build up and maintain her own spirituality. True, her husband has the Scriptural obligation to care for her spiritually and materially, but in the final analysis, she must work out her "own salvation with fear and trembling."?Philippians 2:12; 1 Timothy 5:8.
Translation: Elders? wives have to quit complaining that their husbands are never around to mow the law, work on the car, study with their children, play with their children, talk with their wives ?
She Received "a Prophet's Reward"The way in which Jehovah cared for a poor widow in the time of the prophet Elijah shows that he deeply appreciates those who support true worship by giving of themselves and of their resources.
Translation: Not enough JWs are "giving of themselves" in the field ministry and "giving of their resources" money to the WTS.
How would you have responded to that extraordinary request? The widow of Zarephath, apparently (WTS buzzword meaning "we are going to rewrite the Bible right now") recognizing that Elijah was Jehovah's prophet, "did according to Elijah's word."
In what way did Jehovah respond to her act of hospitality? He miraculously provided food for the woman, her son, and Elijah during the drought. (1 Kings 17:15, 16) Yes, Jehovah gave the widow of Zarephath a prophet's reward," even though she was not an Israelite. (Matthew 10:41)
So if you "are not an Israelite" as a member of the great crowd, if you give all you have to the WTS, God will provide food for you as God "provided food for the woman, her son." Oh, that?s right, the WTS only means spiritual food. You give them your money, you get "spiritual food."
The Son of God also honored this widow when he held her up as an example before the faithless people of his hometown, Nazareth.?Luke 4:24-26.What was the widow?s name? I guess she wasn?t rewarded with that. Just some nameless Gentile woman. Today, many Christian women reflect the spirit of the widow of Zarephath. For example, every week, unselfish Christian sisters - many of whom are poor and have families to care for?extend hospitality to travelling overseers and their wives. Others share meals with local full-time ministers, help the needy (JWs only), or in some other way give of themselves and of their resources to support the kingdom work. (Luke 21:4) Does Jehovah note such sacrifices (works)? Absolutely! "God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name, in that you have ministered to the holy ones and continue ministering." ? Hebrews 6:10.
A brother once said that if it weren?t for the sisters, there would be no hospitality shown. They are the ones that clean the house, cook the meal, serve it, and do the dishes. When it comes time to clean some older sister?s home, do the laundry, who do the elders ask? Because it is a older sister? It wouldn?t make any difference if it was an older brother, because this is woman?s work. Men sit in the tents and discuss spiritual things.
Are they expecting the single mothers to support the WTS like the widow supported the prophet?
In the first century, several God fearing women had the privilege of ministering to Jesus and his apostles. In the next article, we will consider the example of modern-day women who serve Jehovah wholeheartedly, even in difficult circumstances.Jesus' genealogy, as recorded by Matthew, mentions four women by name?Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Mary. All are held in high esteem in God's Word (but would they be held in high esteem in the WTS today? 2 prostitutes (Tamar, Rahab), Ruth (descendant of an incestuous family, Moabite?Lot?s son by his daughter), Mary (a woman who got pregnant out of wedlock ).?Matthew 1:3, 5, 16.
Concluding CommentsThis is just the first installment of how valuable the WTS thinks women are. The message really is:Shiprah and PuahWomen should defy authority but not the authority of the WTS. The WTS will tell you what authority to defy.RahabLying for God is good. Women with immoral pasts can be acceptable to God. They will be blessed with a good husband and children. Many women today are immoral.AbigailWomen should defy authority and support God?s anointed (even if he later commits adultery and has a man killed).Widow of ZarephathWomen should support God?s prophet the WTS and give all their resources to it.
Blondie