OBEY JEHOVAH'S SHEPHERDS
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20131115/obey-jehovahs-shepherds/
“Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls.”—HEB. 13:17.
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?
How do congregation elders shepherd God’s sheep?
Why should the sheep listen to the undershepherds?
Why is the imperfection of the undershepherds no reason to disregard their Scriptural counsel?
Does anyone else get the feeling that the title they really intend to put on this article is more like "Obey Jehovah's Shepherds... OR ELSE!!"?
1, 2. Why is it significant that Jehovah likens himself to a shepherd?
JEHOVAH compares himself to a shepherd. (Ezek. 34:11-14) That is significant because it helps us to understand what Jehovah is like. A loving human shepherd takes full responsibility for the survival and welfare of the flock of sheep under his care. He leads them to pasture and to water sources (Ps. 23:1, 2); watches over them by day and by night (Luke 2:8); protects them from predators (1 Sam. 17:34, 35); carries the newborn (Isa. 40:11); searches for strays, and cares well for sheep that are injured.—Ezek. 34:16.
2 Because Jehovah’s people of ancient times lived in a predominantly pastoral and agricultural society, they readily understood the significance of comparing Jehovah God to a loving shepherd. They knew that sheep need care and attention in order to thrive. In a spiritual sense, it is the same with people. (Mark 6:34) Without good spiritual care and leadership, people suffer. They become vulnerable and stray morally—just as the “sheep that have no shepherd” scatter. (1 Ki. 22:17) However, Jehovah lovingly provides for the needs of his people.
When you really look at the OT "Jehovah as a shepherd", it's easy to see that he had a habit of ignoring the nation and letting them wander away depending on who was sitting on the throne of David, then he would punish them for going astray. Don't forget, this was the "shepherd" that handed his sheep over to Babylon because he just couldn't be bothered with them for more than a generation.
But this is The Watchtower magazine, so we can count on a few things: 1) The history of Jehovah in the OT will be rewritten to suit the whims of WT leadership. 2) Jesus will get much lower billing. 3) Paul will be quoted as a higher authority than Christ.
3. What will we discuss in this article?
3 The portrayal of Jehovah as a shepherd carries meaning even in modern times. Jehovah is still providing for his sheeplike people. Let us see how he directs his sheep and satisfies their needs today. We will also consider how the sheep should respond to Jehovah’s loving interest in them.
How many JWs really know anything about sheep? From all the comments I ever heard at the KH, they simply repeated whatever was printed in WT publications. Personally, I've had very little personal experience, simply because our family had raised them decades ago and they got rid of them all. Sheep were simply too much more trouble than other stock animals.
I remember after one WT study about shepherds loving their sheep, and sheep being better animals than "stubborn" goats, my grandfather explained how clueless most of the information really was. He liked goats much better than sheep. He hated sheep-shearing and didn't like wool because it was too itchy. Sheep would get sick on anything and could be more stubborn and difficult than the goats. He liked goats because they were good about eatting up all the briars and even poison ivy... as long as they didn't get in the garden.
And in grandpa's estimation, being a shepherd would be BORING AS HELL! What kind of a job is it to spend your entire time watching sheep eat and poop? It's an occasional job for kids or people that just didn't have any other abilities or skills. Grandpa didn't say it, but I think he was about to add that it would be a job for people with a special attraction toward sheep... get the hint? In that case, the portrayal of Jehovah as a shepherd carries meaning in our day... he has a thing for sheep.
THE FINE SHEPHERD PROVIDES UNDERSHEPHERDS
4. What role does Jesus play in providing for Jehovah’s sheep?
4 Jehovah has appointed Jesus as Head of the Christian congregation. (Eph. 1:22, 23) As “the fine shepherd,” Jesus reflects his Father’s interests, purposes, and qualities. Jesus even ‘surrendered his soul in behalf of the sheep.’ (John 10:11, 15) What a blessing Christ’s ransom sacrifice is for mankind! (Matt. 20:28) Why, it is Jehovah’s purpose that “everyone exercising faith in [Jesus] might not be destroyed but have everlasting life”!—John 3:16.
Jesus finally comes up in para. 4. Is it just me, or does the wording in this paragraph seem odd, as if trying to force "Jehovah", "Father's ...", "Jehovah's purpose" as if to discount Jesus?
And the last sentence particularly seems odd. Now that I'm not getting the steady stream of WT propaganda, starting a sentence like that with "Why," and ending with and exclamation point just seems like pointless enthusiasm around a "yeah, that's old news" statement. Fine. For the remainder of my commentary, I'll raise them to ever greater heights of pointless enthusiasm!!!!
5, 6. (a) Whom has Jesus appointed to care for his sheep, and what does benefiting from this arrangement require of the sheep? (b) What should be the foremost reason for our wanting to obey congregation elders?
5 How do the sheep respond to the Fine Shepherd, Jesus Christ? “My sheep listen to my voice,” said Jesus, “and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Listening to the Fine Shepherd’s voice means following his guidance in all things. This includes cooperating with the spiritual undershepherds whom he has appointed. Jesus indicated that his apostles and disciples were to continue the work that he had begun. They were to ‘teach’ and to ‘feed Jesus’ little sheep.’ (Matt. 28:20; read John 21:15-17.) As the good news spread and the number of disciples increased, Jesus arranged for mature Christians to shepherd the congregations.—Eph. 4:11, 12.
6 When addressing the overseers of the first-century congregation in Ephesus, the apostle Paul pointed out that holy spirit had appointed them overseers “to shepherd the congregation of God.” (Acts 20:28) The same is true of Christian overseers today, since they too are appointed on the basis of Scriptural requirements inspired by the holy spirit. Thus, obeying Christian overseers shows our respect for Jehovah and Jesus, the two greatest Shepherds. (Luke 10:16) Surely this should be the foremost reason why we desire to be submissive to the elders. However, there are also other factors that make such compliance wise.
Here comes the redirection. Jesus said that he was the shepherd and the sheep were his. But Paul comes along and suddenly things change. Holy spirit appointed overseers to shepherd? Let's be honest. It was Paul appointed overseers of his choosing--"yes men" that agreed with him. He didn't send recommendations that were prayed over by a gb before appointments. Paul picked these shepherd who would be replacing Christ.
Is that what we see today? Indeed! WT is more than happy to kick Jesus out of his shepherding role and take his place. And what foundation is presented that WT appointed elders are shepherds of Christ's sheep? Only a phrase from Acts! And when you read the context, Paul goes on to explain that oppressive wolves will come into the congregation. So, is blind compliance really wise? No indeed! The Bible and common sense would make one stop and say, "Should I blindly follow this shepherd if he's leading me to slaughter?"
7. How do the elders help you to maintain a good relationship with Jehovah?
7 In giving direction to fellow believers, elders provide encouragement and counsel based either on the Scriptures themselves or on Scriptural principles. Their objective in providing such guidance is not to dictate how their brothers should live their lives. (2 Cor. 1:24) Rather, it is to give their fellow Christians Scriptural guidelines to help them make good decisions and to promote order and peace in the congregation. (1 Cor. 14:33, 40) The elders are ‘watching over souls’ in the sense that they desire to help each member of the congregation maintain a good relationship with Jehovah. They will thus be quick to offer assistance if they perceive that a brother or a sister is about to take, or has already taken, a “false step.” (Gal. 6:1, 2; Jude 22) Are these not good reasons for being “obedient to those who are taking the lead”?—Read Hebrews 13:17.
There seems to be a lot of typos in this paragraph. I don't know how this had gotten past all the levels of proofreading at WT. Here, I'll made some corrections...
7 In giving direction to fellow believers, elders provide encouragement and counsel threats based either on the Scriptures themselves or on Scriptural principles on instructions from WT, the branch, and the Circuit Overseer. Their objective in providing such guidance is not to dictate how their brothers should live their lives. (2 Cor. 1:24) Rather Further, it is to give force upon their fellow Christians Jehovah's Witnesses Scriptural Watchtower guidelines to help them make good poor decisions that benefit Watchtower Corporation and to promote order and peace conformity and unquestioning obedience in the congregation. (1 Cor. 14:33, 40) The elders are ‘watching over souls’ in the sense that they desire to help force each member of the congregation maintain a good subservient relationship with Jehovah the Governing Body. They will thus be quick to offer assistance drag someone into a judicial committee meeting if they perceive that a brother or a sister is about to take, or has already taken, a “false step.” (Gal. 6:1, 2; Jude 22) Are these These are not good reasons for being “obedient to those who are taking the lead”? !—Read Hebrews 13:17.
That's a little better. The original paragraph is so deceptive it should just be thrown out and replaced with. "Cults require leadership that forces conformity. So that's what WT has elders for."
8. How do the elders defend the flock of God?
8 The apostle Paul, a spiritual shepherd himself, wrote to his brothers in Colossae: “Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ.” (Col. 2:8) This warning draws attention to another good reason for paying attention to the Scriptural counsel of the elders. They defend the flock by putting their brothers on guard against any who might attempt to undermine their faith. The apostle Peter warned of “false prophets” and “false teachers” who would try to “entice unsteady souls” into wrongdoing. (2 Pet. 2:1, 14) Present-day elders must give similar warnings when necessary. As mature Christian men, they have experience in life. Further, before being appointed, they demonstrated that they had a clear understanding of the Scriptures and that they were qualified to teach what is healthful. (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9) Their maturity, balance, and Bible-based wisdom enable them to give skillful direction to the flock.
Wait, did they really write that the Bible warns against false prophets? Excuse me while I stare off into space for a moment and reflect on the years of my life that were wasted because of WT false prophecies back in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s... Doesn't WTs flip-flopping teachings on things like vaccinations and blood certainly qualify as philosophy and empty deception that have carried off people as prey? Let's be honest. this paragraph isn't talking about the danger of people turning away from Christ, it's all about the danger of people turning away from Watchtower corporation.
Do you sometimes feel that your family behaves like helpless sheep while Watchtower Corporation behaves like a wild beast oppressing and harming them? Notice this picture...
Since Jesus isn't going to fix things, I guess it means that we have to grow a beard and slip on a dress and get those sheep away from the bear!
THE FINE SHEPHERD FEEDS AND PROTECTS THE SHEEP
9. How does Jesus direct and feed the Christian congregation today?
9 Through his organization, Jehovah provides an abundance of spiritual food to the whole association of brothers worldwide. Much Scriptural counsel is provided by means of our publications. In addition, at times the organization gives guidance directly to congregation elders, either through letters or through instructions delivered by traveling overseers. In such ways, the sheep receive clear direction.
Hmmm. No scriptures cited in this paragraph. Perhaps because "organization" doesn't appear in the Bible... and because the Bible is supposed to be all the spiritual food that a Christian really needs. From the statements made, they really demonstrate that there is no heavenly leadership. It's all constructed and controlled like a top-down corporation! There really is no god above the Governing Body. They are the CEO and Board of Directors.
10. What responsibility do spiritual shepherds have regarding those who have strayed from the flock?
10 In a spiritual sense, overseers have the responsibility of protecting, nursing, and caring for the health of members of the congregation, especially those who have hurt themselves or who have fallen sick spiritually. (Read James 5:14, 15.) Some of these individuals may have strayed from the flock and have stopped engaging in Christian activities. In such a case, would not a caring elder do all in his power to find each lost sheep and urge that one to return to the fold, that is, to the congregation? Of course he would! “It is not a desirable thing with my Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish,” explained Jesus.—Matt. 18:12-14.
When you look back at that picture of the bear, it is clear to see that the bear doesn't want one of them to get away. Similarly, WT demands that the elders to everything to try to drag back anyone that dares to make an escape! Again we see them blame the sheep. Someone is upset because WT continues to protect pedophiles and expect someone to die if they require blood that's more than the approved fraction? That's the sheeple's fault, they're hurting themselves for not blindly following ignorant WT policies!
And again there is the stick... "one of these little ones to perish"! Really? The key to survival is by listening to boring talks at a KH and handing out worthless tracts to people that are creeped out by JWs showing up uninvited at the door to push their crazy religion? And JWs claim they've got the truth that there is no fiery hell? WT uses the exact same threatening tactics as every other religion, teaching, "if you're not in our religion, you are doomed!"
HOW SHOULD WE VIEW SHORTCOMINGS OF UNDERSHEPHERDS?
11. Why may some find it challenging to follow the elders’ lead?
11 Jehovah and Jesus are perfect Shepherds. The human undershepherds to whom they entrust the care of the congregations are not. This reality may make it challenging for some to follow the elders’ lead. Such individuals may reason: ‘They are imperfect humans just like us. Why should we listen to their counsel?’ True, the elders are imperfect. However, we need to have a proper view of their shortcomings and weaknesses.
Let's be honest. Most of these "undershepherds" aren't just "imperfect", they're also uneducated, egotistical, demanding, demeaning...
It's obvious where the last sentence is going. The proper view of their shortcomings and weaknesses is... to ignore them. What gem will be in the next paragraph? Something like... "If Jehovah saw fit to appoint them as elders with his holy spirit, then who are we to question the fact that they're control freaks whose wives are pioneers that are never seen in service but are always at the pharmacy to get their anti-depressants?"
12, 13. (a) What can be said about the failings of some whom Jehovah has used in responsible positions? (b) Why were the shortcomings of responsible men recorded in the Bible?
12 The Scriptures candidly acknowledge the failings of those whom Jehovah used to lead his people in the past. For example, David was anointed as king and leader of Israel. Yet, he succumbed to temptation and became guilty of adultery and murder. (2 Sam. 12:7-9) Also consider the apostle Peter. Although entrusted with great responsibility in the first-century Christian congregation, he made serious mistakes. (Matt. 16:18, 19; John 13:38; 18:27; Gal. 2:11-14) With the exception of Jesus, no humans since Adam and Eve have been perfect.13 Why did Jehovah have Bible writers record accounts of the shortcomings of men whom he had commissioned? Among other reasons, God did this to show that he can use imperfect men to lead his people. In fact, he has always done so. Hence, we should not use the imperfections of those who take the lead among us today as an excuse to murmur against them or to ignore their authority. Jehovah expects us to respect such brothers and to obey them.—Read Exodus 16:2, 8.
Indeed, the best answer WT can give: "Everyone else is imperfect, too!" These paragraphs prove that imperfection is a sign of Jehovah's direction. See, King David was a trainwreck! So we should be happy that the elders aren't having sex with our wives while we're out of town and then killing us so they can marry our wives. And even that turned out okay for David. So be glad that the elders are not as imperfect as David! *barf*
So, there's no magical "holy spirit" that is helping to make right decisions or put the right people in the right places. There's nothing that really distinguishes true Christians from anybody else. They're all imperfect. JWs have a pedophile problem, so what? So does the Catholic Church. Everybody's imperfect! ... Well, except Jesus. And certainly, Watchtower is having nothing to do with him.
"OBEY THEM!" ... Based on something in the OT where Moses and Aaron had already performed miracles to prove that they had thumbs-up from sky-daddy. PLEASE, PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE TO ATTEND THIS LESSON, CONSIDER COMMENTING ON THIS SCRIPTURE TO STATE ALL THE MIRACLES THAT THE HEBREWS HAD SEEN INCLUDING THE 10 PLAGUES AND THEIR FLIGHT FROM EGYPT.
Has WT performed any such miracles? ... And "no", false prophecies printed in hundreds of languages aren't miracles.
14, 15. What can we learn from the way Jehovah communicated with his people in the past?
14 Obedience to those who today are taking the lead among us is vital. Think of how Jehovah communicated with his people during critical times in the past. When the people of Israel left ancient Egypt, God’s orders for them came through Moses and Aaron. To survive the tenth plague, the Israelites had to obey the instructions to have a special meal and to splash some of the blood of a slaughtered sheep on the doorposts and lintels of their houses. That direction did not come to them by means of a voice out of heaven. No, they had to listen to the older men of Israel, who in turn received specific instructions from Moses. (Ex. 12:1-7, 21-23, 29) In those circumstances, Moses and the older men acted as bearers of Jehovah’s instructions to his people. Christian elders fulfill a comparably vital function today.
15 Very likely, you can think of numerous other occasions in Bible history when Jehovah provided life-saving instructions through human or angelic representatives. In all these cases, God saw fit to delegate authority. Messengers spoke in his name, and they told his people what they needed to do in order to survive a crisis. Can we not imagine that Jehovah might do something similar at Armageddon? Naturally, any elders today who are delegated the responsibility of representing Jehovah or his organization must be exceptionally careful never to abuse the authority entrusted to them.
WT again completely disregards Jesus and everything he stated about the end of the Mosaic Law and Jewish system. It's to the advantage of the WT bureaucracy to reinforce and maintain the bureaucracy. So they will point to the bureaucracies they see in the Bible. The problem is that most of the real messengers in the OT were not the priests or kings, they were independent prophets that were not part of any "organization". The Jewish system proved to be a disaster. Jesus replaced it with... nothing, no organization except to follow him. And in the NT, WT is using the same "you can't follow Jesus without us" arguments as "Christendom". Really, there is no difference between WT "organization" and the clergy.
The whole thing would be much simpler and more correct theologically to simply state the Jesus is the one and only shepherd. Handing out authority to "undershepherds" is just a big invitation to abuse.
“ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD”
16. To what “word” do we need to be attentive?
16 Jehovah’s people constitute “one flock” under “one shepherd,” Jesus Christ. (John 10:16) Jesus indicated that he would be with his disciples “all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matt. 28:20) As heavenly King, he is in full control of all the developments that will lead to the execution of judgment against Satan’s world. In order to remain united and safe within the flock of God, we need to listen to ‘a word behind us,’ telling us which way to go. This “word” includes what God’s holy spirit says as expressed through the Bible and what Jehovah and Jesus say through those whom they have appointed as undershepherds.—Read Isaiah 30:21; Revelation 3:22.
And in that one messed up paragraph they state that "one flock" actually means a bunch of different levels of bureaucracy. It is "one overlapping flock" so to speak. Although there are "confidential" correspondence, publications, and titles like "overseer" and "pioneer" used by certain levels, for the sake of one scripture everyone should say that JWs are "one flock".
And by "one shepherd", what is really meant is "one overlapping shepherd". Where you have Jehovah and Jesus, the GB, DOs, COs, elders, and the snotty nosed MS behind the literature counter that comes along with the elder on a shepherding call to tell you that you should go out in serve-us more. It may seem that almost any idiot with a penis is a WT shepherd, but for the sake of this paragraph, just pretend that they all are one composite shepherd with Jesus.
Notice how this is portrayed in this picture from the article:
The caption: 'Elders seek to protect single-parent families from harmful association'
I think this should have gone back at para. 7. The elders really do dictate how others should live their lives. So now that everybody in the family has had to get a tablet to keep up with the ever-chaging nulite on jw.org, the elders will show up to your house to harass your kid if they are on facebook! What would Jesus do? ... Not that.
17, 18. (a) What danger threatens the flock, but of what can we be confident? (b) What will be discussed in the next article?
17 Satan is said to be walking about “like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.” (1 Pet. 5:8) Like a wild and ravenous predator, he is stalking the flock, waiting for an opportunity to pounce on the unwary or on those who stray. That is all the more reason why we should stay very close to the rest of the flock and to “the shepherd and overseer of [our] souls.” (1 Pet. 2:25) Concerning the survivors of the great tribulation, Revelation 7:17 says: “The Lamb [Jesus] . . . will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.” What better promise could there possibly be?
18 Having considered the very important role of Christian elders as spiritual undershepherds, we do well to ask, How can these appointed men make sure that they treat Jesus’ sheep in an appropriate manner? The answer will be discussed in the following article.
Actually, there is another way to not be devoured by a lion... don't be a sheep! This is an illustration, so what's the point of thinking "I can only be a sheep."
Be a human with a brain. The scare tactics of WT are to trap the weak. They need people that can't stop to analyze and really think about what's going on in WT world. The GB wants all their sheeples to be so busy on the JW treadmill that they don't have the time and energy to examine WT history with all the false prophecies and flip-flops. They don't want people to really examine the Bible or other historical sources for themselves.
Now for everyone else to comment...