Ha! very funny Calebs Airplane
You ought to know positively the appearance of your flock
by leaving_quietly 13 Replies latest watchtower bible
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TheOldHippie
"This famous line from Proverbs 27:23 (in the old NWT) is used for elders and the organization to justify field service reports."
This verse has not been used for many years to signify that. Because the expression used is "your flock", it was pointed out that the individual JWs were not the flock of the elders, but the flock of Jesus Christ, and so this verse could not be used in the context of elders.
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leaving_quietly
@TheOldHippie, this is still used in this context and definitely in elders' meetings and schools. At least it is where I live.
The typical rule of thumb is that the most recent information on a verse is official "doctrine". The most recent in this case is the Jeremiah book page 131 par. 6: "Like literal shepherds, Christian overseers should not be negligent in caring for the congregation. If you serve as an elder, are you striving to be alert to any sign of suffering on the part of your brothers, and are you willing to assist them promptly? Wise King Solomon wrote: “You ought to know positively the appearance of your flock. Set your heart to your droves.” (Prov. 27:23) That verse extols the industriousness of literal shepherds; yet, in principle it may be applied to the care provided by spiritual shepherds in the congregation."
The typical R&F might not be aware that this is used in relation to viewing field service reports. But I've been at many a meeting with the CO and elders where this verse is used in that context.
I did look up the verse in the Scripture Index to see if they've changed and I just missed it. None of the references say what you stated. However, there is another verse that's easy to connect with this one, and you may have been thinking about that one: "Shepherd the flock of God in your care." (1 Pet 5:1) There is a recent reference that says similar to your comment.
*** w11 6/15 p. 20 par. 5 “Shepherd the Flock of God in Your Care” ***
The apostle wrote that the older men were to ‘shepherd the flock of God in their care.’ It was most important for them to recognize that the flock belongs to Jehovah and Jesus Christ. The elders had to render an account about how they kept watch over God’s sheep. Suppose that a close friend of yours asked you to look after his children while he was away. Would you not take good care of them and feed them? If one child got sick, would you not make sure that he received any needed medical help? Similarly, the elders in the congregation are “to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.” (Acts 20:28) They keep in mind that each sheep was bought with the precious blood of Christ Jesus. Being accountable, the elders feed, protect, and care for the flock.
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crazyhorse
There's an elder in my Cong who calls every sister 'sister' and every brother 'brother' when conducting a study. So much for 'knowing your flock'