Watchtower January 13 through January 19
[For the opening song before the Public Talk, select the song number announced, on the 'Sing Out Joyfully' Page or click here]
Watchtower Study Article 45 [Press play below to hear the MP3 Watchtower audio]
Song 138 Beauty in Gray-Headedness. Based on Proverbs 16.31
1. Here with us are aged ones,
Those whose youth has passed.
Here among us they endure;
Still they’re holding fast.
Loss of strength besets them all;
Loss of mates for some.
Father, please confirm their faith
In the life to come.
Father, you remember
How in faith they’ve run.
Give them your assurance;
May they hear, “Well done!”
2. Splendid is gray-headedness
Found in ways of right.
Beautiful are faithful ones
In Jehovah’s sight.
May we always recognize
They were once young too.
Loyally they gave their best
When their strength was new.
Father, you remember
How in faith they’ve run.
Give them your assurance;
May they hear, “Well done!”
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
Learn From the Parting Words of Faithful Men (January 13 through 19)
“Is not wisdom found among the aged, and does not understanding come with a long life?” Job 12.12.
[Box] Focus.
Obedience to Jehovah God leads to blessings now and to everlasting life in the future. [End of box]
Question 1. Why can we learn from older ones?
1. All of us need guidance in making life’s important decisions. We can obtain much of that guidance from elders and other mature Christians. If they are much older than we are, we should not automatically dismiss their advice as outdated. Jehovah wants us to learn from older ones. They have had more time than we have had to acquire experience, understanding, and wisdom.
[Quotation] Job 12.12: Is not wisdom found among the aged, And does not understanding come with a long life? [End Quotation]
Question 2. What will this article discuss?
2. In Bible times, Jehovah used faithful older ones to encourage and guide his people. Consider, for example, Moses, David, and the apostle John. They lived at different times, and their circumstances differed greatly. As they neared the end of their life, they gave wise advice to younger ones. Each of these faithful older men emphasized the value of being obedient to God. Jehovah preserved their wise words for us today. Whether we are young or old, we can benefit by reviewing their counsel.
[Quotation] Romans 15.4: For all the things that were written beforehand were written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 2 Timothy 3.16: All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, [End Quotation]
In this article, we will consider the parting words of these three older men and the lessons we can draw from what they said.
“You Will Endure a Long Time”
Question 3. In what capacities did Moses serve?
3. Moses was wholly devoted to Jehovah. He served as a prophet, a judge, a commander, and a historian. Moses had a lot of experience in life! He led the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt and personally witnessed many of Jehovah’s miracles. Jehovah used him to write the first five books of the Bible, Psalm 90, and possibly Psalm 91. He also likely wrote the book of Job.
Question 4. Whom did Moses encourage, and why?
4. Shortly before he died, at the age of 120, Moses called together all the Israelites to remind them of the things they had seen and experienced. In their youth, some of his listeners had witnessed the many signs and miracles performed by Jehovah as well as His judgments against Egypt.
[Quotation] Exodus 7.3 and 4: As for me, I will allow Pharaoh’s heart to become obstinate, and I will multiply my signs and my miracles in the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh will not listen to you, and I will lay my hand upon Egypt and bring my multitudes, my people, the Israelites, out of the land of Egypt with great judgments. [End Quotation]
They had walked through the parted waters of the Red Sea and had seen the destruction of Pharaoh’s army.
[Quotation] Exodus 14.29 through 31: But the Israelites walked on dry ground in the midst of the seabed, and the waters formed a wall on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus Jehovah saved Israel on that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel also saw the great power that Jehovah wielded against the Egyptians, and the people began to fear Jehovah and to put faith in Jehovah and in his servant Moses. [End Quotation]
In the wilderness, they had experienced Jehovah’s protection and care.
[Quotation] Deuteronomy 8.3 and 4: So he humbled you and let you go hungry and fed you with the manna, which neither you had known nor your fathers had known, in order to make you know that man does not live by bread alone but man lives by every expression from Jehovah’s mouth. 4 The clothing you wore did not wear out, nor did your feet become swollen these 40 years. [End Quotation]
Now as the nation stood poised to enter the Promised Land, Moses grasped this last opportunity to encourage the people.* [Footnote] The vast majority of Israelites who saw Jehovah’s miracles at the Red Sea did not live to see the Promised Land.
[Quotation] Numbers 14.22 and 23: However, not one of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness and yet have kept testing me these ten times and have not listened to my voice 23 will ever see the land about which I swore to their fathers. No, not one of those treating me without respect will see it. [End Quotation]
Jehovah decreed that those 20 years of age and older who were registered would die in the wilderness.
[Quotation] Numbers 14.29: In this wilderness your corpses will fall, yes, the whole number of you from 20 years old and up who were registered, all of you who have murmured against me. [End Quotation]
However, Joshua, Caleb, and many of the younger generation and of the tribe of Levi did survive to see Jehovah fulfill his promise when Israel crossed the Jordan River and entered Canaan.
[Quotation] Deuteronomy 1:24: They left and went up into the mountainous region and reached the Valley of Eshcol and spied it out. 25 They took some of the fruitage of the land and carried it back to us, and they brought word back to us, ‘The land that Jehovah our God is giving us is good.’ 26 But you refused to go up, and you rebelled against the order of Jehovah your God. 27 You kept grumbling in your tents and were saying, ‘It was because Jehovah hated us that he brought us out of the land of Egypt to hand us over to the Amorites to annihilate us. 28 What kind of place are we going to? Our brothers made us lose heart by saying, “They are a people greater and taller than we are, and their cities are great and fortified to the heavens, and we saw the sons of the Anakim there.”’ 29 “So I said to you, ‘Do not be struck with terror or be afraid because of them. 30 Jehovah your God will go before you and will fight for you, just as he did in Egypt before your very eyes. 31 And you saw in the wilderness how Jehovah your God carried you just as a man carries his son, everywhere you went until you came to this place.’ 32 But despite all of this, you did not put faith in Jehovah your God, 33 who was going ahead of you on the way, to spy out a place for you to camp. He appeared by fire at night and by a cloud in the daytime to show you the way you should walk. 34 “All the while Jehovah heard what you were saying, and he became indignant and solemnly swore, 35 ‘Not one of these men of this evil generation will see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers, 36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give the land on which he walked to him and to his sons, because he has followed Jehovah wholeheartedly. 37 (Jehovah even became angry with me because of you, and he said, “You too will not go in there. 38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, is the one who will enter into the land. Make him strong, for he will cause Israel to inherit it.”) 39 Moreover, your children who you said would become plunder and your sons who today do not know good or bad, these will enter, and I will give it to them to possess. 40 But as for you, turn back and depart for the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.’ [End Quotation] [End of footnote]
Question 5. Moses’ parting words found at Deuteronomy 30.19 and 20 gave what assurance to the Israelites?
5. What did Moses say? (Read Deuteronomy 30.19 and 20.) The nation of Israel had prospects for a wonderful future. With Jehovah’s blessing, the Israelites could live for a long time in the land that he had promised them. And what a beautiful, fruitful land it was! Moses described it for them: “Great and fine cities that you did not build, houses full of all sorts of good things that you did not work for, hewn cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant.”
[Quotation] Deuteronomy 6.10 and 11: “When Jehovah your God brings you into the land that he swore to your forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give you, great and fine cities that you did not build, 11 houses full of all sorts of good things that you did not work for, hewn cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant, and you have eaten and become satisfied, [End Quotation]
[Read scripture] Deuteronomy 30.19 and 20: I take the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you today that I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the curse; and you must choose life so that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving Jehovah your God, by listening to his voice, and by sticking to him, for he is your life and by him you will endure a long time in the land that Jehovah swore to give to your forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” [End of Read scripture]
Question 6. Why did God allow other nations to conquer Israel?
6. Moses also gave the Israelites a warning. In order to continue living in their bountiful land, they had to obey Jehovah’s commandments. Moses urged them to “choose life” by listening to Jehovah and by “sticking to him.” However, the Israelites rejected Jehovah. So in time God allowed the Assyrians and later the Babylonians to conquer them and take them into exile.
[Quotation] 2 Kings 17.6 through 8: In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria. He then led the people of Israel into exile in Assyria and made them dwell in Halah and in Habor at the river Gozan and in the cities of the Medes. 7 This happened because the people of Israel had sinned against Jehovah their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the control of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshipped other gods, 8 they followed the customs of the nations that Jehovah had driven out from before the Israelites, and they followed the customs that the kings of Israel had established. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 2 Kings 17.13 and 14: Jehovah kept warning Israel and Judah through all his prophets and every visionary, saying: “Turn back from your wicked ways! Keep my commandments and my statutes according to all the law that I commanded your forefathers and that I sent to you through my servants the prophets.” 14 But they did not listen, and they remained just as stubborn as their forefathers who had not shown faith in Jehovah their God. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 2 Chronicles 36.15 through 17: Jehovah the God of their forefathers kept warning them by means of his messengers, warning them again and again, because he felt compassion for his people and for his dwelling place. 16 But they kept ridiculing the messengers of the true God, and they despised his words and mocked his prophets, until the rage of Jehovah came up against his people, until they were beyond healing. 17 So he brought against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary; he felt no compassion for young man or virgin, old or infirm. God gave everything into his hand. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 2 Chronicles 36.20: He carried off captive to Babylon those who escaped the sword, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia began to reign, [End Quotation]
Question 7. What can we learn from the words of Moses? (See also picture.)
7. What is the lesson for us? Obedience leads to life. Like the Israelites who were on the threshold of the Promised Land, we are on the verge of entering God’s promised new world, where we will see the earth transformed into a paradise.
[Quotation] Isaiah 35.1: The wilderness and the parched land will exult, And the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Luke 23.43: And he said to him: “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.” [End Quotation]
The Devil and his demons will be gone.
[Quotation] Revelation 20.2 and 3: He seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years. 3 And he hurled him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not mislead the nations anymore until the 1,000 years were ended. After this he must be released for a little while. [End Quotation]
No longer will false religion lead people away from Jehovah.
[Quotation] Revelation 17.16: And the ten horns that you saw and the wild beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her devastated and naked, and they will eat up her flesh and completely burn her with fire. [End Quotation]
No longer will human governments oppress those under their care.
[Quotation] Revelation 19.19 and 20: And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the one seated on the horse and against his army. 20 And the wild beast was caught, and along with it the false prophet that performed in front of it the signs with which he misled those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who worship its image. While still alive, they both were hurled into the fiery lake that burns with sulfur. [End Quotation]
Paradise will have no place for rebels.
[Quotation] Psalm 37.10 and 11: Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, And they will not be there. 11 But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. [End Quotation]
People everywhere will obey Jehovah’s righteous laws, which promote unity and peace. Thus, they will love and trust one another.
[Quotation] Isaiah 11.9: They will not cause any harm Or any ruin in all my holy mountain, Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah As the waters cover the sea. [End Quotation]
What a wonderful prospect! What is more, if we obey Jehovah, we can continue to live on a paradise earth not just for hundreds of years but for all eternity.
[Quotation] Psalm 37.29: The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] John 3.16: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. [End Quotation]
[Image Alt:] Collage: 1. A couple participates in cart witnessing. The wife shows something encouraging on her phone to a woman who has stopped by the cart. 2. The couple enjoys a meal with others in Paradise. Caption: If we obey Jehovah, we can live on a paradise earth not just for hundreds of years but for all eternity
Question 8. How did the promise of everlasting life help one longtime missionary? (Jude 20 and 21)
8. If we keep God’s promise of everlasting life closely in mind, we will want to stick to him no matter what trials we may face. (Read Jude 20 and 21.) That promise can also empower us to fight personal weaknesses. One longtime missionary in Africa who struggled with a persistent fleshly weakness said: “Realizing that my prospect of living forever was threatened made me all the more determined to fight the problem and to supplicate Jehovah fervently. With his help, I was then able to overcome it.”
[Read scripture] Jude 20 and 21: But you, beloved ones, build yourselves up on your most holy faith, and pray with holy spirit, 21 in order to keep yourselves in God’s love, while you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ with everlasting life in view. [End of Read scripture]
“You Will Succeed”
Question 9. What trials did David experience in his life?
9. David was a great king. He was also a musician, a poet, a warrior, and a prophet. He experienced many trials. For some years, he lived as a fugitive, fleeing from jealous King Saul. After becoming king, David again had to run for his life when his son Absalom tried to steal his throne. Despite David’s difficulties and personal failings, he proved loyal to God to the end of his life. Jehovah described him as “a man agreeable to [His] heart.” David’s counsel is worth listening to!
[Quotation] Acts 13.22: After removing him, he raised up for them David as king, about whom he bore witness and said: ‘I have found David the son of Jesse a man agreeable to my heart; he will do all the things I desire.’ [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 1 Kings 15.5: For David did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, and he did not turn aside from anything that He had commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. [End Quotation]
Question 10. Why did David give counsel to his son and successor, Solomon?
10. Consider, for example, the counsel that David gave to his son and successor, Solomon. The young man had been chosen by Jehovah to continue to promote pure worship and to build a temple to honor God.
[Quotation] 1 Chronicles 22.5: And David said: “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for Jehovah is to be exceedingly magnificent, so that its fame and beauty will be known in all lands. Therefore, I will make preparation for him.” So David prepared materials in great quantity before his death. [End Quotation]
Solomon would face difficulties. What would David say to him? Let us see.
Question 11. According to 1 Kings 2.2 and 3, what assurance did David give Solomon, and how did these words prove true? (See also picture.)
11. What did David say? (Read 1 Kings 2.2 and 3.) David told his son that if he obeyed Jehovah, he would succeed in life. And for many years, Solomon enjoyed considerable success.
[Quotation] 1 Chronicles 29.23 through 25: And Solomon sat on Jehovah’s throne as king in place of David his father, and he was successful, and all the Israelites were obedient to him. 24 All the princes, the mighty warriors, and also all the sons of King David submitted themselves to Solomon the king. 25 And Jehovah made Solomon exceedingly great before the eyes of all Israel and bestowed on him royal majesty such as no king over Israel ever had before. [End Quotation]
He built the magnificent temple and wrote and contributed to several books of the Bible. He became famous for his wisdom and wealth.
[Quotation] 1 Kings 4.34: People from all the nations came to hear Solomon’s wisdom, including kings from all over the earth who had heard about his wisdom. [End Quotation]
But as David explained, Solomon would be successful only as long as he obeyed Jehovah God. Sadly, later in life Solomon turned to other gods. Jehovah withdrew his favor, and Solomon lost the wisdom to govern in righteousness and justice.
[Quotation] 1 Kings 11.9 and 10: Jehovah became furious at Solomon, because his heart had inclined away from Jehovah the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice 10 and had warned him about this very thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not obey what Jehovah had commanded. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 1 Kings 12.4: “Your father made our yoke harsh. But if you make the harsh service of your father easier and you lighten the heavy yoke he put on us, we will serve you.” [End Quotation]
[Read scripture] 1 Kings 2.2 and 3: “I am about to die. Therefore, be strong and prove yourself a man. 3 You must keep your obligation to Jehovah your God by walking in his ways and by observing his statutes, his commandments, his judgments, and his reminders as they are written in the Law of Moses; then you will succeed in everything you do and everywhere you turn. [End of Read scripture]
[Image Alt:] Collage: 1. David on his deathbed talks to King Solomon, who holds his hand. 2. Brothers and sisters attend a Pioneer Service School. A sister raises her hand to comment. Picture Description: Left: David gives his son Solomon some parting words of wisdom. Right: Students at a Pioneer Service School benefit from theocratic education. Caption: David’s last words to his son Solomon help us to see that if we are obedient to Jehovah, He will give us the wisdom to make good decisions (See paragraphs 11 and 12)
Question 12. What can we learn from the words of David?
12. What is the lesson for us? Obedience leads to success.
[Quotation] Psalm 1.1 through 3: Happy is the man who does not walk according to the advice of the wicked And does not stand on the path of sinners And does not sit in the seat of scoffers. 2 But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And he reads His law in an undertone day and night. 3 He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, A tree that produces fruit in its season, The foliage of which does not wither. And everything he does will succeed. [End Quotation]
Of course, Jehovah has not promised to give us the riches and the glory of Solomon. But if we obey our God, he will give us wisdom that will enable us to make sound decisions.
[Quotation] Proverbs 2.6 and 7: For Jehovah himself gives wisdom; From his mouth come knowledge and discernment. 7 He treasures up practical wisdom for the upright; He is a shield for those walking in integrity. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] James 1.5: So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him. [End Quotation]
His principles can guide us in such practical matters as employment, education, entertainment, and money. Applying godly wisdom will protect us from lasting harm.
[Quotation] Proverbs 2.10 and 11: When wisdom enters your heart And knowledge becomes pleasant to your soul, 11 Thinking ability will keep watch over you, And discernment will safeguard you, [End Quotation]
We will cultivate strong friendships. And we will have the guidance we need for a happy family life.
Question 13. How did Carmen find the way to success in life?
13. Carmen, who lives in Mozambique, thought that higher education was the key to success. She enrolled in a university and studied architecture. “I loved what I was learning,” she wrote. “But it took so much of my time and energy. I was at school from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. It was hard to get to meetings, and my spirituality suffered. Deep within me, I realized that I was trying to serve two masters.”
[Quotation] Matthew 6.24: “No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches. [End Quotation]
She prayed about her situation and did research in our publications. She added: “After receiving sound counsel from mature brothers and from my mother, I decided to leave university to serve Jehovah full-time. This helped me to make the best choices in my life, and I have no regrets.”
Question 14. What was the basic message of both Moses and David?
14. Moses and David loved Jehovah and deeply appreciated the value of obeying him. In their parting words, they encouraged their listeners to follow their example by sticking with Jehovah their God. Both of them also warned that those who would leave Jehovah would lose his favor as well as the blessings he had promised them. Their advice is valuable for us today. Centuries later, yet another servant of Jehovah showed the value of faithfulness to God.
“No Greater Joy”
Question 15. What did the apostle John experience during his life?
15. John was a beloved apostle of Jesus Christ.
[Quotation] Matthew 10.2: The names of the 12 apostles are these: First, Simon, the one called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee and John his brother; [End Quotation]
[Quotation] John 19.26: So when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother: “Woman, see! Your son!” [End Quotation]
John accompanied Jesus throughout his ministry, witnessed his miracles, and stuck with him during difficult times. He watched as Jesus was executed and saw him after he was resurrected. He also witnessed the spread of Christianity in the first century from a small group of faithful ones until the good news had been “preached in all creation under heaven.”
[Quotation] Colossians 1.23: provided, of course, that you continue in the faith, established on the foundation and steadfast, not being shifted away from the hope of that good news that you heard and that was preached in all creation under heaven. Of this good news I, Paul, became a minister. [End Quotation]
Question 16. Who have benefited from John’s letters?
16. Near the end of his long life, John was privileged to contribute to God’s inspired Word. He recorded the awe-inspiring “revelation by Jesus Christ.”
[Quotation] Revelation 1.1: A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent his angel and presented it in signs through him to his slave John, [End Quotation]
John wrote the Gospel bearing his name. He also wrote three inspired letters. He addressed his third letter to a faithful Christian named Gaius, whom John viewed as a beloved spiritual child.
[Quotation] 3 John 1: The older man to Gaius, the beloved, whom I truly love. [End Quotation]
By then, there must have been many whom John viewed as his spiritual children. What this faithful older man wrote has encouraged all of Jesus’ followers down to our day.
“You Will Succeed”
Question 17. According to 3 John 4, what brings great joy?
17. What did John write? (Read 3 John 4) John wrote of the joy that obedience to God brings. By the time John wrote his third letter, some individuals were spreading false teachings and causing divisions. However, others continued “walking in the truth.” They obeyed Jehovah and were “walking according to his commandments.”
[Quotation] 2 John 4: I rejoice very much because I have found some of your children walking in the truth, just as we received commandment from the Father. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 2 John 6: And this is what love means, that we go on walking according to his commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should go on walking in it. [End Quotation]
These faithful Christians brought joy not just to John but also to Jehovah himself.
[Quotation] Proverbs 27.11: Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, So that I can make a reply to him who taunts me. [End Quotation]
[Read scripture] 3 John 4: No greater joy do I have than this: that I should hear that my children go on walking in the truth. [End of Read scripture]
Question 18. What can we learn from the words of John?
18. What is the lesson for us? Faithfulness leads to joy.
[Quotation] 1 John 5.3: For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome, [End Quotation]
For example, we have the joy of knowing that we make Jehovah happy. He rejoices to see us reject the temptations of the world and accept the truth.
[Quotation] Proverbs 23.15: My son, if your heart becomes wise, Then my own heart will rejoice. [End Quotation]
Others in heaven also rejoice.
[Quotation] Luke 15.10: In the same way, I tell you, joy arises among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” [End Quotation]
We too can find joy in seeing one another remain faithful, especially in the face of trials and temptations.
[Quotation] 2 Thessalonians 1.4: As a result we ourselves take pride in you among the congregations of God because of your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the hardships that you are suffering. [End Quotation]
Then when this system passes away, we will have the satisfaction of knowing that we demonstrated our loyalty to Jehovah even in a world dominated by Satan.
Question 19. What did a sister named Rachel say about teaching the truth to others? (See also picture.)
19. We are especially joyful when we share the truth with others. Rachel, who lives in the Dominican Republic, feels that teaching someone about the wonderful God we serve is a privilege beyond words. Reflecting on her spiritual children, she says: “It’s hard to describe the joy I feel when I watch those I teach grow to love Jehovah, make him their anchor, and adjust their lives in order to make him happy. That feeling more than makes up for any effort and sacrifice I might have made to teach them.”
[Image Alt:] Collage: 1. A sister happily conducts a Bible study with a woman. 2. Later, the sister and the Bible student joyfully participate in the field ministry together. Caption: We find joy in teaching others to love and obey Jehovah
Benefit From the Parting Words of Faithful Men
Question 20. What do we have in common with Moses, David, and John?
20. Moses, David, and John lived in time periods and circumstances that were different from ours. But we have much in common with them. They served the true God, and so do we. Like them, we pray to Jehovah, rely on him, and look to him for guidance. And like those men of old, we are confident that Jehovah richly blesses those who obey him.
Question 21. What blessings are in store for those who heed the counsel of such faithful older ones as Moses, David, and John?
21. Let us, therefore, heed the parting words of those older men by obeying Jehovah’s commandments. Then we will have true success in all that we do. We will have life and “endure a long time,” yes, forever!
[Quotation] Deuteronomy 30.20: by loving Jehovah your God, by listening to his voice, and by sticking to him, for he is your life and by him you will endure a long time in the land that Jehovah swore to give to your forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” [End Quotation]
And we will have the joy of pleasing our loving heavenly Father, who fulfills all his promises in ways far beyond anything we can anticipate or even imagine.
[Quotation] Ephesians 3.20: Now to the one who can, according to his power that is operating in us, do more than superabundantly beyond all the things we ask or conceive, [End Quotation]
[Box] What Can We Learn From the Parting Words Of ...
Moses?
David?
John? [End of box]
Song 129 We Will Keep Enduring. Based on Matthew 24.13
1. How can we endure
When trials come, as Jesus said?
Through his pain he saw
The joy of better things ahead.
God’s promise, God’s justice,
Were thoughts on which he fed.
We need to have endurance.
Our faith we must defend.
His love is our assurance.
So we will keep enduring to the end.
2. Though the passing years
May bring us sorrow, bring us pain;
There beyond the tears,
We see the life that we can gain.
To be there, feel free there,
Determined we remain.
We need to have endurance.
Our faith we must defend.
His love is our assurance.
So we will keep enduring to the end.
3. We will not give up
Nor see the need for doubt or fear.
Faithfully we’ll serve
Until Jehovah’s day is here.
Let’s keep on enduring.
That time is very near.
We need to have endurance.
Our faith we must defend.
His love is our assurance.
So we will keep enduring to the end.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
Secondary Articles in The Watchtower (3 Articles)
Life Story. In War and in Peace, Jehovah Strengthened Us
Life Story. In War and in Peace, Jehovah Strengthened Us
As told by Paul and Anne Crudass
Paul: We were so excited! It was November 1985, and we were on our way to our first missionary assignment, Liberia, West Africa. Our flight stopped in Senegal. “In just over an hour,” Anne said, “we will be in Liberia!” Then came an announcement: “Passengers for Liberia must get off the plane. A coup d’etat prevents our landing there.” For the next ten days, we stayed with missionaries in Senegal, listening to news from Liberia about truckloads of dead bodies and curfews that were strictly enforced, violators were shot.
Anne: We are not the kind who seek adventure. In fact, since infancy I have been known as Anxious Annie. I’m even nervous about crossing a road! But we were determined to get to our assignment.
Paul: Anne and I were born just eight kilometers (5 miles) apart in the west of England. We both started pioneering right after high school, greatly encouraged by my parents and Anne’s mother. They fully supported our desire to make a career of the full-time service. At the age of 19, I had the privilege of going to Bethel, and Anne joined me after our marriage in 1982.
Anne: We loved Bethel, but we had always wanted to serve where the need was greater. Working alongside former missionaries at Bethel strengthened that desire. We prayed specifically about this every night for three years, so we were thrilled when in 1985 we received an invitation to attend the 79th class of Gilead! We were assigned to Liberia, West Africa.
[Image:] Paul and Anne at their Gilead graduation.
Caption: Gilead graduation, September 8, 1985
Strengthened by the Love of Our Brothers and Sisters
Paul: We boarded the first flight allowed back into Liberia. The atmosphere was tense and curfews remained in place. A car that backfired was enough to cause mass panic in the marketplaces. To calm our nerves, we read portions of the Psalms together every night. But we truly loved our assignment. Anne was a missionary in the field, and I was in Bethel, working alongside John Charuk.* [Footnote] See John Charuk’s life story, “I Am Grateful to God and Christ,” in the March 15, 1973, issue of The Watchtower. [End of footnote] His experience as well as his understanding of the circumstances of our brothers and sisters helped to train me.
Anne: Why did we come to love Liberia so quickly? Because of our brothers and sisters. They were warm, outgoing, and faithful. We felt a bond with them; they became our new family. Their words of advice strengthened us spiritually. The ministry was a dream. Householders would be annoyed if you left them too soon! People discussed Scriptural questions on street corners. You could just walk up and join the conversation. We had so many Bible students that it was a challenge to study with them all. It was a wonderful problem!
Strengthened Despite Our Fears
Paul: In 1989 after four years of relative peace, there came a shocking change, outright civil war. Rebel troops captured the area around Bethel on July 2, 1990. For three months we lost all contact with the outside world, including our families and world headquarters. There was anarchy, food shortage, and rape. The troubles continued for 14 years and affected the entire country.
Anne: Members of some tribes were fighting and killing those in other tribes. Heavily armed fighters in bizarre clothing roamed the streets, looting every building. Some viewed killing humans, in their words, as “slaughtering chickens.” Bodies piled up at checkpoints, some near the branch. Faithful Witnesses were killed, including two of our dear missionaries.
Risking their lives, Witnesses hid others who belonged to the tribes that were being hunted and killed. Missionaries and Bethelites did likewise. At Bethel, some displaced Witnesses slept downstairs and others lived with us in our rooms upstairs. We shared our room with a family of seven.
[Image:] Brothers speaking to refugees at the Liberia Bethel.
Caption: Caring for refugees at Liberia Bethel, 1990
Paul: Each day, the fighters tried to get in to see whether we were hiding people. We had a four-person security system: two watched from a window while two went to the outer gate. If the two out by the gate kept their hands in front of them, all was well. But if they put their hands behind their back, it meant that the fighters were aggressive, so those watching from the window would quickly hide our friends.
Anne: After many weeks, one angry group of fighters forced their way in. I locked myself and a sister in a bathroom where we had a tiny hiding place inside a cupboard with a false bottom. The sister squeezed in there. The fighters had followed me upstairs, armed with their machine guns. They angrily banged on our door. Paul pleaded, “My wife is using the bathroom.” Replacing the false bottom was noisy and rearranging the shelf contents caused a suspicious delay, so I began to shake visibly from head to foot. How could I open that door? I said a silent prayer, begging Jehovah for help. I then unlocked the door and somehow calmly greeted them. Pushing past me, one of them went straight for the cabinet, opened it, and rummaged the shelves. He could not believe that he found nothing. He and his group then searched other rooms and the attic. But once again, they found nothing.
The Truth Kept Shining
Paul: For months we were desperately short of food. But spiritual food was our lifeline. Bethel morning worship was our only “breakfast,” and we all appreciated the inner strength it gave us.
If literal food and water had run out, forcing us and others to leave the branch, those hiding would likely have been executed. Sometimes the manner and timing of Jehovah’s provisions seemed miraculous. Jehovah cared for our needs and helped us to control our fears.
The darker the world became, the brighter the truth shone. Repeatedly, our brothers and sisters fled for their lives, but their faith and dignity stayed intact. Some said that their dealing with the war was “practice for the great tribulation.” Courageous elders and young brothers stepped up and took the lead. When displaced, the brothers and sisters stuck together, opening up new preaching territories and holding meetings in makeshift Kingdom Halls set up in the bush. Meetings were havens of encouragement in a sea of despair, and preaching helped the Witnesses to cope. When distributing relief aid, we were touched to receive requests for preaching bags rather than clothing. Sad and traumatized people listened to the good news. They were amazed at how happy and positive the Witnesses were; they shone like a light in all that darkness.
[Quotation] Matthew 5.14 through 16: “You are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid when located on a mountain. 15 People light a lamp and set it, not under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it shines on all those in the house. 16 Likewise, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens. [End Quotation]
The zeal within the brotherhood even led to some of the vicious fighters becoming our brothers.
Strengthened for Heartbreak
Paul: Sometimes we had to leave the country, three times briefly and twice for a whole year. One missionary sister summed up our feelings so well: “In Gilead, they taught us to put our heart into our assignment, and we did. So leaving our brothers in circumstances like these was like having our heart torn out!” Thankfully, we could assist the Liberia field from nearby countries.
Anne: In May 1996, four of us set off in the branch vehicle that was packed with important branch records. We wanted to drive 16 kilometers (10 miles) to a safer place across town. Right then our area was attacked. Angry fighters fired into the air, stopped us, pulled three of us out, and drove off in the vehicle with Paul still inside. We stood there dazed. Suddenly, Paul came walking through the crowd with blood dripping from his forehead. In the confusion, we thought he had been shot, but then we realized that if so, he would not be walking! One fighter had hit him when pushing him out of the vehicle. Thankfully, it was just a minor wound.
A military transport vehicle nearby was packed with frightened people. We clung to the outside of the vehicle with our fingertips. The driver set off at top speed, and we almost fell off. We begged him to stop, but he was too scared to listen. Somehow, we held on but arrived with nerves shaken and muscles trembling from the strain.
Paul: With nothing but the dirty, torn clothes on our back, we looked at each other and wondered how we were alive. We slept in an open field next to a rickety bullet-ridden helicopter, which took us to Sierra Leone the next day. We were grateful to be alive but deeply worried about our Christian brothers.
Strength for a New, Unexpected Challenge
Anne: On arrival at Bethel in Freetown, Sierra Leone, we were safe and well cared for. But I started having flashbacks. During the day, I was on high alert and afraid and my surroundings seemed blurry and unreal. At night, I would wake up in a cold sweat, trembling and feeling a sense of doom. It was difficult to breathe. Paul held me and prayed with me. We sang Kingdom songs until the shaking stopped. I felt that I was going crazy and could no longer serve as a missionary.
I will never forget what happened next. That very week we received two magazines. One was the Awake! of June 8, 1996. It contained the article “Coping With Panic Attacks.” Now I understood what was happening to me. The second was The Watchtower of May 15, 1996, which featured the article “Where Do They Get Their Strength?” The Watchtower had a picture of an injured butterfly. The article explained that just as a butterfly can continue feeding and flying despite having badly damaged wings, with Jehovah’s spirit we can continue to help others even if we have been emotionally hurt. This was strengthening food from Jehovah at precisely the right time.
[Quotation] Matthew 24.45: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? [End Quotation]
Researching the subject and making a folder of articles that discuss this matter helped me. Over time, my symptoms of post-traumatic stress faded.
Strengthened to Adapt
Paul: Whenever we would return home to Liberia, we were so happy. By late 2004, we had been in our assignment for almost 20 years. The war had ended. There were plans for construction at the branch. But suddenly we were asked to accept a new assignment.
[Image:] Paul and Anne walking on the tarmac after arriving at the Liberia airport.
Caption: Joyfully returning to Liberia, 1997
This was a huge test. We were so close to our spiritual family, how would we cope? Having left our own dear families to go to Gilead, we had seen how putting ourselves in Jehovah’s hands would lead to blessings, so we accepted. Our assignment would take us to nearby Ghana.
Anne: We shed many tears as we left Liberia. We were surprised when Frank, a wise and elderly brother, told us: “You must forget about us!” Then he explained: “We know you will never forget us, but you must put your whole heart into your new assignment. It is from Jehovah, so focus on the brothers and sisters there.” This strengthened us for the challenge of starting again where few knew us and where we did not have history.
Paul: However, it did not take long to come to love our new spiritual family in Ghana. There were so many Witnesses there! We learned a lot from the stability and spiritual strength of our new friends. Then after serving in Ghana for 13 years, we received another surprise. We were asked to serve at the East Africa branch in Kenya. Although we deeply missed the friends in our previous assignments, we immediately felt a bond with faithful ones in Kenya. And we are still serving in a vast territory where the need is very great.
[Image:] Collage: 1. Anne smiling as she holds a young girl in her arms. 2. Paul and a few young brothers taking a selfie.
Caption: With new friends in the East Africa branch territory, 2023
Looking Back
Anne: Over the years, I experienced a lot of trembling and shaking. Dangerous or stressful situations can have both a physical and an emotional effect on us. We are not miraculously protected from this. If I hear the sounds of gunshots and artillery fire, I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and my hands go numb. But I have learned to depend on all the help that Jehovah supplies to strengthen us, including the support of our brothers and sisters. And I have seen that by keeping to a steady spiritual routine, Jehovah can help us to stay in our assignment.
Paul: Some may ask, “Do you love your assignment?” Countries can be beautiful, but they can also become unstable and dangerous. So, what is it that we love more than the country? The precious brothers and sisters, our family. Despite differences in background, we truly have the same mind. We thought we were sent to encourage them, but the reality is that they have strengthened us.
Each time we move, we see a modern-day miracle: our brotherhood. As long as we are part of a congregation, we have a family and a home. We are certain that if we continue to rely on Jehovah, he will strengthen us according to our need.
[Quotation] Philippians 4.13: For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power. [End Quotation]
Help to Study Regularly
Do you struggle to keep your personal Bible study both regular and enjoyable?
We probably all do at times. But think about other things that we do regularly, such as bathing. Washing takes time and effort, but how refreshed we feel afterward! Bible study too can be like a refreshing “bath of water by means of the word.”
[Quotation] Ephesians 5.26: in order that he might sanctify it, cleansing it with the bath of water by means of the word, [End Quotation]
Consider some suggestions that can help:
Make a schedule. Personal Bible study is among “the more important things” a Christian must not neglect.
[Quotation] Philippians 1.10: that you may make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not stumbling others up to the day of Christ; [End Quotation]
To help you follow your schedule, why not display it where it is readily visible, such as on a noticeboard or the fridge door? Or you may find it helpful to set an alarm on your electronic device shortly before study time.
Adapt to your needs. Is it easier for you to concentrate for a longer period of time or for several shorter periods of time? You know your circumstances best. Adapt your study sessions accordingly. If you feel reluctant when study time arrives, why not decide to study for just ten minutes? By studying for even that short time, you will have accomplished more than you might have otherwise. And once you get started, you may well be motivated to continue.
[Quotation] Philippians 2.13: For God is the one who for the sake of his good pleasure energizes you, giving you both the desire and the power to act. [End Quotation]
Choose topics in advance. If you sit down and then wonder what to study, you may not be “making the best use of your time.”
[Quotation] Ephesians 5.16: making the best use of your time, because the days are wicked. [End Quotation]
Why not keep a list of the articles or topics you would like to study? Whenever a question comes to mind, jot it down. And at the end of each study session, you might add other ideas to your list of what you would like to study.
Be flexible. Try to include some flexibility in your schedule, such as the amount of time you spend studying or the topics you choose. What counts is, not when, how long, or what you study, but how regularly you study.
We truly benefit from a regular study routine. We draw closer to Jehovah, we learn to act wisely, and we feel refreshed.
[Quotation] Joshua 1.8: This book of the Law should not depart from your mouth, and you must read it in an undertone day and night, in order to observe carefully all that is written in it; for then your way will be successful and then you will act wisely. [End Quotation]
[Image:] A sister using a laptop computer, a Bible, and a notebook to do personal Bible study. She uses the chart “World Powers Foretold by Daniel” in Appendix B9 of the New World Translation.
Study Tip. Create a Good Environment
Would you like to get more out of your personal study?
You could try these tips to have a learning-friendly environment:
Select a pleasant location. If possible, find an area that is uncluttered and appropriately lit. You could sit at a desk or a table, or you could choose a comfortable location outside.
Find privacy. Jesus chose to pray “early in the morning” in “an isolated place.”
[Quotation] Mark 1.35: Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up and went outside and left for an isolated place, and there he began praying. [End Quotation]
If complete privacy is not possible, you could let your family or your housemates know your study schedule and ask for their consideration.
Maintain focus. Avoid distractions. If you use your phone or tablet to study, silence the alerts or try using airplane mode in order to avoid interruptions. And if you think of something you need to do, make a brief note to handle it later. If your concentration falters, take a break to walk or stretch.