Watchtower April 21 through April 27
[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 7 [Press play below to hear the MP3 Watchtower audio]
Song 15 Praise Jehovah’s Firstborn! Based on Hebrews 1.6
1. Praise Jehovah’s Firstborn,
God’s duly appointed King.
He reigns for truth and justice;
Rich blessings his rule will bring.
With dignity and splendor
And love for God’s great name,
He’ll vindicate Jehovah,
His sov’reignty proclaim.
Praise Jehovah’s Firstborn!
All praise God’s anointed Son.
Installed upon Mount Zion,
His Kingship has now begun!
2. Praise Jehovah’s Firstborn,
Who died so that we may live.
He humbly paid the ransom;
Our sins God can now forgive.
The bride of Christ awaits him,
Adorned for him in white.
This marriage in the heavens
Will prove God’s rule is right.
Praise Jehovah’s Firstborn!
All praise God’s anointed Son.
Installed upon Mount Zion,
His Kingship has now begun!
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
Jehovah’s Forgiveness. What It Means for You (April 21 through 27)
“With you there is true forgiveness.” Psalm 130.4.
[Box] Focus.
By examining some vivid word pictures found in the Bible, we will increase our appreciation for the true forgiveness Jehovah grants us as individuals. [End of box]
Question 1. Why is the forgiveness humans extend often complicated?
1. “I forgive you.” How refreshing those words can be, especially if you know that you said or did something that hurt someone! But what does the phrase “I forgive you” really mean? Is the person you hurt saying that your friendship has been fully restored? Or does he simply mean that he does not want to talk about the issue anymore? The forgiveness humans extend can be complicated.
Question 2. How has Jehovah’s forgiveness been described in the Scriptures? (See also footnote)
2. The way Jehovah forgives us imperfect humans is very different from the way we forgive one another. The forgiveness Jehovah extends is unique. The psalmist said of Jehovah: “With you there is true forgiveness, so that you may be held in awe.”* (Psalm 130.4) [Footnote] The original Hebrew text uses the expression “the forgiveness,” which implies that this is the only true forgiveness, despite there being other forms of forgiveness. Many translations of the Bible miss this important distinction, but the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures does not, making it unique in its rendering of Psalm 130.4. [End of footnote] Yes, Jehovah’s forgiveness is “true forgiveness.” He sets the ultimate standard of what forgiveness really means. In some cases, Bible writers used a Hebrew word for forgiveness that is never used to describe human forgiveness.
Question 3. How is Jehovah’s forgiveness different from ours? (Isaiah 55.6 and 7)
3. When Jehovah forgives someone, that person’s sin is wiped out. The damaged relationship is entirely restored. Jehovah’s forgiveness is amazingly complete and generous. Read Isaiah 55.6 and 7.
[Read scripture] Isaiah 55.6 and 7: Search for Jehovah while he may be found. Call to him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked man leave his way And the evil man his thoughts; Let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him, To our God, for he will forgive in a large way. [End of Read scripture]
Question 4. How does Jehovah help us to understand the true meaning of forgiveness?
4. If Jehovah’s forgiveness differs from ours, how can we as imperfect humans possibly understand its true meaning? Jehovah helps us by using vivid word pictures to describe his forgiveness. In this article, we will examine some of them. They will show us how Jehovah removes sin and, at the same time, restores the relationship that has been damaged by sin. As we review these illustrations, we will deepen our appreciation for our tender Father, who expresses his forgiveness in so many ways.
Jehovah Removes Sin
Question 5. What happens when Jehovah pardons our sins?
5. In the Bible, sins are often likened to heavy burdens. King David described his own sins this way: “My errors loom over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too much for me to bear.” (Psalm 38.4) But Jehovah pardons the sins of repentant wrongdoers.
[Quotation] Psalm 25.18: See my affliction and my trouble, And pardon all my sins. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Psalm 32.5: Finally I confessed my sin to you; I did not cover my error. I said: “I will confess my transgressions to Jehovah.” And you pardoned the error of my sins. [End Quotation]
The Hebrew expression translated “pardon” basically means to “lift up” or “carry.” We might think of Jehovah as a strong man who figuratively lifts the burden of sin off our shoulders and carries it away.
[Image Alt:] A hand lifting a large heavy sack off a brother’s shoulders. Caption: “Pardoned” (Psalm 32.5)
Question 6. How far off does Jehovah carry our sins?
6. Another word picture shows just how far away Jehovah carries our sins. Psalm 103.12 tells us: “As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far off from us he has put our transgressions.” East is the farthest point from west. The two points never meet. In other words, Jehovah takes our sins as far away from us as we can imagine. What a reassuring way to describe his forgiveness!
[Image Alt:] A sunset. Caption: “As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset” (Psalm 103.12)
Question 7. How does the Bible describe what Jehovah does with our sins? (Micah 7.18 and 19)
7. Even though Jehovah figuratively takes our sins far away from us, does he keep holding on to them? No. King Hezekiah wrote of Jehovah: “You have thrown all my sins behind your back.” Or as the footnote puts it, “you have removed all my sins from your sight.”
[Quotation] Isaiah 38.9: A writing of King Hezekiah of Judah when he became sick and recovered from his sickness. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Isaiah 38.17: Look! Instead of peace, I had great bitterness; But in your fondness for me, You preserved me from the pit of destruction. You have thrown all my sins behind your back. [End Quotation]
This word picture shows that Jehovah takes the sins of repentant ones and throws them out of view. This statement could also be rendered: “You have made [my sins] as if they had not happened.” The Bible further emphasizes this point in another word picture, recorded at Micah 7.18 and 19. (Read) There Jehovah is spoken of as throwing our sins into the depths of the sea. In ancient times, it would have been impossible for someone to retrieve an object that had been hurled into the depths of the sea.
[Read scripture] Micah 7.18 and 19: Who is a God like you, Pardoning error and passing over the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? He will not hold onto his anger forever, For he delights in loyal love. 19 He will again show us mercy; he will conquer our errors. You will throw all their sins into the depths of the sea. [End of Read scripture]
Question 8. What have we learned so far?
8. By means of these word pictures, we have learned that when Jehovah forgives us, he relieves us of the burden of our sins. Truly, as David said, “happy are those whose lawless deeds have been pardoned and whose sins have been covered; happy is the man whose sin Jehovah will by no means take into account.” (Romans 4.7 and 8) That is true forgiveness!
[Image Alt:] Collage: 1. A large heavy sack is thrown behind Jehovah’s heavenly throne. 2. A large heavy sack sinks to the bottom of the sea. Caption: “You have thrown all my sins behind your back” (Isaiah 38.17) “You will throw all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7.19)
Jehovah Wipes Out Sin
Question 9. What word pictures does Jehovah use to explain the extent of his forgiveness?
9. Jehovah uses other word pictures to help us appreciate how by means of the ransom sacrifice, he wipes out the sins of repentant ones. Figuratively, Jehovah is spoken of as washing and rinsing away these sins. This results in purifying the sinner.
[Quotation] Psalm 51.7: Purify me from my sin with hyssop, so that I will be clean; Wash me, so that I will be whiter than snow. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Isaiah 4.4: When Jehovah washes away the filth of the daughters of Zion and rinses away the bloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst by the spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning, [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Jeremiah 33.8: And I will purify them from all the guilt of their sins against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sins and their transgressions against me. [End Quotation]
Jehovah himself describes the results of this process: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be made as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson cloth, they will become like wool.”
[Quotation] Isaiah 1.18: “Come, now, and let us set matters straight between us,” says Jehovah. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They will be made as white as snow; Though they are as red as crimson cloth, They will become like wool. [End Quotation]
It is extremely difficult to remove scarlet or crimson stains from a cloth. Yet, by means of this word picture, Jehovah assures us that our sins can be washed clean so thoroughly that they are no longer visible.
[Image Alt:] A sister wearing a white shirt with a large scarlet-colored stain on it. Later, the sister is wearing the same shirt without any trace of the stain. Caption: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be made as white as snow” (Isaiah 1.18)
Question 10. What other word picture does Jehovah use to illustrate the magnitude of his forgiveness?
10. As mentioned in the preceding article, sins are also likened to “debts.”
[Quotation] Matthew 6.12: and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Luke 11.4: And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is in debt to us; and do not bring us into temptation.’” [End Quotation]
So every time we sin against Jehovah, it is as if we are going further and further into debt. We owe him a huge amount! But when Jehovah forgives us, it is as if he cancels the debt that would otherwise be charged against our account. He does not demand repayment of sins that have been forgiven. What a refreshing illustration to describe the relief we feel when Jehovah forgives us!
[Image Alt:] Hands tearing a piece of paper as a brother expresses himself. Caption: “Forgive us our debts” (Matthew 6.12)
Question 11. What does it mean when the Bible says that our sins are “blotted out”? (Acts 3.19)
11. Jehovah does not simply cancel our debts, or sins; he blots them out. (Read Acts 3.19) When a debt is canceled, we might imagine a large X being drawn across the account. However, the numbers beneath that X may still be legible. But to blot something out is different. To understand this word picture, we need to remember that in ancient times the ink used was a mixture that included carbon, gum, and water. A person could take a wet sponge and wipe the writing away. So when a debt was “blotted out,” it vanished completely. Traces of what was written before were not visible to the naked eye. The record became nonexistent. How it warms our heart to know that Jehovah not only cancels our sins but also blots them out completely!
[Quotation] Psalm 51.9: Turn your face away from my sins, And wipe away all my errors. [End Quotation]
[Read scripture] Acts 3.19: “Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, so that seasons of refreshing may come from Jehovah himself [End of Read scripture]
[Image Alt:] A hand using a sponge to blot out writing from a piece of paper. Caption: “So as to get your sins blotted out” (Acts 3.19)
Question 12. What does the word picture involving a thick cloud mean for us?
12. Jehovah uses a similar word picture to describe how he blots out sins. He declares: “I will blot out your transgressions as with a cloud and your sins as with a thick cloud.”
[Quotation] Isaiah 44:22: I will blot out your transgressions as with a cloud And your sins as with a thick cloud. Return to me, for I will repurchase you. [End Quotation]
When Jehovah forgives, it is as if he were using a thick cloud to hide our transgressions so that they disappear from sight altogether.
[Image Alt:] Thick clouds. Caption: “I will blot out your transgressions as with a cloud” (Isaiah 44.22)
Question 13. When Jehovah forgives our sins, how do we feel?
13. What does this mean for us? When Jehovah forgives our sins, we should not feel that we will bear the stain of such sins for the rest of our life. By means of the blood of Jesus Christ, our debts are completely canceled. Even the record of those debts is no longer discernible. This is what the true forgiveness that comes from Jehovah means for us when we repent of our sins.
Jehovah Restores a Good Relationship
Question 14. Why can we trust Jehovah’s forgiveness? (See also pictures)
14. The true forgiveness that comes from Jehovah allows us to have a good relationship with him. It helps us to avoid being overcome by feelings of guilt. We do not need to be afraid that Jehovah is secretly harboring resentment and is looking for a way to punish us. There is no threat of that happening. Why can we trust Jehovah when he says that he forgives us? The prophet Jeremiah quotes Jehovah as saying: “I will forgive their error, and I will no longer remember their sin.”
[Quotation] Jeremiah 31.34: “And they will no longer teach each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know Jehovah!’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them,” declares Jehovah. “For I will forgive their error, and I will no longer remember their sin.” [End Quotation]
When referring to these words, the apostle Paul used a similar expression, saying: “I will no longer call their sins to mind.”
[Quotation] Hebrews 8.12: For I will be merciful toward their unrighteous deeds, and I will no longer call their sins to mind.’” [End Quotation]
But what does that really mean?
[Image Alt:] A sister meditating peacefully outdoors. Caption: The forgiveness that our heavenly Father extends allows us to have a good relationship with him
[Image Alt:] A brother looking up to heaven. Caption: “I will no longer remember their sin” (Jeremiah 31.34)
Question 15. In what sense does Jehovah no longer remember our sins?
15. In the Bible, the expression “remember” does not always refer to someone recalling something or thinking about it. Rather, it can involve someone taking action. The criminal hanging on the stake next to Jesus requested: “Jesus, remember me when you get into your Kingdom.”
[Quotation] Luke 23.42 and 43: Then he said: “Jesus, remember me when you get into your Kingdom.” 43 And he said to him: “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.” [End Quotation]
He was not simply asking Jesus to think about him at that time. Jesus’ response indicated that he would take action to resurrect this criminal. So, then, when Jehovah says that he no longer remembers our sins, he means that he will not take action against us. He will not punish us sometime in the future for sins that he has forgiven.
Jehovah Wipes Out Sin
Question 16. How does the Bible describe the freedom that comes from true forgiveness?
16. The Bible uses another word picture to help us understand the freedom that comes from true forgiveness. Because of our sinful nature and inclination, we are likened to “slaves of sin.” But thanks to Jehovah’s forgiveness, we are like slaves who have been “set free from sin.”
[Quotation] Romans 6.17 and 18: But thanks to God that although you were once the slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that pattern of teaching to which you were handed over. 18 Yes, since you were set free from sin, you became slaves to righteousness. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Revelation 1.5: and from Jesus Christ, “the Faithful Witness,” “the firstborn from the dead,” and “the Ruler of the kings of the earth.” To him who loves us and who set us free from our sins by means of his own blood [End Quotation]
Yes, Jehovah’s forgiveness gives us the exhilarating feeling of being set free from slavery.
[Image Alt:] Hands breaking free from handcuffs. Caption: “You were set free from sin” (Romans 6.18)
What Jehovah’s Forgiveness Means for Us
Question 17. How does forgiveness result in healing? (Isaiah 53.5)
17. Read Isaiah 53.5. The final word picture we will discuss likens us to people who have a deadly disease. Because of the ransom sacrifice that Jehovah provided through his Son, we are figuratively spoken of as being healed.
[Quotation] 1 Peter 2.24: He himself bore our sins in his own body on the stake, so that we might die to sins and live to righteousness. And “by his wounds you were healed.” [End Quotation]
The ransom makes possible the full repair of our relationship with Jehovah, which has been damaged by spiritual sickness. Just as a person who has been healed of a serious illness feels intense joy, we too rejoice when we are healed spiritually and regain Jehovah’s favor as a result of his forgiveness.
[Read scripture] Isaiah 53.5: But he was pierced for our transgression; He was crushed for our errors. He bore the punishment for our peace, And because of his wounds we were healed. [End of Read scripture]
[Image Alt:] Collage: Jesus’ sacrifice repairing our relationship with Jehovah. 1. Jesus on a torture stake. 2. A brother at peace prays in a park. Caption: “Because of his wounds we were healed” (Isaiah 53.5)
What Jehovah’s Forgiveness Means for Us
Question 18. What have we learned by examining the various word pictures found in the Bible regarding Jehovah’s forgiveness? (See also the box “How Jehovah Forgives Us.”)
18. What have we learned by examining the word pictures found in the Bible regarding Jehovah’s forgiveness? When he forgives, he does so completely and permanently. This allows us to have a good relationship with our heavenly Father. At the same time, we remember that true forgiveness is a gift. It comes from Jehovah’s love and undeserved kindness, which he expresses to sinful mankind. It is not a right that humans can demand.
[Quotation] Romans 3.24: and it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom paid by Christ Jesus. [End Quotation]
[Box]
How Jehovah Forgives Us. In the Bible, Jehovah uses vivid word pictures to describe his forgiveness and to help us understand its true meaning.
He removes sin.
“Pardoned”
[Quotation] Psalm 32.5: Finally I confessed my sin to you; I did not cover my error. I said: “I will confess my transgressions to Jehovah.” And you pardoned the error of my sins. [End Quotation]
“As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset”
[Quotation] Psalm 103.12: As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, So far off from us he has put our transgressions. [End Quotation]
“You have thrown all my sins behind your back”
[Quotation] Isaiah 38.17: Look! Instead of peace, I had great bitterness; But in your fondness for me, You preserved me from the pit of destruction. You have thrown all my sins behind your back. [End Quotation]
“You will throw all their sins into the depths of the sea”
[Quotation] Micah 7.19: He will again show us mercy; he will conquer our errors. You will throw all their sins into the depths of the sea. [End Quotation]
He wipes out sin.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be made as white as snow”
[Quotation] Isaiah 1.18: “Come, now, and let us set matters straight between us,” says Jehovah. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They will be made as white as snow; Though they are as red as crimson cloth, They will become like wool. [End Quotation]
“Forgive us our debts”
[Quotation] Matthew 6.12: and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [End Quotation]
“So as to get your sins blotted out”
[Quotation] Acts 3.19: “Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, so that seasons of refreshing may come from Jehovah himself [End Quotation]
“I will blot out your transgressions as with a cloud”
[Quotation] Isaiah 44.22: I will blot out your transgressions as with a cloud And your sins as with a thick cloud. Return to me, for I will repurchase you. [End Quotation]
He restores a good relationship.
“I will no longer remember their sin”
[Quotation] Jeremiah 31.34: “And they will no longer teach each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know Jehovah!’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them,” declares Jehovah. “For I will forgive their error, and I will no longer remember their sin.” [End Quotation]
“You were set free from sin”
[Quotation] Romans 6.18: Yes, since you were set free from sin, you became slaves to righteousness. [End Quotation]
“Because of his wounds we were healed”
[Quotation] Isaiah 53.5: But he was pierced for our transgression; He was crushed for our errors. He bore the punishment for our peace, And because of his wounds we were healed. [End Quotation]
[End of box]
"Two parts: Question 19a. For what should we be grateful? (Romans 4.8)
Question 19b. What will we discuss in the next article?"
19. Read Romans 4.8. How grateful each one of us should be that Jehovah is the God of “true forgiveness”!
[Quotation] Psalm 130.4: For with you there is true forgiveness, So that you may be held in awe. [End Quotation]
However, our being forgiven is dependent on something important. Jesus explained: “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
[Quotation] Matthew 6.14 and 15: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 whereas if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [End Quotation]
Obviously, then, it is vital for us to imitate Jehovah’s forgiveness. But how can we do that? Our next article will show us what this involves.
[Read scripture] Romans 4.8: happy is the man whose sin Jehovah will by no means take into account.” [End of Read scripture]
[Box] How Would You Answer?
How does the Bible describe the way Jehovah removes our sins?
How do we know that Jehovah wipes out our sins?
What does Jehovah’s true forgiveness mean for you? [End of box]
Song 46 We Thank You, Jehovah. Based on 1 Thessalonians 5.18
1. We thank you, Jehovah, each day and each night,
That you shed upon us your precious light.
We thank you that we have the priv’lege of prayer,
That we can approach you with ev’ry care.
2. We thank you, Jehovah, for your loving Son,
Who conquered the world; by his faith he won.
We thank you for guidance in doing your will.
You lovingly help us our vows fulfill.
3. We thank you, our God, for the honor to preach
About your great name and the truth to teach.
We thank you that soon all earth’s woes will be past,
While your Kingdom blessings forever last.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
Secondary Articles in The Watchtower (4 Articles)