Comments You Will Not Hear at the 10-19-08 WT Study (August 15, 2008, pages 12-16 (DIGNITY)
Review comments will be in red
WT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotes boxes
w = Watchtower
g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book
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WT child abuse www.silentlambs.org
Blood issue www.ajwrb.org
United Nations http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
HONOR JEHOVAH BY DISPLAYING DIGNITY
"[Jehovah's] activity is dignity and splendor themselves."-ls. 11:3.
OPENING COMMENTS
I have noticed that the last 3 articles have emphasized following, obeying, the WTS/FDS/GB. In many passive ways, jws are not toeing the company line, lower meeting attendance, less participation in the ministry school and commenting as to quality and quantity, time spent in the field circus to meet minimum levels and lack of follow through in returning and bible studies. Many jws watch tv shows, movie videos at home hiding the content from the elders. I can remember one elder showing an R-rated film at home to a group, justifying it by saying he was going to fast forward through the bad parts (how did he know which parts were bad?).
START ARTICLE
Q 1, 2. (a) How would you define "dignity"? (b) What questions will be considered in this article?
WHEN asked to define the word "dignified," ten-year-old Madison immediately replied, "Well-dressed." What that young girl may not have known is that the Bible speaks of God as being 'clothed with dignity.' (Is.104:1) For humans, displaying dignity may sometimes involve being well-dressed. For instance, the apostle Paul desired that Christian women "adorn themselves in well-arranged dress, with modesty and Soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb." (1 Tim. 2:9) But dignified conduct that honors Jehovah's "dignity and splendor" goes further than that.-Ps. 111:3.
This ten-year old has quickly learned that dignity is only the outward appearance. Mature, experienced people know that dignity is an inward quality of heart and mind.
I always wondered why only women were "counseled" on their dress in the NT, or is it only that the WTS focuses on the dress of women; after all there is no scripture forbidding Christian men to have beards.
2. In the Bible, the Hebrew word for "dignity" can also be translated "splendor," "majesty," "glory," and "honor." According to one dictionary
definition, "dignity" is "the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed." And no one is worthy of greater honor and esteem than Jehovah. As his dedicated servants, therefore, we should be dignified in speech and action. Why, though, can humans act with dignity? How are Jehovah's dignity and splendor made evident? How should we be affected by God's dignity? What can Jesus Christ teach us about displaying this quality? And how can we display godly dignity?
Only jws are "his dedicated servants."
Once again it is only in an outward way that dignity is displayed, "in speech and action."
Does God or the WTS congregation that judges who is "worthy, honored, or esteemed"?
While Jesus in mentioned in this paragraph, how long is it before he is mentioned with any definite discussion in this article?
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*** w00 5/1 p. 11 par. 13 Firmly Uphold Godly Teaching ***
They avoided “bad associations” even within the Christian congregation in order to safeguard their spirituality.—1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Timothy 2:20, 21.
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*** g93 12/22 pp. 26-27 Live a Double Life—Why Not? ***
Such experiences highlight the truthfulness of the Christian apostle Paul’s words: “Bad associations spoil useful habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) So if you associate with youths who do not respect your Bible-based values and morals, you can easily be drawn into their life-style. Interestingly, though, the apostle was not talking specifically about associating with unbelievers when he issued that warning. He was warning against
associating with those within the Christian congregation who fail to uphold Christian teaching. (1 Corinthians 15:12) Similarly today, there may be youths associated with the congregation who do not adhere to or recommend proper Christian living. They can place subtle pressure upon you to lead a double life.
Why We Can Act With Dignity
Q 3, 4. (a) Why should we respond to the dignity bestowed upon us? (b) To whom does Psalm 8:5-9 point prophetically? (See footnote*) (c) Upon whom did Jehovah bestow dignity in the past?
3. Because they are made in God's image, all humans have the capacity to act with dignity. Jehovah dignified the first man by appointing him as caretaker of the earth. (Gen. 1 :26, 27) Even after man's fall from perfection, Jehovah restated man's responsibility in connection with the earth. Thus, God still 'crowns' humans with dignity. (Read Psalms 8:5-9.)* The dignity bestowed upon us requires a dignified response-that of praising Jehovah's majestic name with reverence and dignity.
* David's expressions in the 8th Psalm also prophetically point to the perfect man Jesus Christ.-Heb. 2:5-9.
OT example--Adam
Does the WTS really teach that women are made in God's image?
Do women have any responsibility in connection with the earth?
Did David's "praising" of God's name mean more than his not committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband?
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*** g80 4/8 p. 5 People—How They Began ***
In a particular respect man was in God’s image where woman was not—in headship. (1 Cor. 11:3, 7)
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*** w77 2/15 p. 126 Should You Cover Your Head During Prayer? ***
In respect to headship, the man was “God’s image and glory” for he was not assigned another head on earth. His wife and children, though, do have an earthly head to whom they are in relative subjection.
4. Jehovah has especially conferred a measure of dignity upon those who render sacred service to him. God dignified Abel by accepting his sacrifice, rejecting the one offered by his brother Cain. (Gen. 4:4, 5) Moses was instructed to 'put some of his dignity' upon Joshua, the man who was to succeed him as leader of the Israelites. (Num. 27:20) Concerning David's son Solomon, the Bible says: "Jehovah continued to make Solomon surpassingly great before the eyes of all Israel and to put upon him such royal dignity as had not come to be upon any king before him over Israel." (1 Chron. 29:25) God will confer exceptional dignity upon resurrected anointed Christians, who have faithfully declared "the glory of the splendor of his kingship." (Ps. 145:11-13) In thus extolling Jehovah, increasing throngs of Jesus' "other sheep" also have a blessed anddignified role. -John 10:16.
OT example--Abel, Cain, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon
Why did God not dignify Cain's vegetable sacrifice? Where in the Genesis account does it say that Cain lacked faith?
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(Genesis 4:2-5) . . .And Abel came to be a herder of sheep, but Cain became a cultivator of the ground. 3 And it came about at the expiration of some time that Cain proceeded to bring some fruits of the ground as an offering to Jehovah. 4 But as for Abel, he too brought some firstlings of his flock, even their fatty pieces. Now while Jehovah was looking with favor upon Abel and his offering, 5 he did not look with any favor upon Cain and upon his offering. . . .
So why do the "anointed" get "exceptional dignity" compared to the "other sheep"? Are they some how more perfect or holier?
Jehovah's Dignity and Splendor Made Evident
Q 5. How great is Jehovah's dignity?
5. In a song that contrasts God's greatness with man's littleness, the psalmist David sang: "O Jehovah our Lord, how majestic your name is in all the earth, you whose dignity is recounted above the heavens!" (Ps. 8: 1) From before the creation of "the heavens and the earth" to beyond the grand fulfillment of God's purpose to make the earth a paradise and raise the human family to perfection-from eternity to eternity-Jehovah God is the most majestic and dignified Personage in the universe.-Gen. 1:1; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 21: 1-5.
Did you know that there is no place in the Bible that says "paradise earth"?
Q 6. Why did the psalmist say that Jehovah is clothed in dignity?
6. How the God-fearing psalmist must have been touched when he beheld the quiet grandeur of the starry night sky, studded with glistening "jewels"! Filled with wonder at how God 'has stretched out the heavens like a tent cloth,' the psalmist represented Jehovah as clothed in dignity because of His magnificent creative skill. (Read Psalms 104: 1,2) The dignity and splendor of the invisible, almighty Creator are evident in his visible works.
Adding to the Bible--"must have been"
Again the WTS focuses on outward things when discussing dignity.
Q 7, 8. What evidence of Jehovah's dignity and splendor do we see in the heavens?
7. For instance, consider the Milky Way galaxy. In this vast ocean of stars, planets, and solar systems, planet Earth appears as insignificant in size as one grain of sand on an endless beach. Why, this one galaxy alone contains over 100 billion stars! If you could count one star each second nonstop for 24 hours a day, it would take you over 3,000 years to reach 100 billion.
So does numbers indicate quality?
8. If the Milky Way galaxy alone contains 100 billion stars, what about the rest of the universe"! Astronomers estimate that the Milky Way may be one of anywhere from 50 billion to as many as 125 billion galaxies. How many stars are there in the entire universe"! The answer surely is mind-boggling. Yet, Jehovah "is counting the number of the stars; all of them he calls by their names." (Ps. 147:4) Upon seeing Jehovah clothed in such dignity and splendor, are you not moved to extol his great name"!
Wouldn't it mean more if a person lived an empathetic, compassionate life than to just use God's name. If the WTS is correct, and David used God's name, I wonder how his adulterous and murderous actions brought dignity to God?
Do/did the elders in your congregation know or bother to know the names of the people in their congregation, including children?
Q 9, 10. How does the provision of bread magnify our Creator's wisdom?
9. Let us now lower our eyes from the majestic heavens to something as common as bread. Not only is Jehovah "the Maker of heaven and earth" but he is also "the One giving bread to the hungry ones." (Ps. 146: 6, 7) God's "dignity and splendor" are reflected in his great works, including his provision of plants from which bread is made. (Read Psalms 111:1-5.) Jesus taught his followers to pray: "Give us today our bread for this day." (Matt. 6:11) Bread was a staple in the diet of many ancient peoples, including the Israelites. Though bread is considered a simple food, the chemical process that transforms a few basic ingredients into delicious bread is anything but simple.
Do jws give bread to hungry non-jws? Or provide housing?
10. When the Bible was being written, the Israelites used wheat or barley flour and water to make bread. Leaven, or yeast, was sometimes used in the bread making process. These simple substances combine to form an astonishing number of chemical compounds that have active links to one another. The exact relationship between these compounds is not fully understood. Moreover, the way bread is digested in the body is another amazingly intricate process. No wonder the psalmist sang: "How many your works are, O Jehovah! All of them in wisdom you have made"! (Ps. 104: 24) Are you similarly moved to laud Jehovah?
So do you think the Israelites were praising God because of the chemistry of bread; how many jws today have that depth of scientific knowledge and praise God for that?
How Are You Affected by God's Dignity and Splendor?
Q 11, 12. Reflecting on God's creative works can have what effect on us?
11 We do not have to be astronomers to marvel at the night sky nor chemists to enjoy bread. To appreciate the splendor of our Creator, however, we need to take time to reflect on the works of his hands. What can such meditation do for us? The effect is the same as that of meditating on Jehovah's works of another sort.
Few jws are astronomers or chemists today since "higher" education is discouraged.
How many jws "meditate" but rather quickly underline their WT just before the meeting so that it appears that they have studied the magazine (not the Bible)?
12. Concerning the great acts that Jehovah performed in behalf of His people, David sang: "The glorious splendor of your dignity and the matters of your wonderful works I will make my concern." (Ps. 145:5) We show concern for these works by studying the Bible and taking time to meditate on what we read in it. What is the effect of this reflection? Our appreciation for God's dignity and splendor is increased. Surely, then, we are moved to join David in honoring Jehovah and saying: "As for your greatness, I will declare it." (Is. 145:6) Meditating on God's wonderful works should strengthen our relationship with Jehovah and motivate us to tell others about him with enthusiasm and determination. Are you zealously declaring the good news and helping people to appreciate the dignity, splendor, and majesty of Jehovah God?
jws are unable to study the Bible without WT publications.
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*** w07 5/1 p. 23 par. 18 Do Not Put Apart What God Has Yoked Together ***
When problems arise, research what the Bible says about Jehovah’s thinking on matters, using Bible-based publications.
Jesus Perfectly Reflects God's Dignity
Q 13. (a) According to Daniel 7:13, 14 with what has Jehovah endowed his Son? (b) As King, how does Jesus treat his subjects?
13. God's Son, Jesus Christ, zealously proclaimed the good news and honored his dignified and majestic heavenly Father. Jehovah endowed his only-begotten Son with special dignity by giving him 'rulership and kingdom.' (Read Daniel 7: 13, 14.) Yet, Jesus is not haughty or aloof. Just the opposite-he is a compassionate Ruler who understands the limitations of his subjects and affords them a measure of dignity. Consider one example of how Jesus as King-Designate treated the people he met, especially the unwanted and the seemingly unlovable.
Finally Jesus appears.....................
Do/did the elders in your congregation see themselves as "princes" in the congregation? Did they treat some jws as "unwanted" and "unlovable"
in your congregation?
Q 14. How were lepers viewed in ancient Israel?
14. People afflicted with leprosy in ancient times often experienced a heartbreakingly slow death. Little by little, the victim's body parts became diseased. Curing a leper was considered to be as difficult as raising a person from the dead. (Num. 12:12; 2 Ki. 5:7, 14) Lepers were declared unclean and were abhorred and banished from society. When approaching people, they were to call out the warning: "Unclean, unclean!" (Lev. 13:43-46) A leper was like someone dead. According to rabbinical records, a leper was allowed to come within only about 1. 7 meters of anyone. It was reported that when a leper was seen, even at a distance, a certain religious leader threw stones to keep him far away.
Does this remind you of disfellowshipped jws, some even being required to sit in the back at meetings, untouchable? Doesn't it remind you of how df'd jws are required to identify themselves as df'd to prevent jws in good standing from talking to them?
Did you know that the WTS describes df'd jws as if they were dead?
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*** w66 7/1 p. 401 par. 10 Exercising Maturity—A Safeguard ***
The same Bible principle is held out to Christians today, inasmuch as at 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 it states: ‘Adulterers will not inherit God’s kingdom.’ In actuality, they must be expelled (disfellowshiped and put in a deathlike condition) from the Christian congregation.
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*** re chap. 10 p. 50 par. 13 Abhorring the “Deep Things of Satan” ***
Those who have succumbed to this wrongful female influence will also suffer great tribulation—the sorrow of being disfellowshipped, cut off from the Christian congregation as though dead. Unless these repent, turn around, and are accepted back into the congregation, they also face physical death by “deadly plague”—at the latest, in the great tribulation.
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*** w88 4/15 p. 27 pars. 8-9 Discipline That Can Yield Peaceable Fruit ***
In the apostle John’s writings, we find similar counsel that emphasizes how thoroughly Christians are to avoid such ones: “Everyone that pushes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God . . . If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him. For he that says a greeting [Greek, khairo] to him is a sharer in his wicked works.”—2 John
9-11.
Why is such a firm stand appropriate even today? Well, reflect on the severe cutting off mandated in God’s Law to Israel. In various serious matters, willful violators were executed. (Leviticus 20:10; Numbers 15:30, 31) When that happened, others, even relatives, could no longer speak with the dead lawbreaker. (Leviticus 19:1-4; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 17:1-7)
Q 15. How did Jesus deal with a certain leper?
15. Noteworthy, however, is Jesusl reaction to a leper who came to him and pleaded to be cured. (Read Mark 1:40-42.) Instead of sending the leper away, Jesus dealt with the shunned man in a compassionate and dignified manner. What Jesus saw was a pitiful human with a need for relief. With heart stirred, Jesus turned his feelings of compassion into prompt action. He reached out, touched the leper, and healed him.
Would Jesus refuse to talk to a df'd jw? touch a jw such as shake their hands? Was Jesus afraid of being "infected"? What other ways do jws treat df'd members that would not be walking in Christ's footsteps?
Q 16. What lesson have you learned from Jesus' manner of dealing with others?
16. As Jesus' followers, how can we imitate the manner in which Jesus reflected the dignity of his Father? One way is by appreciating that all humans-regardless of status, health, or age-deserve due honor and respect. (1Pet. 2:17) Especially do those in positions of oversight, such as husbands, parents, and Christian elders, need to dignify those in their care and help them to preserve their self-respect. Stressing that this is a requirement for all Christians, the Bible states: "In brotherly love have tender affection for one another. In showing honor to one another take the lead." -Rom. 12:10.
Does the policy of asking jw women facing a judicial committee of elders personal sexual questions about the details of their sexual activities, "dignify those in their care and help them to preserve their self-respect"? Or elders telling a jw man that he will not qualify for "privileges" unless he meets a certain goal of monthly hours spent talking about jw doctrine to non-jws; I wonder where that is in the Bible under the qualifications for elders and ministerial servants?
Displaying Dignity in Worship
Q 17. What can we learn from the Scriptures about displaying dignity when approaching Jehovah in worship?
17. Special attention should be given to displaying dignity when we approach Jehovah in worship. "Guard your feet whenever you go to the house of the true God," says Ecclesiastes 5:1. Both Moses and Joshua were commanded to remove their sandals when in a holy place. (Ex. 3:5; Josh. 5:15) They were to do this as a gesture of respect or reverence. Israelite priests were obliged to wear linen drawers "to cover the naked flesh." (Ex. 28: 42, 43) This prevented indecent exposure when they served at the altar. Every member of a priest's family was to uphold the godly standard of dignity.
I always wondered why jws were requested (almost required) to talk off their shoes at a book study in a private home but at the KH were required to wear shoes?
So where in the Bible does it say that a sports coat is not appropriate, or the policy of speakers wearing white shirts, or the rule about how long sideburns can be, or whether women cannot wear skirts/dresses with slits to their knees (!), or the new one requiring jws to wear dress clothes after the conventions; makes me wonder what they wore in the swimming pool at their hotels?
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*** km 4/07 p. 4 par. 5 Follow the Christ by Manifesting Dignity ***
Should we manifest a dignified appearance only when attending the program? Remember that many will observe us wearing our convention badges while in the convention city. Our appearance should make us stand out from the general public. Therefore, even during leisure time, such as when going out to eat after the program, we should dress as befits ministers who are in the city for the purpose of attending a Christian convention and should not wear such clothing as jeans, shorts, or T-shirts.
Q 18. How is dignity displayed in our worship of Jehovah?
18. Dignity in worship, then, involves honor and respect. To be worthy of honor and respect, we must act respectfully. The dignity we display must be more than a pretense or a mere robe of identification. It should go beyond what human eyes see to what God sees -our heart. (1 Sam. 16:7; Prov. 21:2) Dignity should become part of us and affect our behavior, our attitude, our relationship with others, even the way we view and feel about ourselves. Indeed, dignity should be evident at all times and in everything we say and do. When it comes to our conduct, demeanor, and dress and grooming, we take to heart the words of the apostle Paul: "In no way are we giving any cause for stumbling, that our ministry might not be found fault with; but in every way we recommend ourselves as God's ministers." (2 Cor. 6:3, 4) We "adorn the teaching of our Savior, God, in all things." -Titus 2: 10.
So after much emphasis on the outward appearance, finally the WTS says dignity should be inward where only God can see. But do most jws worry about what God can see or what the elders see or other jws that might turn them in. Can you think of some things jws do that are done so humans will not see but saying they "believe" God sees all?
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(Psalm 94:6-7) 6 The widow and the alien resident they kill, And the fatherless boys they murder. 7 And they keep saying: “Jah does not see; And the God of Jacob does not understand [it].”
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(Ezekiel 8:12) 12 And he proceeded to say to me: “Have you seen, O son of man, what the elderly ones of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each one in the inner rooms of his showpiece? For they are saying, ‘Jehovah is not seeing us. Jehovah has left the land.’”
Keep On Displaying Godly Dignity
Q 19, 20. (a) What is a fine way to dignify others? (b) With regard to dignity, what should be our resolve?
19. Dignity is displayed by anointed Christians, who are "ambassadors substituting for Christ." (2 Cor. 5:20) The "other sheep," who loyally support them, are dignified envoys for the Messianic Kingdom. An ambassador or an envoy speaks boldly and with dignity on behalf of his government. Therefore, we should speak with dignity and boldness in support of God's government, the Kingdom. (Eph. 6:19, 20) And when we bring to others "good news of something better," are we not according them dignity?-lsa. 52:7.
How many of you are old enough to remember the articles assigning the "anointed" the position "ambassadors" mentioned in the Bible but making up and adding to the Bible by assigning the lesser role of "envoys" to the "other sheep" even while on earth. Where did Jesus speak of the other sheep as having a secondary position, but rather being equal in the same flock under Christ?
Do the "other sheep" loyally support anointed Christians or Jesus? Are they interchangeable?
Where does the word "government" even appear in the Bible?
And what happens if non-jws don't accept the WTS version of "good news"? All of them, 6.5 billion men, women and children will be destroyed forever at Armageddon, per the WTS.
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*** w89 9/1 p. 19 par. 7 Remaining Organized for Survival Into the Millennium ***
Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd,” as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil. (Revelation 7:9-17; 2 Corinthians 4:4) They will make up the “flesh” that Jesus Christ said would be saved through the worst tribulation of all human history.
20. We should be resolved to glorify God by conducting ourselves in accord with his dignity. (1 Pet. 2:12) Let us always show deep respect for him, for his worship, and for our fellow worshippers. And may Jehovah, who has clothed himself with dignity and splendor, be pleased with our dignified manner of rendering worship to him.
So who really should be respected, God, Jesus, or the WTS/FDS/GB?
In their summary, where is the advice to show respect to non-jws?
How Would You Answer?
·Appreciating the splendor of Jehovah's dignity should have what effect on us?
·What can we learn about dignity from the way Jesus responded to a certain leper?
·How can we honor Jehovah in dignified ways?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Honor [the WTS/FDS/GB] by displaying dignity....can a jw honor God without being part of the WTS? Can a jw dishonor God by doing what the WTS advises?
An example is the WTS understanding from 1929 to 1962 of who the "superior authorities" were. How did teaching this wrong explanation dignify God?
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*** w50 11/15 pp. 441-442 par. 10 Subjection to the Higher Powers ***
But rather than being instructions by the apostle to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, Romans 13:1-7 has since 1929 been taken by Jehovah’s witnesses to be instructions on rendering to God what belongs to God. Why? Because the expression “the higher powers” is now understood to mean primarily the Most High God and his reigning Son Jesus Christ. Surely there are no powers or authorities higher than these.
As rendered by the recently issued New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures Romans 13:1 reads: “Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God.” Jehovah God is the Supreme and Original Authority. He being the Creator of all things, it follows that he is the source of all authority for doing what is right. Because he is supreme and all creation is dependent upon him, no one has the right to question the Most High God on how he uses his authority, even though for a time we may not understand it. He does what he pleases, but what he does is always for good, since there can never be any unrighteousness or untruthfulness in him. “The Almighty is beyond our minds. Supreme in power and rich in justice, he violates no right.” “There is one thing God has said; ay, twice have I heard him say it: that power belongs to God.” (Job 37:23 and Ps. 62:11, Mo) The fact stands unassailable that Jehovah God is the Chief of the Superior Authorities. Every soul should be subject to him.
While the Israelites had over 600 laws to follow, Christians have only 2. Why does the WTS keep adding rules and laws then; how do they dignify God by doing that?
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(Matthew 15:3-11) 3 In reply he said to them: “Why is it YOU also overstep the commandment of God because of YOUR tradition? 4 For example, God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Let him that reviles father or mother end up in death.’ 5 But YOU say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother: “Whatever I have by which you might get benefit from me is a gift dedicated to God,” 6 he must not honor his father at all.’ And so YOU have made the word of God invalid because of YOUR tradition. 7 YOU hypocrites, Isaiah aptly prophesied about YOU, when he said, 8 ‘This people honors me with their lips, yet their heart is far removed from me. 9 It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines.’” 10 With that he called the crowd near and said to them: “Listen and get the sense of it: 11 Not what enters into [his] mouth defiles a man; but it is what proceeds out of [his] mouth that defiles a man.”
Next week, "Jehovah Tenderly Cares for His Elderly Servants." Who cares/cared for the older jws in your congregation? How hands on were the elders or did they delegate these humble tasks to women and men without privileges?
Enjoy the fall season, because we know what lies ahead........(except those of you down under or in tropical climes).
Love, Blondie
