I am alternately enraged that the WTS would again lay all responsiblility for their unhappiness back on the congregation, and encouraged that there are enough vocal members for headquarters to notice. Here are some questions back to the WTS.
- The Israealites waited 40 years for the promise. How much longer must the "other sheep" follow you before they realize they are following the wrong shepherd?
- Moses ran a gauntlet of miracles that Pharoah could not match. Is there a similar record of miracles, (other than Miracle Wheat), that the supposed "Faithful and Discreet Slave" has demonstrated Jehovah's power?
- If a servant provides a meal not to his master's liking, does he not have the power to send that servant back to the kitchen to get it right? How presumptuous of the Slave to claim their meal is perfect!
TMS School Review Kingdom Ministry April 2004
10. Why did Jehovah feed the Israelites with manna week after week, month after month, in the wilderness, and what can we learn from this? (Deut 8:16) [w02 9/1 p. 30 pars. 3-4]
Remember the occasion back in Moses? day when some in Israel found it irksome to eat manna week after week, month after month. Evidently, that was a trial for them, even though the manna was a miraculous provision. What was the purpose of the test? Moses told them: ?[Jehovah] fed you with manna in the wilderness...in order to humble you to put you to the test.? - Deuteronomy 8:16
Our humility could likewise be tested. How? Well, how do we react to organizational refinements? (Isaiah 60:17) Do we give wholehearted support to the preaching and teaching work? (Matthew 24:15; 28:19, 20) Do we eagerly accept the explanations of Bible truth as provided by ?the faithful and discreet slave?? (Matthew 24:45-47; Proverbs 4:18) Do we resist pressure to have the latest gadget, the latest fashion, or the newest automobile? A humble person will be able to say yes to such questions. - 1 Peter 1:14-16; 2 Peter 3:11
15. What two inherent dangers in complaining are noted at Exodus 16:2, 3? [w93 3/15 pp. 20-1]
(I don't have the 1993 watchtower, so I can't reference here. But I can guess.)
Deuteronomy is quoted in part. Ah, those dreaded triple dots. What information is left out of the article? In context,
Deut 8:15(NIV) He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
The test was not to check the Isrealite's tolerance for monotony, but to prove to them, once and for all, that God is their source for all. Note also, that wealth is not sneered upon.