Isaiah 43:10 "You are my witnesses"

Gordy

The JW's use Isaiah 43:10 as the excuse for their name.

I'm trying to find information that refutes this. I came across a good one on a website but now can't find it.

Anyone one know of a good refutation of the JW's use of this scripture.

Who was Jehovah talking too at this time? Was it not the nation of Israel? Well then the Jews are Jehovah's Witnesses, not Christians. The JW's have to prove that this scripture applies to them and NOT the Jews. Have the Jews been rejected. Not according to the Apostle Paul in Romans 11.

While it is true that Jehovah in several places in Isaiah tells the Jews, he wil give them a new name:

"And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." - Isaiah 62:2

Was "Jehovah's Witnesses" THE name? I don't think so, let's consider what Jehovah says a few verse4s later at Isaiah 62:4

"Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married."

So ... according to Jehovah, the new name is not "Jehovah's Witnesses" it is Hephzibah. The Society literally translate the word and uses "My Delight Is in Her." So the question that should be asked is, why aren't they consisten in translated all the hebrew words to their meaning?

In any case, the name is Hephzibah or " My Delight Is in Her."

MerryMagdalene

It's also kind of interesting to research why they may have felt a need to give themselves a new name, distinguishing themselves from those who continued to call themselves Bible Students and who followed the teachings of Russell rather than Rutherford.

Annanias

I always thought that the Isaiah scripture was a point of inspiration for the name, rather than a source of some divine proof. I realize that within every cong you're going to get the gaggle of turkeys that thinks it is proof of something, but I don't recall it ever being thought of such "officially". I mean, they could have called themselves "The Rockin' Robins of Zooterville" if they'd wanted.

John Lennon - "It's just a name, y'know, like "The Shoes'."

Paul McCartney - "Yeah. Right now your children could be listening to music by 'The Shoes'."

It's kind of like why people are called "Christians" instead of "Michaelists", or "Jesusists", or "Melchizedecians".

zoolander

I think it?s interesting to get the Bible Students (the original JW?s) point of view on this matter because it seems to be a major reason why they split. I don?t agree or disagree with there beliefs but it is interesting what they have to say. This was taken from

http://www.food4jws.org/watchtower/wt_beliefs/jews.htm

The Lord has foretold their experiences, past, present and future, no strange god or prophet could do this. The Jewish people, God's witnesses, are one of the most outstanding proofs of the inspiration of the Bible: They witness to the existence of a Supreme Being, the Creator and Preserver of Israel. They witness and prophesy accurately to the work, office and glory of the Messiah; no false witness or prophet could do this. If others bear witness to Jehovah, it could be only a second-hand witness, for of necessity the witness would be a repetition of the words of

Verse 4 of Isaiah 43 states: ..."Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life."

God made them honorable because He chose them and made them the depository of the precious truths of true worship; therefore, they are precious in His sight. Because of His strange and miraculous dealings and providence's with His ancient people, , God and His Word will be glorified in the eyes of all nations. Remember, all this applies to a people whom the Lord chose hundred of years before the Christian dispensation.

When the Book of Isaiah was written there were no Christians, we read of them only in the New Testament, and they followed Jesus Christ. They are not referred to particularly as Jehovah's witnesses, but as the sons of God, as Christ's brethren, and witnesses of Jesus. Rev. 20:4 states: "And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God." Also Rev. 2:13 we read of "Antipas, my faithful martyr (or witness)". And so faithful Christians give their lives particularly for the witness of Jesus.

What is the present state of these witnesses of Jehovah? Verse 5 and 6 of this 43rd chapter of Isaiah tells us: ... "Fear not, for I [am] with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; I will say to the north, `Give them up!' And to the south, `Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar."

This is being fulfilled today: the God of Israel is regathering His witnesses, His afflicted people to their home. Yes, it is now time for them to go home. And home they went. In a past issue of the journal "Jews in the News" it had this to say: "It was the power of God which brought the New Jewish State into being, for how else could such victories have been won by a handful of untrained people in the face of such overwhelming odds, with the surrounding states as enemies, and greater enemies supporting them in the background. Many believed in God and the fulfillment of their promises, and when they saw this wonderful protection even the unbelieving were conscious of miracles working on the side of ."

They became established in against the will of many people. Not one nation helped them; even as some of them approached their beloved land in unseaworthy ships, they were turned back by the powers that be, to their great disappointment and anguish, but the promise still held good - "I (Jehovah) will work, and who shall hinder it" - turn it back - Isa. 43:13. The Jews in have a saying, that he who does not believe in miracles is not a realist. They have witnessed the greatest Divinely inspired phenomenon of our day.

But there are those who say, didn't God cast away natural when they rejected and put the Messiah to death? And didn't Jesus say, "Your house is left unto you desolate?" - Matt. 23:38. Therefore, does not spiritual inherit the promises? This is partly true, the chief place of favor and some of the most choice promises will be inherited by spiritual - " hath not obtained that which he seeketh for, but the election hath obtained it." However, natural has not been cast off forever. The 11th chapter of Romans refers to this temporary casting off, and shows how the followers of Jesus of both Jews and Gentiles inherit the best of the promises. These are referred to as the priesthood, the holy nation, a little flock.

This is the day of the Lord's preparation; the hour has struck in the Divine Plan of the Ages, for the deliverance and regathering of God's ancient people. The God of Israel is moving swiftly and mightily on behalf of Jacob's posterity.

Isaiah 11:11, 12 reads: ..." It shall come to pass in that day [That] the Lord shall set His hand again the second time To recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea. He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of , And gather together the dispersed of From the four corners of the earth."

frankiespeakin

I guess just common sense will refute the Wt's claim that Is.43 10 is refurring to them. As already mention the contexts. Clearly the nation of isreal were to be his witnesses,,it had nothing to do with going house to house witnessing.

Also the verse dosen't say: "you will be called Jehovah's Witnesses"

gumby

You also might want to consider the source of where Jehovahs Witnesses recieved their name.

That source was from an alcoholic. I doubt god would pass on such an all important name to be given to a people through the mouth of a liquer infested drunk.

Gumby

ozziepost

the Bible Students (the original JW?s)

Are they really? Are you sure?

zoolander

the Bible Students (the original JW?s)

Are they really? Are you sure? No, I am not, I wasn't there (On various websites, they claim to be the original Bible Students). it was meant as a twisted coment but you could look it up if you are interested

Farkel

: Isaiah 43:10 "You are my witnesses"

Besides what RR said about the obvious fact that Isaiah 43:10 was directed at the Jews, let's consider just WHAT KIND of "Witnesses" the Jews were to Jehovah.

They sought to make no converts, nor did their God encourage them to do so, with VERY few exceptions. Ninevah, for example. They did not seek to show other peoples the glory and magnitude and MERCY of their God. They slaughtered every village and civilization which got in their way, including innocent babies, children and women.

If that is what God intended them to be when they were his "witnesses" then I want not part of that God.

Dubs aren't much better, either.

Farkel

Isaiah 43:10 "You are my witnesses"

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