Comments You Will Not Hear at the 3-20-05 WT Study (February 1, 2005 issue date) Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()
WT quotes from today?s WT
will be in red and quotes ""Quotes from other sources
will be in blueJEHOVAH ALWAYS DOES WHAT IS RIGHT
"Jehovah is righteous in all his ways."-Psalm 145:17. (NWT)
Everything GOD does is right--the trademark on all his works is love.?Psalm 145:17 (The Message Bible)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/
Opening Comments
Is what God does being questioned or what the WTS/FDS does?
WTS = Watchtower Society
FDS = Faithful and Discreet Slave
Some = weak JWs
Theocratese Dictionary
http://www.ashelf.com/ashelf/wordlists/e/eec/www/
When reading this article, substitute WTS/FDS whenever God is mentioned. It is make the intent of the article more clear.
START OF ARTICLE
1 Has someone ever drawn the wrong conclusion about you, perhaps questioning your actions or motives, without having all the facts? Yes, and the biggest offenders have been elders and their wives. In their position of authority or seeming authority, they share their conclusions with others in the congregation who accept it as Gospel since how could an elder (or his wife) be wrong. Then it gets back to you and? If so, you likely felt hurt-and understandably so. You go to talk to them about it, or another elder, and are told that Christians must overlook the faults of others, after all no one is perfect, yet the offenders never go back and clear up the "misunderstanding" they caused.w93 6/1 p. 24 Gilead School-50 Years Old and Going Strong!
The school's instructors spoke next. Jack D. Redford chose the theme "Do Not Expect Anything From Anybody." One of the challenges the graduates will face is getting along with people, he explained. What can help? "Overlook their faults. Do not expect too much of other people.
w76 7/1 p. 402 Loving Oversight Builds Up
Have you had a personal misunderstanding with someone, causing hurt feelings, so that reconciliation has been difficult? Perhaps you have had a problem in trying to apply the good advice of Ephesians 4:26, 32. If you talk to an elder about it, he may be able to help you to overlook the offenseFrom this, we can learn an important lesson: It is wise to avoid jump-ing to conclusions when we do not have the whole picture .
Did you think this was going to be an article on how to deal with other JWs, gossiping about others-judging others-questioning others' motives and actions without all the facts?
No, but rather it is article really about questioning and judging the motives and actions of the WTS/FDS.
2 We do well to keep this lesson in mind when it comes to reaching conclusions about Jehovah God the WTS/FDS. Why is that? Because there are certain Bible media accounts that may at first seem puzzling.
These accounts-perhaps about the actions of some of God's worshipers (only JWs) or God's the WTS/FDS past judgments-may not contain enough details to answer all our questions.
Sadly, some (the proverbial "some") take exception to such accounts, even questioning whether God the WTS/FDS is righteous and just. Yet, the Bible tells us that "Jehovah is righteous in all his ways." (Psalm 145:17) His Word also assures us that he "does not act wickedly." (Job 34:12; Psalm 37:28) Imagine, then, how he the WTS/FDS must feel when others draw wrong conclusions about him (or rather the WTS/FDS)!
Remember from now on that any time God is mentioned, substitute the WTS/FDS.
3 Let us consider five reasons why we should accept Jehovah's the WTS/FDS judgments. Then, with those reasons in mind, we will examine two Bible accounts that some may find difficult to understand.
Why Accept Jehovah's Judgments?
4 First, because Jehovah knows all the facts involved and we do not, we should be modest when considering God's actions.
Does the WTS/FDS know all the facts involved? More than most of us. How many know about the UN debacle or the facts behind the abuse reporting procedures by the elders . Many body of elder (BOE) letters contain information that is never shared with the rest of the congregation.
German BOE Letter on UN
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/21575/1.ashx
To illustrate: Imagine that a judge with an outstanding record of making fair-minded decisions has handed down a sentence in a court case.
Does the WTS/FDS have a record for making fair-minded decisions regarding:
Organ transplants (DF'ing offense between 1967-1980) http://quotes.watchtower.ca/transplant.htm
Alternative service (DF'ing offense before 1996 if chosen not sentenced to)
Rape but not scream
http://www.freeminds.org/psych/rape.htm
Residents of Sodom and Gomorrah resurrected? These people have been in and out of Gehenna many times. http://quotes.watchtower.ca/sodom_gomorrah.htm
What would you think about someone who without knowing all the facts or really understanding the laws in-volved criticized the judge's decision? It would be foolish for someone to pass judg-ment on a matter without being fully in-formed about it. (Proverbs 18:13) How much more foolish it would be for mere humans to criticize "the Judge of all the earth"!-Genesis 18:25.
Without knowing all the facts-does God give all the facts in these accounts-why put in an account without giving all the facts?
5 A second reason to accept God's judg-ments is that unlike humans, God can read hearts. (1 Samuel 16:7) His Word states: "I, Jehovah, am searching the heart, examin-ing the kidneys, even to give to each one according to his ways, according to the fruitage of his dealings." (Jeremiah 17:10) Hence, when we read Bible accounts about God's judgments upon certain individuals, let us not forget that his all-seeing eyes took into account hidden thoughts, motives, and intentions that went unrecorded in his Word.-1 Chronicles 28:9.
Yet elders can make judgments, DF'ing people, in effect, executing them spiritually. But do not question the elders' judgments even though they could be wrong.
w98 6/1 p. 17 "Put Up a Hard Fight for the Faith"!
How vividly these examples teach us to listen to counsel and to respect those whom Jehovah uses in positions of responsibility! (Hebrews 13:17) It is all too easy to find fault with the appointed elders, for they are imperfect, as all of us are imperfect. But if we dwell on their faults and undermine respect for them, might we be "speaking abusively of glorious ones"? In verse 10, Jude mentions those who "are speaking abusively of all the things they really do not know." Some will, at times, criticize a decision made by a body of elders or a judicial committee. Yet, they are not privy to all the details that the elders had to consider in order to reach a decision. So why speak abusively about things they really do not know? (Proverbs 18:13)
6 Note a third reason to accept Jehovah's judgments: He holds to his righteous stan-dards even at great personal cost. Consider an example. In giving his Son as a ransom for delivering obedient mankind from sin and death, Jehovah satisfied his just and righteous standards. (Romans 5:18,19) Yet, seeing his beloved Son suffer and die on a torture stake must have caused Jehovah the greatest possible pain. What does this tell us about God? Regarding "the ransom paid by Christ Jesus," the Bible says: "This was in order to exhibit [God's] own righteous-ness." (Romans 3:24-26) Another transla-tion of Romans 3:25 reads: "This showed that God always does what is right and fair." (New Century Version) Yes, the extent to which Jehovah was willing to go in order to provide the ransom shows that he has the highest regard for "what is right and fair."
"holds to his righteous standards"-Does the WTS/FDS apply their own standards to themselves?
What about neutrality and not taking sides with governmental/political organizations?
w01 11/15 p. 19 Jehovah Is Our Refuge ***
Anointed Christians are like alien residents living in tents apart from this system of things. (1 Peter 2:11) 'Not even a plague draws near their tent.' Whether our hope is heavenly or earthly, we are no part of the world, and we are not infected by such spiritually deadly plagues as its immorality, materialism, false religion, and worship of "the wild beast" and its "image," the United Nations.-Revelation 9:20, 21; 13:1-18; John 17:16.
Yet for ten years, from 1991 to 2001, the WTS/FDS was associated with the UN as a non-governmental organization (NGO). It wasn't until this was made public in the UK Guardian in 2001 that the WTS cancelled their association. If you were told it was just to obtain access to UN libraries, please read the letter on the UN website.
Here are some websites:
http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
http://www.sassquatch.com/SYN/UN_NGO_Letter/
7 So, then, if we read something in the Bi-ble that causes some to wonder whether God acted in a just or right way, we should remember this: Because of his loyalty to his standards of righteousness and justice, Jeho-vah did not spare his own Son from under-going a painful death. Would he compro-mise those standards in other matters? The truth is, Jehovah never violates his righteous and just standards. We thus have ample rea-son to be convinced that he always does what is right and fair.-Job 37:23.
The WTS has compromised those standards in other matters.
8 Consider a fourth reason why we should accept Jehovah's judgments: Jehovah made man in His image. (Genesis 1:27) Humans are thus endowed with attributes like those of God, including a sense of justice and righ-teousness. It would be inconsistent if our sense of justice and righteousness caused us to imagine that those same qualities could somehow be lacking in Jehovah. If we be-come troubled over a particular Bible ac-count, we need to remember that because of our inherited sin, our sense of what is just and right is imperfect. Jehovah God, in whose image we were made, is perfect in jus-tice and righteousness. (Deuteronomy 32:4) It would be absurd even to imagine that hu-mans could be more just and righteous than God!-Romans 3:4, 5; 9:14.
So while humans are made in God's image and are "endowed with attributes like those of God", they cannot understand what is just and right because humans are imperfect?huh?
Food for thought: Are JWs made in the WTS/FDS image?
9 A fifth reason for accepting Jehovah's judgments is that he is "the Most High over all the earth." (Psalm 83:18) As such, he is not obligated to explain or justify his actions to humans. He is the Great Potter, and we are like clay that has been shaped into vessels, for him to deal with as he pleases. (Ro-mans 9:19-21) Who are we-the pottery of his hand-to question his decisions or ac-tions? When the patriarch Job misunder-stood God's dealings with mankind, Jeho-vah corrected him, asking: "Really, will you invalidate my justice? Will you pronounce me wicked in order that you may be in the right?" Realizing that he had spoken with-out understanding, Job later repented. (Job 40:8; 42:6) May we never make the mistake of finding fault with God!
The WTS "is not obligated to explain or justify" their "actions" to humans.
Never make the mistake of finding fault with the WTS/FDS (organization).
w97 8/1 p. 9 Serving Loyally With Jehovah's Organization
Though Moses was the meekest of men, Korah evidently began to look at him with critical eyes. He likely saw faults in Moses. Those faults, however, did not justify Korah's disloyalty to Jehovah's organization. He was destroyed from the midst of the congregation.-Numbers 12:3; 16:11, 31-33.
10 Clearly, we have sound reasons to be-lieve that Jehovah always does what is right. With this foundation for understanding Je-hovah's ways, let us examine two Bible ac-counts that some may find puzzling. The first involves the actions of one of God's worshipers, and the other, an execution of judgment by God himself.
Why Did Lot Offer His Daughters to an Angry Mob?
11 In Genesis chapter 19, we find the ac-count of what happened when God sent two materialized angels to Sodom. Lot insisted that the visitors stay in his home. That night, however, a mob of men from the city sur-rounded the house and demanded that the visitors be brought out to them for immoral purposes. Lot tried to reason with the mob, but to no avail. Seeking to protect his guests, Lot said: "Please, my brothers, do not act badly. Please, here I have two daughters who have never had intercourse with a man. Please, let me bring them out to you. Then do to them as is good in your eyes. Only to these men do not do a thing, because that is why they have come under the shadow of my roof." The mob would not listen and al-most broke down the door. Finally, the an-gelic visitors struck that frenzied crowd with blindness.-Genesis 19:1-11.
Think about this: If Lot knew, as the WTS points out, that the people around him were homosexuals, why offer women as sexual choices?
Think about this: Did Lot know these were angels sent from God? If so, didn't he know about the powers angels had?
Think about this: Why didn't Lot pray to God to help him and his family?
Think about this: What principle of God allows women to be sacrificed in such a way?
Think about this: What elder today would offer his daughters up to a male heterosexual mob to protect the circuit overseer?
12 Understandably, this account has raised questions in the mind of some. They won-der: 'How could Lot seek to protect his guests by offering his daughters to a lustful mob? Did he not act improperly, even cowardly?' In view of this account, why would God in-spire Peter to call Lot a "righteous man"? Did Lot act with God's approval? (2 Peter 2: 7, 8) Let us reason on this matter so that we do not draw the wrong conclusion.
Think about this: Wasn't David reprieved from execution when he committed adultery and murder, 2 capital offenses under the Law? Didn't he also take a census that resulted in 70,000 innocent people dying. Notice that with all 3 offenses other people died, not David. But that's another story.
13 To begin with, it should be noted that rather than condoning or condemning Lot's actions, the Bible simply reports what took place. The Bible also does not tell us what Lot was thinking or what motivated him to act as he did.
When he comes back in the "resurrection of ... the righteous," perhaps he will reveal the details.-Acts 24:15.
"In view of this account, why would God in-spire Peter to call Lot a "righteous man"?" If this is true then why say that the account neither condemns nor condones. Calling Lot a "righteous man" seems to condone his actions. And what a lame comment-Lot revealing the details when he is resurrected-why didn't God put them in there in the first place. By the Bible not saying anything, approval of Lot is more to be indicated than nonapproval.
14 Lot was hardly a coward. He was placed in a difficult situation. By saying that the vis-itors had "come under the shadow" of his roof, Lot indicated that he felt compelled to provide protection and refuge for them. But this would not be easy. Jewish historian Josephus reports that the Sodomites were "un-just towards men, and impious towards God ... They hated strangers, and abused them-selves with Sodomitical practices." Yet, Lot did not shrink back from the hateful mob.On the contrary, he went out and reasoned with those angry men. He even "shut the door behind him."-Genesis 19:6.
So who was Josephus, a Jewish historian that lived during the time of Jesus, about a time more than 2,000 years before Jesus.
http://www.josephus-antiquities-of-the-jews.org/josephus-18.html
15 'Still some may ask, 'why would Lot of-fer his daughters to the mob?' Instead of as-suming that his motives were bad, why not consider some possibilities? First of all, Lot may well have acted in faith. How so? No doubt Lot was aware of how Jehovah had protected Sarah, the wife of Abraham, Lot's uncle. Recall that because Sarah was very beautiful, Abraham had asked her to identi-fy him as her brother, lest others kill him in order to take her.* Subsequently, Sarah was taken to the household of Pharaoh. Jehovah, however, intervened, preventing Pharaoh from violating Sarah. (Genesis 12:11-20) It is possible that Lot had faith that his daugh-ters could be similarly protected. Significant-ly, Jehovah through his angels did intervene, and the young women were kept safe.
(* Abraham's fear was valid, for an ancient papyrus tells of a Pharaoh who had armed men seize a beautiful woman and kill her husband.)
BTW, this is one of those accounts where the WTS shows that God approves of lying under certain circumstances. Actually, I think Abraham showed a particular lack of trust in God's ability to protect Sarah by lying.
These possibilities the WTS/FDS puts forth shows how they re-write the Bible.
16 Consider another possibility. Lot may also have been trying to shock or con-fuse the men. He may have believed that his daughters would not be desired by the crowd because of the homosexual lust of the Sodomites. (Jude 7) In addition, the young women were engaged to men of the city, so relatives, friends, or business associates of his prospective sons-in-law might well have been in the crowd. (Genesis 19:14) Lot may have hoped that by reason of such ties, some men in that mob would speak up in defense of his daughters. A mob thus divided would not be nearly so dangerous.*
(* For additional observations, see The Watchtower of December 1, 1979, page 31.)(see at the end of the review)
Yes by doing all those things, Lot probably bought himself about 15 minutes.
17 Whatever Lot's reasoning and motives, we can be sure of this: Since Jehovah always does what is right, he must have had good reason to view Lot as a "righteous man." And judging from the actions of the crazed mob of Sodomites, can there be any doubt that Jehovah was fully justified in executing judgment upon the inhabitants of that wick-ed city? -Genesis 19:23-25.
Translation: The WTS is fully justified in anyone they disfellowship.
Translation: The destruction of over 6 billion non-JWs including young children, is justified.
Question: Why are these people not going to be resurrected according to the WTS? Do you remember ever reading where Lot and his family preached/warned these people?
Why Did Jehovah Strike Uzzah Dead?
18 Another account that might seem puz-zling to some involves David's attempt to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. The Ark was placed on a wagon, which was led by Uzzah and his brother. The Bible states: "They came gradually as far as the threshing floor of Nacon, and Uzzah now thrust his hand out to the ark of the true God and grabbed hold of it, for the cattle nearly caused an upset. At that Jehovah's an-ger blazed against Uzzah and the true God struck him down there for the irreverent act, so that he died there close by the ark of the true God." Some months later, a second attempt succeeded when the Ark was transported in the God-appointed way, carried on the shoulders of Kohathite Le-vites. (2 Samuel 6:6, 7; Numbers 4:15; 7:9; 1 Chronicles 15:1-14) Some may ask: 'Why did Jehovah react so strongly? Uzzah was only trying to save the Ark.' Organization. Lest we draw the wrong conclusion, we do well to note some helpful details.
19 We need to remember that it is impossi-ble for Jehovah to act unjustly. (Job 34:10) For him to do so would be unloving, and we know from our study of the Bible as a whole that "God is love." (1 John 4:8) In addition, the Scriptures tell us that "righteousness and judgment are the established place of [God's] throne." (Psalm 89:14) How, then, could Jehovah ever act unjustly? If he were to do so, he would be undermining the very foundation of his sovereignty.
But has the WTS/FDS organization acted unjustly?(refer back to UN debacle)
20 Keep in mind that Uzzah should have known better. The Ark was associated with Jehovah's presence. The Law specified that it was not to be touched by unauthorized in-dividuals, explicitly warning that violators would be punished by death. (Numbers 4: 18-20; 7:89) Therefore, the transfer of that sacred chest was not a task to be treat-ed lightly. Uzzah evidently was a Levite (though not a priest), so he should have been familiar with the Law. Besides, years earlier the Ark had been moved to the house of his father for safekeeping. (1 Samuel 6:20-7:1) It had stayed there for some 70 years, until David chose to move it. So from childhood on, Uzzah had likely (buzzword meaning the Bible does not say) been aware of the laws regarding the Ark.
Note that the Israelites in charge of this decision to disregard the Law's instructions on HOW to transport it, did not die. The priests "should have been familiar with the Law." King David, God's anointed, should have know better?but David didn't die, Uzzah did.
The lesson to be learned from this: If the WTS/FDS (organization) is making a mistake, don't try to correct it. You will have an Uzzah moment. Just let the Ark fall on the ground.
w73 6/15 p. 370 Are You Ready for Life in God's New Order?
God's law specifically prohibited any but the authorized priestly representatives from touching the sacred ark, on pain of death. The law was publicly known, and as Uzzah was undoubtedly a Levite (but not a priest), he should have known better than others God's express command. He chose to violate that command, perhaps assuming that circumstances warranted it. He may have felt that if he did not act to steady the ark it was sure to fall. If so, he lacked faith in God's power to care for matters in such a way that none of his servants need disobey his express commands. On the other hand, he may have thought he had an opportunity to make a 'hero' of himself, gaining lasting fame as 'Uzzah, the man who kept the sacred ark from falling.' Either way he showed disrespect.
If we are not authorized to act in a certain matter, we can inform those who are. Rather than thereafter impatiently try to 'steady the ark' ourselves, we can then show trust in God's direction of matters, confident that in time he will cause only good to result. As Psalm 4:4 counsels: "Be agitated, but do not sin. Have your say in your heart, upon your bed, and keep silent."-Compare Psalm 63:6-8.
21 As mentioned earlier, Jehovah can read hearts. Since his Word calls Uzzah's deed an "irreverent act," Jehovah may have seen some selfish motive that is not expressly re-vealed in the account. Was Uzzah perhaps a presumptuous man, prone to overstep due bounds? (Proverbs 11:2) Did leading in pub-lic the Ark that his family had guarded in private give him an inflated sense of self-importance? (Proverbs 8:13) Was Uzzah so faithless as to think that Jehovah's hand was too short to steady the sacred chest that symbolized His presence? Whatever the case, we can be sure that Jehovah did what was right. He likely saw something in Uzzah's heart that caused Him to render swift judgment.-Proverbs 21:2.
Now who is judging motives and actions without all the facts?
Translation: Reformers of the WTS = Uzzah
It is a good thing that Abigail did not sit back and let God do it.
1 Samuel 25:2-41
A Sound Basis for Confidence
22 Jehovah's incomparable wisdom is seen in that his Word at times omits certain de-tails. Jehovah thereby gives us an opportuni-ty to show that we trust him. From what we have considered, is it not clear that we have sound reasons to accept Jehovah's judg-ments? Yes, when we study God's Word with a sincere heart and an open mind, we learn more than enough about Jehovah to be con-vinced that he always does what is just and right. Hence, if some Bible account raises questions to which we cannot find immedi-ate explicit answers, let us have full confi-dence that Jehovah did what was right.
Now hasn't then been the tune the WTS has been singing lately; don't worry if you don't understand what they are saying (because you are not as smart as they are). Just trust them to always do what is right.
w03 9/1 p. 13 Trust in Jehovah Completely in Times of Distress
In the preceding article, we learned that our trust in Jehovah is manifested when we turn to him in prayer, when we seek direction from his Word, and when we look to his organization for guidance.
23 We can have similar confidence regard-ing Jehovah's future actions. Hence, we may rest assured that when he comes to execute judgment at the approaching great tribula-tion, he will not "sweep away the righteous with the wicked." (Genesis 18:23) His love of righteousness and justice will never allow him to do that. We can also have full confi-dence that in the coming new world, he will satisfy all our needs in the best possible way.-Psalm 145:16.
Yes, only JWs will survive. Any children of non-JWs will die, even babes in arms.
w89 9/1 p. 19 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.
Concluding Comments
I see a trend:
2004-2005 Circuit Assembly Theme: BE GUIDED BY THE WISDOM FROM ABOVE
2004-2005 Special Assembly Day Theme: PAY ATTENTION TO HOW YOU LISTEN
2005 District Convention Theme: GODLY OBEDIENCE DISTRICT CONVENTION
March 20, 2005: ORGANIZED TO DO JEHOVAH'S WILL (replaces the Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry book-OM Book)
The WTS/FDS ALWAYS DOES WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHEN IT DOESN'T PLEASE REFER TO UZZAH IN YOUR BIBLE.
Love, Blondie
Questions
1. How do you react when someone draws a wrong conclusion about you, and what lesson can we learn from such an experience?
2. 3. How do some react to Bible accounts that do not contain enough h details to answer every ques-tion, yet what does the Bible tell us about Jehovah?
4. Why should we be modest when considering God's actions? Illustrate.
5. What should we not forget when we read Bi-ble accounts about executions of God's judgments upon certain individuals?
6, 7. (a) How has Jehovah demonstrated that he holds to his just and righteous standards even at great personal cost? (b) What should we remember if we read something in the Bible that causes us to wonder whether God acted in a just or right way? 8. Why would it be inconsistent for humans to imagine that justice and righteousness could some-how be lacking in Jehovah?
9, 10. Why is Jehovah not obligated to explain or justify his actions to humans?
11, 12. (a) Relate what happened when God sent two materialized angels to Sodom, (b) This account has raised what questions in the mind of some?
13, 14. (a) What should be noted about the Bible account regarding Lot's actions? (b) What shows that Lot did not act in a cowardly way?
15. Why can it be said that Lot may well have acted in faith?
16. 17. (a) In what way may Lot have been trying to shock or confuse the men of Sodom? (b) What-ever Lot's reasoning, of what can we be sure?
18. (a) What happened when David attempted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem? (b) What question does this account raise?
19. Why is it impossible for Jehovah to act unjustly?
20. For what reasons should Uzzah have been aware of the regulations regarding the Ark?
21. In the case of Uzzah, why is it important to re-member that Jehovah sees the motives of the heart?
22. How is Jehovah's wisdom seen in that his Word at times omits certain details?
23. What confidence can we have regarding Jeho-vah's future actions?
Do You Recall?
For what reasons should we accept Jehovah's judgments? What can help us to avoid reaching the wrong conclusion about Lot's of-fering his daughters to the angry mob?
What factors can help us to un-derstand why Jehovah struck Uzzah dead?
What confidence can we have regard-ing Jehovah's future actions?
w79
12/1 p. 31 Questions from Readers ***?
Was it not wrong for Lot to offer his daughters to the Sodomites? While some persons have charged that Lot acted improperly, we really are not in position today to condemn him. The Bible shows that God, who reads hearts, did not judge Lot adversely.When God sent two materialized angels to Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot hospitably insisted that they stay in his home. That evening a mob of Sodomites surrounded the house, crying: "Where are the men who came in to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have intercourse with them."?Gen. 18:20, 21; 19:1-5.Stepping outside, Lot tried to dissuade the men. Then he pleaded: "Please, here I have two daughters who have never had intercourse with a man. Please, let me bring them out to you. Then do to them as is good in your eyes. Only to these men do not do a thing, because that is why they have come under the shadow of my roof." The angered mob pressed in on Lot, almost breaking in the door. Then the angels intervened and struck the mob with blindness.?Gen. 19:6-11.This account has puzzled or disturbed many, particularly women. Some persons have even charged that Lot acted in a cowardly way, that he should not have offered to pay for his guests? safety with his daughters? virtue or that he should have given himself to the mob.But it should be noted that, according to the Oriental code, it was a host?s responsibility to protect guests in his home, defending them even to the point of death if necessary. Lot?s words ("that is why [the two men] have come under the shadow of my roof") show that he felt an obligation to protect his houseguests. Also, how can anyone charge Lot with cowardice? He bravely went out to the mob, even closing the door behind him and facing them alone.But what about Lot?s offer to the mob? While some have said that Lot should have offered himself, it is unlikely that the perverted mob would have been satisfied with an old married man. Yet the offer of two virgins might have been somewhat confusing to the mob: Here were two young virgins, and the chance to soil their purity might have had some appeal to the mob. But on the other hand these were females and engaged to two men of the city. So that offer could have the effect of distracting or dividing the perverted mob.Furthermore, although Lot had at first entertained angels unawares, by now he well may have realized these to be messengers from God. (Heb. 13:2) Hence, Lot could have felt that, as deeply attached to his daughters as he was, he would be willing to sacrifice them if necessary. (Compare Genesis 22:1-14; 2 Samuel 12:3.) In offering his daughters to the mob, Lot could have been confident that, if it was Jehovah?s will, God would protect his daughters even as God had already protected Sarah in Egypt. (Gen. 12:17-19) And Jehovah did direct matters so that Lot and his daughters were kept safe, not only from the homosexual mob, but also from the fiery destruction that came on the cities.?Gen. 19:15-29.The angels did not say that by making the offer Lot had spoiled his righteousness. Instead, they aided Lot and his family to escape when God brought to ruin those cities that did not contain 10 righteous persons. (Gen. 18:26-32) More significantly, God did not criticize Lot, who was tormented at even observing lawless deeds. On the contrary, Jehovah, who can read hearts, pronounced Lot to be a "righteous man."?Prov. 15:11; 2 Pet. 2:8, 9.This account is a valuable part of the Bible. It serves to accentuate Sodom and Gomorrah?s badness, it stirs up indignation in righteous ones who read it, and it manifests God?s disapproval of homosexuality. Also, this account helps us to appreciate the Bible?s assurance that God is righteous and just?he does not countenance wickedness. (Deut. 32:4) And we can trust that God is equally perfect and just in his judgment that Lot was a "righteous man.