Very interesting W 50 6/15 pp. 179-187
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The general principle shown is that any fruits
from Theocratic victories should go to Jehovah’s honor, and not to the
exaltation of any individual or organization. The Israelites stripped
the Midianites of their fine raiment and jewelry; so the truth declared
against the world leaders, whether religious or political, commercial or
military, strips them of the “higher powers” claim in which they clothe
themselves, removes them from their exalted position, plunders the
prestige and adoration they once enjoyed, and they lose the flattering
titles that allowed them to glitter and shine. Any treasures of service
they might have enjoyed are gone, because they used their offices to
make a show of themselves. These attention-grabbing things are not
transferred to truth-telling witnesses, but are lumped together and
given over for Jehovah’s honor. As men of good-will learn the truth they
strip these formerly honored ones of their improper titles and
adornments and give all praise to Jehovah, and attribute to God and
Christ all honoring titles, such as “Father” and “Higher Powers”.—Job 32:21, 22; Ps. 150:6; Isa. 42:8; Matt. 23:9.
37. What object lesson is contained in the ancient happenings? and what should it make Christians today aware of?
37 The
object lesson in the ancient happenings that followed the prophetic
part of the drama is that the fruits of victory should never be
idolized. Any increases or gains in numbers of publishers that come from
the work of gospel-preaching should never be credited to men or to a
visible organization, nor should the volume of work accomplished be a
cause for creature boasting; all of this is due to Jehovah God and
Christ Jesus and should be dedicated to them and to the vindication of
Jehovah’s name. To illustrate, a farmer sows seed and waters and
cultivates, but does he make the seed sprout and grow and eventually
bear fruit? Is not credit for the growth due to the Creator? The apostle
Paul deflated those looking to creatures as responsible for
organizational increases by such an illustration, saying: “I have
planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is
he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that
giveth the increase.” (1 Cor. 3:6, 7)
Ministers may plant the seed of truth and water it by back-calling and
conducting home Bible studies, but it is God who gathers in new ones to
give growth and increase to the visible organization of preachers.