Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2021
Friday, September 17, 2021
He who forgives an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up again and again separates good friends (Prov. 17: 9).
Sometimes when we preach with the brethren, we see not only their strengths, but also their weaknesses. What can help us in this case? Realistically, we can't expect our siblings to be perfect. For this reason, let's strive to keep the friendships we make strong. If a friend makes a mistake, we may need to speak frankly but lovingly to him and give him advice based on the Bible (Ps. 141: 5). And if he hurts us, we must forgive him. Once we have forgiven, let's avoid the temptation to bring up the offense in the future. It is of the utmost importance that in these difficult times we focus on the virtues of our brothers and not on their shortcomings. In this way, our ties of friendship will be strengthened. And it is essential that we do so because we will need good friends in the great tribulation. w19.11 6 pars. 13,
According to 1 Peter 4: 7, 8, what will help us cope with adversity?
AS WE APPROACH to the final part of “the last days,” we may experience serious adversity (2 Tim. 3: 1). For example, after an election campaign, violence and unrest tore apart a West African country. For more than six months, our brothers who were trapped in the conflict zone were in danger. What helped you in this difficult situation? Some took refuge in the homes of other Christians who lived in a safer place. One brother explained: “At that time, I was happy to have friends. We all encouraged each other ”.
When “great tribulation” breaks out, we will give thanks to have friends who love us (Rev. 7:14). That is why it is so important that we make strong friends now (read 1 Peter 4: 7, 8). We learn a lot from what happened to Jeremiah, who was helped by his friends during the period that led to the destruction of Jerusalem. * How can we follow his example?
a) What could have caused Jeremiah to isolate himself? b) What did Jeremiah entrust to his secretary, and what was the result?
For at least forty years, Jeremiah lived surrounded by disloyal people, including his neighbors and perhaps some relatives from his hometown of Anathoth (Jer. 11:21; 12: 6). But it was not isolated. In fact, he confided to his loyal secretary, Baruch, his feelings, which have been recorded and have come down to us (Jer. 8:21; 9: 1; 20: 14-18; 45: 1). Surely the moments they spent together while Baruch wrote down everything that had happened to Jeremiah caused them to come to feel great love and respect for one another (Jer. 20: 1, 2; 26: 7-11) .
What did Jehovah tell Jeremiah to do, and why did this mission strengthen the friendship between Jeremiah and Baruch?
Jeremiah had boldly warned the Israelites of what would happen to Jerusalem (Jer. 25: 3). In a further attempt to motivate the people to repent, Jehovah told Jeremiah to write his warnings on a scroll (Jer. 36: 1-4). He and Baruch collaborated shoulder to shoulder probably for several months to carry out this task that God had entrusted to them. No doubt they had conversations during that time that strengthened their faith.
Why do we know that Baruch was a good friend of Jeremiah?
When it came time to reveal the contents of the scroll, Jeremiah entrusted this task to his friend Baruch (Jer. 36: 5, 6). This one was brave and fulfilled the dangerous mission. Can we imagine how proud Jeremiah must have been when his friend went to the temple courtyard and read the scroll before the people? (Jer. 36: 8-10). When the princes of Judah learned what Baruch had done, they ordered him to read the scroll to them (Jer. 36:14, 15). So they decided to tell King Jehoiakim what Jeremiah had said. With consideration, they gave Baruch some very timely advice: “Go and hide yourselves, you and Jeremiah; let no one know where they are ”(Jer. 36: 16-19).
How did Jeremiah and Baruch react to the opposition?
When King Jehoiakim heard what Jeremiah had written, he was so enraged that he burned the scroll and had the prophet and his secretary arrested. But Jeremiah was not scared. He took another scroll, gave it to Baruch, and dictated Jehovah's message to him. So Baruch wrote “all the words of the scroll that King Jehoiakim of Judah had burned in fire” (Jer. 36: 26-28, 32).
What is likely to have happened to Jeremiah and Baruch when they worked together?
Often times, a special bond is formed between people who live a test together. So when Jeremiah and Baruch rewrote together the scroll that wicked King Jehoiakim had burned, it stands to reason that their friendship grew stronger. What do we learn from these two faithful men?
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