1, 2. a) What did we see in the previous article?
What we saw and analyzed was some advice, which is taken from the 19th chapter of Leviticus.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We discuss some helpful tips based on Leviticus chapter 19. For example, in verse 3 we read that Jehovah told the Israelites to respect their parents.
We were looking at some tools based on the 19th chapter of Leviticus. For example, we saw the lesson of respecting parents and the principle of spending time regularly on spiritual matters.
In the previous article we have seen some advice to be saints, such as that we have to respect our parents and today we can do it by attending to their physical, emotional and/or spiritual needs. Furthermore, we should regularly spend time on spiritual matters as the Israelites did in keeping the Sabbath.
b) What will we analyze in this article?
We will continue to analyze in this article, Leviticus chapter 19. And we will ask ourselves a question: How does this chapter teach us to treat those with physical limitations with kindness, to be honest in business and to show love to others?
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In this article, we will continue our discussion of Leviticus 19. How does this chapter teach us to treat those with physical limitations with kindness, to be honest in business, and to show love to others?
We will continue analyzing the 19th chapter of Leviticus. We will see lessons on treating those with physical limitations with kindness, being honest in business, and showing love to others.
In this article we will continue analyzing lessons to be holy, and especially, how we should show kindness to people with physical limitations, how to be honest at work and how to show love to others.
TREAT THOSE WITH PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS WITH KINDNESS
3, 4. According to Leviticus 19:14, how were the Israelites to treat the deaf and the blind?
They were to treat them well, the Israelites did not have to curse the deaf and the blind. If they did that, they would be committing a great evil, because they would not be able to defend themselves. Jehovah helped the Israelites to see that they should treat those with certain limitations with compassion.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jehovah wanted his servants to be considerate of those with physical limitations. For example, he told the Israelites not to curse a deaf person, either by threatening him or wishing him harm. To do that would be a great evil! Furthermore, in verse 14 we read that God told his people not to put "a hindrance before a blind man."
According to what we have read, they should not curse a deaf person, threatening him or wishing him harm, because the deaf person could not defend himself. Nor should they put an obstacle to a blind man, perhaps to make fun of him or hurt him. So it is clear to us that Jehovah wanted his servants to be considerate and compassionate towards those who had limitations.
Leviticus 19:14 instructs us to be kind, loving, and show compassion to those who have physical limitations. We should not make fun of them or treat them badly as certain people of old did with the verse indicates.
5. How can we compassionately treat those with physical limitations?
We can try to imitate Jesus, being kind, compassionate and patient with those who have physical limitations. Of course we cannot perform miracles like Jesus did. But he has given us the honor of giving those who are physically or spiritually blind good news: that there will soon be a paradise where humanity will enjoy physical and spiritual health.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Christians willingly imitate Jesus and are kind, compassionate and patient with those who have physical limitations. Of course, Jehovah has not given us power to perform miracles. But he has given us the honor of giving those who are physically or spiritually blind good news: that there will soon be a paradise where mankind will enjoy perfect physical and spiritual health.
Imitating Jesus and being kind, compassionate and patient with those who have physical limitations. One way to do this is by preaching the good news to these people, telling them about paradise where we will enjoy physical and spiritual health.
We treat these people with compassion by imitating Jesus, being kind, compassionate and patient. And while we wish we could help them more, we can't perform miracles like Jesus. But it does teach them the great news of a paradise in perfect physical and spiritual conditions.
ILLUSTRATION:
According to Leviticus 19:14, how should we treat the deaf and the blind? (See paragraphs 3 to 5). *
LET'S BE HONEST IN BUSINESS
6. How does Leviticus chapter 19 help us understand what the Ten Commandments said?
They help us a lot, because in this chapter 19 of Leviticus, they give us many details to understand more deeply, everything that the Ten Commandments said.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
For example, the eighth simply said, "Don't steal." Someone might conclude that, in order to obey that commandment, it was enough to make sure that they didn't take anything that wasn't theirs. But he could be stealing in other ways.
It helps us to understand them because they not only reflect the commandment, but also give us details to know more deeply what that commandment implies. For example, the eighth commandment says "Do not steal", but it does not only imply taking something that is not yours, but that it can be stolen in other ways.
This chapter 19 gives us details to fulfill everything the Bible says. The eighth commandment says "do not steal." But we could be stealing in another indirect way, without taking anything from someone that is not ours, as we will see in the next paragraph. So this chapter helps us understand in detail what it means to be holy.
7. How could a merchant violate the eighth commandment?
Well, affirming that he does not keep anything that does not belong to him, but for example if a merchant uses scales or uses inaccurate measurements to deceive his clients, in reality he would be stealing from them, and thus he would be violating the eighth commandment.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jehovah said: “Do not be dishonest in measuring length, weight, or volume. Use exact scales, exact weights, an exact measure for dry products and an exact measure for liquids.” If a merchant used inaccurate scales or measurements to deceive his customers, he would actually be stealing from them.
Perhaps that merchant never kept any object that was not his, but perhaps he was dishonest by using rigged or inaccurate scales when measuring products and thus deceiving customers. That would also be considered theft.
It is not necessary to remove something that is not ours to be stealing. Dishonesty is also stealing. As we will see in paragraph 8. Before, a merchant, as we see in this one, could be stealing by not being honest and using scales that give inaccurate measurements and therefore, he would be stealing.
8. How did Leviticus 19:11-13 help the Jews to apply the principle behind the eighth commandment, and how does it help us?
The eighth commandment prohibited stealing, but the details Leviticus added helped the Jews understand how they could apply the principle behind that law.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
If someone is dishonest in their business or employment dealings, they are stealing. The eighth commandment prohibited stealing, but the details Leviticus added helped the Jews understand how they could apply the principle behind that law.
We see how these verses connect "do not steal" with "do not defraud your neighbor." These details helped the Jews to apply the principle on which the law was based.
This helps us understand that if we are dishonest in our dealings, we are stealing. Therefore, it is good to ponder how Jehovah views dishonesty and theft, and perhaps make the necessary changes.
This verse helps them because it connected implicit theft with honesty in business. Hidden interests, inaccurate measurements, dishonesty or hidden information are forms of ultimate stealing. And just as this helped the Jews, it helped us too because we know that our business relationships and work habits have to be transparent, honest and sincere.
9. How did the law found at Leviticus 19:13 protect workers?
Do not defraud a salaried worker who is in need and is poor, be it one of your brothers or a foreign resident in your land, within your cities. You must give him his salary that day before sunset, because he is in need and his life depends on his salary.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
"Don't keep a hired worker's salary overnight until the next morning." In Israel, most people farmed, and those who worked for others were paid at the end of each day.
This law said that whoever had a business could not keep the worker's salary overnight. Most people in Israel farmed and were paid at the end of each day. But, if he didn't get paid at the end of a day, he wouldn't have money to feed his family that day. We can see Jehovah's compassion in this regard.
The Law of Leviticus 19:13 protected workers because it assured them that their effort, their work, would be rewarded at the end of the day with an equivalent land. In such a way that the worker, the fruit of his work, could support his family and not be in need.
10. What lesson do we learn from Leviticus 19:13?
There are bosses who pay very little, which is not fair for the work they do. But people continue to work out of necessity, because they have to support their family. But it is wrong for the boss to keep the worker's salary, so if we are Christians and we have employees, we have to take this treatment and this injustice into account.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Some bosses take advantage of their employees by paying them far less than is fair. They know that these people may have no choice but to continue working even if they are paid a pittance. In a sense, those bosses are keeping "the salary of a salaried worker."
We learn that if we run a business with employees, we shouldn't pay them less than is fair, taking advantage of them because they have no choice. There are some bosses who do this, but we Christians must take this matter very seriously.
We learn that each one must give what is theirs and what belongs to them. If we have a business, we must pay salaries in a timely manner. If we don't, we would be keeping what is not ours, we would be stealing and not being honest. We must be fair and honest employers as Jehovah wants of his servants.
ILLUSTRATION:
In view of what Leviticus 19:11-13 says, what should the Christian ask himself about his business and labor practices? (See paragraphs 8 to 10). *
WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS WE LOVE OURSELVES
11, 12. What did Jesus emphasize when he quoted from Leviticus 19:17, 18?
He emphasized this command: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." There are many ways to show love to your neighbor, but Leviticus chapter 19 will help us identify a few.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
On one occasion, a Pharisee asked him: "What is the most important commandment of the Law?". Jesus replied that “the first and greatest of the commandments” is to love Jehovah with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds. And then he quoted from Leviticus 19:18 saying, "The second, which is similar, says: 'He loves your neighbor as you love yourself.'
Jesus emphasized the command to love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is the second most important commandment, as Matthew 22:39 says, and we have many ways to show love to others.
Jesus emphasized the importance of this mandate because when a Pharisee asked her about the most important commandment of the Law, Jesus told her that the first most important is to love Jehovah with all our hearts and the second said that it was similar, to love our neighbor. like ourselves.
13. How did Joseph act in harmony with Leviticus 19:18?
Although Joshua came to have authority, and was able to take revenge for everything his brothers did to them, he showed mercy, and never held a grudge.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Most of us know someone who has held a grudge against a colleague at work or school, or even a family member for years. Let us remember that Joseph's 10 half brothers were so resentful of him that their hatred led them to do something terrible to him. But he did not repay them with the same coin. When he had authority and the opportunity to take revenge on them presented itself, he preferred to show them mercy.
There it says "Do not take revenge on the children of your people or hold a grudge against them." Joseph could have held a grudge in his heart for everything his half brothers did to him. However, he did not repay them evil for evil, but he had mercy on them.
Continuing with the comment, as reflected in the account of Genesis 50:19,21. when his brothers came to him for food, Joseph did not respond. He says in verse 21 that he fed them, comforted them and reassured them with his words.
In Genesis 37 we see that Joseph's 10 half-brothers hated him and this led them to sell him to the Ishmaelites, but when he had the opportunity to take revenge on them he did not do so but preferred to show them mercy.
14. How do we know that the principles on which Leviticus 19:18 was based are still valid today?
Jesus said that we should forgive those who sin against us. Similarly, the apostle Paul gave this advice to Christians: "Beloved, do not take revenge", he does not change the principles. So today these principles are valid.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jesus said that we should forgive those who sin against us.
The Christian who wants to please God should imitate the example of Joseph and forgive instead of holding a grudge or taking revenge.
Similarly, the apostle Paul gave this advice to Christians: “Beloved, do not take revenge.” And he also said to them: “Keep putting up with each other and generously forgiving each other even if one of you has a reason to complain about another.”
We know this because Jehovah's principles do not change. Furthermore, Jesus in the Lord's Prayer said that we should forgive those who offend us. And also the apostle Paul, in Colossians 3:13 said to forgive ourselves generously. In this way we will be pleasing Jehovah.
Because Jesus in the Lord's Prayer said that we must forgive those who sin against us and in Colossians 3:13 Paul told Christians to continue bearing each other and forgiving each other generously, this shows us that Jehovah wants us not to keep grudge against our neighbor and love him as ourselves.
15. What example helps us understand the importance of forgiving and forgetting?
An example could be that an envelope arrives and when we open it we cut our fingers. It can hurt us, but if we let it heal, it will heal in a couple of days. It's almost similar, maybe a friend does something to us or says something to us that hurts us, and we forgive him. But if we make a strong and deep wound, it may have to be stitched, if we don't let it heal and touch it, the wound will get worse. Likewise, that is what someone who is very offended might do.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
For example, when opening an envelope we may get a small cut on our finger. Most likely, in a couple of days it will heal and we no longer even remember where we cut ourselves. A friend may say or do something without thinking that he offends or hurts us, but it is not hard for us to forgive him. A deep wound, the doctor may need to sew it up and bandage it. If we didn't stop touching it or poking at it, we would make it worse ourselves. It is what someone who is very offended might do. If he didn't stop thinking about the emotional wound he has suffered and the damage they have done to him, that grudge would only be hurting himself.
The paragraph gives the example of a physical injury. If we make a small wound, after two days it will be healed. But if we get a deeper wound we may need to bandage it or sew it up. But if we didn't stop picking at the wound, it would get worse every day. Well, equally, if we don't stop thinking about an emotional wound that someone has caused us, we would be doing more damage to ourselves. Hence the importance of forgiving and forgetting.
We can compare it to wounds. If we make a small cut it may hurt us but after a few days we will not even remember and in the same way someone may do or say something that offends us but it is something that we can easily forget. But if we make a bigger cut, the doctor may have to sew it up and bandage it, and if we don't stop touching the wound we ourselves will make it worse, the same thing happens when someone is very offended, if they don't stop thinking about the pain sentimental feelings that have caused him that grudge will end up hurting himself.
ILLUSTRATION:
Series of images: 1. A sister smiles happily even though she has a bandaged finger. 2. The sister has a bandaged hand and is frowning as she picks at the wound.
It's no good rummaging around in a literal wound. Something similar happens with offenses: instead of continuing to think about them, it is better to forgive and forget. (See paragraph 15). *
16. According to Leviticus 19:33, 34, how were the Israelites to treat foreign residents, and what do we learn from this?
They should see the foreigner "as a native of the country" and love him as they loved themselves.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
They should see the foreigner "as a native of the country" and love him as they loved themselves. For example, they had to allow foreign residents and the poor to collect leftover crops. We Christians must also apply the principle of loving foreigners today.
They were encouraged to show empathy. They too had been foreigners in Egypt. So Jehovah told them to treat them “like a native of the country” and to love them as they loved themselves. They should not mistreat them, but make their life pleasant.
We learn that we should love foreigners. Perhaps in our area where we live there are families who have left their countries. It is very important that we treat them with dignity and respect.
Jehovah commanded them to love their neighbor and by this he did not refer only to people of the same nationality but they had to see the foreigner "as a native of the country" and love him as they loved themselves.
Today there are millions of foreigners who may live near us so we must follow this mandate and treat them with dignity and respect.
AN IMPORTANT WORK NOT MENTIONED IN LEVITICUS 19
17, 18. (a) What do Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:15 encourage us to do?
There are many other verses in Leviticus chapter 19 that help us see what we can do to please Jehovah.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Both Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:15 say that God's servants must be holy.
We are encouraged to be holy in all our conduct. And for that, we have analyzed some principles that help us achieve it and please God.
These two texts encourage us as servants of God to be Holy and help us to see what we can do to please Jehovah.
(b) What all-important work did the apostle Peter say we should do?
He explained that the anointed brothers of Christ would announce everywhere the excellencies of the one who called them. Today, all Christians have the honor of doing this very important work, which is the one that benefits people the most.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Pedro singled out one in particular. Before encouraging us to be holy in all our conduct, he said, "Prepare your mind to act." He explained that the anointed brothers of Christ would announce everywhere the excellencies of the one who called them. Today, all Christians have the honor of doing this very important work, which is the one that benefits people the most. And what a special privilege God's holy people have to preach and teach regularly and enthusiastically.
In 1 Peter 2:9, Peter said that Christ's anointed brothers would proclaim everywhere the excellencies of him who called them. And today, all Christians are honored to do this all-important work: regularly and enthusiastically preaching and teaching the good news.
In 1 Peter 1:13 Peter said, "Prepare your mind to act." With these words he was referring to the important work of enthusiastically preaching and teaching all people to know Jehovah and to serve him as he wishes.
WHAT HAS LEVITICUS CHAPTER 19 TEACHED US ABOUT THESE THINGS?
Treat those with physical limitations with kindness.
Jehovah wanted his servants to be considerate of those with physical limitations. For example, he told the Israelites not to curse a deaf person, either by threatening him or wishing him harm. To do that would be a great evil! Not hearing what they said about him, the deaf man could not defend himself.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Christians willingly imitate Jesus and are kind, compassionate and patient with those who have physical limitations.
We don't tease them or make fun of them behind their backs or in front of them.
It has taught us that we must be considerate of them and treat them with compassion. In addition, we have the privilege of talking to these people about the wonderful future that awaits us in a paradise, where there will be no health problems.
Leviticus has taught us that we should treat these people by imitating the example of Jesus, being kind, honest and loving. Helping them in what we can, and although we cannot perform miracles, we can teach them the great promise that Jehovah makes us that will improve their lives.
Be honest in all things.
Some bosses take advantage of their employees by paying them far less than is fair. They know that these people may have no choice but to continue working even if they are paid a pittance. This teaches us that these bosses are keeping "the salary of a salaried worker." If a Christian has a business with employees, he should take this matter very seriously.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We want to be fair, we do not keep the changes, we use exact measurements, we do not cheat, nor do tricks.
Some bosses take advantage of their employees by paying them far less than is fair. They know that these people may have no choice but to continue working even if they are paid a pittance. In a sense, those bosses are taking the salary of a hired worker. If a Christian has a business with employees, he should take this matter very seriously.
It has taught us to treat our employees well if we have a business. It also encourages us to reflect on whether we are being honest in our business dealings.
Leviticus has reminded us that dishonesty is the same as stealing. We must be honest, transparent and sincere in our commercial and business relationships. So that we do not keep anything that is not ours and that we are true to the principles that Jehovah wants and to the eighth commandment.
Show love to others.
This teaches us that the Christian who wants to please God should imitate the example of Joseph and forgive instead of holding a grudge or taking revenge. This fits in with the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus said that we should forgive those who sin against us. "Beloved, do not take revenge" "Keep putting up with each other and generously forgiving each other even if one has a reason to complain about another."
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The Christian who wants to please God should imitate the example of Joseph and forgive instead of holding a grudge or taking revenge. This fits in with the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus said that we should forgive those who sin against us.
It's no good rummaging around in a literal wound. Something similar happens with offenses: instead of continuing to think about them, it is better to forgive and forget.
He has taught us that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. He also teaches us that we should hold a grudge against those who offend us, but rather forgive and forget. And we also saw that we must treat foreigners with dignity and respect.
This is one of the most important commandments that we must follow in order to please Jehovah and be well with our brothers and with ourselves.
And even if our brothers do something that offends or hurts us, we must forget and forgive and not continue to cause harm to ourselves, letting resentment enter our minds and hearts.
And this mandate urges us to love foreigners and treat them with respect and dignity.
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