DAILY TEXT, Today Friday September 23, 2022, Stop judging by appearances: be fair when you judge (John 7:24).

DAILY TEXT, Today Friday September 23. from 2022

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022

Friday September 23.

Stop judging by appearances: be fair when you judge (John 7:24).

Is it true that we do not like to be judged by the color of our skin, facial features or physical complexion? Therefore, we take comfort in knowing that Jehovah does not judge us by what meets the eye. For example, when Samuel saw the sons of Jesse, he did not see the same thing as Jehovah. God had told him that one of them was going to be king of Israel. But which? Seeing Eliab, the eldest, Samuel said: “Surely Jehovah has chosen this one.” Eliab had the bearing of a king. “But Jehovah said to Samuel: 'Do not look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have discarded him.'” What do we learn? God added: “A man sees what is before his eyes, but Jehovah sees his heart” (1 Sam. 16:1, 6, 7). It is good for us to follow Jehovah's example in dealing with our brothers. w20.04 14 para. 1; 15 para. 3.

Why might we have a negative opinion of Jonah?

Since we don't know all the details, we might think that Jonah was an unreliable and even disloyal man. Jehovah had given him the order to announce a message of condemnation in Nineveh. But instead of obeying, Jonah boarded a ship headed in the opposite direction, “far from the Lord” (Jon. 1:1-3). We might not have given him another chance to fulfill his mission. But Jehovah thought he did deserve it (Jon. 3:1, 2).

As we read the words of Jonah 2:1, 2, 9, what do we learn about this prophet?

We can know what kind of person Jonah really was because of the prayer he prayed from the belly of the fish (read Jonah 2:1, 2, 9). This prayer, no doubt one of many he prayed, helps us see that he was more than a man who ran away from an assignment. His words reflect humility, gratitude, and an intense desire to obey Jehovah. No wonder Jehovah saw beyond what Jonah did, answered his prayer, and continued to use him as a prophet.

Why is it worth listening carefully to others?

To listen carefully to others, we must be humble and patient. It is worth the effort for at least three reasons. First, because we are less likely to jump to the wrong conclusions. Second, because that way we will know how our brother feels and why he does certain things. This will help us to have more empathy. And, third, because perhaps in this way we will help him discover something about himself. Sometimes a person does not fully understand his own emotions until he expresses them (Prov. 20:5). An elder serving in Asia confesses: “I remember making the mistake of speaking without listening. On one occasion, I told a sister that she should improve the quality of her responses in the meetings. Later, I found out that she has a hard time reading and that she has to make a lot of effort to comment.”

What can we learn from Jehovah's treatment of Elijah?

 Some siblings find it hard to talk about how they feel because of their background, culture, or character. How can we help them open their hearts to us? Let us remember how Jehovah treated Elijah when he fled from Queen Jezebel. Many days passed before this prophet told his heavenly Father how he felt. And Jehovah listened carefully. Then he encouraged him and charged him with an important task (1 Kings 19: 1-18). It may also take some time for our brothers to trust us enough to open their hearts to us. But if we are patient like Jehovah, we will earn their trust, and in time they will tell us how they feel. When they do, let us listen carefully.

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