DAILY TEXT, Today Tuesday November 1, Responding to an issue before hearing the facts is foolish and humiliating (Prov. 18:13).

DAILY TEXT, Tue Nov 1,  Responding to an issue before hearing the facts is foolish and humiliating (Prov. 18:13).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022

Tuesday, November 1

Responding to an issue before hearing the facts is foolish and humiliating (Prov. 18:13).

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). We can know what kind of person Jonah really was from the prayer he prayed from the belly of the fish (Jon. 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, He answered his prayer and continued to use him as a prophet. It is very important for elders to make sure they “hear the facts” before giving advice to someone. w20.04 15 paras. 4-6

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.

As Genesis 16:7-13 shows, how did Jehovah help Hagar?

Hagar, Sarai's servant, acted unwisely after she became Abram's wife. When she became pregnant, she began to despise Sarai, who had no children. Sarai then punished her by humiliating her, and Hagar had to flee (Gen. 16:4-6). Since we are imperfect, we may think that Hagar was nothing more than a proud woman who got her due from her. But Jehovah saw something else in her. He sent an angel to help her change her attitude and to bless her. She realized that Jehovah had been watching her and that he knew her situation very well. Therefore, she felt compelled to tell him: “You are a God who sees” (read Genesis 16: 7-13).

What did God take into account in the case of Hagar?

What did Jehovah see in Hagar? He knew very well his past and all his experiences (Prov. 15: 3). She was Egyptian, but she lived in the home of a Hebrew family. Did she sometimes feel like an outsider? Did she miss her family and her land? On the other hand, she was not the only wife of Abram. For a time, some faithful servants of God had more than one wife. But that was not Jehovah's original purpose (Matt. 19:4-6). No wonder this situation aroused jealousy and resentment. It is true that Jehovah did not condone Hagar's disrespect to Sarai, but he was also understanding of her feelings and her circumstances.

What can we do to get to know the brothers better

We can copy Jehovah's example when we try to understand others. To that end, let us get to know the brothers better. Let's talk to them before and after meetings, go out preaching together, and if possible, invite them to dinner. When we do, we may realize that a sister who seems unfriendly is really shy, that a brother who has a lot of money is not materialistic but generous, or that a family that is often late for meetings is facing opposition (Job 6: 29). Of course, we are not to "meddle in other people's business" (1 Tim. 5:13). But it is good that we know something about our brothers and the circumstances that have influenced their character.

Why is it important for the elders to know the brothers well?

It is especially important that elders know well the brothers they serve. Let's look at the example of a circuit overseer named Artur. He and another elder visited a sister who seemed to be shy and withdrawn. Artur explains: “We found out that her husband died a few years after they got married. Despite her difficulties, she taught her two daughters to love Jehovah. But now her eyesight was failing and she was suffering from depression. Still, her love for Jehovah and her faith had not weakened. We realized that we had much to learn from her good example” (Phil. 2:3). This circuit overseer sought to imitate Jehovah, who knows his faithful servants and the sufferings they endure (Ex. 3:7). If the elders know the brothers well, they will be able to help them better.