DAILY TEXT, Saturday December 3, 2022, The thoughts of the heart of man are like deep waters, but the discerning man knows how to draw them out (Prov. 20:5).
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Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022
Saturday December 3
The thoughts of the heart of man are like deep waters, but the discerning man knows how to draw them out (Prov. 20:5).
To listen carefully to others, we must be humble and patient. It is worth our 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 maybe that way we will help him discover something about himself. Sometimes a person doesn't fully understand his own emotions until he expresses them. Some siblings have a hard time talking about how they feel because of their past, their culture, or their character. It may take some time for them, too, 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 what they feel. When they do, let's listen carefully. w20.04 15, 16 pars. 6, 7. 8.
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 was childless. Then, Sarai punished her by humiliating her, and Hagar had to flee (Gen. 16:4-6). Because we are imperfect, we may think that Hagar was nothing more than a proud woman who got her comeuppance 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 she 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 Hagar's case?
What did Jehovah see in Hagar? He knew very well her past and all her 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 Abram's only wife. 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). It is not surprising that this situation provoked jealousy and resentment. It is true that Jehovah did not justify 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's get to know the brothers better. Let's talk with them before and after the meetings, go out to preach together and, if possible, invite them to eat. When we do, we may find that a sister who seems unfriendly is actually shy, that a brother with 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 should not 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 the elders know the brothers they serve well. Let's look at the example of a circuit overseer named Artur. He and another old man visited a sister who appeared to be shy and withdrawn. Artur explains: “We found out that her husband died a few years after they were married. Despite her difficulties, she taught her two daughters to love Jehovah. But now she was failing her eyesight and she suffered from depression. Even so, her love for Jehovah and her faith had not weakened. We realized that we had a lot 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 better able to help them.
Why was it good for a sister named Yip Yee to get to know a sister in her congregation better?
When we get to know a sibling who annoys us a little better, we are more likely to understand. This is what happened to a Christian named Yip Yee, who lives in Asia. She recounts: “A sister in my congregation was speaking very loudly. She seemed rude to me. But when I went out with her to preach, I found out that she helped her parents sell fish in the market. She had to speak loudly to get the customers' attention.” and she adds from: “I learned that to understand the brothers I have to know them better”. It is not easy to do this. But when we follow the Bible's advice to open our hearts wide, we imitate Jehovah, who loves “all kinds of people” (1 Tim. 2:3, 4; 2 Cor. 6:11-13).
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