The Watchtower Study, “Article 42”, Week of December 11-17, 2023, Are You Ready to Obey?, Answers.

The Watchtower Study, “Article 42”, December 11-17, 2023, Are You Ready to Obey?, Answers.

“The wisdom from above […] is ready to obey” (James 3:17).

1. Why can we find it difficult to obey?

It can be difficult for us to obey for three reasons: First because we have inherited the tendency to disobey, second because Satan always incites us to reveal ourselves, third, because the world around us has a rebellious attitude.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In Psalm 51:12, David personally asked Jehovah to awaken in him the desire to obey. This shows us that even the apostles, at some point during their lives, made the mistake of disobeying.

Therefore, it is very normal that the same thing happens to us today, but, analyzing the reason that leads us to make this mistake, we see that since the beginning of time, Satan has tried by all means to make humans let's be disobedient.

Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 11:3. That he was afraid that somehow, just as the serpent seduced Eve with his cunning, your Minds will be corrupted and distanced from the sincerity and chastity that are due to Christ. With these words we understand that we have inherited the disobedience of our ancestors Adam and Eve, and therefore the world in which we live has a rebellious attitude. 

2. What does it mean to be ready to obey? (James 3:17).

Being ready to obey means that we must be willing to obey, first of all, Jehovah, his son Jesus Christ, his word the Bible and those to whom Jehovah has given certain authority and that we must have the desire to do so.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

As mentioned in Acts 4:18-20, Jehovah does not expect us to obey someone who asks us to go against his rules. For this reason, in that case we should not obey, since as we very well know, if we are asked to do things that go against Jehovah's laws, we obey God above all things first.

Being ready to obey means that we must abide by the rules and advice of those who guide us and direct the congregation, because they are those in charge of Jehovah to direct his flock on earth. As we have read in the text, the wisdom from above comes first and is peaceful, reasonable and full of mercy. So, in addition to obeying our elders, we must want to do so, but let us be very careful with those who, with their words or advice, want to make us leave the ways of Jehovah.

We have the example of Peter and John described in Acts 4:19, where they explain that they would not stop talking about those things they had seen, regardless of the opposition they found themselves in, which is a great example of courage and obedience that we must imitate today.

3. Why is it important to Jehovah that we obey those in authority?

It is important because our heavenly father Jehovah has given a certain unity to parents, authorities, and elders. For when we obey these people, it is as if we were obeying Jehovah himself.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

All human beings owe a certain obedience to parents, rulers and elders. These figures have authority because Jehovah allows it. Proverbs 6:20, Jehovah commands us to obey the commands and teachings that our parents give us and especially those that Jehovah gives us.

In 1 Peter 2:13,14. He urges us to submit to every human creation, whether as a king, as someone Superior, or as rulers, they are sent to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good. And in 1 Thessalonian 5:2 he encourages us to show respect to those who work hard among us, those who lead in the Lord and advise them. Seeing this, we understand that by obeying these figures, we are obeying Jehovah, because as we read in Psalm 19:7. The law of Jehovah is perfect and renews strength. Therefore, even if it costs us, we must accept the rules they give us. 

OBEY YOUR PARENTS

4. Why are there so many young people who disobey their parents?

There are so many young people who disobey their parents, because some see that their parents ask them to do things that they themselves do, and that may seem hypocritical to them. Others may think their parents' advice is old-fashioned, too strict, or impractical.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In Ephesians 6:1, Jehovah encourages children to be obedient to their parents, for this is right. As we can see, it is a command from Jehovah and as such, young people must abide by it. 

Young people in the world today think that the advice of their parents is outdated, too strict or no longer practical, but they should remember what we read in 2 Timothy 3:1 and 2, that in the last days Critical and difficult times will come to bear, that is the reason why parents' advice seems very strict or impractical.

5. According to Luke 2:46-52, why is Jesus the best example of obedience to parents?

Jesus is the best example of obedience, and we say this because he was perfect, but his parents were imperfect. Yet he honored them, even when they were wrong or didn't understand.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Analyzing the account in Luke 2:46-52, we see that in reality, the parents should have made sure that all their children were there. When they found it, María occupied it because of the fright they had received. However, Jesus could have told them that this was very unfair, but he did not do so. Rather, he gave them a simple and respectful answer. And Jesus continued subject to them. 

Jesus, even though he was the son of Jehovah, and therefore, perfect, honored, submitted and followed his imperfect earthly parents. Joseph and Mary, due to their imperfection, made many mistakes, but Jesus never corrected them, nor did he disrespect them for it. Jesus maintained that obedient condition throughout his life.

According to 1 Peter 2:21-24. Christ suffered for us, and so he set an example for us to follow in his footsteps. He committed no sin, nor was there deceit in his mouth. When they were insulting him, he did not insult them back. When he was suffering, he did not threaten them. Rather, he put himself in the hands of Jehovah, who judges justly.

6, 7. What can help young people obey their parents?

What can help young people obey their parents is to take into account how Jehovah feels. The Bible says that if children obey their parents, that is very pleasing to them. Also take into account how their parents feel and think that when they obey them, they make their parents happy and best of all they gain trust, and surely their children will feel closer to them. And finally, it is a commandment with a promise, which ensures a long and successful life.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

When we are young, sometimes it is complicated, or it becomes a little difficult to obey our parents. But as we saw in the previous paragraph, obeying our parents is a command from Jehovah. If the children obey that command in this way we will be applying what we are told in Ephesians 6:2,3.

And as we read in Colossians 3:20, children have to be obedient to their parents in everything. Therefore, being obedient to our parents makes Jehovah happy. On the other hand, being obedient when we are young will help us obey those in authority in the future, whether they are parents, elders or rulers.

8. Why have many young people decided to obey their parents?

Many young people have understood that it is fair and Christian to obey and honor their parents and in addition to this, they have seen that they do well when they do so.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In the paragraph we find the experience of our sister Elizabeth who sometimes found it difficult to be obedient, she explains, That when her parents give her a Rule and she doesn't understand why, what she does is think about all the times in which her parents norms have protected it.

And our sister Monica, who lives in Armenia, says that she always does better when she obeys her parents than when she doesn't.

In the paragraph, three experiences of three young people are described, who at first did not understand why their parents limited or prohibited them from having or doing certain things, but with the passage of time, they understood that these prohibitions or advice were to protect them. . One of them proudly comments on how well she does whenever she obeys her parents. 

OBEY “THE HIGHER AUTHORITIES”

9. What do many think about obeying government laws?

Many people think that you have to obey at least some of the laws of these higher authorities. However, when they think that a law is unfair or that it demands too much of them, they are no longer willing to obey it, for example paying taxes. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In Romans 13:1 we see that we are encouraged to submit to higher authorities because there is no authority that does not come from God, since the authorities that exist have been placed by God in their relative positions. Taking this into account, we must submit and obey the rulers, even when we understand that a law is slightly unjust or that it demands too much of us. 

After having analyzed this paragraph, we are surely aware of what we have read in Romans, which encourages us to obey the rules of the road, taxes, and all those laws that exist. Because all authority comes from Jehovah, and Jehovah is pleased that we are obedient.

10. Why do we obey laws, even the ones we don't like?

We obey the laws even those we do not like, because the Bible says that whoever opposes the authorities opposes or goes against the order established by God. For now, Jehovah allows governments to keep things from getting out of control, and He expects us to respect them. That is why we must give everyone what belongs to them, that includes paying taxes, giving them honor and obeying them.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Perhaps it may seem to us that obeying a certain law is not convenient for us or that it is not too expensive, or perhaps the problem is that it seems unfair to us. What is certain is that Jehovah expects us to obey governments, as long as they do not ask us to disobey God.

The governments on earth are under the control of Satan, and sometimes they make us suffer, but it exists, because Jehovah allows it. Therefore, as we read in Romans 13:1,2 we must submit to higher authorities, because there is no authority that does not come from God and the authorities that exist have been placed by him. Therefore, he who opposes authority has placed himself against the order established by God. 

11, 12. According to Luke 2:1-6, what did Joseph and Mary do to comply with a decree that was difficult to obey? And what were the results? (See also images).

Emperor Caesar Augustus had ordered a census to be taken. and to fulfill that decree, Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem. That required traveling about 150 km or 93 miles through mountainous terrain. The trip would not be easy, especially for María. The two may have been concerned about the well-being of her and the baby, since they ran the risk of giving birth on the way, remember that Mary carried the Messiah in her womb, but that was not a valid reason to disobey the decree. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

José María did not use any of these concerns as an excuse to disobey the law. For this reason, Jehovah blessed them for being obedient: Mary arrived safely in Bethlehem, gave birth to a healthy baby, and even contributed to the fulfillment of a Biblical prophecy.

Joseph and Mary knew that it would be a very hard and dangerous trip, due to Mary's advanced pregnancy, but still, they decided to obey. 

ILLUSTRATION

Mary and Joseph on the way to Bethlehem; Mary is riding a donkey and Joseph is in front. Series of images: 1. A brother looks at the speedometer of his car when he sees a speed limit sign. 2. A brother fills out a tax form. 3. A sister is wearing a mask and keeping her distance while she talks to a doctor at the hospital. What do we learn from the obedience of Joseph and Mary? (See paragraphs 10 to 12). 

13. How could our obedience help other brothers?

We must always remember that, when we are Jehovah's Witnesses, we belong to a worldwide organization. So we are not seen as individuals, but rather we are seen as an organization. Following and obeying the rules of the rulers, As an organization, gives good credit and makes us known as obedient people to the government. This could facilitate or help other brothers in countries where there is persecution.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

This experience is a clear example that every time we obey the laws, we contribute to improving the reputation of Jehovah's people. And someday that good reputation could protect our brothers. 

Our individual obedience can influence how authorities view Jehovah's Witnesses as a collective. That is what happened in Nigeria a few decades ago. A group of soldiers entered a kingdom hall during a meeting. They were looking for some people who were violently protesting against taxes. However, the officer in charge ordered the soldiers to leave. He told them that Jehovah's Witnesses don't go around protesting against paying taxes. 

In Matthew 5:16, he encourages us to shine our light in the sight of people, and that way they will be able to see our good works and that way we would give glory to Our Heavenly Father. Let each and every one of us follow this advice, and our gestures and actions will help other brothers.

14. How did a sister become “ready to obey” higher authorities?

First, he stopped reading any messages on social media that fueled those negative feelings against the authorities. Second, she asked Jehovah to help her trust in him, rather than waiting for a change in human governments. And third, she started reading articles in our publications about neutrality. Juana says that respecting and obeying authorities has given her indescribable peace.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

It is difficult to obey higher authorities, especially when we see that every day the world is more unfair and goes from bad to worse. Proverbs 2:3 encourages us to avoid acting foolishly. A sister from the United States set out to change her way of thinking, and managed to stop reading or listening to news that fueled negative feelings towards the authorities. 

If at any time we see that we are having negative feelings toward authorities, let us think about Psalm 9:9, 10, where Jehovah assures us that he will make a safe refuge for the oppressed, and a safe haven in times of trouble. Therefore, let us rely on Jehovah and the communications that the faithful slave provides us, and do not expect a change in the governments of the world. 

OBEY THE INSTRUCTIONS OF JEHOVAH'S ORGANIZATION

15. Why can we sometimes find it difficult to obey the instructions of Jehovah's organization?

At some point it may be difficult to obey instructions in Jehovah's organization, because the brothers who direct the world work are not imperfect. At some point we may be asked to do something we do not want to do. However, we must remember that Jehovah has appointed them to lead his congregation.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Hebrews 13 17, we are urged to be obedient and submissive to those who lead, because they are caring for each of us. This text is a command from Jehovah, in a perfect way, but it is true that the men assigned to take care of the congregations are imperfect humans. Therefore, we may find it difficult to obey the rules or advice we are given. 

Let us remember that an angel told Peter that he had to eat animals that were impure according to the Moses law, but Peter refused to do it no more and no less than three times. This teaches us that if Peter doubted and denied, what a perfect angel told him. How much more, we can fall into that error by having to obey instructions from imperfect men

16. What did the apostle Paul do when he received instructions that perhaps did not seem very reasonable to him? (Acts 21:23, 24, 26).

Paul knew that Christians were no longer under the law and that he had done nothing wrong. Despite everything, he obeyed immediately. And the story says that the next day, he took these men and ceremonially cleansed himself with them.

Paul demonstrated his faithfulness to Jehovah by obeying the elders of Jerusalem, even though what they were telling him was not very reasonable. They accused him of teaching an apostasy against Moses and asked him to prove that he was not like that. And as we read in the text, Paul obeyed what they told him, for that he had to go to the temple with four men and cleanse himself ceremonially. And thanks to his obedience, he helped the unity between the brothers continue. 

17. What does Stephanie's experience teach you?

Without a doubt, the merger or disappearance of a congregation or group can affect some emotionally. For this reason it can be difficult to obey the principle. However, if we think about the results of obeying and continuing to persevere, it will help us accept the decision and see how important it is to serve Jehovah no matter where it is. Since we can bear fruit in any congregation and use our talents to bless others. 

It teaches us that doing everything possible to obey leaves us with a clear conscience. This sister and her husband served in a foreign-speaking congregation, which the branch in that country decided to cancel. She did not understand what the reason was, but she realized that in the new congregation, there were brothers lacking a spiritual family. So she and her husband were able to become their spiritual families, and provide them with the help that the congregation needed at that time.

18. How does being obedient benefit us?

Jesus learned what obedience is by the things he suffered, and not by living in perfect conditions. Many times, we also learn to be obedient when we go through difficult situations, since obedience prepares us for future situations. 

It is likely that being obedient will sometimes save our lives. For example, let us remember the Covid-19 pandemic. We were asked to stop meeting in the Kingdom halls and not to go preaching from house to house. Most likely we had to make a great effort to obey, but in doing so we stayed United and prepared ourselves individually and as a brotherhood. Keeping this in mind will help us be obedient when we have to obey in the days of the great Tribulation.

Job 36:11 reminds us that if we obey and serve Jehovah, we will end our days in prosperity and our years will be pleasant.

19. Why do you want to be obedient?

In John 3:5, We see that God's love consists of obeying his commandments, and something interesting that the text mentions is that his commandments are not a burden, which means that when we obey we receive many blessings, but above all we decide to obey Jehovah, because we love him and want to please him, since we will never be able to repay him for everything he has done for us.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

Why should young people obey their parents?

Because it is a command from Jehovah, and as such young people must obey it. Even so, sometimes, and for young people, it is difficult to understand that certain prohibitions or advice are to protect us.

Why should we obey “higher authorities”?

Why is there no authority that does not come from God, since the authorities that exist have been placed by God, in their relative positions, which means that if these authorities ask us to do things that go against divine laws, it is there when we stop obeying said authorities.

Why should we follow the instructions of Jehovah's organization?

Because with each trial we go through as a brotherhood, it becomes easier for us to obey the organization when the day of the great tribulation arrives.