Watchtower Study, Week August 19-25, 2024, Let us stay in the tent of Jehovah forever, Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, August 19-25, 2024, Let us stay in the tent of Jehovah forever, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response

Light Yellow: Additional Response

Light Blue: Additional Points

“O Jehovah, who can be a guest in your tent?” (PSA. 15:1).

1. What does Psalm 15:1-5 help us?

IN THE previous article, we learned that Jehovah's dedicated servants can be guests in his symbolic tent by cultivating an intimate friendship with him. But how can we achieve such a close relationship? Psalm 15 helps us find the answer, as it contains very useful lessons for growing closer to God (read Psalm 15:1-5).

2. What might David have been thinking about when he mentioned Jehovah's tent?

2 Psalm 15 begins by saying, “O Lord, who can be a guest in your tent? Who can reside in your holy mountain?” (Ps. 15:1). When mentioning the “tent” of Jehovah, it is possible that the psalmist David was thinking of the tabernacle, which he was in Gibeon for a time. David also mentions God's “holy mountain,” perhaps referring to Zion in Jerusalem. There, several miles south of Gibeon, David prepared a tent to house the ark of the covenant until a more permanent location could be built (2 Sam. 6:17).

3. Why should we be interested in Psalm 15? (See also the image).

3 Of course, most of the Israelites were never able to serve in the tabernacle, much less enter the tent where the ark of the covenant was kept. But all of Jehovah's faithful servants could be guests in his symbolic tent if they cultivated their friendship with him. And that's what we all want. Psalm 15 points out some qualities that we must develop to continue being friends of Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION

Some Israelites walking along a road and entering a large tent or tent. For the Israelites of David's time, the idea of ​​being guests in Jehovah's tent was an easy image to understand. (See paragraph 3).

LET US WALK IN A FLAWLESS MANNER AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT

4. How do we know that being baptized is not enough to have Jehovah's approval? (Isaiah 48:1)

4 In Psalm 15:2 the friend of God is spoken of as “one who walks blamelessly” and “one who does what is right.” The verbs walk and do imply in this case a constant and progressive action. Now, can we really behave “in a blameless manner”? Yes, we can. Although we are all imperfect, Jehovah will consider us walking blamelessly if we do our best to obey him. Dedicating ourselves to God and getting baptized is just the beginning of the path. Let us remember that, in biblical times, it was not enough to be an Israelite to be a guest of Jehovah. Some called upon God, although they did not do so “with sincerity or justice” (read Isaiah 48:1). Those who were truly sincere had to learn Jehovah's standards and follow them. The same thing happens today: to have God's approval, it is not enough to be baptized and be part of the Christian congregation. We must continue doing “what is right.” And what does this include?

5. What does it mean for Jehovah to walk blamelessly and do what is right?

5 From Jehovah’s point of view, “he who walks blamelessly” and “does what is right” is not the one who simply goes to a place of worship every week.​—1 Sam. 15:22. Christians must strive to obey God in every aspect of our lives, even when we are alone (Prov. 3:6; Eccl. 12:13, 14). It is important that we try to obey Jehovah even in things that may seem insignificant to us. By doing so, we will show that we love him and endear him to him (John 14:23; 1 John 5:3).

6. According to Hebrews 6:10-12, why is it not enough that we have been faithful in the past?

6 Jehovah greatly values ​​everything we have done for him. But having been faithful in the past is not enough to remain in Jehovah's tent, as highlighted in Hebrews 6:10-12 (read it). Although Jehovah does not forget any of our good deeds, he wants us to continue serving him wholeheartedly “until the end.” “If we do not get tired,” he will reward us with his friendship for all eternity (Gal. 6:9).

LET'S SPEAK THE TRUTH IN THE HEART

7. What does it mean to speak the truth from the heart?

7 Psalm 15:2 notes that the person whom Jehovah invites into his tent “speaks the truth in his heart.” It's not just about not lying. Jehovah wants us to be sincere and honest in all things (Heb. 13:18). This is important, “for Jehovah hates crooked people, but he has close friendship with those who are upright” (Prov. 3:32).

8. What bad behavior do we have to avoid?

8 He who “speaks the truth in his heart” does not pretend to obey God's laws in public and then disobey them in private (Isa. 29:13). That way of acting would be twisted, and we want to avoid it. How does a person fall into that trap? He may begin by doubting the wisdom of some of Jehovah’s standards (James 1:5-8). He may disobey you in matters that seem insignificant to you. Then, if he sees that his bad behavior has no consequences, he may become emboldened and do worse things. As a result, worship of him becomes pure hypocrisy (Eccl. 8:11). We, on the other hand, want to be sincere and honest in all things.

9. What does what happened when Jesus met Nathanael teach us? (See also the image).

9 Having a sincere heart is very important, as we see from what happened the day Jesus met Nathanael. When Philip brought his friend Nathanael to meet Jesus, something surprising happened. Although Jesus had never seen Nathanael, he said, “Look, surely an Israelite in whom there is no guile” (John 1:47). It is obvious that Jesus knew the sincerity of his other disciples, but in the case of Nathanael he saw that this quality was extraordinary. Although Nathanael was as imperfect as any of us, he was totally authentic and genuine. Jesus admired his sincerity and congratulated him for it. It would be an honor if Jesus could say the same about us!

ILLUSTRATION

Philip speaking and pointing with his hand towards Jesus. When Philip presented him, Jesus said that there was no deception in Nathanael. Could he say the same about us? (See paragraph 9).

10. Why should we control the tongue? (James 1:26).

10 Most of the requirements mentioned in Psalm 15 have to do with how to treat others. Psalm 15:3 declares that the person whom Jehovah welcomes into his tent “does not slander with his tongue, does no evil to his neighbor, and does not tarnish the reputation of his friends.” Using the tongue badly would not only cause a lot of harm to others; It would also prevent us from being guests of Jehovah (read James 1:26).

11. What is slander, and what action is taken when a slanderer does not repent?

11 The Psalmist specifically mentions slander. What is slander? Generally speaking, it is a false accusation that can damage someone's reputation. Unrepentant slanderers are removed from the Christian congregation (Jer. 17:10).

12, 13. In what situations might we unintentionally tarnish the reputations of our friends? (See also the image).

12 Psalm 15:3 also reminds us that Jehovah’s guest “does no evil to his neighbor and does not tarnish the reputation of his friends.” How could we tarnish the reputation of our friends?

13 We might unintentionally defame someone by saying negative things about them. Let's think about the following situations: 1) a sister leaves full-time service, 2) a couple leaves Bethel or 3) it is announced that a brother is no longer an elder or ministerial servant. Should we speculate about the causes of these changes and discuss our opinion with others? It is very possible that we do not know all the details. And let us remember that the guest in Jehovah's tent “does nothing bad to his neighbor and does not tarnish the reputation of his friends.”

ILLUSTRATION

Two brothers talking during a meeting at the Kingdom Hall. One of them is frowning and points to a brother who is presenting a speech at the meeting. It is easy to make negative comments about others and even border on slander. (See paragraphs 12 and 13).

LET US HONOR THOSE WHO FEAR JEHOVAH

14. How does Jehovah's guest know if someone is “despicable” and should be rejected?

14 Psalm 15:4 says that the friend of Jehovah “rejects everyone who is contemptible.” But how do we know if someone is “despicable”? Because we are imperfect, we cannot trust our judgment. Because? Because, because of their way of being, we simply like some people and irritate us with others. So we should reject only people whom Jehovah considers contemptible (1 Cor. 5:11). These include those who practice sin and do not repent, those who disrespect our faith and beliefs, and those who attempt to harm our friendship with Jehovah.​—Prov. 13:20.

15. What is one way to honor “those who fear Jehovah”?

15 On the other hand, Psalm 15:4 tells us that we should honor “those who fear the Lord.” So we look for ways to show kindness and respect to God's friends (Rom. 12:10). What is a way to do it? Psalm 15:4 says that the guest in Jehovah's tent “does not fail to fulfill what he promises even if he loses.” If we break our promises, we could hurt others (Matt. 5:37). For example, Jehovah expects his guests to fulfill his marriage vow. He also wants parents to strive to keep the promises they make to their children. Since we love God and our neighbors, we will do everything possible to keep our word.

16. How else do we honor Jehovah's friends?

16 Another way to honor God's friends is to be hospitable and generous (Rom. 12:13). When we include our brothers and sisters in our leisure time, our bonds of friendship with them and with Jehovah are strengthened. Furthermore, by being hospitable, we are imitating Jehovah.

LET'S STAY FREE FROM THE LOVE OF MONEY

17. Why is money talked about in Psalm 15?

17 Psalm 15 goes on to say that Jehovah's guest “does not lend money at interest and does not accept a bribe to harm the innocent” (Ps. 15:5). Why is money talked about in this very short psalm? Because it is easy to lose balance and fall into the love of money. If that were to happen to us, we could harm others and ruin our friendship with God (1 Tim. 6:10). In Bible times, some took advantage of their poor brothers by charging them interest when they made a loan. There were also judges who accepted bribes to convict innocent people. Jehovah hates all these practices (Ezek. 22:12).

18. What questions should we ask ourselves? (Hebrews 13:5).

18 It is important that we analyze our attitude towards money. Let's ask ourselves: “Am I always thinking about money and what I want to buy? If someone lends me money, do I delay paying it back to them thinking they don't need it? Do I feel important because I have money? Is it difficult for me to be generous? Do I consider that all brothers who have money are materialistic? "Do I like to be friends with the rich and leave aside the poor?" We have the great privilege of being guests of Jehovah. Let's not lose it! Let us remain free from the love of money. If we do this, Jehovah will never leave us (read Hebrews 13:5).

JEHOVAH LOVES HIS FRIENDS

19. Why has Jehovah given us the requirements found in Psalm 15?

19 Psalm 15 ends with this promise: “Nothing will ever shake anyone who does this” (Ps. 15:5). In this way, the psalmist tells us that Jehovah has given us these requirements because he wants us to be happy. Hence he teaches us how to obtain his blessing and protection (Is. 48:17).

20. What wonderful future awaits Jehovah's guests?

20 A wonderful future awaits Jehovah's guests who remain faithful. The anointed will be welcomed into heaven, where Jesus has prepared “many places to live” for them (John 14:2). Other Christians on Earth will enjoy the blessings promised in Revelation 21:3. What a great honor to have received the beautiful invitation to be friends of Jehovah! We can be guests in his tent for all eternity!

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

What does it mean to walk blamelessly and do what is right?

It does not mean going to the Kingdom Hall every week. It means striving to obey God in every aspect of our lives, even though we are alone. For this reason, it is important that we try to obey Jehovah even in things that may seem insignificant to us, even personal things such as alcohol consumption, music and videos.

What should we do and what should we avoid to honor “those who fear Jehovah”?

Jehovah expects his guests to fulfill their marriage vow. He also wants parents to strive to keep the promises they make to their children. Since we love God and our neighbors, we will do everything possible to keep our word.

Another way to honor God's friends is to be hospitable and generous. When we include our brothers and sisters in our leisure time, our bonds of friendship with them and with Jehovah are strengthened. Furthermore, by being hospitable, we are imitating Jehovah.

Why is it important to have a balanced attitude towards money?

Because it is easy to lose balance and fall into the love of money. If that were to happen to us, we could harm others and ruin our friendship with God. In Bible times, some took advantage of their poor brothers by buying them interest when they made a loan. There were also judges who accepted bribes to convict innocent people. Jehovah hates all these practices.