Watchtower Study, Week 14 - October 20, 2024, Jehovah Wants Everyone to Repent, Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, Oct 14-20-2024, Jehovah Wants Everyone to Repent, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response

Light Yellow: Additional Answer

Celeste: Extra Points

“Jehovah […] does not desire that any should be destroyed, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

1. What does a repentant person do?

WHEN we do something wrong, it is extremely important that we repent. According to the Bible, a person who is repentant begins to hate the wrong he did, stops acting that way, and is determined not to repeat that mistake (see the Glossary entry for “repentance”).

2. Why do all human beings need to learn about repentance? (Nehemiah 8:9-11).

2 All humans need to learn about repentance. Why? Because we sin every day. Since we are descendants of Adam and Eve, we all sin and die. (Rom. 3:23; 5:12) No one is free from that heritage. Even men of great faith, like the apostle Paul, struggled with sin. (Rom. 7:21-24) But that doesn’t mean we have to spend all day feeling bad because we are sinners. Jehovah is merciful and wants us to be happy. Think of the Jews in Nehemiah’s time. (Read Nehemiah 8:9-11.) Jehovah didn’t want them to feel unduly sad about their sins, but to serve him with joy. He knows that repentance helps us feel happy, so he teaches us about repentance. We are confident that our merciful Father will forgive our sins if we repent.

3. What will we see in this article?

3 In this article, we will learn more about repentance. First, we will look at what Jehovah taught Israel about repentance. Next, we will discuss how Jehovah helped people repent. Finally, we will look at what Jesus’ followers learned about repentance.

WHAT JEHOVAH TAUGHT ISRAEL ABOUT REPENTANCE

4. What did Jehovah teach Israel about repentance?

4 When Jehovah made the Israelites his people, he made a covenant, or formal agreement, with them. Jehovah promised that he would protect and bless them as long as they obeyed his laws. He assured them: “These commandments I am commanding you today are not too hard for you, nor are they beyond your reach.”—Deut. 30:11, 16. But if they rebelled against him—for example, by worshiping other gods—they would lose his approval and suffer the consequences. If that happened, did that mean they could never again regain God’s approval? No, for the Law said they could return to Jehovah their God and listen to his voice.—Deut. 30:1–3, 17–20. In other words, they could repent. And if they did, Jehovah would bring them back and bless them again.

5. How did Jehovah show that he had not given up on his people? (2 Kings 17:13, 14)

5 Jehovah’s chosen people rebelled against him again and again. In addition to practicing idolatry, they did other horrible things. And, of course, they suffered the consequences. But Jehovah did not give up on them. Instead, he sent prophet after prophet to encourage them to repent and return to him . —Read 2 Kings 17:13, 14.

6. How did Jehovah use prophets to teach his people the importance of repentance? (See also image.)

6 Jehovah often sent his prophets to warn and correct his people. For example, he said through Jeremiah: “Return, O rebellious Israel… I will not look upon you in anger, for I am loyal… I will not resent you forever. Just acknowledge your guilt, because you have rebelled against Jehovah.” —Jer. 3:12, 13. He said through Joel: “Return to me with all your heart.” —Joel 2:12, 13. He had Isaiah declare: “Cleanse yourselves; remove your wicked deeds from my sight; stop doing evil things.” —Isa. 1:16–19. And through Ezekiel he asked: “Does it give me any pleasure if someone dies?… Would I not prefer that he forsake his ways and live?” “I take no pleasure in anyone’s death… So return to me and live.” —Ezek. 18:23, 32. Jehovah is very happy when people repent of their sins because he wants them to live forever. As we see, he does not sit back, so to speak, and wait until the person decides to return and only then does he offer help. Let us look at some more examples.

ILLUSTRATION

Pictures of prophets whom Jehovah sent to correct his people: 1. Joel: about 820 B.C.E. 2. Hosea: after 745 B.C.E. 3. Isaiah: after 732 B.C.E. 4. Ezekiel: about 591 B.C.E. 5. Jeremiah: 580 B.C.E. Jehovah used many prophets to help his people repent of their sins. (See paragraphs 6 and 7.)

7. What did Jehovah teach his people through the example of Hosea and his wife?

7 Consider what Jehovah taught his people through the prophet Hosea and his wife, Gomer. She committed adultery and later left Hosea for other men. Did Jehovah see her as a hopeless case? He, who can see into the hearts of people, told Hosea: “Go again, love the woman who is loved by another man and is committing adultery, just as Jehovah loves the people of Israel while they follow other gods.”—Hos. 3:1; Prov. 16:2. Remember, Gomer was still sinning gravely. Yet Jehovah told Hosea to take the initiative to forgive her and reconcile with her. With this real-life example, Jehovah taught his people that he had not given up on them. Even though they continued to commit terrible sins, he had not stopped loving them, and he continued to send prophets to them and help them repent and change their lives. So does this mean that Jehovah, “who examines the hearts,” will try to help someone who is still committing serious sin to repentance? (Prov. 17:3) Let’s see.

HOW JEHOVAH HELPS SINNERS TO REPENT

8. What did Jehovah do to help Cain repent? (Genesis 4:3-7; see also image).

8 Cain was Adam and Eve’s firstborn son. He inherited their tendency to sin. The Bible also says that “his own actions were evil.” —1 John 3:12. Perhaps that’s why when Cain offered a sacrifice, Jehovah “did not approve of Cain and his offering.” But instead of changing his attitude, “Cain became angry and very disappointed.” What did Jehovah do? He talked to Cain. (Read Genesis 4:3-7.) Jehovah lovingly reasoned with him. He assured him that he could regain Jehovah’s approval and warned him of the danger of his bad behavior. Sadly, Cain did not listen to Jehovah or let Him help him repent. What did Jehovah do when he received that negative response? Did he decide that he would never help anyone else repent? Of course not!

ILLUSTRATION

Cain, club in hand, is on his way to kill Abel. He turns to hear the voice of Jehovah speaking to him from heaven. Jehovah reasoned with Cain in a loving way. He assured him that he could regain Jehovah's approval and warned him of the danger of his misbehavior. (See paragraph 8.)

9. How did Jehovah help David to repent?

9 Jehovah loved King David very much. He described him as “a man who pleases my heart.”—Acts 13:22. But David committed serious sins, including adultery and murder, and according to the Law of Moses he deserved to die.—Lev. 20:10; Num. 35:31. But Jehovah, being a good man, intervened and sent the prophet Nathan to speak to him, even though David had not shown any signs of repentance.  Nathan used a parable to touch David’s heart. Then the king realized that he had sinned against Jehovah and repented. —2 Sam. 12:1–14. He wrote a moving psalm that shows how badly he felt.—Ps. 51, opening verse. Throughout history, this psalm has comforted and motivated many people who have sinned to repent. Aren't we glad that Jehovah lovingly helped his beloved servant David to repent?

10. How does it make you feel to know that Jehovah is patient with us and forgives us?

10 Jehovah does not tolerate any kind of sin. He hates all kinds . (Ps. 5:4, 5) But he knows that we are all sinners, and because he loves us, he has decided to help us fight against sin. He always tries to help even the worst sinners repent and draw close to him. How comforting to know that! When we meditate on Jehovah’s patience and forgiveness, we are motivated to remain faithful and to repent quickly when we sin. Now let’s see what Jesus’ followers learned about repentance.

What Jesus' followers learned about repentance

11, 12. What parable did Jesus tell to show that his Father is always willing to forgive? (See image.)

11 By the first century, the time had come for the Messiah to come. As we saw in the previous article, Jehovah used both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ to teach people the importance of repentance. —Matt. 3:1, 2; 4:17.

12 During his ministry, Jesus taught that his Father is always ready to forgive. He made this clear when he told the touching parable of the lost son. The young man decided to leave home and live a wild life. But after a time, he “came to his senses” and returned. How did his father react? Jesus said that while the son “was still a long way off, his father saw him and was deeply moved. He ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him tenderly.” The son was about to ask his father to let him become one of his workers. But the father was eager to forgive him and accept him back into the family. He said: “This son of mine . . . was lost and has been found.”—Luke 15:11–32 Before Jesus came to earth, he must have seen many times how Jehovah showed compassion to repentant sinners. That is why he was able to describe our Father’s mercy in such a beautiful and moving way.

ILLUSTRATION

The lost son in Jesus' parable bows down before his father, who runs to embrace him. In Jesus' parable, the father runs to embrace his son, who was lost but has returned home. (See paragraphs 11 and 12.)

13, 14. What did the apostle Peter learn about repentance, and what did he teach on this topic? (See also image.)

13 The apostle Peter learned many lessons about repentance and forgiveness from Jesus. Peter made many mistakes, and Jesus was always willing to forgive him. For example, Peter denied Jesus three times and was later crushed by guilt (Matt. 26:34, 35, 69–75). But after Jesus was resurrected, he appeared to Peter, apparently privately (Luke 24:33, 34; 1 Cor. 15:3–5). Jesus knew Peter was repentant, so He surely took the opportunity to comfort him and reassure him that He had forgiven him (see Mark 16:7 and study note “and to Peter”).

14 Peter experienced firsthand what it was like to repent and receive forgiveness. So he was able to teach others about these issues. Sometime after the Feast of Pentecost, he gave a speech to a crowd of Jews in which he told them that they had killed the Messiah, but he lovingly added: “So repent and turn around, so that your sins may be wiped out, and Jehovah himself may bring times of relief.” (Acts 3:14, 15, 17, 19) With those words, he showed that anyone who repents must turn around—that is, change his way of thinking, abandon the wrong path, and begin walking on the right path, doing things that please God. The apostle said that Jehovah would wipe out their sins, making them completely disappear. And many years later, he explained: “He is patient with you because he does not want any to be destroyed, but that all to come to repentance.” —2 Pet. 3:9. How wonderful it is to know that Jehovah can forgive us completely, even if we commit very serious sins!

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. The apostle Peter cries inconsolably. 2. The resurrected Jesus comforts Peter. The apostle Peter was repentant, so Jesus forgave him and confirmed his love for him. (See paragraphs 13 and 14.)

15, 16. a) How did Paul learn about forgiveness? (1 Timothy 1:12-15). b) What will we see in the next article?

15 Few people have had to repent of as many things as Saul of Tarsus. He cruelly and relentlessly persecuted Christ’s followers. So surely, to most of them, it seemed impossible for him to change. But a).  Jesus did not have such a narrow view. Both he and his Father noticed Saul’s good qualities. Jesus said, “This man is a chosen instrument of mine.”—Acts 9:15. He even used a miracle to help him repent.—Acts 7:58–8:3; 9:1–9, 17–20. Later, when Saul became a Christian and was known as the apostle Paul, he often gave thanks for the kindness and mercy with which Jehovah and Jesus had treated him. (Read 1 Timothy 1:12–15.) Thankfully, he taught: “In his kindness God is trying to lead you to repentance.”—Rom. 2:4.

16 b).  On one occasion, Paul heard that there was a scandal about sexual immorality in the congregation at Corinth. How did he handle the problem? What he did teaches us much about Jehovah's love and discipline, and about the importance of showing mercy. We will analyze the account in detail in the next article.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?

What did Jehovah teach the Israelites about repentance?

He was clear with them. He told them that if they disobeyed, they would lose his approval and suffer the consequences. But all would not be lost for them, because they would have the option to repent, return to him and listen to his voice, and he would bless them.

How has Jehovah helped sinners to repent?

Jehovah has given them clear and kind counsel about the course they are taking, and the results as well. He has kindly urged them to repent and do right. This was true of Cain and others. Jehovah does not force anyone to repent; in the end each person makes his own decision. 

What did Jesus' followers learn about repentance?

They learned it firsthand, they had Christ in person, who patiently instructed them, advised them, and forgave them when they failed him, for example the apostle Peter, Paul, etc.

The scriptures mention the story of the lost son or prodigal son, with which Christ showed that God is willing to forgive those who are truly repentant.