Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
Light Blue: Additional Points
“Is there no wisdom among older people? And does not long life give understanding?” (JOB 12:12).
1. Why can older people teach us a lot?
We ALL need guidance to make important decisions in life. Elders and other mature Christians can help us a lot in that regard. Even if they were much older than us, we should not automatically overlook their advice thinking it is old-fashioned. Jehovah wants us to learn from elders. They have had more time than we have to gain experience, understanding, and wisdom (Job 12:12).
2. What will we analyze in this article?
2 In Bible times, Jehovah used faithful older men to encourage and guide his people. Let us think, for example, of Moses, David and the apostle John. They lived in different times, and their circumstances were very different. As they approached the end of their lives, they gave wise advice to the younger ones. These three faithful older men stressed the importance of obeying God. Jehovah made sure that his words of wisdom were recorded for us. Whether young or old, we can all benefit from his counsel (Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16). In this article we will analyze the parting words of these three older men and the lessons we learn from what they said.
“THEY WILL LAST A LONG TIME”
3. In what ways did Jehovah use Moses?
3 Moses served Jehovah faithfully throughout his life. He was a prophet, judge, historian and commander. It is clear that he had experience in many fields of life. He led the nation of Israel when it was freed from slavery in Egypt and was an eyewitness to many of Jehovah's miracles. God used him to write the first five books of the Bible, Psalm 90 and perhaps Psalm 91. He also likely wrote the book of Job.
4. Who did Moses want to encourage and why?
4 Shortly before he died at the age of 120, Moses gathered all the Israelites to remind them of the things they had seen and experienced. Some of them had seen in their youth the miracles performed by Jehovah and how he had punished the Egyptians (Ex. 7:3, 4). They had walked between the water walls of the Red Sea and witnessed the defeat of Pharaoh's army (Ex. 14:29-31). Already in the desert, they had felt the protection and care of Jehovah (Deut. 8:3, 4). And, as the nation was about to enter the Promised Land, Moses took his last opportunity to encourage the people.
5. In his parting words, what future did Moses say the Israelites could have? (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20).
5 What did Moses tell them? (Read Deuteronomy 30:19, 20). The nation of Israel had a wonderful future ahead of it. With Jehovah's blessing, they could live long in the land he had promised them. And what was that land like! Beautiful and fruitful! Moses described it to the nation: “A land with great and good cities that you did not build, houses full of all kinds of good things that you did not work for, cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant” (Deut. . 6:10, 11).
6. Why did God allow other nations to conquer Israel?
6 But Moses also gave the Israelites a warning. If they wanted to continue living in that beautiful land, they had to obey Jehovah's commandments. Moses encouraged them to “choose life” by listening to Jehovah and “clinging to him.” However, the Israelites did not obey Jehovah. So, in time, God allowed the Assyrians and then the Babylonians to conquer them and carry them into exile (2 Kings 17:6-8, 13, 14; 2 Chron. 36:15-17, 20).
7. What can we learn from the words of Moses? (See also images).
7 What is the lesson for us? Obedience results in life. Just as the Israelites were at the gates of the Promised Land, we are about to enter the new world that God has promised. There we will see the Earth converted into a paradise (Is. 35:1; Luke 23:43). The Devil and his demons will be no more (Rev. 20:2, 3). Never again will false religion turn people away from Jehovah (Rev. 17:16). Nor will there be human rulers who oppress the people (Rev. 19:19, 20). And in that Paradise there will be no place for rebels (Ps. 37:10, 11). Everyone will obey Jehovah's righteous laws, which promote unity and peace. As a result, love and trust will reign among all (Isa. 11:9). What a wonderful perspective! Furthermore, if we obey Jehovah, we will be able to continue living on this paradise Earth not only for hundreds of years, but for all eternity (Ps. 37:29; John 3:16).
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. A couple preaches with the cart. The wife shows something encouraging on her phone to a woman who approached the cart. 2. The same couple enjoys a meal with other friends in Paradise. If we obey Jehovah, we will be able to live on a paradise Earth not only for hundreds of years, but for all eternity. (See paragraph 7).
8. How did the promise of eternal life help a missionary? (Jude 20, 21).
8 If we never lose sight of the promise of living forever, we will cling to God no matter what trials we face (read Jude 20:21). This promise also gives us strength to overcome our personal weaknesses. One brother, a long-time missionary in Africa, struggled with a persistent weakness. He said: “Realizing that I could lose eternal life, I decided to fight the problem with all my might and beg Jehovah for help. Thanks to your help, I was able to continue serving you with a good conscience.”
“YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL”
9. What trials did David face during his life?
9 David was a great king. He was also a musician, poet, warrior and prophet. And he faced many trials. For years he lived as a fugitive, fleeing from the envious King Saul. And, already king, David again had to flee for his life when his son Absalom tried to take the throne from him. But, despite his problems and his serious mistakes, he was loyal to God until the end of his life. Jehovah said that he was a man who pleased his heart. That is why it is worth listening to David's advice (Acts 13:22; 1 Kings 15:5).
10. Why did David give advice to his son and successor, Solomon?
10 Take as an example what David said to his son and successor, Solomon. Jehovah had chosen this young man to continue promoting pure worship and to build a temple in his honor (1 Chron. 22:5). Solomon was going to face some difficulties. Let's see what David advised him.
11. What did David say to Solomon, and how did those words turn out to be true? (1 Kings 2:2, 3; see also images.)
11 What did David tell him? (Read 1 Kings 2:2, 3). David told his son that if he obeyed Jehovah, he would be successful in life. And so it was for many years (1 Chron. 29:23-25). Solomon built a magnificent temple, wrote several complete books of the Bible, and helped draft others. He was famous for his wisdom and riches (1 Kings 4:34). But, as David had said, Solomon would only be successful as long as he obeyed Jehovah God. Unfortunately, at the end of his life he began to worship other gods. As a result, Jehovah withdrew his favor and Solomon no longer had the wisdom to rule with justice and righteousness. (1 Kings 11:9, 10; 12:4).
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. David speaks on his deathbed with King Solomon, who takes his hand. 2. Several brothers and sisters attend the Pioneer Service School. A sister raises her hand to comment. David's last words to Solomon help us see that if we obey Jehovah, he will give us wisdom to make good decisions. (See paragraphs 11 and 12).
12. What can we learn from David's words?
12 What is the lesson for us? Obedience results in success (Ps. 1:1-3). Of course, Jehovah does not promise that he will give us the riches and glory of Solomon. But if we obey him, he will give us the wisdom to make good decisions (Prov. 2:6, 7; James 1:5). Its principles are very practical and help us with issues such as employment, education, entertainment and money. Letting ourselves be guided by God's wisdom will prevent us from suffering permanent damage (Prov. 2:10, 11). We will have good friendships and we will have the guidance we need to enjoy a happy family life.
13. How did Carmen manage to be successful in life?
13 Carmen, who lives in Mozambique, thought that the key to success was higher education. So he decided to go to university and study Architecture. “I loved what I was learning,” she said. But it took up a lot of my time and energy. I had classes from seven thirty in the morning until six in the afternoon. It was difficult for me to go to meetings and I became spiritually weak. Deep down I realized that I was trying to serve two masters” (Matt. 6:24). She prayed about this matter and searched our publications for information. And what was the result? “After receiving good advice from mature brothers and my mother, I decided to leave college and serve Jehovah full-time. Thanks to that, I was able to make the best decisions of my life. And I don't regret anything."
14. In essence, what was the advice of Moses and David?
14 Moses and David loved Jehovah and recognized the importance of obeying him. In their parting words, they encouraged those who heard them to imitate them and remain faithful to Jehovah their God. The two also warned them that those who turned away from Jehovah would lose his favor and the blessings they had promised them. Your advice is equally valuable to us. Centuries later, another servant of Jehovah stressed the importance of being faithful to God.
“NOTHING GIVES ME MORE JOY”
15. What experiences did the apostle John have during his life?
15 John was a very beloved apostle of Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:2; John 19:26). He accompanied Jesus during his ministry, witnessed his miracles and stayed by his side in the hardest moments. He was next to him while he was executed and later saw him resurrected. He also witnessed the growth of Christianity in the first century: from its beginnings, when there was only a small group of believers, to the time when the good news had been “preached to all creation under heaven” (Col. 1:23).
16. Who has benefited from John's letters?
16 Nearing the end of his long life, John had the honor of writing down some portions of the inspired Word of God. It recorded the awesome “revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:1). In addition, he wrote the Gospel that bears his name and three inspired letters. He addressed his third letter to a faithful Christian named Gaius, whom he considered a beloved spiritual son (3 John 1). By then, John surely already had many spiritual children. What this faithful elder wrote has encouraged all of Jesus' disciples to this day.
17. According to 3 John 4, what produces great joy?
17 What did John write? (Read 3 John 4). John spoke of the joy that comes from obeying God. By the time he wrote his third letter, some were spreading false teachings and causing divisions. However, others continued to “walk in the truth.” They obeyed Jehovah and were “walking according to his commandments” (2 John 4:6). These faithful Christians not only brought joy to John, but also to Jehovah (Prov. 27:11).
18. What can we learn from John's words?
18 What is the lesson for us? Faithfulness results in joy (1 John 5:3). For example, it gives us great joy to know that we make Jehovah happy. He rejoices when we reject the temptations of the world and accept the truth (Prov. 23:15). His other servants in heaven also rejoice (Luke 15:10). And we are happy when other Christians remain faithful, especially in the face of trials and temptations (2 Thes. 1:4). Then, when this Satan-dominated world passes away, we will have the satisfaction of knowing that we have been loyal to Jehovah.
19. What did a sister say about teaching the truth to others? (See also images).
19 Something that makes us especially happy is teaching the truth. Rachel, who lives in the Dominican Republic, feels that telling others about the wonderful God we serve is an incomparable honor. Thinking of her spiritual children, she says: “I have no words to describe how happy it makes me to see my students come to love Jehovah, learn to trust him, and make changes in their lives to gladden their hearts. This feeling far exceeds any effort and sacrifice I have had to make to teach them.”
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. A sister enjoys giving Bible classes to another woman. 2. Some time later, the sister and her student preach together very happily. It makes us happy to teach others to love and obey Jehovah. (See paragraph 19).
LET US BENEFIT FROM THE FAREWELLING WORDS OF THESE FAITHFUL MEN
20. What do we have in common with Moses, David and John?
20 Moses, David and John lived in different times and circumstances than ours. However, we have a lot in common with them. They served the true God, and so do we. Like them, we pray to Jehovah, trust in him, and look to him for guidance. And, like those men of old, we are convinced that Jehovah generously blesses those who obey him.
21. What blessings await those who follow the counsel of men like Moses, David, and John?
21 Therefore, let us heed the parting words of these older men and obey the commandments of Jehovah. This way we will have true success in everything we do. We will live “a long time,” yes, forever (Deut. 30:20). And we will have the joy of pleasing our loving heavenly Father, who keeps all his promises. We cannot even imagine all the blessings He has in store for us! (Eph. 3:20).
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE FAREWELL WORDS OF...
...Moses?
We learn that obedience results in life. Just as the Israelites were at the gates of the Promised Land, we are about to enter the new world that God has promised. There we will see the Earth converted into a paradise. And in that Paradise there will be no place for rebels. Everyone will obey Jehovah's righteous laws, which promote unity and peace. As a result, love and trust will reign among everyone. Furthermore, if we obey Jehovah, we will be able to continue living on this paradise Earth not only for hundreds of years, but for all eternity.
... David?
We learn that obedience results in success. If we obey Jehovah, He will give us the wisdom to make good decisions. Its principles are very practical and help us with issues such as employment, education, entertainment and money. Letting ourselves be guided by God's wisdom will prevent us from suffering permanent damage. We will have good friendships and we will have the guidance we need to enjoy a happy family life.
... Juan?
We learn that faithfulness results in joy. For example, it gives us great joy to know that we make Jehovah happy. He rejoices when we reject the temptations of the world and accept the truth. His other servants in heaven also rejoice. And we are happy when other Christians remain faithful, especially in the face of trials and temptations. Then, when this Satan-dominated world passes away, we will have the satisfaction of knowing that we have been loyal to Jehovah.
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