MWBR17 01 Laif ahn Minischri Meetin Werkbuk Risaach Infamayshan
JANIWERI 2-8
CHREZHAZ FAHN DI WERD A GAAD | ISAIAH 24-28
“Jehoava Tek Kayr a Ih Peepl”
(Isaiah 25:4, 5) For you have become a stronghold to the lowly, A stronghold to the poor in his distress, A refuge from the rainstorm, And a shade from the heat. When the blast of the tyrants is like a rainstorm against a wall, 5 As the heat in a parched land, You subdue the uproar of strangers. Like heat is subdued by the shadow of a cloud, So the song of the tyrants is silenced.
ip-1-E 272 ¶5
Jehovah’s Hand Becomes High
5 Although fearsome when viewed by his enemies, Jehovah is a refuge to the meek and humble who want to serve him. Religious and political tyrants may try everything to break the faith of true worshipers, but they fail because these have absolute confidence in Jehovah. Eventually, he easily silences his opposers, doing so as if he were covering the burning desert sun with a cloud or blocking the force of a rainstorm with a wall.—Read Isaiah 25:4, 5.
(Isaiah 25:6) In this mountain Jehovah of armies will make for all the peoples A banquet of rich dishes, A banquet of fine wine, Of rich dishes filled with marrow, Of fine, filtered wine.
w16.05-E 24 ¶4
Benefit Fully From Jehovah’s Provisions
4 In addition to publications for Jehovah’s Witnesses in general, we receive Bible-based material that appeals to specific groups. Some material is especially designed to help young people; other material assists their parents. Much of the material in print and on our website is prepared with the non-Witness public in mind. Such an abundance of spiritual food reminds us that Jehovah has kept his promise to “make for all the peoples a banquet of rich dishes.”—Isa. 25:6.
ip-1 273 ¶6-7
Jehovah’s Hand Becomes High
‘A Banquet for All the Peoples’
6 Like a loving father, Jehovah not only protects but also feeds his children, especially in a spiritual way. After liberating his people in 1919, he set before them a victory banquet, an abundant supply of spiritual food: “Jehovah of armies will certainly make for all the peoples, in this mountain, a banquet of well-oiled dishes, a banquet of wine kept on the dregs, of well-oiled dishes filled with marrow, of wine kept on the dregs, filtered.”—Isaiah 25:6.
7 The banquet is spread in Jehovah’s “mountain.” What is this mountain? It is “the mountain of the house of Jehovah” to which all nations stream “in the final part of the days.” It is Jehovah’s “holy mountain,” where his faithful worshipers do no harm and cause no ruin. (Isaiah 2:2; 11:9) In this elevated place of worship, Jehovah spreads his lush banquet for faithful ones. And the spiritual good things now supplied so generously foreshadow the physical good things that will be provided when God’s Kingdom becomes the sole government of mankind. Then hunger will be no more. “There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountains there will be an overflow.”—Psalm 72:8, 16.
(Isaiah 25:7, 8) In this mountain he will do away with the shroud that is enveloping all the peoples And the covering that is woven over all the nations. 8 He will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces. The reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, For Jehovah himself has spoken it.
w14-E 9/15 26 ¶15
The Last Enemy, Death, Brought to Nothing
15 By the end of the thousand years of Kingdom rule, obedient mankind will have been liberated from all enemies introduced by Adam’s disobedience. The Bible says: “Just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive. But each one in his own proper order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ [his joint rulers] during his presence. Next, the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing.” (1 Cor. 15:22-26) Yes, death inherited from Adam will at last be done away with. “The shroud” that entraps the entire human family will have been removed forever.—Isa. 25:7, 8.
ip-1-E 273-274 ¶8-9
Jehovah’s Hand Becomes High
8 Those who now partake of the divinely provided spiritual feast have glorious prospects. Listen to Isaiah’s next words. Comparing sin and death to a suffocating “woven work,” or “envelopment,” he says: “In this mountain [Jehovah] will certainly swallow up the face of the envelopment that is enveloping over all the peoples, and the woven work that is interwoven upon all the nations. He will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.”—Isaiah 25:7, 8a.
9 Yes, no more sin and death! (Revelation 21:3, 4) Moreover, the lying reproach that Jehovah’s servants have endured for thousands of years will also be done away with. “The reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for Jehovah himself has spoken it.” (Isaiah 25:8b) How will this happen? Jehovah will remove the source of that reproach, Satan and his seed. (Revelation 20:1-3) Little wonder that God’s people will be moved to exclaim: “Look! This is our God. We have hoped in him, and he will save us. This is Jehovah. We have hoped in him. Let us be joyful and rejoice in the salvation by him.”—Isaiah 25:9.
Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz
(Isaiah 26:15) You have enlarged the nation, O Jehovah, You have enlarged the nation; You have glorified yourself. You have greatly extended all the borders of the land.
w15-E 7/15 11 ¶18
Work to Enhance the Spiritual Paradise
YOUR SHARE IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE SPIRITUAL PARADISE
18 It is an honor to be allowed by Jehovah to contribute to the beauty of our spiritual paradise. We do that by zealously preaching the Kingdom good news and making more disciples. Each time we help a person progress to Christian dedication, we have worked to extend the borders of the spiritual paradise.—Isa. 26:15; 54:2.
(Isaiah 26:20) Go, my people, enter your inner rooms, And shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a brief moment Until the wrath has passed by.
w13-E 3/15 23 ¶15-16
Jehovah—Our Place of Dwelling
OUR “REAL DWELLING” AS THE END APPROACHES
15 As Satan’s world nears its end, its “pangs of distress” will get worse. (Matt. 24:7, 8) Things will definitely get worse during the great tribulation. Infrastructures will collapse, and people will fear for their very lives. (Hab. 3:16, 17) Out of sheer desperation, they will, as it were, seek refuge “in the caves and in the rock-masses of the mountains.” (Rev. 6:15-17) But neither literal caves nor mountainlike political and commercial organizations will afford any protection.
16 Jehovah’s people, however, will continue to enjoy the safety of their “real dwelling,” Jehovah God. Like the prophet Habakkuk, they “will exult in Jehovah himself.” They “will be joyful in the God of [their] salvation.” (Hab. 3:18) In what ways will Jehovah prove to be “a real dwelling” during that tumultuous time? We will have to wait and see. But of this we can be sure: Like the Israelites at the time of the Exodus, the “great crowd” will remain organized, ever alert to divine direction. (Rev. 7:9; read Exodus 13:18.) That direction will come theocratically, probably by means of the congregation arrangement. Indeed, the many thousands of congregations around the world appear to be linked to the protective “interior rooms” foretold at Isaiah 26:20. (Read.) Do you value the congregation meetings? Do you act promptly on the direction Jehovah provides through the congregation arrangement?—Heb. 13:17.
Baibl Reedin
(Isaiah 28:1-13) Chrobl fi di prowd krong a di jronkad dehn fahn Eefrayim An ih raayal byooti weh di fayd weh laik wahn blaasam, Weh deh da di hed a di fertail vali a dehn wan weh wain tek oava! 2 Luk! Jehoava ga sohnbadi weh schrang ahn powaful. Laik wahn haylstaam wid tonda, ahn wahn staam weh du wahn lata damij, Laik wahn tondastaam weh kohn wid schrang flod waata, Hihn wahn dash it dong pahn di ert. 3 Di prowd krong a di jronkad dehn fahn Eefrayim Wahn geh chrampl op pahn di grong. 4 An ih raayal byooti weh di fayd weh laik wahn blaasam, Weh deh da di hed a di fertail vali, Wahn ton laik di erli fig bifoa soma. Wen sohnbadi see’t, ih wahn swala it az soon az ih get it eena ih han. 5 Eena da day Jehoava a aamiz wahn bee laik wahn raayal krong ahn wahn byootiful krong wid flowaz tu ih peepl weh lef bihain. 6 Ahn hihn wahn bee wahn spirit a jostis tu di wan weh di sidong eena jojment, ahn hihn wahn gi powa tu dehn wan weh di ton bak di atak da di gayt. 7 Ahn dehn schray weh sayka dehn wain; Dehn alkaholik jrink mek dehn staga. Prees ahn prafit di schray weh sayka alkahol; Di wain di kanfyooz dehn, Ahn dehn staga fahn dehn alkahol; Dehn vizhan mek dehn schray weh, Ahn dehn stombl eena jojment. 8 Dehn taybl ful op a naasti vamit—No way deh weh noh mes op wid it. 9 Tu hoo hihn wahn gi nalij, Ahn tu hoo ih wahn eksplayn di mesij? Tu dehn wan weh jos stap jrink milk, Dehn wan weh jos stap bres feed? 10 Bikaaz da “koman afta koman, koman afta koman, Lain bai lain, lain bai lain, Wahn lee bit ya, wahn lee bit deh.” 11 Da chroo dehn wan weh di stama wen dehn di taak, ahn chroo wahn difrent langwij, hihn wahn taak tu dis peepl. 12 Hihn mi tel dehn wahn taim: “Dis da di plays fi res. Mek di wan weh taiyad res; dis da di plays fi rilaks,” bot dehn rifyooz fi lisn. 13 Sayka dat di werd a Jehoava wahn bee: “Koman afta koman, koman afta koman, Lain bai lain, lain bai lain, Wahn lee bit ya, wahn lee bit deh,” Soh dat wen dehn waak, Dehn wahn chrip dong ahn jrap bakway Ahn dehn wahn geh hert, geh chrap, ahn geh kech.
JANIWERI 9-15
CHREZHAZ FAHN DI WERD A GAAD | ISAIAH 29-33
“Wahn King Weh Wahn Rool fi Raichosnis”
(Isaiah 32:1) Look! A king will reign for righteousness, And princes will rule for justice.
w14-E 2/15 6 ¶13
Hail Christ, the Glorious King!
13 Christ also sallies forth ‘in the cause of righteousness.’ The righteousness that the King defends is “God’s righteousness”—Jehovah’s standards of what is right and what is wrong. (Rom. 3:21; Deut. 32:4) About the King Jesus Christ, Isaiah prophesied: “A king will reign for righteousness.” (Isa. 32:1) Jesus’ reign will usher in the promised “new heavens” and “new earth,” wherein “righteousness is to dwell.” (2 Pet. 3:13) Every inhabitant of that new world will be required to conform to Jehovah’s standards.—Isa. 11:1-5.
(Isaiah 32:2) And each one will be like a hiding place from the wind, A place of concealment from the rainstorm, Like streams of water in a waterless land, Like the shadow of a massive crag in a parched land.
ip-1-E 332-334 ¶7-8
he King and His Princes
7 In his great prophecy describing the distressful “conclusion of the system of things,” Jesus said: “See that you are not terrified.” (Matthew 24:3-8) Why are Jesus’ followers not terrified by today’s dangerous world conditions? One reason is that the “princes”—whether they be anointed or “other sheep”—are loyally protecting the flock. (John 10:16) They fearlessly care for their brothers and sisters, even in the face of such horrors as ethnic wars and genocide. In a spiritually exhausted world, they see to it that depressed souls are refreshed by the upbuilding truths of God’s Word, the Bible.
8 During the past 50 years, the “princes” have come clearly into view. “Princes” who are of the other sheep are being trained as a developing “chieftain” class so that after the great tribulation, qualified ones from among them will be ready for appointment to serve in an administrative capacity in the “new earth.” (Ezekiel 44:2, 3; 2 Peter 3:13) By providing spiritual guidance and refreshment as they take the lead in Kingdom service, they are proving themselves to be “like the shadow of a heavy crag,” bringing relief to the flock in its realm of worship.
(Isaiah 32:3, 4) Then the eyes of those seeing will no longer be pasted shut, And the ears of those hearing will pay attention. 4 The heart of those who are impetuous will ponder over knowledge, And the stammering tongue will speak fluently and clearly.
ip-1-E 334-335 ¶10-11
The King and His Princes
Paying Attention With Eyes, Ears, and Hearts
10 How have the great crowd responded to Jehovah’s theocratic arrangement? The prophecy continues: “The eyes of those seeing will not be pasted together, and the very ears of those hearing will pay attention.” (Isaiah 32:3) Over the years, Jehovah has provided for the instruction and bringing to maturity of his precious servants. The Theocratic Ministry School and other meetings operating in the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide; the district, national, and international conventions; as well as the specialized training of the “princes” to treat the flock with loving care have all contributed to the building up of a united, global brotherhood of millions. Wherever these shepherds are on earth, their ears are wide open to adjustments in understanding of the advancing word of truth. With Bible-trained consciences, they are ever ready to hear and to obey.—Psalm 25:10.
11 The prophecy then cautions: “The heart itself of those who are overhasty will consider knowledge, and even the tongue of the stammerers will be quick in speaking clear things.” (Isaiah 32:4) Let no one be overhasty in drawing conclusions about what is right and what is wrong. The Bible says: “Have you beheld a man hasty with his words? There is more hope for someone stupid than for him.” (Proverbs 29:20; Ecclesiastes 5:2) Before 1919, even Jehovah’s people were tainted with Babylonish ideas. But starting in that year, Jehovah has given them a clearer understanding of his purposes. They have found the truths he has revealed to be, not overhasty, but well thought out, and they are now speaking with the certainty of belief, not stammering with uncertainty.
Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz
(Isaiah 30:21) And your own ears will hear a word behind you saying, “This is the way. Walk in it,” in case you should go to the right or in case you should go to the left.
w14-E 8/15 21 ¶2
Hear Jehovah’s Voice Wherever You Are
2 Today, Jehovah guides his people by means of the Bible, his holy spirit, and the congregation. (Acts 9:31; 15:28; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17) The guidance that we receive from him is so clear that it is as if ‘our own ears hear a word behind us saying: “This is the way. Walk in it.”’ (Isa. 30:21) In effect, Jesus also conveys Jehovah’s voice to us as he directs the congregation through “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45) We need to take this guidance and direction seriously, for our everlasting life depends on our obedience.—Heb. 5:9.
(Isaiah 33:22) For Jehovah is our Judge, Jehovah is our Lawgiver, Jehovah is our King; He is the One who will save us.
w14-E 10/15 14 ¶4
You Will Become “a Kingdom of Priests”
4 The Law covenant went into effect at Mount Sinai in 1513 B.C.E. By means of that covenant, the ancient nation of Israel was set apart as God’s chosen nation. Jehovah now became ‘their Judge, their Lawgiver, and their King.’ (Isa. 33:22) The history of Israel provides a record of what happens when God’s righteous standards are either observed or ignored. Since the Law forbade intermarrying with pagans and participation in false worship, it was designed to prevent Abraham’s line of descent from being contaminated.—Ex. 20:4-6; 34:12-16.
Baibl Reedin
(Isaiah 30:22-33) Ahn unu wahn doti unu imij dehn weh kova wid silva weh unu kaav owt, ahn unu metal stachu dehn weh kova wid goal. Yu wahn chroa dehn weh jos laik di klaat weh laydi yooz joorin dehn taim a di mont, ahn yu wahn seh tu dehn, “Goh fahn ya!” 23 Ahn hihn wahn gi di rayn fi wet di seed weh yu plaant eena di grong, ahn di food weh di grong projoos wahn bee plenti ahn rich. Pan da day yu animal dehn wahn di feed eena oapm paascha. 24 Ahn di kyatl ahn di dongki dehn weh di werk di grong wahn eet food weh seezn wid saril, weh peepl fan owt wid di shovl ahn di pichfaak. 25 Ahn pahn tap a evri taal mongtin ahn evri hai hil, sohn krik ahn riva wahn deh, pan di day a di big slaata wen di towa dehn jrap. 26 Ahn di lait fahn di ful moon wahn bee laik di lait fahn di son; ahn di lait fahn di son wahn bee sevn taim braita, laik di lait a sevn dayz, pan di day wen Jehoava ban op ih peepl weh mi geh inja, ahn heel di wan weh geh kot bad fahn di lik weh ih mi gi dehn. 27 Luk! Di naym a Jehoava di kohn fahn sohnweh faar, Ih di bon hat wid anga ahn ih di bring sohn klowd weh hevi. Ih lip dehn ful op a raichos anga, An ih tong da laik wahn faiya weh di bon op evriting. 28 Ih bret da laik wahn riva weh di flod op tu di nek, Fi shayk di nayshan dehn eena wahn schrayna a dischrokshan; Ahn di peepl wahn ga wahn braidl eena dehn jaa weh wahn mek dehn goh aschray. 29 Bot unu sang wahn bee laik di wan weh dehn sing da nait Wen yu pripyaa fi wahn festival, Ahn yu haat wahn rijais laik sohnbadi Weh di waak wid wahn floot Pan ih way tu di mongtin a Jehoava, tu di Rak a Izrel. 30 Jehoava wahn mek dehn hyaa ih byootiful vais Ahn shoa dehn ih powa wen ih kohn tu dehn eena di heet a anga, Wid di flaym a wahn faiya weh di bon op evriting, Wahn hevi rayn ahn wahn tondastaam ahn haylstoan. 31 Sayka Jehoava vais, Asiriya wahn geh fraitn ahn frayd, Hihn wahn beet ahn wid wahn stik. 32 Ahn evri swing wid ih stik a ponishment Weh Jehoava wahn bring dong pahn Asiriya Haap ahn tambareen wahn play. Ih wahn shoa dehn ih schrent wen ih lik dehn wid waar. 33 Bikaaz fi hihn Toafet don redi; Ih don redi fi di king tu. Hihn don mek di pail a wud deep ahn waid, Wid wahn lata faiya ahn wud. Di bret a Jehoava, weh da laik wahn riva a solfa, Wahn set it pahn faiya.
JANIWERI 16-22
CHREZHAZ FAHN DI WERD A GAAD | ISAIAH 34-37
“Jehoava Mi Riwaad Hezikaiya Fayt”
(Isaiah 36:1) In the 14th year of King Hez·e·kiʹah, Sen·nachʹer·ib the king of As·syrʹi·a came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them.
(Isaiah 36:4-10) So the Rabʹsha·keh said to them: “Please, say to Hez·e·kiʹah, ‘This is what the great king, the king of As·syrʹi·a, says: “What is the basis for your confidence? 5 You are saying, ‘I have a strategy and the power to wage war,’ but these are empty words. In whom have you put trust, so that you dare to rebel against me? 6 Look! You trust in the support of this crushed reed, Egypt, which if a man should lean on it would enter into his palm and pierce it. That is the way Pharʹaoh king of Egypt is to all those who trust in him. 7 And if you should say to me, ‘We trust in Jehovah our God,’ is he not the one whose high places and altars Hez·e·kiʹah has removed, while he says to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You should bow down before this altar’?”’ 8 So now make this wager, please, with my lord the king of As·syrʹi·a: I will give you 2,000 horses if you are able to find enough riders for them. 9 How, then, could you drive back even one governor who is the least of my lord’s servants, while you put your trust in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? 10 Now is it without authorization from Jehovah that I have come up against this land to destroy it? Jehovah himself said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.’”
(Isaiah 36:15) And do not let Hez·e·kiʹah cause you to trust in Jehovah by saying: “Jehovah will surely rescue us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of As·syrʹi·a.”
(Isaiah 36:18-20) Do not let Hez·e·kiʹah mislead you by saying, ‘Jehovah will rescue us.’ Have any of the gods of the nations rescued their land out of the hand of the king of As·syrʹi·a? 19 Where are the gods of Haʹmath and Arʹpad? Where are the gods of Seph·ar·vaʹim? And have they rescued Sa·marʹi·a out of my hand? 20 Who among all the gods of these lands have rescued their land out of my hand, so that Jehovah should rescue Jerusalem out of my hand?”’”
ip-1-E 386-388 ¶7-14
A King’s Faith Is Rewarded
Rabshakeh Presents His Case
7 Sennacherib dispatches Rabshakeh (a military title, not a personal name) along with two other dignitaries to Jerusalem to demand the city’s surrender. (2 Kings 18:17) These are met outside the city wall by three of Hezekiah’s representatives, Eliakim the overseer of Hezekiah’s household, Shebna the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.—Isaiah 36:2, 3.
8 Rabshakeh’s aim is simple—convince Jerusalem to surrender without a fight. Speaking in Hebrew, he first cries out: “What is this confidence in which you have trusted? . . . In whom have you put trust, that you have rebelled against me?” (Isaiah 36:4, 5) Then Rabshakeh taunts the frightened Jews, reminding them that they are completely isolated. To whom can they turn for support? To that “crushed reed,” Egypt? (Isaiah 36:6) At this time, Egypt does resemble a crushed reed; in fact, that former world power has been temporarily conquered by Ethiopia, and Egypt’s present Pharaoh, King Tirhakah, is not an Egyptian but an Ethiopian. And he is about to be defeated by Assyria. (2 Kings 19:8, 9) Since Egypt cannot save itself, it will be of little help to Judah.
9 Rabshakeh now argues that Jehovah will not fight for His people because He is displeased with them. Rabshakeh says: “In case you should say to me, ‘It is Jehovah our God in whom we have trusted,’ is he not the one whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has removed?” (Isaiah 36:7) Of course, far from rejecting Jehovah by tearing down the high places and the altars in the land, the Jews have actually returned to Jehovah.
10 Next Rabshakeh reminds the Jews that militarily they are hopelessly outclassed. He issues this arrogant challenge: “Let me give you two thousand horses to see whether you are able, on your part, to put riders upon them.” (Isaiah 36:8) In reality, though, does it matter whether Judah’s trained cavalry are many or few? No, for Judah’s salvation does not depend upon superior military strength. Proverbs 21:31 explains matters this way: “The horse is something prepared for the day of battle, but salvation belongs to Jehovah.” Then Rabshakeh claims that Jehovah’s blessing is with the Assyrians, not the Jews. Otherwise, he argues, the Assyrians could never have penetrated so far into Judah’s territory.—Isaiah 36:9, 10.
11 Hezekiah’s representatives are concerned about the effect that Rabshakeh’s arguments will have on the men who can hear him from the top of the city wall. These Jewish officials request: “Speak, please, to your servants in the Syrian language, for we are listening; and do not speak to us in the Jews’ language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.” (Isaiah 36:11) But Rabshakeh has no intention of speaking in the Syrian language. He wants to sow seeds of doubt and fear in the Jews so that they will surrender and Jerusalem can be conquered without a fight! (Isaiah 36:12) Hence the Assyrian speaks again in “the Jews’ language.” He warns the inhabitants of Jerusalem: “Do not let Hezekiah deceive you people, for he is not able to deliver you.” Following this, he tries to tempt those listening by painting a picture of life as it could be for the Jews under Assyrian rule: “Make a capitulation to me and come out to me and eat each one from his own vine and each one from his own fig tree and drink each one the water of his own cistern, until I come and actually take you to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards.”—Isaiah 36:13-17.
12 There will be no harvest for the Jews this year—the Assyrian invasion has prevented them from planting crops. The prospect of eating succulent grapes and of drinking cool water must be very appealing to the men listening on the wall. But Rabshakeh has not yet finished trying to weaken the Jews.
13 From his arsenal of arguments, Rabshakeh draws another verbal weapon. He warns the Jews against believing Hezekiah should he say: “Jehovah himself will deliver us.” Rabshakeh reminds the Jews that the gods of Samaria were unable to prevent the ten tribes from being overcome by the Assyrians. And what of the gods of the other nations Assyria has conquered? “Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad?” he demands. “Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? And have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?”—Isaiah 36:18-20.
14 Of course, Rabshakeh, a worshiper of false gods, does not understand that there is a big difference between apostate Samaria and Jerusalem under Hezekiah. Samaria’s false gods had no power to save the ten-tribe kingdom. (2 Kings 17:7, 17, 18) On the other hand, Jerusalem under Hezekiah has turned its back on false gods and has returned to serving Jehovah. However, the three Judean representatives do not try to explain this to Rabshakeh. “They continued to keep silent and did not answer him a word, for the commandment of the king was, saying: ‘You must not answer him.’” (Isaiah 36:21) Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah return to Hezekiah and make an official report of the words of Rabshakeh.—Isaiah 36:22.
(Isaiah 37:1, 2) As soon as King Hez·e·kiʹah heard this, he ripped his garments apart and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of Jehovah. 2 Then he sent E·liʹa·kim, who was in charge of the household, Shebʹna the secretary, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah, the son of Aʹmoz.
(Isaiah 37:14-20) Hez·e·kiʹah took the letters out of the hand of the messengers and read them. Hez·e·kiʹah then went up to the house of Jehovah and spread them out before Jehovah. 15 And Hez·e·kiʹah began to pray to Jehovah and say: 16 “O Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, sitting enthroned above the cherubs, you alone are the true God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. 17 Incline your ear, O Jehovah, and hear! Open your eyes, O Jehovah, and see! Hear all the words that Sen·nachʹer·ib has sent to taunt the living God. 18 It is a fact, O Jehovah, that the kings of As·syrʹi·a have devastated all the lands, as well as their own land. 19 And they have thrown their gods into the fire, because they were not gods but the work of human hands, wood and stone. That is why they could destroy them. 20 But now, O Jehovah our God, save us out of his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are God, O Jehovah.”
ip-1-E 389-391 ¶15-17
A King’s Faith Is Rewarded
Hezekiah Makes a Decision
15 King Hezekiah now has a decision to make. Will Jerusalem surrender to the Assyrians? join forces with Egypt? or stand her ground and fight? Hezekiah is under great pressure. He goes to Jehovah’s temple, while dispatching Eliakim and Shebna, along with the older men of the priests, to inquire of Jehovah through the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 37:1, 2) Dressed in sackcloth, the king’s emissaries approach Isaiah, saying: “This day is a day of distress and of rebuke and of scornful insolence . . . Perhaps Jehovah your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his lord sent to taunt the living God, and he will actually call him to account for the words that Jehovah your God has heard.” (Isaiah 37:3-5) Yes, the Assyrians are challenging the living God! Will Jehovah give attention to their taunts? Through Isaiah, Jehovah reassures the Jews: “Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard with which the attendants of the king of Assyria spoke abusively of me. Here I am putting a spirit in him, and he must hear a report and return to his own land; and I shall certainly cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.”—Isaiah 37:6, 7.
16 Meanwhile, Rabshakeh is called away to be at Sennacherib’s side while the king wages war at Libnah. Sennacherib will deal with Jerusalem later. (Isaiah 37:8) Still, Rabshakeh’s departure brings no letup of pressure on Hezekiah. Sennacherib sends threatening letters describing what the inhabitants of Jerusalem can expect if they refuse to surrender: “You yourself have heard what the kings of Assyria did to all the lands by devoting them to destruction, and will you yourself be delivered? Have the gods of the nations that my forefathers brought to ruin delivered them? . . . Where is the king of Hamath and the king of Arpad and the king of the city of Sepharvaim—of Hena and of Ivvah?” (Isaiah 37:9-13) Basically, the Assyrian is saying that it is senseless to resist—resistance will only bring more trouble!
17 Deeply concerned about the consequences of the decision he must make, Hezekiah spreads Sennacherib’s letters out before Jehovah in the temple. (Isaiah 37:14) In heartfelt prayer he implores Jehovah to give ear to the Assyrian’s threats, concluding his prayer with the words: “And now, O Jehovah our God, save us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Jehovah, are God alone.” (Isaiah 37:15-20) From this it is clear that Hezekiah is primarily concerned, not with his own deliverance, but with the reproach that will be heaped upon Jehovah’s name if Assyria defeats Jerusalem.
(Isaiah 37:33-38) “‘Therefore this is what Jehovah says about the king of As·syrʹi·a: “He will not come into this city Or shoot an arrow there Or confront it with a shield Or cast up a siege rampart against it.”’ 34 ‘By the way he came he will return; He will not come into this city,’ declares Jehovah. 35 ‘I will defend this city and save it for my own sake And for the sake of my servant David.’” 36 And the angel of Jehovah went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the As·syrʹi·ans. When people rose up early in the morning, they saw all the dead bodies. 37 So King Sen·nachʹer·ib of As·syrʹi·a departed and returned to Ninʹe·veh and stayed there. 38 And as he was bowing down at the house of his god Nisʹroch, his own sons A·dramʹme·lech and Shar·eʹzer struck him down with the sword and then escaped to the land of Arʹa·rat. And his son Eʹsar-hadʹdon became king in his place.
ip-1-E 391-394 ¶18-22
A King’s Faith Is Rewarded
18 Jehovah’s answer to Hezekiah’s prayer comes through Isaiah. Jerusalem must not surrender to Assyria; she must stand her ground. Speaking as to Sennacherib, Isaiah boldly states Jehovah’s message to the Assyrian: “The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you, she has held you in derision. Behind you the daughter of Jerusalem has wagged her head [mockingly].” (Isaiah 37:21, 22) Jehovah then adds, in effect: ‘Who are you to taunt the Holy One of Israel? I know your deeds. You have great ambitions; you make great boasts. You have trusted in your military power and have conquered much land. But you are not invincible. I will frustrate your plans. I will conquer you. Then I will do to you as you have done to others. I will put a hook in your nose and lead you back to Assyria!’—Isaiah 37:23-29.
“This Will Be the Sign for You”
19 What guarantee does Hezekiah have that Isaiah’s prophecy will be fulfilled? Jehovah answers: “This will be the sign for you: There will be an eating this year of the growth from spilled kernels, and in the second year grain that shoots up of itself; but in the third year sow seed, you people, and reap, and plant vineyards and eat their fruitage.” (Isaiah 37:30) Jehovah will provide food for the trapped Jews. Although unable to plant seed because of the Assyrian occupation, they will be able to eat from the gleanings of the preceding year’s harvest. The following year, a sabbath year, they must let their fields lie fallow, despite their desperate situation. (Exodus 23:11) Jehovah promises that if the people obey his voice, enough grain will sprout in the fields to sustain them. Then, in the following year, men will sow seed in the usual way and enjoy the fruitage of their labor.
20 Jehovah now compares his people to a plant that cannot easily be uprooted: “Those who escape of the house of Judah . . . will certainly take root downward and produce fruitage upward.” (Isaiah 37:31, 32) Yes, those who trust in Jehovah have nothing to fear. They and their offspring will remain firmly established in the land.
21 What of the Assyrian’s threats against Jerusalem? Jehovah answers: “He will not come into this city, nor will he shoot an arrow there, nor confront it with a shield, nor cast up a siege rampart against it. By the way by which he came he will return, and into this city he will not come.” (Isaiah 37:33, 34) There will be no battle between Assyria and Jerusalem after all. Surprisingly, it will be the Assyrians, not the Jews, who are defeated without a fight.
22 True to his word, Jehovah sends an angel who strikes down the cream of Sennacherib’s troops—185,000 men. This apparently happens at Libnah, and Sennacherib himself wakes up to find the leaders, chiefs, and mighty men of his army dead. Shamefaced, he returns to Nineveh, but despite his resounding defeat, he stubbornly remains devoted to his false god Nisroch. Some years later, while worshiping in the temple of Nisroch, Sennacherib is assassinated by two of his sons. Once again, lifeless Nisroch proves powerless to save.—Isaiah 37:35-38.
Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz
(Isaiah 35:8) And a highway will be there, Yes, a way called the Way of Holiness. The unclean one will not travel on it. It is reserved for the one walking on the way; No one foolish will stray onto it.
w08-E 5/15 26 ¶4
Pursue “Holiness in God’s Fear”
‘There Will Come to Be the Way of Holiness’
Jehovah foretold that his people who were in Babylonian exile would be restored to their homeland. The prophecy of restoration contained this guarantee: “There will certainly come to be a highway there, even a way; and the Way of Holiness it will be called.” (Isa. 35:8a) These words show that Jehovah not only opened the way for the Jews to get home but assured them of his protection along the way.
w08-E 5/15 27 ¶1
Pursue “Holiness in God’s Fear”
“The Unclean One Will Not Pass Over It”
In 537 B.C.E., the returning Jews had to meet an important requirement. Regarding those qualified to walk on “the Way of Holiness,” Isaiah 35:8b states: “The unclean one will not pass over it. And it will be for the one walking on the way, and no foolish ones will wander about on it.” Since the purpose of the Jews’ return to Jerusalem was to reestablish pure worship, there would be no place for those who had selfish motives, lacked respect for sacred things, or were spiritually unclean. The returnees needed to maintain Jehovah’s high moral standards.[6a] Those desiring God’s favor today need to meet the same requirement. They must pursue “holiness in God’s fear.” (2 Cor. 7:1) What unclean practices, then, ought we to shun?
(Isaiah 36:2, 3) The king of As·syrʹi·a then sent the Rabʹsha·keh with a vast army from Laʹchish to King Hez·e·kiʹah in Jerusalem. They took up a position by the conduit of the upper pool, which is at the highway of the laundryman’s field. 3 Then E·liʹa·kim son of Hil·kiʹah, who was in charge of the household, Shebʹna the secretary, and Joʹah son of Aʹsaph the recorder came out to him.
(Isaiah 36:22) But E·liʹa·kim son of Hil·kiʹah, who was in charge of the household, Shebʹna the secretary, and Joʹah son of Aʹsaph the recorder came to Hez·e·kiʹah with their garments ripped apart and told him the words of the Rabʹsha·keh.
w07-E 1/15 8 ¶6
Highlights From the Book of Isaiah—II
Lessons for Us:
36:2, 3, 22. Though dismissed from serving as a steward, Shebna was allowed to continue in the king’s service as a secretary to his replacement. (Isaiah 22:15, 19) If we are removed from a position of responsibility in Jehovah’s organization for some reason, should we not continue to serve God in whatever capacity he permits?
Baibl Reedin
(Isaiah 36:1-12) yaaz ahn chaynj afta King Hezikaiya staat rool, Senakarib mi kohn gens aala di schrang siti dehn da Jooda ahn kyapcha dehn. 2 Den di king a Asiriya sen di Rabshaka wid wahn big big aami fahn Laykish tu King Hezikaiya da Jeroosalem. Dehn pozishan dehnself bai di tonil fi di opa pool, weh deh da di haiway fi di laanjriman feel. 3 Den Ilaiyakim hoo da di son a Hilkaiya, weh mi in chaaj a di hoal hows, Shebna di sekiteri, ahn Joawa di son a Aysaf di rikaada kom owt tu ahn. 4 Soh di Rabshaka tel dehn seh: “Pleez, tel Hezikaiya dis, ‘Dis da weh di grayt king, di king a Asiriya, seh: “Wat da di reezn wai yu soh kanfident? 5 Yoo di seh, ‘Ai ga wahn plan ahn di powa fi goh da waar,’ bot dendeh da loan werdz. Da hoo yoo put yu chros eena, soh dat yoo dyaa ribel gens mee? 6 Luk ya! Yoo di chros di sopoat fahn Eejip, weh da laik wahn pees a stik weh brok, weh if wahn man shuda leen gens it ih wuda goh chroo ih han ahn boar ahn. Dat da how di Fayro king a Eejip stan tu dehn wan weh chros eena hihn. 7 An if yoo wuda tel mi, ‘Wee chros eena Jehoava fi wee Gaad,’ da noh fi hihn hai plays an alta dehn weh Hezikaiya mi brok dong, wail ih mi-di seh tu Jooda ahn Jeroosalem, ‘Unu shuda bow dong fronta dis alta’?”’ 8 Soh now mek wahn bet, pleez, wid mi laad di king a Asiriya: Ai wahn gi unu 2,000 haas if yu ku fain nof man fi raid dehn. 9 How, den, yoo ku jraiv bak eevn wan govna weh da di loawis wan owta mai laad servant dehn, wail yoo di put yu chros eena Eejip fi sohn chariyat ahn man fi raid haas? 10 Da widowt permishan fahn Jehoava dat Ai di kohn gens dis lan fi dischrai it? Jehoava ihself tel mi, ‘Goh op gens disya lan ahn dischrai it.’” 11 Now Ilaiyakim ahn Shebna ahn Joawa tel di Rabshaka: “Taak tu yu servant dehn, pleez, eena di Aramayik langwij, kaaz wee ku andastan it; noh taak tu wi eena di langwij a di Jooish peepl weh deh pan di tap a di waal fi mek dehn hyaa.” 12 Bot di Rabshaka seh: “Da onli tu fi yoo laad ahn tu yoo dat mai laad sen mi fi seh dehnya werdz? Da noh tu di man dehn weh di sidong pan di waal tu, dehn wan weh wahn eet dehn oan stool ahn jrink dehn oan yoorin lang wid unu?”
JANIWERI 23-29
CHREZHAZ FAHNDI WERDA GAAD | ISAIAH 38-42
“Jehoava Gi Powa tu di Wan Weh Taiyad”
(Isaiah 40:25, 26) “To whom can you liken me to make me his equal?” says the Holy One. 26 “Lift up your eyes to heaven and see. Who has created these things? It is the One who brings out their army by number; He calls them all by name. Because of his vast dynamic energy and his awe-inspiring power, Not one of them is missing.
ip-1-E 409-410 ¶23-25
“Comfort My People”
“Who Has Created These Things?”
23 There is yet another reason why the Jewish exiles can take heart. The One who promises deliverance is the Creator of all things and the Source of all dynamic energy. To stress his astounding capacity, Jehovah calls attention to his ability manifest in creation: “‘To whom can you people liken me so that I should be made his equal?’ says the Holy One. ‘Raise your eyes high up and see. Who has created these things? It is the One who is bringing forth the army of them even by number, all of whom he calls even by name. Due to the abundance of dynamic energy, he also being vigorous in power, not one of them is missing.’”—Isaiah 40:25, 26.
24 The Holy One of Israel is speaking for himself. To show that he is without equal, Jehovah directs attention to the stars of the heavens. Like a military commander able to marshal his troops, Jehovah is in command of the stars. If he were to muster them, ‘not one of them would be missing.’ Though the number of the stars is great, he calls each one by name, either an individual name or a namelike designation. Like obedient soldiers, they keep their place and observe proper order, for their Leader has an abundance of “dynamic energy” and is “vigorous in power.” Therefore, the Jewish exiles have reason for confidence. The Creator, who commands the stars, has the power to support his servants.
25 Who of us can resist the divine invitation recorded at Isaiah 40:26: “Raise your eyes high up and see”? The discoveries of modern-day astronomers have shown that the starry heavens are even more awe-inspiring than they appeared to be in Isaiah’s day. Astronomers who peer into the heavens with their powerful telescopes estimate that the observable universe contains as many as 125 billion galaxies. Why, just one of these—the Milky Way galaxy—contains, according to some estimates, over 100 billion stars! Such knowledge should awaken in our hearts reverence for our Creator and complete trust in his word of promise.
(Isaiah 40:27, 28) Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you declare, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from Jehovah, And I receive no justice from God’? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, is a God for all eternity. He never tires out or grows weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
ip-1-E 413 ¶27
“Comfort My People”
27 Isaiah records Jehovah’s words describing the feelings of the exiles in Babylon, hundreds of miles from their homeland. Some think that their “way”—the hard course of their life—is unseen or unknown by their God. They think that Jehovah is indifferent to the injustices they suffer. They are reminded of things that they should know, if not from personal experience, then at least from information that has been handed down. Jehovah is able and willing to deliver his people. He is the eternal God and the Creator of the entire earth. Hence, he still possesses the power he displayed in creation, and not even mighty Babylon is beyond his reach. Such a God cannot grow tired and fail his people. They ought not to expect to be able fully to grasp Jehovah’s doings, for his understanding—or insight, discernment, and perception—is beyond their comprehension.
(Isaiah 40:29-31) He gives power to the tired one And full might to those lacking strength. 30 Boys will tire out and grow weary, And young men will stumble and fall, 31 But those hoping in Jehovah will regain power. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; They will walk and not tire out.”
ip-1-E 413-415 ¶29-31
“Comfort My People”
29 When speaking of the need to give to the tired one power, Jehovah may have in mind the arduous journey that the exiles will have to make in order to return home. Jehovah reminds his people that it is characteristic of him to come to the aid of weary ones who look to him for support. Even the most vibrant of humans—“boys” and “young men”—may be worn down by fatigue and stumble from exhaustion. Yet, Jehovah promises to give power—unwearied power to run and to walk—to those who are trusting in him. The seemingly effortless flight of the eagle, a powerful bird that can soar for hours at a time, is used to illustrate how Jehovah empowers his servants. With prospects of such divine support, the Jewish exiles have no cause for despair.
30 These closing verses of Isaiah chapter 40 contain words of comfort for true Christians living in the last days of this wicked system. With so many pressures and problems that tend to dishearten, it is reassuring to know that the hardships we endure and the injustices we suffer do not go unnoticed by our God. We can be sure that the Creator of all things, the One whose “understanding is beyond recounting,” will correct all injustices in his own time and way. (Psalm 147:5, 6) Meanwhile, we need not endure in our own strength. Jehovah, whose resources are inexhaustible, can impart power—even “power beyond what is normal”—to his servants in times of trial.—2 Corinthians 4:7.
31 Think of those Jewish captives in Babylon in the sixth century B.C.E. Hundreds of miles away, their beloved Jerusalem lay desolate, its temple in ruins. For them, Isaiah’s prophecy contained a comforting promise of light and hope—Jehovah would restore them to their homeland! In 537 B.C.E., Jehovah led his people home, proving that he is the Fulfiller of promises. We too can have absolute confidence in Jehovah. His Kingdom promises, which are so beautifully expressed in Isaiah’s prophecy, will become a reality. That is indeed good news—a message of light for all mankind!
Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz
(Isaiah 38:17) Look! Instead of peace, I had great bitterness; But in your fondness for me, You preserved me from the pit of destruction. You have thrown all my sins behind your back.
w03-E 7/1 17 ¶17
“God Is Love”
17 In a moving song of gratitude that Hezekiah composed after he was spared from a deadly sickness, he said to Jehovah: “You have thrown behind your back all my sins.” (Isaiah 38:17) Jehovah is here portrayed as taking the sins of a repentant wrongdoer and throwing them behind Him where He neither sees them nor takes notice of them anymore. According to one reference work, the idea conveyed may be expressed: “You have made [my sins] as if they had not happened.” Is that not comforting?
(Isaiah 42:3) No crushed reed will he break, And no smoldering wick will he extinguish. In faithfulness he will bring justice.
w15-E 2/15 8 ¶13
Imitate Jesus’ Humility and Tenderness
13 His tender words. Jesus’ tender heart moved him to speak tenderly to others, especially to the downtrodden. The apostle Matthew applied to Jesus these words of Isaiah: “No crushed reed will he break, and no smoldering wick will he extinguish.” (Isa. 42:3; Matt. 12:20) Jesus spoke in a way that lifted the spirits of those who were figuratively like a bruised reed or the wick of an oil lamp about to go out. He preached a message of hope “to bind up the brokenhearted.” (Isa. 61:1) He invited those who were “toiling and loaded down” to come to him, reassuring them that they would “find refreshment” for themselves. (Matt. 11:28-30) He assured his followers that God had tender concern for each of His worshippers, including the “little ones”—those who may seem unimportant from the standpoint of the world.—Matt. 18:12-14; Luke 12:6, 7.
Baibl Reedin
(Isaiah 40:6-17) Lisn! Sohnbadi di seh: “Hala owt!” Wahn nada wan di aks: “Wat Ah shuda hala owt?” “Aal peepl da laik green graas. Aala dehn laayal lov da laik wahn blaasam fahn di feel. 7 Di green graas jrai op, Di blaasam fayd weh, Sayka di bret weh Jehoava bloa pan it. Fi shoar di peepl dehn da jos laik green graas. 8 Di green graas jrai op, Di blaasam fayd weh, Bot di werd a fi wee Gaad wahn laas fareva.” 9 Goh op pahn di hai mongtin, Yoo uman weh di bring gud nyooz fahn Zaiyan. Rayz op yu vais wid powa, Yoo uman weh di bring gud nyooz fahn Jeroosalem. Rayz it op, noh bee frayd. Seh tu di siti dehn da Jooda: “Si yu Gaad ya.” 10 Luk ya! Di Sovrin Laad Jehoava wahn kohn wid powa, An ih han wahn rool far ahn. Luk! Ih riwaad deh wid ahn, An di prais weh ih pay deh fronta ahn. 11 Laik wahn shepad ih wahn tek kayr a ih flak. Wid ih han ih wahn gyada tugeda ih lam dehn, Ahn kloas tu ih ches ih wahn kehr dehn. Ih wahn tek ih taim di leed dehn wan weh di ners smaal pikni. 12 Hoo ku mezha di waata eena di paam a ih han Ahn hoo schrech owt ih finga dehn ahn mezha di hevn wid it? Hoo gyada eena wahn kantayna di dos fahn di ert Er way di mongtin ahn di hil dehn pahn sohn skayl? 13 Hoo ku andastan di spirit a Jehoava, Ahn hoo ku teech ahn an advaiz ahn? 14 Hoo hihn mi chek wid fi andastan sohnting, Er hoo mi teech ahn di way a jostis, Er teech ahn nalij, Er shoa ahn di way how fi reeli andastan sohnting? 15 Luk ya! Di nayshan dehn da laik wahn jrap a waata fahn wahn bokit, Ahn dehn da jos laik wahn laya a dos pahn di skayl. Luk! Hihn lif op di ailan dehn laik fain dos. 16 Eevn Lebanon noh ga nof wud fi kip di faiya di bon, An ih wail animal dehn noh nof fi bon az wahn aafrin tu Gaad. 17 Aala di nayshan dehn da laik sohnting weh noh egzis fronta hihn, Tu hihn dehn da notn, laik sohnting weh noh reel.
JANIWERI 30-FEBIWERI 5
CHREZHAZ FAHNDI WERDA GAAD | ISAIAH 43-46
“Jehoava Da di Gaad a Chroo Prafesi”
(Isaiah 44:26-28) The One making the word of his servant come true And completely fulfilling the predictions of his messengers; The One saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be inhabited,’ And of the cities of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt, And I will restore her ruins’; 27 The One saying to the deep waters, ‘Be evaporated, And I will dry up all your rivers’; 28 The One saying of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, And he will completely carry out all my will’; The One saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ And of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’”
ip-2 71-72 ¶22-23
The True God Foretells Deliverance
22 Uninspired diviners usually dare not be too specific in their predictions for fear that time will prove them wrong. By contrast, through Isaiah, Jehovah reveals the very name of the man he will use to free his people from captivity so that they can go home and rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. His name is Cyrus, and he is known as Cyrus the Great of Persia. Jehovah also gives details of the strategy that Cyrus will use to penetrate Babylon’s massive and elaborate defense system. Babylon will be protected by high walls and by waterways that run through and around the city. Cyrus will turn a main element of that system—the Euphrates River—to his advantage. According to ancient historians Herodotus and Xenophon, at a location upstream from Babylon, Cyrus diverted the waters of the Euphrates until the level of the river dropped low enough for his soldiers to wade through. As far as its ability to protect Babylon is concerned, the mighty Euphrates evaporates.
23 What about the promise that Cyrus will release God’s people and that he will see to it that Jerusalem and the temple will be rebuilt? Cyrus himself, in an official proclamation preserved in the Bible, declares: “This is what Cyrus the king of Persia has said, ‘All the kingdoms of the earth Jehovah the God of the heavens has given me, and he himself has commissioned me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all his people, may his God prove to be with him. So let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of Jehovah the God of Israel—he is the true God—which was in Jerusalem.’” (Ezra 1:2, 3) Jehovah’s word through Isaiah is completely fulfilled!
(Isaiah 45:1, 2) This is what Jehovah says to his anointed one, to Cyrus, Whose right hand I have taken hold of To subdue nations before him, To disarm kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: 2 “Before you I will go, And the hills I will level. The copper doors I will break in pieces, And the iron bars I will cut down.
ip-2-E 77-78 ¶4-6
Jehovah—“A Righteous God and a Savior”
4 Jehovah, through Isaiah, speaks to Cyrus as if he were alive, although in Isaiah’s day Cyrus has not yet been born. (Romans 4:17) Since Jehovah appoints Cyrus in advance to accomplish a specific task, Cyrus can be said to be God’s “anointed one.” With God leading him, he will subdue nations, rendering kings weak and incapable of resistance. Then, when Cyrus attacks Babylon, Jehovah will see to it that the doors of the city are left open, making them as useless as gates that have been shattered. He will go before Cyrus, smoothing out all obstacles. In the end, Cyrus’ troops will conquer the city and take possession of its “hidden treasures,” its wealth stored in dark vaults. This is what Isaiah foretells. Do his words come true?
5 In the year 539 B.C.E.—some 200 years after Isaiah records this prophecy—Cyrus does indeed arrive at the walls of Babylon to attack the city. (Jeremiah 51:11, 12) The Babylonians, however, are not concerned. They feel that their city is unconquerable. Its towering walls loom over deep moats filled with water from the Euphrates River, which forms part of the city’s defense system. For over a hundred years, no enemy has been able to take Babylon by storm! In fact, Babylon’s ruler in residence, Belshazzar, feels so secure that he feasts with members of his court. (Daniel 5:1) That night—the night of October 5/6—Cyrus completes a brilliant military maneuver.
6 Upstream from Babylon, Cyrus’ engineers have cut through the bank of the Euphrates River, diverting its waters so that they no longer flow southward toward the city. Before long, the water level of the river in and around Babylon falls so low that Cyrus’ troops are able to slosh along the riverbed toward the heart of the city. (Isaiah 44:27; Jeremiah 50:38) Amazingly, just as Isaiah foretold, the gates along the river are open. Cyrus’ forces swarm into Babylon, take the palace, and put King Belshazzar to death. (Daniel 5:30) In one night the conquest is all over. Babylon has fallen, and the prophecy is fulfilled to the letter.
(Isaiah 45:3-6) I will give you the treasures in the darkness And the hidden treasures in the concealed places, So that you may know that I am Jehovah, The God of Israel, who is calling you by your name. 4 For the sake of my servant Jacob and of Israel my chosen one, I am calling you by your name. I am giving you a name of honor, although you did not know me. 5 I am Jehovah, and there is no one else. There is no God except me. I will strengthen you, although you did not know me, 6 In order that people may know From the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides me. I am Jehovah, and there is no one else.
ip-2-E 79-80 ¶8-10
Jehovah—“A Righteous God and a Savior”
Why Jehovah Will Favor Cyrus
8 After stating who will conquer Babylon and how this will be done, Jehovah goes on to explain one reason why Cyrus will be given the victory. Jehovah, prophetically speaking to Cyrus, says that it is “in order that you may know that I am Jehovah, the One calling you by your name, the God of Israel.” (Isaiah 45:3b) It is fitting that the ruler of the fourth world power of Bible history recognizes that his greatest victory comes as a result of the support of one who is greater than he is—Jehovah, the Universal Sovereign. Cyrus should acknowledge that the one who calls, or commissions, him is Jehovah, the God of Israel. The Bible record shows that Cyrus did indeed acknowledge that his great victory came from Jehovah.—Ezra 1:2, 3.
9 Jehovah explains the second reason why he brings Cyrus to conquer Babylon: “For the sake of my servant Jacob and of Israel my chosen one, I even proceeded to call you by your name; I proceeded to give you a name of honor, although you did not know me.” (Isaiah 45:4) Cyrus’ victory over Babylon is earth-shattering. It marks the fall of one world power and the ascent of another, and it leaves its mark on history for generations to come. Yet, those of the nations round about who are anxiously watching events would likely be astounded to know that it all happens for the sake of a few thousand “insignificant” exiles in Babylon—the Jews, descendants of Jacob. In Jehovah’s eyes, however, these survivors of the ancient nation of Israel are far from insignificant. They are his “servant.” Of all the nations of the earth, they are his “chosen one.” Even though Cyrus previously did not know Jehovah, he is used by Jehovah as His anointed one to overthrow the city that refused to give up its captives. It is not God’s purpose that his chosen people languish forever on foreign soil.
10 There is a third, even more important reason why Jehovah uses Cyrus to overthrow Babylon. Jehovah says: “I am Jehovah, and there is no one else. With the exception of me there is no God. I shall closely gird you, although you have not known me, in order that people may know from the rising of the sun and from its setting that there is none besides me. I am Jehovah, and there is no one else.” (Isaiah 45:5, 6) Yes, the fall of the Babylonian World Power is a demonstration of Jehovah’s Godship, proof to everyone that he alone is worthy of worship. Because God’s people are released, individuals from many nations—from east to west—will come to acknowledge that Jehovah is the only true God.—Malachi 1:11.
Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz
(Isaiah 43:10-12) “You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, And after me there has been none. 11 I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.” 12 “I am the One who declared and saved and made known When there was no foreign god among you. So you are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “and I am God.
w14 11/15 21-22 ¶14-16
“The People Whose God Is Jehovah”
A NATION OF WITNESSES
14 The Israelites worshipped their God, Jehovah, whereas the other nations worshipped their own deities. At the time of the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah compared the world situation to that of a court trial. He challenged the gods of the nations to produce witnesses to confirm their divinity, declaring: “Let all the nations assemble in one place, and let the peoples be gathered together. Who [of their gods] among them can tell this? Or can they cause us to hear the first things? Let them present their witnesses to prove themselves right, or let them hear and say, ‘It is the truth!’”—Isa. 43:9.
15 The gods of the nations were unable to produce any evidence of their godship. They were mere idols that were speechless and that needed to be carried around. (Isa. 46:5-7) On the other hand, Jehovah told his people Israel: “You are my witnesses, . . . yes, my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and have faith in me and understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, and after me there has been none. I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior. . . . So you are my witnesses, . . . and I am God.”—Isa. 43:10-12.
16 In what would amount to a universal court case over the issue “Who is the Supreme God?,” Jehovah’s chosen people were to attest loud and clear that Jehovah is the one true God. He called them “the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.” (Isa. 43:21) They were the people who bore his name. Redeemed from Egypt by Jehovah, they were under a moral obligation to support his sovereignty before the other peoples of the earth. In effect, their stance was to be like that later set forth for God’s present-day people by the prophet Micah: “All the peoples will walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God forever and ever.”—Mic. 4:5.
(Isaiah 43:25) I, I am the One who is blotting out your transgressions for my own sake, And I will not remember your sins.
ip-2 60 ¶24
“You Are My Witnesses”!
24 Notice, though, that the resulting divine mercy will not simply be because of Israel’s contrition; it will be for Jehovah’s own sake. Yes, his name is involved. Were he to abandon Israel to permanent exile, his own name would be reproached by onlookers. (Psalm 79:9; Ezekiel 20:8-10) Likewise today, the salvation of humans is secondary to the sanctification of Jehovah’s name and the vindication of his sovereignty. Nonetheless, Jehovah loves those who accept his discipline without reservation and who worship him with spirit and truth. He demonstrates his love for these ones—whether anointed or other sheep—by wiping out their transgressions on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.—John 3:16; 4:23, 24.
Baibl Reedin
(Isaiah 46:1-13) Bel stup dong, ahn Neebo ben oava. Dehn load op dehn aidol pahn dehn animal, pahn dehn animal weh kehr load, Laik logij weh way dong di taiyad animal dehn. 2 Dehn stup dong ahn ben oava tugeda; Dehn kyaahn sayv di load dehn, Ahn dehn sayhn wan geh kyapcha. 3 “Lisn tu mi, Oa hows a Jaykop, an aala unu weh lef fahn di hows a Izrel, Unu weh Ai don sopoat fahn yu baan ahn kehr yu fahn yu deh eena di oom. 4 Til yu groa oal Ai wahn bee di saym; Til yu hyaa gray Ai wahn stil di kehr unu. Jos laik how Ah mi don du, Ai wahn kehr yu ahn sopoat yu ahn reskyu yu. 5 Hoo unu wuda seh da laik mee er eekwal tu mee, er kompyaa mee tu, Soh dat wee luk laik wan anada? 6 Dehn ga dehn wan weh gi weh goal fahn dehn pers; Dehn way owt di silva pan di skayl. Dehn haiya di metal werka, an ih mek it intu wahn gaad. Den dehn ben dong tu di grong ahn wership it. 7 Dehn lif it op pahn dehn shoalda; Dehn kehr it ahn put it eena ih plays, an ih jos stan op deh. Ih noh moov fahn ih plays. Dehn krai owt tu it, bot ih noh ansa; Ih kyaahn reskyu enibadi fahn chrobl. 8 Memba dis, ahn tek korij. Tek it tu haat, unu sinaz. 9 Memba di tingz fahn di paas, Dat Ai da Gaad, ahn dehn noh ga nobadi els. Ai da Gaad, ahn nobadi els deh laik mee. 10 Fahn di biginin Ai prafesai di tingz weh noh hapm yet, Ahn fahn lang taim di tingz weh nobadi du yet. Ai seh, ‘Mai disizhan wahn stan, An Ai wahn du wateva Ai waahn du.’ 11 Ai di kaal wahn berd a pray fahn di ees, Fahn wahn faar lan di man fi du weh Ai waahn ih du. Ai don seh it, an Ai wahn mek ih kohn chroo. Ai don perpos it, an Ai wahn du it. 12 Lisn tu mi, unu weh ga wahn haat weh stoban, Unu weh deh faar fahn raichosnis. 13 Ai don bring mi raichosnis kloas; Ih noh deh faar, Ahn mi salvayshan noh wahn layt. Ai wahn gi salvayshan da Zaiyan, mi faym tu Izrel.”