MWBR17 03 Laif ahn Minischri Meetin Werkbuk Risaach Infamayshan
MAACH 6-12
CHREZHAZ FAHN DI WERD A GAAD | JEREMIAH 1-4
“Ah Deh Wid Yu fi Sayv Yu”
(Jeremiah 1:6) But I said: “Alas, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah! I do not know how to speak, for I am just a boy.”
w11-E 3/15 29 ¶4
Keep Awake, as Jeremiah Did
4 Jeremiah may have been close to 25 years old when he received from Jehovah his commission as a watchman. (Jer. 1:1, 2) But he felt like a mere boy, utterly unqualified to speak to the elders of the nation, men advanced in age and having positions of authority. (Jer. 1:6) He had scathing denunciations and fearful judgments to proclaim, especially to the priests, false prophets, and rulers, as well as to those who took “the popular course” and developed “an enduring unfaithfulness.” (Jer. 6:13; 8:5, 6) King Solomon’s glorious temple, which had been the center of true worship for almost four centuries, would be demolished. Jerusalem and Judah would lie desolate, and their inhabitants would be taken captive. Clearly, the message that Jeremiah was commissioned to deliver was urgent!
(Jeremiah 1:7-10) Jehovah then said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am just a boy.’ For you must go to all those to whom I send you, And you should say everything that I command you. 8 Do not be afraid because of their appearance, For ‘I am with you to save you,’ declares Jehovah.” 9 Then Jehovah stretched out his hand and touched my mouth. And Jehovah said to me: “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, I have commissioned you this day to be over the nations and over the kingdoms, to uproot and to pull down, to destroy and to tear down, to build and to plant.”
(Jeremiah 1:17-19) But you should prepare for action, And you must stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be terrified of them, So that I do not terrify you before them. 18 For today I have made you a fortified city, An iron pillar, and copper walls against all the land, Toward the kings of Judah and her princes, Toward her priests and the people of the land. 19 And they will certainly fight against you, But they will not prevail against you, For ‘I am with you,’ declares Jehovah, ‘to save you.’ ”
w05-E 12/15 23 ¶18
Whom Do You Obey—God or Men?
18 God told the prophet Jeremiah: “I am with you to deliver you.” (Jeremiah 1:8) How might Jehovah deliver us from persecution today? He might raise up a fair-minded judge like Gamaliel. Or he may see to it that a corrupt or antagonistic official is unexpectedly replaced by a more reasonable one. At times, though, Jehovah may permit the persecution of his people to run its course. (2 Timothy 3:12) If God allows us to be persecuted, he will always give us the strength to endure persecution. (1 Corinthians 10:13) And no matter what God permits, we have no doubt as to the final outcome: Those who fight against God’s people are fighting against God, and fighters against God will not prevail.
jr-E 88 ¶14-15
“I Will Saturate the Tired Soul”
WILL YOU REFRESH TIRED SOULS?
14 We do well to give attention to how Jeremiah was encouraged and how he encouraged others who were ‘tired souls.’ (Jer. 31:25) The prophet received encouragement particularly from Jehovah. Think of how built up you would have been to hear Jehovah tell you: “As for me, here I have made you today a fortified city . . . They will be certain to fight against you, but they will not prevail against you, for ‘I am with you,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘to deliver you.’ ” (Jer. 1:18, 19) With good reason, Jeremiah referred to Jehovah as “my strength and my stronghold, and my place for flight in the day of distress.”—Jer. 16:19.
15 It is noteworthy that Jehovah told Jeremiah: “I am with you.” Do you see in that a clue as to what you can do when someone you know needs encouragement? It is one thing to realize that a Christian brother or sister or perhaps a relative has that need; it is another thing to respond effectively to that need. In many cases, the most effective course is to do what God did for Jeremiah—just be with the afflicted one. Then, at some point, offer words of encouragement, but not a torrent of words. Fewer words will likely do more good if they are words chosen to reassure and build up. What you say need not be eloquent. Use simple words that manifest interest, concern, and Christian affection. Words like that can do much good.—Read Proverbs 25:11.
Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz
(Jeremiah 2:13) ‘Because my people have done two bad things: They have abandoned me, the source of living water, And dug for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns, that cannot hold water.’
(Jeremiah 2:18) Now why do you wish for the way to Egypt To drink the waters of Shiʹhor? Why do you wish for the way to As·syrʹi·a To drink the waters of the River?
w07-E 3/15 9 ¶8
Highlights From the Book of Jeremiah
2:13, 18. Unfaithful Israelites did two bad things. They left Jehovah, the sure source of blessing, guidance, and protection. And they hewed out for themselves their own figurative cisterns by seeking to make military alliances with Egypt and Assyria. In our time, to abandon the true God in favor of human philosophies and theories and worldly politics is to replace “the source of living water” with “broken cisterns.”
(Jeremiah 4:10) Then I said: “Alas, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah! Truly you have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, ‘You will have peace,’ when the sword is at our throats.”
w07-E 3/15 9 ¶4
Highlights From the Book of Jeremiah
4:10; 15:18—In what sense did Jehovah deceive his renegade people? In Jeremiah’s day, there were prophets ‘prophesying in falsehood.’ (Jeremiah 5:31; 20:6; 23:16, 17, 25-28, 32) Jehovah did not prevent them from proclaiming misleading messages.
Baibl Reedin
(Jeremiah 4:1-10) Jehoava seh, “If yu kohn bak, Oa Izrel, If yu wahn kohn bak tu mi Ahn if yu get rid a yu disgostin aidol dehn fahn fronta mi, Den yu noh wahn bee laik wahn refyujee. 2 An if yu swayr seh, ‘Widowt wahn dowt az Jehoava di liv!’ eena chroot, jostis, ahn raichosnis, Den di nayshan dehn wahn geh wahn blesin fahn hihn, Ahn dehn wahn boas bowt hihn.” 3 Dis da weh Jehoava seh tu di man dehn fahn Jooda ahn tu Jeroosalem: “Plow di lan weh gud fi groa krap fi yuself, Ahn noh kip di plaant monks di prikl bush dehn. 4 Serkomsaiz yuself tu Jehoava, Ahn tek aaf di foarskin dehn fahn aafa unu haat, Unu man fahn Jooda ahn unu peepl weh liv da Jeroosalem, Soh dat mi anga noh blayz op laik wahn faiya Ahn kip aan di bon soh dat nobadi ku owt it, Bikaaz a di wikid ting dehn weh unu du.” 5 Tel Jooda bowt it, ahn anonks it eena Jeroosalem. Hala ahn bloa wahn haan aal chroo di lan. Hala owt lowd ahn seh: “Kohn tugeda, Ahn mek wi brok weh da di schrang siti dehn. 6 Rayz wahn sain tuwaadz Zaiyan. Luk fi shelta, ahn noh stay wan spat,” Bikaaz Ah di bring wahn dizaasta fahn di naat, wahn big dischrokshan. 7 Hihn don kom owt laik wahn laiyan fan di tik bush weh ih haid; Di wan weh di dischrai di nayshan dehn don gaan owt. Ih gaan owt fan ih plays fi mek yu lan oagli ahn noh gud fi notn. Ih wahn dischrai yu siti dehn, ahn nobadi wahn liv deh. 8 Soh den, unu put aan unu krokos bag, Krai ahn baal owt, Bikaaz Jehoava anga weh di bon hat noh ton weh fahn wi. 9 Jehoava seh: “Pan da day, di king wahn looz di korij weh ih gat, Ahn di prins dehn wahn looz dehn korij tu; Di prees wahn geh fraitn, ahn di prafit dehn wahn bee shak.” 10 Den Ah mi seh: “Aiy, Oa Sovrin Laad Jehoava! Yu reeli ahn chrooli chrik dehnya peepl, ahn Jeroosalem, wen yu seh ‘Unu wahn ga pees,’ wen di soad deh da wi chroat.”
MAACH 13-19
CHREZHAZ FAHN DI WERD A GAAD | JEREMIAH 5-7
“Dehn Mi Stap Du di Wil a Gaad”
(Jeremiah 6:13-15) “For from the least to the greatest, each one is making dishonest gain; From the prophet to the priest, each one is practicing fraud. 14 And they try to heal the breakdown of my people lightly, saying, ‘There is peace! There is peace!’ When there is no peace. 15 Do they feel ashamed of the detestable things they have done? They feel no shame at all! They do not even know how to feel humiliated! So they will fall among the fallen. When I bring punishment on them they will stumble,” says Jehovah.
w88-E 4/1 11-12 ¶7-8
Jeremiah—Unpopular Prophet of God’s Judgments
7 “And they will be certain to fight against you,” warned Jehovah, “but they will not prevail against you.” (Jeremiah 1:19) Now why would the Jews and their rulers want to fight against this prophet? Because his message attacked their complacency and their formalistic form of worship. Jeremiah did not pull his punches: “Look! The very word of Jehovah has become to them a reproach, in which word they can take no delight. For from the least one of them even to the greatest one of them, every one is making for himself unjust gain; and from the prophet even to the priest [the very ones who should have been the guardians of moral and spiritual values], each one is acting falsely.”—Jeremiah 6:10, 13.
8 True, they were leading the nation in making sacrifices. They were going through the motions of true worship, but their hearts were not in it. Ritual meant more to them than right conduct. At the same time, the Jewish religious leaders were lulling the nation into a false sense of security, saying, “There is peace! There is peace!” when there was no peace. (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11) Yes, they were fooling the people into believing that they were at peace with God. They felt that there was nothing to worry about, for they were Jehovah’s saved people, possessing the holy city and its temple. But is that how Jehovah viewed the situation?
(Jeremiah 7:1-7) This is the word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying: 2 “Stand in the gate of the house of Jehovah and proclaim there this message, ‘Hear the word of Jehovah, all you people of Judah who enter these gates to bow down to Jehovah. 3 This is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says: “Reform your ways and your actions, and I will allow you to keep residing in this place. 4 Do not put your trust in deceptive words and say, ‘This is the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah!’ 5 For if you truly reform your ways and actions; if you truly uphold justice between a man and his neighbor; 6 if you do not oppress foreign residents, orphans, and widows; if you do not shed innocent blood in this place; and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm; 7 then I will allow you to keep residing in this place, in the land I gave to your forefathers for all time.” ’ ”
w88-E 4/1 12 ¶9-10
Jeremiah—Unpopular Prophet of God’s Judgments
9 Jehovah commanded Jeremiah to take a position in full public view at the gate of the temple and deliver His message to the worshipers who entered there. He had to tell them: “Do not put your trust in fallacious words, saying, ‘The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah they are!’ . . . It will certainly be of no benefit at all.” The Jews were walking by sight, not by faith, as they boasted in their temple. They had already forgotten Jehovah’s cautionary words: “The heavens are my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where, then, is the house that you people can build for me?” Jehovah, the Sovereign Lord of this vast universe, was certainly not restricted to the confines of their temple, no matter how glorious it might be!—Jeremiah 7:1-8; Isaiah 66:1.
10 Jeremiah continued with his stinging public rebuke: “Can there be stealing, murdering and committing adultery and swearing falsely and making sacrificial smoke to Baal and walking after other gods whom you had not known, . . . and must you say, ‘We shall certainly be delivered,’ in the face of doing all these detestable things?” The Jews, as God’s ‘chosen people,’ thought he would tolerate any kind of conduct, as long as they were bringing their sacrifices to the temple. However, if they perceived him as a sentimental father pampering a spoiled and only child, they were in for a rude awakening.—Jeremiah 7:9, 10; Exodus 19:5, 6.
(Jeremiah 7:8-15) “But you are putting your trust in deceptive words—it will bring absolutely no benefit. 9 Can you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make sacrifices to Baʹal, and follow after gods you had not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house that bears my name and say, ‘We will be saved,’ despite your doing all these detestable things? 11 Has this house that bears my name become a cave of robbers in your eyes? Here I have seen it for myself,” declares Jehovah. 12 “ ‘However, go now to my place in Shiʹloh, where I first caused my name to reside, and see what I did to it because of the badness of my people Israel. 13 But you kept doing all these things,’ declares Jehovah, ‘and even though I spoke to you again and again, you did not listen. I kept calling you, but you would not answer. 14 So I will do to the house that bears my name, in which you are trusting, and to this place that I gave to you and your forefathers, just as I did to Shiʹloh. 15 I will throw you out of my sight, just as I threw out all your brothers, all the descendants of Eʹphra·im.’
jr-E 21 ¶12
Serving in “the Final Part of the Days”
12 At the start of Jehoiakim’s reign, Jehovah told Jeremiah to go to the temple and roundly condemn the Judeans for their wickedness. They considered Jehovah’s temple to be a talisman that would protect them. Yet, if they would not abandon their “stealing, murdering and committing adultery and swearing falsely and making sacrificial smoke to Baal and walking after other gods,” Jehovah would forsake his temple. And he would do the same to the hypocrites who worshipped in it, just as he abandoned the tabernacle at Shiloh in the days of High Priest Eli. The land of Judah would “become nothing but a devastated place.” (Jer. 7:1-15, 34; 26:1-6) Think of the courage Jeremiah needed to declare that message! Likely, he did so in public before prominent, influential people. Some brothers and sisters today have likewise felt that they needed a measure of courage to share in street witnessing or to address wealthy or important people. We can, though, be sure of this: God’s support for us is certain, just as it was for Jeremiah.—Heb. 10:39; 13:6.
Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz
(Jeremiah 6:16) This is what Jehovah says: “Stand at the crossroads and see. Ask about the ancient roadways, Ask where the good way is, and walk in it, And find rest for yourselves.” But they say: “We will not walk in it.”
w05-E 11/1 23 ¶11
Will You Walk With God?
11 Are we really allowing God’s Word to guide us that closely? It is worthwhile to pause at times and examine ourselves honestly. Consider a verse that will help us to do so: “This is what Jehovah has said: ‘Stand still in the ways, you people, and see, and ask for the roadways of long ago, where, now, the good way is; and walk in it, and find ease for your souls.’ ” (Jeremiah 6:16) These words might remind us of a traveler who pauses at a crossroads to ask for directions. In a spiritual sense, Jehovah’s rebellious people in Israel needed to do something similar. They needed to find their way back to “the roadways of long ago.” That “good way” was the way in which their faithful forefathers had walked, the way from which the nation had foolishly strayed. Sadly, Israel responded stubbornly to this loving reminder from Jehovah. The same verse continues: “But they kept saying: ‘We are not going to walk.’ ” In modern times, though, God’s people have responded differently to such counsel.
(Jeremiah 6:22, 23) This is what Jehovah says: “Look! A people is coming from the land of the north, And a great nation will be awakened from the remotest parts of the earth. 23 They will grab hold of the bow and the javelin. They are cruel and will have no mercy. Their voice will roar like the sea, And they ride on horses. They draw up in battle order like a man of war against you, O daughter of Zion.”
w88-E 4/1 13 ¶15
Jeremiah—Unpopular Prophet of God’s Judgments
Judah Pays the Price
15 By about 632 B.C.E., Assyria had fallen to the Chaldeans and the Medes, and Egypt was reduced to a minor power to the south of Judah. The real threat to Judah would come through the invasion route to the north. Thus, Jeremiah had to give his fellow Jews some bad news! “Look! A people is coming from the land of the north . . . It is a cruel one, and they will have no pity. . . . It is drawn up in battle order like a man of war against you, O daughter of Zion.” The ascendant world power at that time was Babylon. This would be God’s instrument for punishing faithless Judah.—Jeremiah 6:22, 23; 25:8, 9.
Baibl Reedin
(Jeremiah 5:26–6:5) Sohn wikid man deh monks mi peepl. Dehn kip aan di luk, laik wen wahn persn weh kech berd di stup dong. Dehn set wahn dedli chrap. Da man dehn kech een deh. 27 Laik wahn kayj weh ful op a berd, Da soh fi dehn hows ful op a lai. Dat da wai dehn geh rich ahn powaful. 28 Dehn don geh fat ahn slik; Dehn bobl oava wid weh wikid. Dehn noh di chrai geh jostis fi di pikni weh noh ga pa, Soh dat dehn ku praspa; Ahn dehn noh giv di poa wan dehn eni jostis.’ ” 29 Jehoava seh: “Ai shudn hoal dehn rispansabl fi dehnya tingz den? Ai noh fi tek mai rivenj pahn wahn nayshan laik dat? 30 Sohnting terabl ahn harabl hapm eena di lan: 31 Di prafit dehn di prafesai lai, Ahn di prees dehn di rool wid dehn oan powa. Ahn mi oan peepl laik it laik dat. Bot weh unu wahn du wen di en kohn?”
6 Unu peepl fahn Benjamin, unu tek shelta faar faar fahn Jeroosalem. Bloa di haan da Tekoawa; Lait wahn faiya signal oava Bet-hakeerem! Bikaaz di dizaasta di kohn fahn di naat, wahn big dizaasta. 2 Di daata a Zaiyan luk laik wahn byootiful ahn priti uman. 3 Di shepad dehn ahn dehn flak wahn kohn. Dehn wahn set op dehn tent aal rong ahn, Aala dehn di feed di sheep weh dehn di main. 4 “Pripyaa fi waar gens ahn! Get op, ahn mek wi atak ahn twelv aklak!” “Chrobl fi wi, bikaaz di day di don, Bikaaz di eevnin shado dehn di geh langa!” 5 “Get op, ahn mek wi atak joorin di nait Ahn dischrai ih schrang plays dehn.”
MAACH 20-26
CHREZHAZ FAHN DI WERD A GAAD | JEREMIAH 8-11
“Onli Wid Jehoava Gaidans Hyoomanz Ku Ga Sokses”
(Jeremiah 10:2-5) This is what Jehovah says: “Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Because the nations are terrified by them. 3 For the customs of the peoples are a delusion. It is just a tree of the forest that is cut down, Worked by the hands of the craftsman with his tool. 4 They adorn it with silver and gold And fasten it with hammer and nails so that it will not fall over. 5 Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, they cannot speak; They have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, Nor can they do any good.”
(Jeremiah 10:14, 15) Every man acts unreasonably and without knowledge. Every metalworker will be put to shame because of the carved image; For his metal image is a falsehood, And there is no spirit in them. 15 They are a delusion, a work of mockery. When their day of reckoning comes, they will perish.
it-1-E 555
Cucumber
Pillars, poles, or other devices were also placed in the cultivated fields to scare off the animals, and to such a mute inanimate “scarecrow of a cucumber field” the prophet Jeremiah likened the images made by the idolatrous nations.—Jer 10:5.
(Jeremiah 10:6, 7) No one is like you, O Jehovah. You are great, and your name is great and mighty. 7 Who should not fear you, O King of the nations, for it is fitting; Because among all the wise ones of the nations and among all their kingdoms, There is no one at all like you.
(Jeremiah 10:10-13) But Jehovah is truly God. He is the living God and the eternal King. Because of his indignation the earth will quake, And no nations will endure his denunciation. 11 This is what you should say to them: “The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth Will perish from the earth and from under these heavens.” 12 He is the Maker of the earth by his power, The One who established the productive land by his wisdom And who stretched out the heavens by his understanding. 13 When he makes his voice heard, The waters in the heavens are in turmoil, And he causes clouds to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, And he brings the wind out of his storehouses.
w04-E 10/1 11 ¶10
Who Are Giving God Glory Today?
10 Whether you look at the heavens above or gaze at creation right here on earth, the evidence of a Creator is clear. (Jeremiah 10:12) We should heartily agree with the heavenly creatures who cry out: “You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things.” (Revelation 4:11) Yet, many scientists fail to see the evidence with ‘the eyes of their heart,’ even though they may marvel at the design in things they see with the eyes of their body. (Ephesians 1:18) We can illustrate it this way: To admire the beauty and design in nature and deny the existence of a Great Designer is as illogical as admiring a magnificent painting and at the same time denying the existence of the artist who transformed a blank canvas into a masterpiece. Little wonder that those who refuse to believe in God are pronounced “inexcusable”!
(Jeremiah 10:21-23) For the shepherds have behaved senselessly, And they have not inquired of Jehovah. That is why they have not acted with insight, And all their flocks have been scattered.” 22 Listen! A report! It is coming! A great pounding from the land of the north, To make the cities of Judah desolate, a lair of jackals. 23 I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.
w15-E 9/1 15 ¶1
Are You Disappointed in God?
The miserable conditions on earth today are clear evidence that human rulership has utterly failed. Not only have worldly governments failed to bring peace, security, and happiness but they have also brought the earth to the brink of ruin. This reinforces the fundamental truth stated in the Bible: “It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jeremiah 10:23) Only God’s way of ruling can guarantee lasting peace, happiness, and prosperity to mankind, because that is God’s purpose.—Isaiah 45:18.
Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz
(Jeremiah 9:24) “But let the one boasting boast about this: That he has insight and knowledge of me, That I am Jehovah, the One showing loyal love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, For in these things I take delight,” declares Jehovah.
w13-E 1/15 20 ¶16
Keep Drawing Close to Jehovah
16 Taking pride in the right things can be good. For example, we should always feel proud to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Jer. 9:24) A healthy measure of self-respect helps us to make good decisions and to avoid lowering our moral standards. But placing too high a value on our own views or position can distance us from Jehovah.—Ps. 138:6; Rom. 12:3.
(Jeremiah 11:10) They have returned to the errors of their forefathers of old, who refused to obey my words. They too have followed other gods and have served them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant that I made with their forefathers.
w07-E 3/15 9 ¶2
Highlights From the Book of Jeremiah
3:11-22; 11:10-12, 17—Why did Jeremiah include the northern ten-tribe kingdom in his pronouncements, even though Samaria had fallen in 740 B.C.E.? This was because the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. was an expression of Jehovah’s judgment on the entire nation of Israel, not on Judah alone. (Ezekiel 9:9, 10) Moreover, after its fall, the interests of the ten-tribe kingdom continued to be represented in Jerusalem, since the messages of God’s prophets continued to include the Israelites.
Baibl Reedin
(Jeremiah 11:6-16) Den Jehoava mi tel mi: “Goh tel aala dehnya werdz eena di siti dehn da Jooda ahn eena di schreet dehn da Jeroosalem: ‘Hyaa dehnya werdz a dis kovenant, ahn du weh dehn seh. 7 Ah mi waan unu ansestaz dehn wen Ah mi bring dehn owta di lan a Eejip ahn op til now, Ah stil di waan dehn oava ahn oava agen: “Lisn tu mi.” 8 Bot dehn neva lisn er pay atenshan; insteda dat, eech wan a dehn stay stoban ahn fala dehn oan wikid haat. Soh Ah mi bring dong pahn dehn aala di werdz a dis kovenant weh Ah mi tel dehn fi du, bot dehn mi rifyooz fi du dehn.’ ” 9 Den Jehoava mi tel mi: “Dehn ga wahn eevl plan monks di man dehn fahn Jooda ahn di peepl fahn Jeroosalem. 10 Dehn gaahn bak tu di sinz weh dehn ansestaz mi mek, weh neva waahn obay weh Ah seh. Dehn gaahn bak ahn fala ada gaad ahn serv dehn tu. Di hows a Izrel ahn di hows a Jooda don brok mi kovenant weh Ah mi mek wid dehn ansestaz. 11 Soh dis da weh Jehoava seh, ‘Ai di bring wahn dizaasta pahn dehn ahn dehn wahn kyaahn eskayp. Wen dehn kaal mi fi help, Ai noh wahn lisn tu dehn. 12 Den di siti a Jooda ahn di peepl fahn Jeroosalem wahn goh tu di gaad dehn weh dehn di aafa sakrifais tu ahn kaal pahn dehn fi help, bot dehn wahn kyaahn sayv dehn wen da taim a dizaasta kohn. 13 Yu ga az moch gaad az yu ga siti, Oa Jooda, ahn unu set op az moch alta tu dehn shaymful ting az schreet deh da Jeroosalem, altaz fi aafa sakrifais tu Bayal.’ 14 “Az fi yoo, noh pray fi disya peepl. Noh krai owt fi dehn er seh wahn pryaa fi dehn, bikaaz Ai noh wahn di lisn wen dehn kaal owt tu mi bikaaz a di dizaasta weh di kohn. 15 Weh rait di wan weh Ah lov ga fi deh eena mi hows Wen wahn lata peepl di du aal kaina wikid tingz? Wid di hoali sakrifais weh dehn aafa op dehn wahn ku stap di dizaasta wen ih kohn pahn yu? Yoo wahn rijais wen dat hapm? 16 Jehoava mi kaal yu wahn aliv chree weh green, Byootiful wid gud froot. Wid wahn lowd naiz, ih mi set ahn pahn faiya, Ahn dehn mi brok di branch dehn.
MAACH 27–AYPRIL 2
CHREZHAZ FAHN DI WERD A GAAD | JEREMIAH 12-16
“Izrel Mi Faget Jehoava”
(Jeremiah 13:1-5) This is what Jehovah told me: “Go and buy a linen belt for yourself and put it around your waist, but do not dip it in water.” 2 So I bought the belt according to the word of Jehovah and put it around my waist. 3 And the word of Jehovah came to me a second time: 4 “Take the belt that you bought and are wearing and get up, go to the Eu·phraʹtes, and hide it there in a cleft of the crag.” 5 So I went and hid it by the Eu·phraʹtes, just as Jehovah had commanded me.
jr-E 51 ¶17
Guard Against a Treacherous Heart
17 Jeremiah’s assignment involved obedience to God’s direction. If you had been Jeremiah, would you have accepted any such instructions given? At one point, Jehovah told Jeremiah to get a linen belt and wear it. Next, God commanded him to travel to the Euphrates. Consult a map, and you will see that this meant a trip of some 300 miles (500 km). Once there, Jeremiah was to hide the belt in the cleft of a crag and then travel all the way back to Jerusalem. And God later had him return to get the belt. (Read Jeremiah 13:1-9.) In all, Jeremiah would have traveled about 1,200 miles (1,900 km). Bible critics just cannot believe that he would travel so far, walking for months. (Ezra 7:9) Still, that is what God said and what Jeremiah did.
(Jeremiah 13:6, 7) But many days later Jehovah said to me: “Get up, go to the Eu·phraʹtes, and take from there the belt that I commanded you to hide there.” 7 So I went to the Eu·phraʹtes and dug up the belt and took it from the place where I had hidden it, and I saw that the belt had been ruined; it was completely useless.
jr-E 52 ¶18
Guard Against a Treacherous Heart
18 Picture the prophet trekking through the Judean mountains and then, depending on his route, into a desert toward the Euphrates. All of that just to hide a linen belt! His long absence must have aroused the curiosity of his neighbors. When he returned, he did not have the linen belt with him. Then God told him to make the long trip again, to retrieve the belt, now rotten and “not fit for anything.” Imagine how easy it would have been to think: ‘Now that is just too much. I see no point to it.’ Yet, having been molded by God, he did not react that way. Rather than complain, he did as he was instructed!
(Jeremiah 13:8-11) Then the word of Jehovah came to me: 9 “This is what Jehovah says, ‘In the same way I will destroy the pride of Judah and the immense pride of Jerusalem. 10 These evil people who refuse to obey my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart, and who are following other gods, serving and bowing down to them, will become just like this belt that is completely useless.’ 11 ‘For just as a belt clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me,’ declares Jehovah, ‘to become to me a people, a name, a praise, and something beautiful. But they did not obey.’
jr-E 52 ¶19-20
Guard Against a Treacherous Heart
19 It was only after the second journey that God explained matters. Jeremiah’s actions set the stage for him to deliver a potent message: “This bad people who are refusing to obey my words, who are walking in the stubbornness of their heart and who keep walking after other gods in order to serve them and to bow down to them, will also become just like this belt that is fit for nothing.” (Jer. 13:10) What an impressive way for Jehovah to teach his people! Jeremiah’s heartfelt obedience to Jehovah in what may have seemed trivial played a role in His efforts to reach the hearts of the people.—Jer. 13:11.
20 Christians today are not being asked to walk hundreds of miles as part of a divine lesson. Might it be, though, that the Christian course you pursue could cause neighbors or associates to be puzzled or even to criticize you? It may involve your dress and grooming, your choice as to education, what you prefer as a career, or even your view of alcoholic beverages. Will you be as determined to comply with God’s guidance as Jeremiah was? Your choices because of allowing your heart to be molded by God may lead to your giving a fine witness. In any case, being obedient to Jehovah’s direction found in his Word and accepting the guidance given through the faithful slave class is for your lasting good. Rather than being led by a treacherous heart, you can be like Jeremiah. Be resolved, then, to accept being molded by God; let him form you into an honorable vessel for his lasting use.
it-1-E 1121 ¶2
Hips
Jehovah spoke of the houses of Israel and Judah as having been like a belt on his hips, so closely had he held them to himself, in order that they might become to him a praise and something beautiful. (Jer 13:11) Jesus Christ is prophetically pictured as reigning with righteousness as the belt of his hips and faithfulness as the belt of his loins. This may refer to the fact that all the active powers of Jesus Christ adhere unchangeably to righteousness and faithfulness. Like a belt that provides support, the moral quality of righteousness strengthens him in acting as Jehovah’s appointed Judge.—Isa 11:1, 5.
Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz
(Jeremiah 12:1, 2) You are righteous, O Jehovah, when I make my complaint to you, When I speak about matters of justice with you. But why is the way of wicked ones successful, And why are the treacherous unworried? 2 You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are on their lips, but far away from their innermost thoughts.
(Jeremiah 12:14) This is what Jehovah says against all my wicked neighbors, who are touching the inheritance that I caused my people Israel to possess: “Here I am uprooting them from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them.
jr-E 118 ¶11
Are You Daily Asking, “Where Is Jehovah?”
11 Jeremiah had a vexing question when he observed the wicked succeed. (Read Jeremiah 12:1, 3.) Though not at all questioning Jehovah’s righteousness, the prophet sought a response to his “complaint.” His forthrightness made it clear that he had a strong bond with God, much like that of a child with his beloved father. It was just that Jeremiah did not understand why many Jews were prospering despite being wicked. Did Jeremiah get a satisfying answer? Jehovah assured him that He would uproot the wicked. (Jer. 12:14) As Jeremiah saw the outworking of the matters he took to God in prayer, his confidence in divine justice must have deepened. As a result, Jeremiah must have increasingly turned to God in prayer, expressing himself to his Father.
(Jeremiah 15:17) I do not sit in the company of merrymakers and rejoice. Because your hand is upon me, I sit alone, For you have filled me with indignation.
w04-E 5/1 12 ¶16
Be Courageous Like Jeremiah
Let Us Watch Our Associations
16 Jeremiah reports something else that helped him to be courageous. He said: “I have not sat down in the intimate group of those playing jokes and begun exulting. Because of your hand I have sat down all by myself, for it is with denunciation that you have filled me.” (Jeremiah 15:17) Jeremiah would rather be alone than be corrupted by bad companions. We today view matters the same way. We never forget the apostle Paul’s warning that “bad associations spoil useful habits,” even useful habits that we have had for many years.—1 Corinthians 15:33.
Baibl Reedin
(Jeremiah 13:15-27) Lisn ahn pay atenshan. Noh bee prowd, bikaaz Jehoava don taak aredi. 16 Gi gloari tu Jehoava unu Gaad Bifoa ih bring daaknis Ahn bifoa unu fut dehn stombl pan di mongtin dehn da eevnin. Unu wahn hoap fi di lait, Bot hihn wahn bring deep shado; Hihn wahn ton it intu wahn tik daaknis. 17 Ahn if unu noh waahn lisn bikaaz a unu praid, Ai wahn krai ahn mek nobadi si mi. Ai wahn krai wahn lat, ahn mi aiywaata wahn ron dong, Bikaaz di flak a Jehoava geh kyapcha. 18 Tel di king ahn di kween, ‘Sidong eena wahn loa plays, Bikaaz unu byootiful krong wahn jrap aafa unu hed.’ 19 Di siti dehn fahn di sowt lak dong, ahn nobadi kyaahn oapm dehn. Aala Jooda wahn geh kyapcha ahn foas fi lef dehn plays, dehn wahn kehr dehn weh laik sohn prizna. 20 Lif op yu hed ahn si dehn wan weh di kohn fahn di naat. Wehpaat di flak deh weh yu mi get, wehpaat yu byootiful sheep deh? 21 Wat yu wahn seh wen yu ponishment kohn Fahn yu kloas fren dehn weh yu mi ga fahn di staat? Yu layba payn dehn noh wahn grab yu, laik wen wahn uman di ga baybi? 22 Ahn wen yu seh tu yuself, ‘Wai dehnya tingz hapm tu mi?’ Da bikaaz a yu lata sinz wai yu skert geh tayr aaf Ahn yu heel dehn geh hert. 23 Wahn Kushait ku chaynj ih skin, er wahn taiga ku chaynj ih spat dehn? If da soh, den unu ku du gud, Unu weh mi geh chrayn fi du bad. 24 Soh Ai wahn skyata dehn laik jrai graas weh di dezert breez bloa. 25 Dis da weh yu wahn geh, di paat weh Ai don mezha fi giv yu,” Jehoava seh, “Bikaaz yu mi faget mi ahn yu chros eena loan lai. 26 Soh, Ai wahn lif op yu skert oava yu fays, ahn dehn wahn si yu shaym, 27 yu komit adolchri ahn eena yu los yu di mek naiz laik haas, ahn yu prastichoot yuself wid no shaym. Pan di hil dehn, eena di feel, Ai don si di disgostin way yu bihayv. Chrobl fi yoo, Oa Jeroosalem! Humoch langa yu wahn stay doti?”