Blessings or Maledictions—There Is a Choice!

“I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the malediction; and you must choose life in order that you may keep alive.”—DEUTERONOMY 30:19.

1. Humans were endowed with what capacity?

JEHOVAH GOD designed us—his intelligent human creatures—to be free moral agents. We were not created as mere automatons, or robots, but were extended the privilege and responsibility of making choices. (Psalm 100:3) The first humans—Adam and Eve—were free to choose their course of action, and they were accountable to God for their choice.

2. What choice did Adam make, and with what result?

² The Creator has provided bountifully for human life of perpetual blessing on a paradise earth. Why has that purpose not yet been achieved? Because Adam made the wrong choice. Jehovah had laid this command upon the man: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die.” (Genesis 2:16, 17) If Adam had chosen to obey, our first parents would have been blessed. Disobedience brought death. (Genesis 3:6, 18, 19) So sin and death have been passed on to all of Adam’s progeny.—Romans 5:12.

Blessings Made Possible

3. How did God provide assurance that his purpose for mankind would be accomplished?

³ Jehovah God instituted a means by which his purpose for blessing mankind would eventually be fulfilled. He himself foretold a Seed, prophesying in Eden: “I shall put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heel.” (Genesis 3:15) God later promised that blessings would come to obedient mankind by means of this Seed, a descendant of Abraham.—Genesis 22:15-18.

4. What arrangement has Jehovah made for blessing mankind?

⁴ That promised Seed of blessing proved to be Jesus Christ. Concerning Jesus’ role in Jehovah’s arrangement for blessing mankind, the Christian apostle Paul wrote: “God recommends his own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Blessings will be enjoyed by those of sinful mankind who obey God and avail themselves of the merit of Jesus Christ’s ransom sacrifice. (Acts 4:12) Will you choose obedience and blessings? Disobedience will result in something far different.

What About Maledictions?

5. What is the meaning of the word “malediction”?

⁵ The opposite of a blessing is a malediction. The word “malediction” means to speak ill of someone or pronounce evil against him. The Hebrew word qela·lahʹ is derived from the root verb qa·lalʹ, literally meaning “be light.” When used in a figurative sense, however, it means to ‘call down evil upon’ or to ‘treat with contempt.’—Leviticus 20:9; 2 Samuel 19:43.

6. What incident involving Elisha occurred near ancient Bethel?

⁶ Consider a dramatic example of prompt action involving a malediction. This occurred as God’s prophet Elisha was walking from Jericho to Bethel. The account states: “As he was going up on the way, there were small boys that came out from the city and began to jeer him and that kept saying to him: ‘Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!’ Finally he turned behind him and saw them and called down evil upon them in the name of Jehovah. Then two she-bears came out from the woods and went tearing to pieces forty-two children of their number.” (2 Kings 2:23, 24) Exactly what Elisha said when he spoke that malediction by calling down evil upon those jeering children is not revealed. Nevertheless, that verbal pronouncement got results because it was spoken in the name of Jehovah by a prophet of God acting in harmony with the divine will.

7. What happened to the children who jeered Elisha, and why?

⁷ The main reason for the jeering seems to have been that Elisha was wearing Elijah’s familiar official garment, and the children did not want any successor of that prophet around. (2 Kings 2:13) To answer the challenge of his being Elijah’s successor and to teach these young people and their parents proper respect for Jehovah’s prophet, Elisha called down evil upon the jeering mob in the name of Elijah’s God. Jehovah manifested his approval of Elisha as his prophet by causing the two she-bears to come out of the woods and tear to pieces 42 of those mockers. Jehovah dealt decisively because of their blatant lack of respect for the channel of communication that he was using on earth at that time.

8. What did the people of Israel agree to do, and with what prospects?

⁸ Years earlier, the Israelites showed a similar lack of respect for God’s arrangements. This is how it developed: In 1513 B.C.E., Jehovah showed the people of Israel favor by delivering them from Egyptian bondage as if “on wings of eagles.” Shortly thereafter, they pledged to obey God. Notice how obedience was inseparably linked to receiving God’s approval. Jehovah said through Moses: “If you will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, then you will certainly become my special property out of all other peoples, because the whole earth belongs to me.” Thereafter, the people responded in the affirmative, saying: “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do.” (Exodus 19:4, 5, 8; 24:3) The Israelites claimed to love Jehovah, were dedicated to him, and vowed to obey his voice. Doing so would result in great blessings.

9, 10. While Moses was on Mount Sinai, what did the Israelites do, and with what consequences?

⁹ Before the basic tenets of that agreement were etched in stone by the ‘finger of God,’ though, divine maledictions became necessary. (Exodus 31:18) Why were such tragic consequences merited? Had not the Israelites indicated a desire to do all that Jehovah had spoken? Yes, in word they sought blessings, but by their actions they chose a course that merited maledictions.

¹⁰ During a 40-day period when Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites broke their earlier promise of loyalty to Jehovah. “Meanwhile,” says the account, “the people got to see that Moses was taking a long time about coming down from the mountain. So the people congregated themselves about Aaron and said to him: ‘Get up, make for us a god who will go ahead of us, because as regards this Moses, the man who led us up out of the land of Egypt, we certainly do not know what has happened to him.’” (Exodus 32:1) This is another example of a disrespectful attitude manifested toward the human agency that Jehovah was then using to lead and direct his people. The Israelites were lured into imitating Egyptian idolatry and reaped dire results when some 3,000 of them fell to the sword in one day.—Exodus 32:2-6, 25-29.

Pronouncement of Blessings and Maledictions

11. What instructions regarding blessings and maledictions were carried out by Joshua?

¹¹ Near the end of Israel’s 40-year trek in the wilderness, Moses itemized the blessings to be reaped by choosing a course of obedience to God. He also enumerated the maledictions that the Israelites would experience if they chose to disobey Jehovah. (Deuteronomy 27:11–28:10) Shortly after Israel entered the Promised Land, Joshua carried out Moses’ instructions involving these blessings and maledictions. Six tribes of Israel stood at the foot of Mount Ebal, and the other six took positions in front of Mount Gerizim. The Levites stood in the valley between. Apparently, the tribes stationed in front of Mount Ebal said “Amen!” to the maledictions, or curses, read in that direction. Others responded to the blessings that the Levites read in their direction at the foot of Mount Gerizim.—Joshua 8:30-35.

12. What were some of the maledictions pronounced by the Levites?

¹² Imagine that you hear the Levites say: “Cursed is the man who makes a carved image or a molten statue, a thing detestable to Jehovah, the manufacture of the hands of a wood-and-metal worker, and who has put it in a hiding place. . . . Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt. . . . Cursed is the one who moves back the boundary mark of his fellowman. . . . Cursed is the one who causes the blind to go astray in the way. . . . Cursed is the one who perverts the judgment of an alien resident, a fatherless boy and a widow. . . . Cursed is the one who lies down with his father’s wife, because he has uncovered the skirt of his father. . . . Cursed is the one who lies down with any beast. . . . Cursed is the one who lies down with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother. . . . Cursed is the one who lies down with his mother-in-law. . . . Cursed is the one who fatally strikes his fellowman from a hiding place. . . . Cursed is the one who accepts a bribe to strike a soul fatally, when it is innocent blood. . . . Cursed is the one who will not put the words of this law in force by doing them.” After each malediction, the tribes in front of Mount Ebal say, “Amen!”—Deuteronomy 27:15-26.

13. In your own words, how would you express certain blessings that the Levites pronounced?

¹³ Now imagine that you hear those in front of Mount Gerizim respond vocally to each blessing as the Levites call out: “Blessed will you be in the city, and blessed will you be in the field. Blessed will be the fruit of your belly and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your domestic beast, the young of your cattle and the progeny of your flock. Blessed will be your basket and your kneading trough. Blessed will you be when you come in, and blessed will you be when you go out.”—Deuteronomy 28:3-6.

14. On what basis would the Israelites receive blessings?

¹⁴ What was the basis for receiving these blessings? The account says: “If you will without fail listen to the voice of Jehovah your God by being careful to do all his commandments that I am commanding you today, Jehovah your God also will certainly put you high above all other nations of the earth. And all these blessings must come upon you and overtake you, because you keep listening to the voice of Jehovah your God.” (Deuteronomy 28:1, 2) Yes, the key to enjoying divine blessings was obedience to God. But what about us today? Will we individually choose blessings and life by continuing to “listen to the voice of Jehovah”?—Deuteronomy 30:19, 20.

Taking a Closer Look

15. What point was made in the blessing recorded at Deuteronomy 28:3, and how can we benefit from it?

¹⁵ Let us reflect on certain blessings an Israelite could enjoy for obeying Jehovah. For example, Deuteronomy 28:3 says: “Blessed will you be in the city, and blessed will you be in the field.” Being blessed by God is not contingent on location or assignment. Some may feel trapped in their circumstances, perhaps because they live in a materially devastated area or in a war-torn country. Others may yearn to serve Jehovah in a different location. Some Christian men may be discouraged because they have not been appointed as ministerial servants or as elders in the congregation. At times, Christian women feel disheartened because they are not in a position to engage in the full-time ministry as pioneers or missionaries. Yet, everyone who ‘listens to Jehovah’s voice and carefully does all that he requires’ will be blessed now and to all eternity.

16. How is the principle of Deuteronomy 28:4 being experienced by Jehovah’s organization today?

¹⁶ Deuteronomy 28:4 says: “Blessed will be the fruit of your belly and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your domestic beast, the young of your cattle and the progeny of your flock.” The use of the singular Hebrew pronoun rendered “your” indicates that this would be the personal experience of an obedient Israelite. What about Jehovah’s obedient servants today? The worldwide increase and expansion under way in the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses are the result of God’s blessing on the earnest efforts of over 5,000,000 proclaimers of the good news of the Kingdom. (Mark 13:10) And the potential for greater increase is evident because over 13,000,000 attended the 1995 observance of the Lord’s Evening Meal. Are you enjoying Kingdom blessings?

Israel’s Choice Made a Difference

17. Being ‘overtaken’ by blessings or by maledictions depended on what?

¹⁷ In effect, blessings would pursue an obedient Israelite. It was promised: “All these blessings must come upon you and overtake you.” (Deuteronomy 28:2) Similarly, it was said of maledictions: “All these maledictions must also come upon you and overtake you.” (Deuteronomy 28:15) If you had been an Israelite of ancient times, would you have been ‘overtaken’ by blessings or by maledictions? That would have depended on whether you obeyed God or you disobeyed him.

18. How could the Israelites have avoided maledictions?

¹⁸ At Deuteronomy 28:15-68, the painful consequences of disobedience are set forth as maledictions. Some are the exact opposite of the blessings for obedience enumerated at Deuteronomy 28:3-14. Often, the people of Israel reaped the blistering results of maledictions because they chose to engage in false worship. (Ezra 9:7; Jeremiah 6:6-8; 44:2-6) How tragic! Such consequences could have been avoided by making the right choice, that of obedience to Jehovah’s wholesome laws and principles, which clearly define good and bad. Many today suffer pain and tragedy because they have chosen to act contrary to Bible principles by practicing false religion, engaging in sexual immorality, using illicit drugs, overindulging in alcoholic beverages, and the like. As in ancient Israel and Judah, making such bad choices results in divine disapproval and unnecessary pain of heart.—Isaiah 65:12-14.

19. Describe the conditions enjoyed when Judah and Israel chose to obey Jehovah.

¹⁹ Blessings were abundant and tranquillity reigned only when Israel obeyed Jehovah. For example, concerning the days of King Solomon, we read: “Judah and Israel were many, like the grains of sand that are by the sea for multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing. . . . And Judah and Israel continued to dwell in security, everyone under his own vine and under his own fig tree, from Dan to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.” (1 Kings 4:20-25) Even in King David’s time, which was marked by much opposition from enemies of God, the nation felt Jehovah’s backing and blessing when they chose to obey the God of truth.—2 Samuel 7:28, 29; 8:1-15.

20. Of what is God confident concerning humans?

²⁰ Will you obey God, or will you disobey him? The Israelites had a choice. Though all of us have inherited a sinful inclination from Adam, we have also received the gift of free choice. Despite Satan, this wicked world, and our imperfections, we can make the right choice. Moreover, our Creator is confident that in the face of every trial and temptation, there will be those who make the right choice, not only in word but also in action. (1 Peter 5:8-10) Will you be among them?

21. What will be examined in the next article?

²¹ In the next article, we will be able to weigh our attitudes and actions in the light of past examples. May each of us respond gratefully to God’s words through Moses: “I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the malediction; and you must choose life in order that you may keep alive.”—Deuteronomy 30:19.

Blessings or Maledictions—Examples for Us Today

“These things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived.”—1 CORINTHIANS 10:11.

1. Even as one inspects an implement, what inspection should we make?

UNSEEN under a coat of paint, rust can begin to corrode an implement made of iron. It may be some time before the rust becomes visible on the surface. Similarly, the attitudes and desires of one’s heart may begin to deteriorate long before this results in serious consequences or is even noticed by others. As we would wisely inspect an implement to see if it is becoming rusty, so a close inspection of our hearts and timely maintenance may preserve our Christian integrity. Put another way, we can receive God’s blessings and can avoid divine maledictions. Some may think that the blessings and maledictions pronounced upon ancient Israel have little meaning for those facing the conclusion of this system of things. (Joshua 8:34, 35; Matthew 13:49, 50; 24:3) However, that is not so. We can benefit greatly from the warning examples involving Israel, as set out in 1 Corinthians chapter 10.

2. What does 1 Corinthians 10:5, 6 say about Israel’s experiences in the wilderness?

² The apostle Paul parallels the Israelites under Moses with Christians under Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) Though the people of Israel could have entered the Promised Land, “on most of them God did not express his approval, for they were laid low in the wilderness.” Paul therefore told fellow Christians: “Now these things became our examples, for us not to be persons desiring injurious things, even as they desired them.” (1 Corinthians 10:5, 6) Desires are nurtured in the heart, so we need to heed the warning examples that Paul cites.

Warning Against Idolatry

3. How did the Israelites sin in connection with the golden calf?

³ Paul’s first warning is: “Neither become idolaters, as some of them did; just as it is written: ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and they got up to have a good time.’” (1 Corinthians 10:7) This warning example is that of the Israelites’ reverting to the ways of Egypt and making an idolatrous golden calf. (Exodus, chapter 32) The disciple Stephen indicated the underlying problem: “To [Moses, God’s representative] our forefathers refused to become obedient, but they thrust him aside and in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, saying to Aaron, ‘Make gods for us to go ahead of us. For this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’ So they made a calf in those days and brought up a sacrifice to the idol and began to enjoy themselves in the works of their hands.” (Acts 7:39-41) Notice that “in their hearts” the wayward Israelites harbored wrong desires that led to idolatry. “They made a calf . . . and brought up a sacrifice to the idol.” Moreover, they “began to enjoy themselves in the work of their hands.” There was music, singing, dancing, eating, and drinking. Obviously, the idolatry was enticing and entertaining.

4, 5. What idolatrous practices do we need to avoid?

⁴ Antitypical Egypt—Satan’s world—virtually worships entertainment. (1 John 5:19; Revelation 11:8) It idolizes actors, singers, and sports stars, as well as their dancing, their music, their concepts of fun and good times. Many have been tempted to drench themselves in entertainment while still claiming to worship Jehovah. When a Christian must be reproved for wrongdoing, his weakened spiritual state can often be traced back to drinking alcoholic beverages, dancing, and the having of a good time in some way that may border on idolatry. (Exodus 32:5, 6, 17, 18) Some entertainment is wholesome and enjoyable. Yet, today most worldly music, dancing, movies, and videos cater to corrupt fleshly desires.

⁵ True Christians do not succumb to the worship of idols. (2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 John 5:21) May each of us be just as careful not to become addicted to idolatrous entertainment and risk suffering the detrimental effects of being immersed in having a good time in a worldly way. If we subject ourselves to worldly influences, injurious desires and attitudes can almost imperceptibly lodge in the mind and heart. When not corrected, these can eventually result in being ‘laid low in the wilderness’ of Satan’s system.

6. What positive action may we need to take concerning entertainment?

⁶ Like Moses at the time of the golden-calf incident, in effect “the faithful and discreet slave” is saying: “Who is on Jehovah’s side? To me!” Taking positive action to show that we stand firmly for true worship can be lifesaving. Moses’ tribe of Levi acted promptly to clear out debasing influences. (Matthew 24:45-47; Exodus 32:26-28) So, then, carefully examine your choice of entertainment, music, videos, and the like. If it is corrupt in some way, take your stand for Jehovah. With prayerful reliance on God, make changes in your choice of entertainment and music, and destroy the spiritually harmful material, even as Moses destroyed the golden calf.—Exodus 32:20; Deuteronomy 9:21.

7. How can we protect the figurative heart?

⁷ How can we counteract corrosion of the heart? By studying God’s Word diligently, letting its truths sink into our minds and hearts. (Romans 12:1, 2) Of course, we should attend Christian meetings regularly. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Passively attending meetings could be likened to painting over a rust spot. This may brighten us for a while, but it does not solve the underlying problem. Instead, by advance preparation, meditation, and active participation in meetings, we can aggressively remove corrosive elements that may linger in the recesses of our figurative heart. This will help us to adhere to God’s Word and will strengthen us to endure tests of faith and become “sound in all respects.”—James 1:3, 4; Proverbs 15:28.

Warning Against Fornication

8-10. (a) What warning example is referred to at 1 Corinthians 10:8? (b) How can Jesus’ words found at Matthew 5:27, 28 be applied beneficially?

⁸ In Paul’s next example, we are counseled: “Neither let us practice fornication, as some of them committed fornication, only to fall, twenty-three thousand of them in one day.”a (1 Corinthians 10:8) The apostle was referring to the time when the Israelites bowed down to false gods and had “immoral relations with the daughters of Moab.” (Numbers 25:1-9) Sexual immorality is death dealing! Letting immoral thoughts and desires run rampant is like allowing a “rusting” of the heart. Jesus stated: “You heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”—Matthew 5:27, 28.

⁹ Testifying to the consequences of ‘looking so as to have a passion for a woman’ is the result of the debased thinking of the disobedient angels prior to the Flood of Noah’s day. (Genesis 6:1, 2) Remember, too, that one of the most tragic incidents of King David’s life was ignited by his continuing to look improperly at a woman. (2 Samuel 11:1-4) In contrast, the righteous married man Job ‘made a covenant with his eyes that he would not show himself attentive to a virgin,’ thus avoiding immorality and proving to be an integrity keeper. (Job 31:1-3, 6-11) The eyes might be likened to the windows of the heart. And it is out of a corrupt heart that many wicked things issue forth.—Mark 7:20-23.

¹⁰ If we apply Jesus’ words, we will not allow free rein to wrong thoughts by viewing pornographic material or by entertaining immoral thoughts regarding a fellow Christian, a workmate, or anyone else. Rust is not removed from metal by merely brushing off the corrosion. Therefore, do not lightly brush off immoral ideas and tendencies as though they were of little significance. Take strong measures to rid yourself of immoral leanings. (Compare Matthew 5:29, 30.) Paul exhorts fellow believers: “Deaden . . . your body members that are upon the earth as respects fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite, hurtful desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of those things the wrath of God is coming.” Yes, on account of such things as sexual immorality, “the wrath of God is coming” as the expression of his malediction. So we need to “deaden” our body members as respects these things.—Colossians 3:5, 6.

Warning Against Rebellious Complaints

11, 12. (a) What warning is given at 1 Corinthians 10:9, and what incident was referred to? (b) How should Paul’s warning affect us?

¹¹ Paul next warns: “Neither let us put Jehovah to the test, as some of them put him to the test, only to perish by the serpents.” (1 Corinthians 10:9) While trekking in the wilderness near the border of Edom, the Israelites “kept speaking against God and Moses: ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread and no water, and our soul has come to abhor the contemptible bread,’” the miraculously provided manna. (Numbers 21:4, 5) Just think! Those Israelites “kept speaking against God,” calling his provisions contemptible!

¹² By their complaints, the Israelites were testing Jehovah’s patience. Punishment was not withheld, for Jehovah sent poisonous serpents among them, and many died from serpent bites. After the people repented and Moses interceded in their behalf, the plague was brought to an end. (Numbers 21:6-9) Surely this incident should serve as a warning for us not to display a rebellious, complaining spirit, especially against God and his theocratic arrangements.

Warning Against Murmuring

13. Against what does 1 Corinthians 10:10 warn, and what rebellion did Paul have in mind?

¹³ Citing his final example involving the Israelites in the wilderness, Paul writes: “Neither be murmurers, just as some of them murmured, only to perish by the destroyer.” (1 Corinthians 10:10) Rebellion erupted when Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their associates acted untheocratically and challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron. (Numbers 16:1-3) After the destruction of the rebels, the Israelites started to murmur. This was because they began to reason that the destruction of the rebels was unjust. Numbers 16:41 states: “Directly the next day the whole assembly of the sons of Israel began to murmur against Moses and Aaron, saying: ‘You men, you have put Jehovah’s people to death.’” As a result of their finding fault with the way justice was administered on that occasion, 14,700 Israelites perished from a divinely sent scourge.—Numbers 16:49.

14, 15. (a) What was one of the sins of the “ungodly men” who slipped into the congregation? (b) What can be learned from the incident involving Korah?

¹⁴ In the first century C.E., “ungodly men” who slipped into the Christian congregation proved to be false teachers as well as murmurers. These men were “disregarding lordship and speaking abusively of glorious ones,” anointed men then entrusted with the spiritual oversight of the congregation. Concerning the ungodly apostates, the disciple Jude also said: “These men are murmurers, complainers about their lot in life, proceeding according to their own desires.” (Jude 3, 4, 8, 16) Today, some individuals become murmurers because they allow a spiritually corrosive attitude to develop in their heart. Often they concentrate on the imperfections of those in positions of oversight in the congregation and begin to murmur against them. Their murmuring and complaining may even extend to criticizing publications of the ‘faithful slave.’

¹⁵ It is proper to ask sincere questions about a Scriptural subject. But what if we were to develop a negative attitude that manifested itself in critical discussions among an intimate circle of friends? We would do well to ask ourselves, ‘Where is this likely to end? Would it not be far better to stop murmuring and pray humbly for wisdom?’ (James 1:5-8; Jude 17-21) Korah and his supporters, who rebelled against the authority of Moses and Aaron, may have been so convinced that their perspective was valid that they did not examine their motives. Nonetheless, they were completely wrong. So were the Israelites who murmured about the destruction of Korah and the other rebels. How wise it is to let such examples move us to examine our motives, dispel murmuring or complaining, and allow Jehovah to refine us!—Psalm 17:1-3.

Learn, and Enjoy the Blessings

16. What is the substance of the exhortation at 1 Corinthians 10:11, 12?

¹⁶ Under divine inspiration, Paul concludes the list of warning messages with the exhortation: “Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived. Consequently let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:11, 12) May we not take for granted our standing in the Christian congregation.

17. If we sense an improper motive in our heart, what should we do?

¹⁷ As iron has a tendency to rust, likewise we descendants of sinful Adam have inherited an inclination toward badness. (Genesis 8:21; Romans 5:12) Hence, we should not be discouraged if we sense an improper motive in our heart. Instead, let us take decisive action. When iron is exposed to moist air or a caustic environment, its corrosion is greatly accelerated. We need to avoid exposure to the “air” of Satan’s world, with its vile entertainment, rampant immorality, and negative bent of mind.—Ephesians 2:1, 2.

18. What has Jehovah done respecting the wrong tendencies of mankind?

¹⁸ Jehovah has provided humankind with a means to counteract wrong tendencies that we have inherited. He gave his only-begotten Son so that those exercising faith in him might have everlasting life. (John 3:16) If we follow Jesus’ steps closely and manifest a Christlike personality, we will be a blessing to others. (1 Peter 2:21) We will also receive, not maledictions, but divine blessings.

19. How can we benefit from considering Scriptural examples?

¹⁹ Though we today are as susceptible to error as were the Israelites of old, we have God’s complete written Word to guide us. From its pages we learn about Jehovah’s dealings with mankind as well as his qualities exemplified in Jesus, ‘the reflection of God’s glory and the exact representation of His very being.’ (Hebrews 1:1-3; John 14:9, 10) Through prayer and diligent study of the Scriptures, we can have “the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16) When confronted with temptations and other tests of our faith, we can benefit from considering ancient Scriptural examples and especially the superlative example of Jesus Christ. If we do so, we will not have to experience the outworking of divine maledictions. Instead, we will enjoy Jehovah’s favor today and his blessings forever.