Imitate Jehovah, Our Impartial God

“There is no partiality with God.”​—ROMANS 2:11.

1, 2. (a) What was Jehovah’s purpose regarding the Canaanites in general? (b) What did Jehovah do, and what questions does this raise?

CAMPED on the Plains of Moab in 1473 B.C.E., Israel listened attentively to Moses. A challenge lay ahead, beyond the Jordan River. Moses declared Jehovah’s purpose to have Israel defeat the seven mighty Canaanite nations in the Promised Land. How reassuring were Moses’ words: “Jehovah your God will certainly abandon them to you, and you must defeat them”! Israel was to conclude no covenant with them, and they merited no favor.​—Deuteronomy 1:1; 7:1, 2.

² Yet, Jehovah spared one family from the first city that Israel attacked. People from four other towns also received God’s protection. Why was this? What do the remarkable events associated with the survival of these Canaanites teach us about Jehovah? And how can we imitate him?

Reactions to Jehovah’s Fame

3, 4. News of the Israelites’ victories had what effect on individuals in Canaan?

³ During Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land, Jehovah protected and fought for his people. To the south of the Promised Land, Israel faced the Canaanite king of Arad. With Jehovah’s help the Israelites defeated him and his people at Hormah. (Numbers 21:1-3) Later, Israel skirted the land of Edom and journeyed northward to the northeast of the Dead Sea. In this area, formerly inhabited by Moab, there now were Amorites. Amorite King Sihon refused to allow Israel passage through his territory. Battle was joined at Jahaz, evidently north of the Torrent Valley of Arnon, where Sihon met his death. (Numbers 21:23, 24; Deuteronomy 2:30-33) Farther north, Og ruled over other Amorites in Bashan. Though Og was a giant, he proved no match for Jehovah. Og was killed at Edrei. (Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-3, 11) News of these victories coupled with stories of Israel’s Exodus from Egypt had a powerful effect on individuals living in Canaan.a

⁴ When Israel first penetrated Canaan after crossing the Jordan, they set up camp at Gilgal. (Joshua 4:9-19) Not far away stood the walled city of Jericho. What Canaanite Rahab heard of Jehovah’s actions stirred her to act in faith. As a result, when Jehovah brought destruction on Jericho, he spared her and those in her house.​—Joshua 2:1-13; 6:17, 18; James 2:25.

5. What prompted the Gibeonites to act shrewdly?

⁵ Next, Israel ascended from the lowlands near the river into the central hills of the region. Following Jehovah’s direction, Joshua employed ambush tactics against the city of Ai. (Joshua, chapter 8) News of the ensuing rout prompted many of Canaan’s kings to assemble for war. (Joshua 9:1, 2) The inhabitants of the nearby Hivite city of Gibeon reacted differently. “They, even of their own accord,” relates Joshua 9:4, “acted with shrewdness.” Like Rahab, they had heard of Jehovah’s deliverance of his people at the Exodus and at the defeat of Sihon and Og. (Joshua 9:6-10) The Gibeonites realized the futility of resistance. So on behalf of Gibeon and three nearby cities​—Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim—​they sent to Joshua at Gilgal a delegation disguised as though from a distant land. The stratagem succeeded. Joshua concluded a covenant with them that ensured their survival. Three days later Joshua and the Israelites learned that they had been tricked. Nevertheless, they had sworn by Jehovah to the covenant and thus held to it. (Joshua 9:16-19) Did Jehovah approve?

6. How did Jehovah react to the covenant that Joshua concluded with the Gibeonites?

⁶ The Gibeonites were allowed to become woodcutters and water carriers for the Israelites, even “for Jehovah’s altar” at the tabernacle. (Joshua 9:21-27) More than that, when five Amorite kings and their armies threatened the Gibeonites, Jehovah miraculously intervened. Hailstones killed more of the enemy than did Joshua’s troops. Jehovah even answered Joshua’s plea for the sun and the moon to stand still to allow for a complete rout. “No day has proved to be like that one, either before it or after it,” noted Joshua, “in that Jehovah listened to the voice of a man, for Jehovah himself was fighting for Israel.”​—Joshua 10:1-14.

7. What truth acknowledged by Peter was demonstrated in the case of certain Canaanites?

⁷ Canaanite Rahab and her family, as well as the Gibeonites, feared Jehovah and acted accordingly. What happened to them clearly demonstrates a truth that the Christian apostle Peter later stated: “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.”​—Acts 10:34, 35.

Dealings With Abraham and Israel

8, 9. How is Jehovah’s impartiality shown in his dealings with Abraham and with the nation of Israel?

⁸ The disciple James drew attention to God’s undeserved kindness in His dealings with Abraham and his offspring. It was Abraham’s faith, not his ethnic origin, that made him “Jehovah’s friend.” (James 2:23) Abraham’s faith and love for Jehovah brought blessings to his descendants. (2 Chronicles 20:7) Jehovah promised Abraham: “I shall surely bless you and I shall surely multiply your seed like the stars of the heavens and like the grains of sand that are on the seashore.” But note the promise in the next verse: “By means of your seed all nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves.”​—Genesis 22:17, 18; Romans 4:1-8.

⁹ Far from showing partiality, Jehovah demonstrated by his dealings with Israel what he can do for those who obey him. Such dealings are an example of how Jehovah expresses loyal love toward his faithful servants. Although Israel was Jehovah’s “special property,” this did not mean that other peoples were excluded from experiencing God’s benevolence. (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6-8) True, Jehovah repurchased Israel from slavery in Egypt and consequently declared: “You people only have I known out of all the families of the ground.” But through the prophet Amos and others, Jehovah also held out a wonderful prospect for people of “all the nations.”​—Amos 3:2; 9:11, 12; Isaiah 2:2-4.

Jesus, the Impartial Teacher

10. How did Jesus imitate his Father in showing impartiality?

¹⁰ During his earthly ministry, Jesus, who is the exact representation of his Father, imitated Jehovah’s impartiality. (Hebrews 1:3) His primary concern at the time was to find “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Yet, he did not hold back from witnessing to a Samaritan woman at a well. (Matthew 15:24; John 4:7-30) He also performed a miracle at the request of an army officer, apparently a non-Jew. (Luke 7:1-10) That was in addition to demonstrating by his actions his love for God’s people. Jesus’ disciples preached far and wide too. It became clear that the criterion for receiving Jehovah’s blessing was linked, not to nationality, but to attitude. Humble, honesthearted people who were hungry for the truth responded to the Kingdom good news. In contrast, the proud and haughty despised Jesus and his message. “I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,” Jesus declared, “because you have carefully hidden these things from wise and intellectual ones, and have revealed them to babes. Yes, O Father, because to do thus came to be the way approved by you.” (Luke 10:21) When we deal with others on the basis of love and faith, we act impartially, knowing that this is the way Jehovah approves.

11. How was impartiality demonstrated in the early Christian congregation?

¹¹ In the early Christian congregation, Jews and non-Jews were equal. “Glory and honor and peace for everyone who works what is good,” explained Paul, “for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.”b (Romans 2:10, 11) What determined whether they benefited from Jehovah’s undeserved kindness was, not their ethnic origin, but their reaction upon learning about Jehovah and the prospects offered by the ransom of his Son, Jesus. (John 3:16, 36) Paul wrote: “He is not a Jew who is one on the outside, nor is circumcision that which is on the outside upon the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one on the inside, and his circumcision is that of the heart by spirit, and not by a written code.” Then, using a play on words involving the term “Jew” (meaning “of Judah,” that is, lauded or praised), Paul added: “The praise of that one comes, not from men, but from God.” (Romans 2:28, 29) Jehovah extends praise impartially. Do we?

12. Revelation 7:9 offers what prospect, and to whom?

¹² Later, in a vision, the apostle John saw the faithful anointed Christians depicted as a spiritual nation of 144,000, “sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel.” After these, John caught sight of “a great crowd . . . out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:4, 9) Thus, no ethnic group or language is excluded from the modern-day Christian congregation. Individuals from all backgrounds have the prospect of surviving the coming “great tribulation” and drinking from “fountains of waters of life” in the new world.​—Revelation 7:14-17.

Positive Effects

13-15. (a) How can we overcome racial and cultural differences? (b) Cite examples of the benefits that showing friendliness can bring.

¹³ Jehovah knows us well, as a good father does his children. Likewise, when we come to understand others by taking an interest in their culture and background, differences tend to pale into insignificance. Ethnic barriers melt, and bonds of friendship and love are strengthened. Unity is enhanced. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23) This is well demonstrated by the activity of missionaries who serve in foreign assignments. They take an interest in the people who live there, and as a result, the missionaries soon find that they blend into local congregations.​—Philippians 2:4.

¹⁴ The positive effects of being impartial shine forth in many lands. Aklilu, who hails from Ethiopia, found himself lonely in Britain’s capital, London. His feelings of loneliness were compounded by what seemed to him to be a general lack of friendliness toward people from other countries, something sensed in many large cities of modern Europe. How different Aklilu’s experience was when he attended a Christian meeting at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses! Those present welcomed him, and it was not long before he felt at home. He made rapid progress in deepening his appreciation for the Creator. He soon sought opportunities to share in spreading the Kingdom good news to others in that district. Indeed, one day when Aklilu’s preaching companion asked him what goals he now had in life, Aklilu readily responded that he hoped someday to be part of a congregation that spoke his language, Amharic. When the elders of the local English-speaking congregation learned of this, they happily arranged for a public Bible discourse in Aklilu’s native tongue. The invitation to attend brought scores of foreigners and local people together to support the first Amharic public meeting in Britain. Today, Ethiopians and others in that area are united in a thriving congregation. Many there have found that nothing prevents them from taking a stand for Jehovah and symbolizing this by Christian baptism.​—Acts 8:26-36.

¹⁵ Characteristics and backgrounds vary. They are no measure of superiority or of inferiority; they are simply differences. When watching the baptism of newly dedicated servants of Jehovah on the island of Malta, the local Witnesses’ joyful exuberance complemented the tears of joy that welled up in the eyes of visitors from Britain. Both the Maltese and the British groups expressed their feelings but in different ways, and their strong love for Jehovah cemented the bonds of Christian fellowship.​—Psalm 133:1; Colossians 3:14.

Overcoming Prejudice

16-18. Relate an experience that demonstrates how prejudice can be overcome in the Christian congregation.

¹⁶ As our love for Jehovah and for our Christian brothers deepens, we can more closely imitate Jehovah in the way we view others. Any prejudice we may once have felt toward certain nationalities, races, or cultures can be overcome. Take, for example, the case of Albert who served in the British Army during World War II and who was captured by the Japanese at the fall of Singapore in 1942. He later spent some three years working on the “death railroad,” near what became known as the bridge over the river Kwai. On his release at the end of the war, he weighed 70 pounds [32 k], had a broken jaw and nose, and suffered from dysentery, ringworm, and malaria. Thousands of his fellow prisoners fared worse; many did not survive. As a result of the atrocities that Albert had seen and experienced, he returned home in 1945 a bitter man, wanting nothing to do with God or religion.

¹⁷ Albert’s wife, Irene, became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. To please her, Albert attended a few meetings of the local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. A young Christian in the full-time ministry named Paul visited Albert to study the Bible with him. Albert soon came to realize that Jehovah looks at individuals according to their heart condition. He dedicated his life to Jehovah and got baptized.

¹⁸ Paul later moved to London, learned Japanese, and associated with a Japanese-speaking congregation. When he suggested taking some visiting Japanese Witnesses to his former congregation, the brothers there called to mind Albert’s strong prejudice against people from that background. Since his return to Britain, Albert had avoided coming face-to-face with anyone from Japan, so the brothers wondered how he would handle the situation. They need not have worried​—Albert received the visitors with unconditional brotherly affection.​—1 Peter 3:8, 9.

“Widen Out”

19. What advice of the apostle Paul can help us if we have any trace of partiality?

¹⁹ “The showing of partiality is not good,” wrote wise King Solomon. (Proverbs 28:21) It is easy to feel close to those whom we know well. Sometimes, however, we tend to show little interest in those whom we do not know well. Such partiality does not befit a servant of Jehovah. Certainly, we would all do well to follow Paul’s clear advice to “widen out”​—yes, widen out in our love for fellow Christians from different backgrounds.​—2 Corinthians 6:13.

20. In what areas of life should we imitate Jehovah, our impartial God?

²⁰ Whether we have the privilege of the heavenly calling or the prospect of living forever on earth, our being impartial enables us to enjoy the unity of one flock, one Shepherd. (Ephesians 4:4, 5, 16) Endeavoring to imitate Jehovah, our impartial God, can help us in our Christian ministry, within our families, and in the congregations, indeed, in all areas of life. How so? The following article will address this subject.

[Footnotes]

Look for the Good in All

“Do remember me, O my God, for good.”​—NEHEMIAH 13:31.

1. How does Jehovah act with goodness toward all?

AFTER many cloudy and gray days, sunshine brings a welcome change. Spirits soar, and people experience a good feeling. Likewise, following long periods of blazing sunshine and dry weather, a shower of rain​—even a cloudburst—​provides refreshment and relief. Our loving Creator, Jehovah, has built into earth’s atmosphere this wonderful gift of weather. Jesus drew attention to God’s bounty when he taught: “Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you; that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:43-45) Yes, Jehovah acts with goodness toward all. His servants should strive to imitate him by looking for the good in others.

2. (a) On what basis does Jehovah act with goodness? (b) What notice does Jehovah take of how we respond to his goodness?

² On what basis does Jehovah act with goodness? Ever since Adam’s fall into sin, Jehovah has not failed to look for the good in humans. (Psalm 130:3, 4) His purpose is to restore obedient mankind to life in Paradise. (Ephesians 1:9, 10) His undeserved kindness has given us the prospect of deliverance from sin and imperfection through the promised Seed. (Genesis 3:15; Romans 5:12, 15) Acceptance of the ransom arrangement paves the way for an eventual return to perfection. Jehovah is now observing each of us to see, among other things, our reaction to his generosity. (1 John 3:16) He notices whatever we do to demonstrate our appreciation for his goodness. “God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name,” wrote the apostle Paul.​—Hebrews 6:10.

3. What question deserves our consideration?

³ How, then, can we imitate Jehovah in looking for the good in others? Let us consider answers to this question in four areas of life: (1) the Christian ministry, (2) the family, (3) the congregation, and (4) our relationships with others.

In Preaching and Disciple Making

4. How is participation in the Christian ministry an expression of looking for the good in others?

⁴ “The field is the world,” Jesus explained in answer to his disciples’ queries about the meaning of the parable of the wheat and the weeds. As Christ’s modern-day disciples, we recognize this truth when engaging in our ministry. (Matthew 13:36-38; 28:19, 20) Our field ministry involves the public declaration of our faith. The very fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses are now well-known for their ministry from house to house and on the streets testifies to our diligence in seeking out all who are deserving of the Kingdom message. Indeed, Jesus instructed: “Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving.”​—Matthew 10:11; Acts 17:17; 20:20.

5, 6. Why do we persevere in making repeated visits to people in their homes?

⁵ When making uninvited calls on people, we observe their reaction to our message. Sometimes we find that one member of a household will give us a hearing ear, while another from within the home calls out, “We are not interested,” and the visit ends. How sorry we feel that opposition or lack of interest on the part of one person affects the response of another! What, then, can we do to persevere in looking for the good in all?

⁶ Our next visit to the home when we preach in that area may provide an opportunity to speak directly to the person who curtailed the earlier visit. Remembering what happened at that time can help us to prepare. The opposer may have acted with good motives, believing that he should stop the responsive one from listening to the Kingdom message. His views were perhaps shaped by false information about our intentions. But that does not prevent us from persisting in preaching the Kingdom good news at that home, tactfully trying to correct misunderstandings. We are interested in helping all to come to an accurate knowledge of God. Then perhaps Jehovah will draw that person to him.​—John 6:44; 1 Timothy 2:4.

7. What can help us to be positive when we approach people?

⁷ Jesus’ instructions to his disciples took into account family opposition. Did he not state: “I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a young wife against her mother-in-law”? Jesus added: “A man’s enemies will be persons of his own household.” (Matthew 10:35, 36) Yet, circumstances and attitudes change. A sudden illness, loss of a relative, disasters, emotional crises, and countless other factors influence people’s reaction to our preaching. If we have a negative view​—that the people to whom we preach will remain unresponsive—​are we really looking for the good in them? Why not joyfully revisit their homes on another occasion? We may find a different reaction. Sometimes it is not only what we say but the way we say it that elicits a changed response. Fervent prayer to Jehovah before we start preaching will surely help us to be positive and to present the Kingdom message in an appealing way to all.​—Colossians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

8. What can result when Christians look for the good in their unbelieving relatives?

⁸ In some congregations many members of the same family serve Jehovah. Often what captured the admiration and respect of younger ones was the perseverance of an older relative whose good relationships within the family and within the marriage bond paved the way for a change of heart in the younger ones. Heeding the apostle Peter’s counsel has helped many a Christian wife to win her husband “without a word.”​—1 Peter 3:1, 2.

In the Family

9, 10. How did both Jacob and Joseph look for the good in their family?

⁹ The close ties that link members of a family together provide another area in which we can look for the good in others. Consider a lesson from Jacob’s dealings with his sons. At Genesis chapter 37, verses 3 and 4, the Bible indicates that Jacob especially loved Joseph. Joseph’s siblings reacted jealously, even to the point of conspiring to murder their brother. However, note the attitudes of Jacob and Joseph later in their lives. Both looked for the good in their family.

¹⁰ When Joseph was serving as chief food administrator in famine-stricken Egypt, he welcomed his brothers. While not immediately revealing his identity, he maneuvered events to ensure that they were well cared for and had food to take back to their aging father. Yes, despite having been the victim of their hatred, Joseph acted in their best interests. (Genesis 41:53–42:8; 45:23) Likewise, on his deathbed Jacob pronounced prophetic blessings on all his sons. Though their wrong actions resulted in the curtailment of some privileges, no one was excluded from receiving an inheritance in the land. (Genesis 49:3-28) What a wonderful expression of enduring love Jacob there demonstrated!

11, 12. (a) What prophetic example emphasizes the importance of looking for the good within the family? (b) What lesson do we learn from the example of the father in Jesus’ illustration of the prodigal son?

¹¹ Jehovah’s long-suffering in dealing with the faithless nation of Israel provides further insight into how he looks for the good in his people. Using the family circumstances of the prophet Hosea, Jehovah illustrated his enduring love. Gomer, Hosea’s wife, committed repeated acts of adultery. Despite that, Jehovah instructed Hosea: “Go once again, love a woman loved by a companion and committing adultery, as in the case of Jehovah’s love for the sons of Israel while they are turning to other gods and are loving raisin cakes.” (Hosea 3:1) Why such instructions? Jehovah knew that from among the nation that had strayed from his ways, individuals would respond to his forbearance. Hosea declared: “Afterwards the sons of Israel will come back and certainly look for Jehovah their God, and for David their king; and they will certainly come quivering to Jehovah and to his goodness in the final part of the days.” (Hosea 3:5) Surely this is a fine example on which to reflect when faced with family difficulties. Your continuing to look for the good in other family members will at least set a fine example in forbearance.

¹² Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son offers yet more insight into how we can look for the good in connection with our own family. The younger son returned home after he quit his profligate life. The father treated him mercifully. How did the father react to complaints from the older son who had never left his family? Addressing his older son, the father declared: “Child, you have always been with me, and all the things that are mine are yours.” This was no bitter rebuff but simply confirmation of the father’s love. “We just had to enjoy ourselves and rejoice,” he continued, “because this your brother was dead and came to life, and he was lost and was found.” We can similarly keep looking for the good in others.​—Luke 15:11-32.

In the Christian Congregation

13, 14. What is one way to practice the kingly law of love within the Christian congregation?

¹³ As Christians, we aim to practice the kingly law of love. (James 2:1-9) True, we may accept members of our congregation whose situation differs from ours materially. But do we have “class distinctions” based on racial, cultural, or even religious backgrounds? If so, how can we take James’ counsel to heart?

¹⁴ Welcoming all who attend Christian meetings gives evidence of our largeheartedness. When we take the initiative to speak to new ones who visit the Kingdom Hall, any initial nervousness and self-consciousness on their part may well disappear. Indeed, some who attend a Christian meeting for the very first time remark: “Everyone was so friendly. It seemed as though everyone knew me already. I felt at home.”

15. How can young ones in the congregation be helped to show an interest in the older ones?

¹⁵ In some congregations, a few youths may gather together inside or outside the Kingdom Hall at the end of a meeting, shying away from association with older ones. How might something positive be done to overcome this trend? A first step, of course, is for parents to train their children at home, preparing them for meetings. (Proverbs 22:6) They can be given the task of getting various publications ready so that all will have what is needed to take along with them to meetings. Parents are also in the best position to encourage their children to share a few thoughts with older and infirm ones at the Kingdom Hall. Having something purposeful to say to such ones can give children a feeling of satisfaction.

16, 17. How can adults look for the good in younger ones in the congregation?

¹⁶ Older brothers and sisters should take an interest in the young ones in the congregation. (Philippians 2:4) They could take the initiative to speak to young ones in an encouraging way. Usually some outstanding points are developed during the meeting. Young ones could be asked if they enjoyed the meeting and whether there were any points that they especially appreciated and that could be applied. As an integral part of the congregation, youths should be given recognition for their attentiveness and commended for any comments they make during the meeting or for any share they have in program parts. The way in which youths interact with older ones in the congregation and the way they take care of simple chores at home will indicate that they can likely care well for greater responsibilities later on in life.​—Luke 16:10.

¹⁷ By accepting responsibility, some youngsters progress to the point where their spiritual qualities enable them to receive weightier assignments. Having something to do may also help to stifle foolish conduct. (2 Timothy 2:22) Such assignments may ‘test as to fitness’ brothers who are reaching out to serve as ministerial servants. (1 Timothy 3:10) Their ready participation at the meetings and their zeal in the ministry, as well as their caring attitude toward all in the congregation, enable the elders to discern their potential when considering them for additional assignments.

Looking for the Good in All

18. What pitfall as to judging is to be avoided, and why?

¹⁸ “The showing of partiality in judgment is not good,” declares Proverbs 24:23. Heavenly wisdom dictates that elders avoid partiality when judging matters in the congregation. James declared: “The wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical.” (James 3:17) Obviously, while looking for the good in others, elders need to ensure that their judgment is not beclouded by personal relationships or emotions. “God is stationing himself in the assembly of the Divine One,” wrote the psalmist Asaph. “In the middle of the gods [“godlike ones,” footnote, referring to human judges] he judges: ‘How long will you keep on judging with injustice and showing partiality to the wicked themselves?’” (Psalm 82:1, 2) Accordingly, Christian elders shun any hint of favoritism where matters involving a friend or relative are concerned. In this way they preserve the unity of the congregation and allow Jehovah’s spirit to flow freely.​—1 Thessalonians 5:23.

19. In what ways can we look for the good in others?

¹⁹ In looking for the good in our brothers and sisters, we reflect Paul’s attitude when he addressed the Thessalonian congregation. He said: “Moreover, we have confidence in the Lord regarding you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things we order.” (2 Thessalonians 3:4) We will be more inclined to cover over the faults of others when we look for the good in them. We will search out areas in which we can commend our brothers, certainly avoiding a critical spirit. “What is looked for in stewards,” wrote Paul, “is for a man to be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2) The faithfulness not only of those having stewardship of the congregation but of all our Christian brothers and sisters endears them to us. We are thus drawn closer to them, strengthening the bonds of Christian friendship. We adopt a view like that of Paul toward brothers in his day. They are “fellow workers for the kingdom of God” and “a strengthening aid” to us. (Colossians 4:11) We thus manifest Jehovah’s attitude.

20. What blessings will come to those who look for the good in all?

²⁰ Surely we echo Nehemiah’s prayer: “Do remember me, O my God, for good.” (Nehemiah 13:31) How glad we are that Jehovah looks for the good in people! (1 Kings 14:13) May we act likewise in our dealings with others. Doing so offers us the prospect of redemption and life eternal in the new world now so near.​—Psalm 130:3-8.