Look to Jehovah for Insight

“I shall make you have insight and instruct you in the way you should go.”​—PSALM 32:8.

1. What are some of the factors that determine whether decisions we make will be wise ones? (Compare Deuteronomy 32:7, 29.)

EVERY day we are confronted with decisions​—some of them seemingly minor, others obviously important. Will our decisions be wise? That depends largely on whether we are impetuous or we think before we speak or act. There are many matters, however, in which the making of wise decisions requires that we be able to see beyond what is obvious. This may require that we know what the outcome of present world events will be, even that we be aware of what is taking place in the spirit realm. Can we do that? Is it possible for any human to do this in a manner that is not simply guesswork?

2. To steer a successful course through life, what help do we need, and why? (Proverbs 20:24)

² Humans are endowed with truly remarkable mental capacity, but they were not made with the ability to steer a successful course through life without humbly accepting help from God. As the inspired prophet Jeremiah wrote: “I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”​—Jeremiah 10:23.

3. If we fail to look to Jehovah for guidance, what is the result going to be? (Compare Genesis 3:4-6, 16-24.)

³ What is the result if we ignore that fact and rely either on ourselves or on other humans for determinations as to what is wise or unwise, right or wrong? Because of being guided by fleshly reasoning, there will be times when we may view as good what God says is bad, when we may consider to be wise a course that God labels foolish. (Isaiah 5:20) Even though we may do this unintentionally, we may become a cause for stumbling to others. (Compare 1 Corinthians 8:9.) As to the final outcome to those who persist in failing to look to Jehovah for guidance, his Word states: “There exists a way that is upright before a man, but the ways of death are the end of it afterward.”​—Proverbs 14:12.

4. What help does Jehovah generously promise his servants? (Compare Jeremiah 10:21.)

⁴ In view of this, what do we need? Simply put, we need the help that Jehovah gives. Encouragingly, he says: “I shall make you have insight and instruct you in the way you should go. I will give advice with my eye upon you.”​—Psalm 32:8.

What Insight Includes

5. What is “insight”?

⁵ Just what is “insight” as referred to in the Scriptures? It is ability to see into a situation, to look beyond the obvious. According to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, the Hebrew expression rendered “insight” relates to “intelligent knowledge of the reason” for things. It is the kind of knowledge that enables a person to act wisely and to have success. In harmony with that basic sense and to convey the flavor of the same Hebrew verb, the New World Translation, in addition to the rendering ‘have insight,’ uses such expressions as ‘act discreetly,’ ‘act prudently,’ and ‘have success.’​—Psalm 14:2.

6. Why can “one keeping his lips in check” be said to be acting discreetly, or with insight?

⁶ Thus, “the one keeping his lips in check” is said to be “acting discreetly,” or with insight. (Proverbs 10:19) He thinks before he speaks, taking into account how others will understand what he says, also whether what he might say about another person would be wise, loving, or necessary. (Proverbs 12:18; James 1:19) Because he is motivated by love for Jehovah’s ways and a genuine desire to help his fellowman, what he says is upbuilding to others.​—Proverbs 16:23.

7. What enabled David to gain the reputation of being one who acted prudently?

⁷ Regarding David the son of Jesse, it is written: “Wherever Saul would send him he would act prudently,” that is, with insight. David discerned that in his work more was involved than simply a conflict between human warriors. He realized that he and the men with him were fighting the wars of Jehovah. Thus, David looked to Jehovah for direction and blessing. (1 Samuel 17:45; 18:5; 2 Samuel 5:19) As a result, David’s expeditions met with success.

8. In the Christian Greek Scriptures, what other ideas are conveyed by the verb that is translated ‘have insight’?

⁸ In the Christian Greek Scriptures, the verb translated ‘have insight’ is also rendered, ‘get the sense of’ and, ‘perceive.’ (Romans 3:11; Matthew 13:13-15; Ephesians 5:17) What God promises his servants is the ability to do these things. But how does he give such insight to them?

How Joshua Came to Have Insight

9. In ancient Israel, how did Jehovah give the people insight?

⁹ In ancient Israel, Jehovah commissioned the Levites to instruct the nation in his Law. (Leviticus 10:11; Deuteronomy 33:8, 10) The Law was inspired of God, and Jehovah’s spirit was operating on the organizational arrangement that was assigned to teach it. (Malachi 2:7) By this means, Jehovah ‘made the Israelites prudent,’ or gave them insight, as stated at Nehemiah 9:20.

10, 11. (a) As shown at Joshua 1:7, 8, what would enable Joshua to act with insight? (b) What provision for instruction was it important for Joshua to appreciate? (c) What personal effort was also required on Joshua’s part?

¹⁰ But would individuals within the nation act with insight? If they were to do so, something was required on their part. At the time that Joshua was entrusted with responsibility for leading Israel into the Promised Land, Jehovah told him: “Only be courageous and very strong to take care to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn aside from it to the right or to the left, in order that you may act wisely everywhere you go. This book of the law should not depart from your mouth, and you must in an undertone read in it day and night, in order that you may take care to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful and then you will act wisely.” The Hebrew word here rendered “act wisely” also means “act with insight.”​—Joshua 1:7, 8.

¹¹ How would Jehovah give such insight to Joshua? Not by some miraculous infusion. God’s written Word was the key to it. Joshua needed to fill his mind and heart with it, reading it and meditating on it regularly. As Joshua knew, God’s Word said that instruction from the Law would be given by the Levites. Hence, Joshua needed to appreciate this, not isolating himself as if he could figure it all out alone in view of the fact that he had a responsible position in the nation. (Proverbs 18:1) It was important for Joshua to be diligent in studying God’s written Word. If he did that, not neglecting any part of it, and if he obeyed it, then he would act with insight.​—Compare 1 Kings 2:3.

How Jehovah Gives Insight Today

12. To benefit from the insight that Jehovah makes available to us, what three things are required?

¹² Right down till our time, Jehovah has continued to provide his servants with the direction that they need in order to act wisely. To benefit from that direction, several things are required of us as individuals: (1) We need to appreciate Jehovah’s organization, as Joshua did. In our case, such appreciation involves cooperating with the Christian congregation of anointed ones, “the faithful and discreet slave” and its Governing Body. (Matthew 24:45-47; compare Acts 16:4.) And this appreciation involves regularity in meeting attendance. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) (2) We must be diligent in personal study of God’s Word and of the publications provided by the “slave” class, which help us to understand it. (3) It is also important for us to take time to meditate on how the things we learn can be applied in our own lives and used to help others.

13. What is the meaning of the promise recorded at Jeremiah 3:15?

¹³ Concerning the kind of oversight and spiritual feeding that he would provide for us in our day, Jehovah said, at Jeremiah 3:15: “I will give you shepherds in agreement with my heart, and they will certainly feed you with knowledge and insight.” Indeed, this spiritual feeding program would provide us with remarkable ability to observe situations and discern what course to take in order to have success. Who is the source of that insight? Jehovah God.

14. Why does the ‘faithful slave’ class have insight?

¹⁴ Why does the ‘faithful slave’ class have such insight? Because they have made God’s Word their earnest concern and they follow its direction. Furthermore, because they have submitted to Jehovah’s direction, he has put his spirit upon them, using them in harmony with his purpose. (Luke 12:43, 44; Acts 5:32) As the inspired psalmist long ago wrote: “More insight than all my teachers I have come to have, because your reminders are a concern to me.”​—Psalm 119:99.

15. (a) What is the gist of the counsel that the “slave” class consistently gives us? (b) Many years ago, how was it possible for the “slave” class to provide needed “knowledge and insight” regarding the Christian view of blood transfusions?

¹⁵ In answer to inquiries as to the right thing to do, “the faithful and discreet slave” has always counseled: ‘Apply what is written in the Bible. Trust in Jehovah.’ (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:5, 6) When transfusions of blood came to be viewed as a standard medical treatment and became an issue confronting Jehovah’s Witnesses, The Watchtower of July 1, 1945, explained the Christian view regarding the sanctity of blood. It showed that the blood of both animals and humans was included in the divine prohibition. (Genesis 9:3, 4; Acts 15:28, 29) Physical side effects were not discussed in the article; knowledge of such was very limited at that time. The real issue was obedience to God’s law, and it still is. Today, many people realize the practical wisdom of rejecting blood transfusions and are doing so in growing numbers. But all along, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been able to act with insight because they trust the Creator, who knows far more about blood than any human does.

16. Why has the counsel in The Watchtower on such matters as sexual morality, single-parent families, and depression proved to be just what was needed?

¹⁶ As permissive attitudes regarding sexual morality have become increasingly prominent, The Watchtower, instead of advocating the popular course, has provided sound Scriptural guidance. This is helping many to safeguard their precious relationship with Jehovah and to concentrate on lasting happiness instead of merely fleeting pleasure. Similarly, Watchtower articles directed to single-parent families and to those who struggle with depression have reflected an insight that is possible only for those to whom Jehovah’s thoughts are precious and who earnestly pray: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.”​—Psalm 143:10; 139:17.a

17. (a) Decades in advance, what did Jehovah’s servants know about the year 1914? (b) Although there were details concerning which God’s people still had questions after 1914, what did they know that gave sound direction to their lives?

¹⁷ By means of “the faithful and discreet slave,” Jehovah also helped his servants to realize, decades in advance, that the year 1914 would mark the end of the Gentile Times. (Luke 21:24, King James Version) As they entered the era following World War I, there were, of course, questions that perplexed them. But what they did know was sufficient for them to act wisely. They knew from the Scriptures that God’s due time was at hand for the old system to be destroyed; so it would be foolish to put their hope in it or to let its materialistic standards of success govern their lives. They also knew that Jehovah’s Kingdom is the real solution to all the problems afflicting humankind. (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:33) They saw clearly that it is the responsibility of all true Christians to advertise Jehovah’s anointed King, Jesus Christ, and His Kingdom. (Isaiah 61:1, 2; Matthew 24:14) In 1925, by means of the Watch Tower article “Birth of the Nation,” they were fortified with a clearer understanding of Revelation chapter 12; so now they understood what had been taking place in the heavens, invisible to human eyes. Such insight gave sound direction to their lives.

18. What privilege and responsibility do we now have, and what question should we ask ourselves?

¹⁸ Acting in faith, the few thousand that were then serving Jehovah as his witnesses spearheaded the preaching of the good news of God’s established Kingdom into all parts of the world. As a result, millions of people have come to know and love Jehovah and have the prospect of eternal life. All of us who have received the truth as a result of their loving labors have been shown that we too have the privilege and responsibility to share in the work, giving a thorough witness to everyone we can reach and continuing to do so until Jehovah says the work is done. (Revelation 22:17; compare Acts 20:26, 27.) Does the way you are using your life give evidence that you appreciate the insight Jehovah has given through his organization?

19. (a) Give an example of one whose life reflects appreciation for the insight that Jehovah gives through his organization. (b) What can we learn from that example?

¹⁹ The lives of a great crowd of individuals in all parts of the earth testify that in their case the answer is yes. For example, consider John Cutforth. Some 48 years ago, he took to heart Scriptural counsel to which the ‘faithful slave’ class was directing attention then as it does now, namely: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you. So, never be anxious about the next day.” (Matthew 6:33, 34) After years of experience in Jehovah’s service, Brother Cutforth said: ‘One of the things that has been forcefully impressed on my mind is that Jehovah has an organization on earth that he is directing, that I as an individual could work with that organization, and that if I would fully follow its leadings and direction, it would bring me peace, contentment, satisfaction, and many friends, plus many other rich blessings.’ That conviction has been reinforced repeatedly as he has enjoyed a life rich with spiritual blessings in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Papua New Guinea.b Truly, for all of us the wise course is one that reflects appreciation for the means by which Jehovah gives insight to his people.​—Matthew 6:19-21.

Guard Against Loss of Insight

20, 21. (a) How have some persons lost the godly insight that they once had? (b) What will help to safeguard us against a hurtful course?

²⁰ The insight that Jehovah provides is a treasure to be cherished. We should be aware, however, that if we do not continue in the course that has enabled us to acquire godly insight, we can lose it. Sadly, some have had exactly that experience. (Proverbs 21:16; Daniel 11:35) Rejecting discipline that touched them personally, they tried to justify what they were doing. Pride became a snare to them. They began to view as good what God’s Word shows to be bad, and they drew away from Jehovah’s organization. How sad!

²¹ The circumstances of such a person are as described at Psalm 36:1-3, where we read: “The utterance of transgression to the wicked one is in the midst of his heart.” That is, his own selfish thoughts and desires lead him into transgression. “There is no dread of God in front of his eyes,” the psalmist continues. “For he has acted too smoothly to himself in his own eyes to find out his error so as to hate it. The words of his mouth are hurtfulness and deception.” And what is the result to him? He ‘ceases to have insight for doing good.’ He actually convinces himself that what he is doing is right, and he seduces others to follow him. How vital, then, that we not only have insight but also safeguard it by appreciating the means by which Jehovah has enabled us to acquire it!

[Footnotes]

Insight That Jehovah Has Given

“As regards those having insight among the people, they will impart understanding to the many.”​—DANIEL 11:33.

1, 2. (a) Even though the Israelites had experienced God’s loving-kindness, why did they behave rebelliously? (b) What would it be beneficial for us to do? (Jeremiah 51:10)

THE people of ancient Israel knew that Jehovah was the only true God. They had been told of his dealings with their forefathers, and they had personally experienced his loving-kindness. But on more than one occasion, they acted with a gross lack of insight. They “behaved rebelliously” toward Jehovah and his representatives. Why? Because “they did not remember” what he had done for them. (Psalm 106:7, 13) It was not that they did not know these things; they failed to ponder over them appreciatively. As a result, they proved to be “persons desiring injurious things.”​—1 Corinthians 10:6.

² In our day, a major way in which Jehovah has set his witnesses apart as a distinct people is by the insight he has provided through his visible organization. Our own appreciation for the way in which Jehovah is leading his people can be strengthened by reviewing some of the examples of such insight. One of these involves the very core of our belief​—the identity of God himself.

Is God a Trinity?

3. What enabled Jehovah’s servants, over a hundred years ago, to recognize the truth about the identity of God? (1 Corinthians 8:5, 6)

³ Christendom has staunchly maintained that those who do not affirm belief in the Trinity are heretics. But instead of being intimidated by men, Jehovah’s servants have recognized that, not the traditions and creeds of uninspired men, but the Holy Scriptures provide the standard for discerning what is truth. Building on this foundation, way back in 1882 these dedicated Bible students clearly stated in the Watch Tower: “Our readers are aware that while we believe in Jehovah God and Jesus, and the holy Spirit, we reject as totally unscriptural, the teaching that these are three Gods in one person, or as some put it, one God in three persons.”​—John 5:19; 14:28; 20:17.

4. (a) Probing beneath the surface, what did Jehovah’s people discern as to the basis for the Trinity doctrine and the effect of such a teaching? (b) Why did Jehovah give his servants such insight?

⁴ These lovers of Bible truth had probed beneath the surface and had seen the roots of Trinitarian belief in non-Christian religions. By careful study of the Scriptures, they had also come to realize that when certain Bible texts seemed to support Trinitarian ideas, this was because of the biased views of the translators, not because of what was in the oldest original-language manuscripts. They recognized that this teaching, ostensibly honoring Jesus, actually contradicted his teachings and dishonored Jehovah. Thus, the issue of the Watch Tower referred to above said: “It behooves us as truth seekers, to deal honestly with ourselves and with our Father’s Word, which is able to make us truly wise. Therefore, ignoring the traditions and creeds of uninspired men and corrupt systems, let us hold fast the form of sound words received from our Lord and the Apostles.” Because they really loved the truth and gave attention not merely to a few favorite Bible verses but to the entire Word of God, Jehovah gave them insight that unmistakably set them apart from Christendom.​—2 Timothy 3:16, 17; see New World Translation Reference Bible, page 1580, section 6B.

The Rightful Place of God’s Name

5. What has been behind the trend toward leaving God’s personal name out of Bible translations? (Revelation 22:18, 19)

⁵ Consider a second example: When Bible translations in increasing numbers obscured or completely left out the personal name of God, the Watch Tower Society put ever greater emphasis on the importance of that name. Christendom argued that removal of the name Jehovah would give the Gospel a more universal appeal, but Jehovah’s anointed servants discerned who was behind that scheme to remove from the Sacred Scriptures the most important name of all. (Compare Jeremiah 23:27.) God’s people realized that this was instigated by the Devil to blot out from human memory the name of the true God.

6. In contrast with Christendom’s course, what did God’s true servants do to magnify his name? (Acts 15:14)

⁶ In contrast with the course being pursued by Christendom, from its very first year of publication (1879), the Watch Tower gave prominence to the divine name, JEHOVAH. In 1926 this magazine featured the article “Who Will Honor Jehovah?” (Psalm 135:21) In 1931 the Bible students associated with the Watch Tower Society embraced the name Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Isaiah 43:10-12) They also came to appreciate more fully the great importance of the sanctification of Jehovah’s name. (Isaiah 12:4, 5) In 1944 they began to publish the American Standard Version of the Bible, which includes the name Jehovah over 6,800 times. In connection with publication of the Bible, however, most outstanding has been the production, since 1950, of the New World Translation. It gives the divine name its proper place in both the Hebrew and the Christian Greek Scriptures.

7. How has the emphasis placed on God’s name and all that is associated with it beneficially affected many people?

⁷ The emphasis that has thus been put on the personal name of God has been a delight to millions of lovers of righteousness around the globe. It has helped them to appreciate the true God as a Person. And as they have come to know his ways, they have been able to conduct themselves prudently, or with insight.​—Micah 4:2, 5.

Is the Human Soul Immortal?

8. Early in their modern-day history, what did Jehovah’s Witnesses learn about the soul and the condition of the dead?

⁸ Now, a third example: At an early point in the modern-day history of Jehovah’s servants, love for God’s Word opened their eyes to other important truths. Over a century ago, “the faithful and discreet slave” correctly understood that the soul is not some intelligent and detachable spirit that dwells within humans but that it is the person himself. (Matthew 24:45-47) In 1880 the Watch Tower analyzed the original-language words transliterated Sheol and Hades in the Bible and concluded that these designate the grave. It also pointed out that people consigned to Gehenna were destroyed, not tormented.​—See also the New World Translation Reference Bible, pages 1573-5.

9. In 1894, what did the Watch Tower say regarding the origin of the teaching that human souls are inherently immortal?

⁹ In 1894 the Watch Tower raised the question, “Whence then came the popular notion that all human beings possess immortality, innately, inherently?” With insight, it answered: “Scanning the pages of history, we find that, although the doctrine of human immortality is not taught by God’s inspired witnesses, it is the very essence of all heathen religions. . . . It is not true, therefore, that Socrates and Plato were the first to teach the doctrine: it had an earlier teacher than either of them, and a yet more able one. They, however, polished the doctrine . . . and made a philosophy out of it, and thus made it the more seductive and acceptable to the cultured class of their day and since. The first record of this false teaching is found in the oldest history known to man​—the Bible. The false teacher was Satan.”a

10. What bad effects have come from religious lies about the soul and the condition of the dead, but what was done to help reasonable people?

¹⁰ By propagating the falsehood that all humans have an immortal soul and that the wicked will be forever tormented in hellfire, Satan has misrepresented and blasphemed the name of God. The first editor of the Watch Tower, C. T. Russell, realized that. He saw intelligent people rejecting the idea of eternal torment but, sadly, also rejecting the Bible because they thought that it was the source of that unreasonable doctrine. In order to clear the smoke of the Dark Ages from the minds of reasonable people, as he put it, Brother Russell gave the striking public discourse “To Hell and Back! Who Are There.”

11. (a) When spiritism was coming to the fore, what warning was sounded by the ‘faithful slave’ class? (b) Who have been benefited by this warning, and how?

¹¹ That was an era in which spiritism was coming to the fore. But with the insight that Jehovah God made possible by means of his Word, the ‘faithful slave’ class discerned that the supposed spirits of the departed with whom people were communicating were the demons. Powerful Scriptural arguments were presented in public discourses and in written form to open the eyes of honesthearted ones to the danger of involvement in spiritistic practices. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Isaiah 8:19) As a result of this insight that Jehovah has given to his servants, many thousands of persons around the globe have been freed from fear of the dead, from the practice of spiritism, and from the debasing customs associated with spiritism.

Christian Conduct in a Turbulent World

12, 13. (a) Explain Daniel 11:32, 33. (b) What are some of the basic Bible truths that provide the basis for the understanding imparted by “those having insight”?

¹² The prophet Daniel indicated that God’s servants would manifest insight in relation to yet a fourth matter, a vital issue​—neutrality. After describing in detail the struggle between prominent political factions of the world, Daniel 11:32, 33 says: “Those who are acting wickedly against the covenant, he will lead into apostasy by means of smooth words.” That is, the totalitarian king of the north leads into apostasy those who profess to be Christians but who love the world, want its approval, and so treat with contempt Jehovah’s covenant for a Kingdom in which Jesus Christ will rule all the earth. “But,” Daniel continues, “as regards the people who are knowing their God, they will prevail and act effectively. And as regards those having insight among the people, they will impart understanding to the many.”

¹³ The insight needed to deal wisely with the often turbulent conditions that surround us is founded on appreciation of basic Bible truths. With Jehovah’s direction, the ‘faithful slave’ class has discerned these truths. One of them is the fact that, as Jesus indicated, the invisible ruler of this world is Satan the Devil. (Luke 4:5-8; John 12:31) In harmony with this truth, 1 John 5:19 adds that not merely one faction or another but “the whole world [all mankind outside the true Christian congregation] is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (Revelation 12:9) Since Jesus said that his followers would be “no part of the world,” this calls for Christian neutrality on their part.​—John 17:16.

14. (a) To what timely matters was the attention of Jehovah’s servants directed in 1939 and 1941? (b) How has such insight helped Jehovah’s Witnesses to act wisely?

¹⁴ It was timely, therefore, that as the clouds of World War II darkened in Europe, the issue of Christian neutrality was highlighted in The Watchtower of November 1, 1939. Related to this matter is another fundamental truth​—the importance of the issue of universal sovereignty and the role of the Messianic Kingdom in settling this issue. Appropriately, in 1941 this issue was featured in a discourse at a convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A., and the next year in the book The New World. What protection such godly insight has provided for Jehovah’s servants in this divided and warring world! Though religious systems of Christendom have been fragmented because they have allowed themselves to get embroiled in international strife and in guerrilla movements to overthrow governments, Jehovah’s Witnesses in all lands have unitedly continued to devote themselves to publishing God’s Kingdom as the only hope for mankind. They have kept busy in the lifesaving work that Jesus Christ foretold when he said: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”​—Matthew 24:14.

Fulfillment of Bible Prophecies

15. Why have Jehovah’s servants had insight?

¹⁵ Why have Jehovah’s servants had such insight? Because they have full confidence in the written Word of God, they obey it, and Jehovah’s spirit is upon them. This has also enabled them to understand vital Bible prophecies, and this is the fifth point that we are going to consider.

16, 17. (a) Why do the dates used by Jehovah’s Witnesses sometimes differ from those given by secular historians? (b) How have Jehovah’s Witnesses benefited from their confidence in the Bible as to the dating of Artaxerxes’ 20th year and the time of Jerusalem’s destruction by the Babylonians?

¹⁶ Secular historians, relying on their interpretation of what are in some cases fragmentary tablets unearthed by archaeologists, have concluded that 464 B.C.E. was the first year of the kingship of Artaxerxes Longimanus and that 604 B.C.E. was the first year of the kingship of Nebuchadnezzar II. If that were true, the 20th year of Artaxerxes would begin in 445 B.C.E., and the date of Jerusalem’s desolation by the Babylonians (in Nebuchadnezzar’s 18th regnal year) would be 587 B.C.E. But if a Bible student uses those dates when calculating the fulfillment of prophecy, he will simply be confused.

¹⁷ Jehovah’s Witnesses have been interested in the findings of archaeologists as these relate to the Bible. However, where the interpretation of these findings conflicts with clear statements in the Bible, we accept with confidence what the Holy Scriptures say, whether on matters related to chronology or any other topic. As a result, Jehovah’s servants have long recognized that the prophetic time period that began in the 20th year of Artaxerxes was to be counted from 455 B.C.E. and thus that Daniel 9:24-27 reliably pointed to the year 29 C.E. in the autumn as the time for the anointing of Jesus as the Messiah.b For the same reason, they have realized that the prophecy in Daniel chapter 4 regarding the “seven times” began counting in 607-606 B.C.E. and that it pinpointed 1914 C.E. in the autumn as the year when Christ was enthroned in heaven as ruling King and this world entered its time of the end.c But they would not have discerned these thrilling fulfillments of prophecy if they had wavered in their confidence in the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. Thus, the insight that they have shown has been directly associated with their reliance on God’s Word.

18. What does Isaiah 65:13, 14 promise as to the spiritual condition of Jehovah’s loyal servants?

¹⁸ Contrasting the spiritual condition of his loyal servants with that of individuals and groups that readily push aside the Scriptures in favor of whatever is currently popular, Jehovah says: “Look! My own servants will eat, but you yourselves will go hungry. Look! My own servants will drink, but you yourselves will go thirsty. Look! My own servants will rejoice, but you yourselves will suffer shame. Look! My own servants will cry out joyfully because of the good condition of the heart, but you yourselves will make outcries because of the pain of heart and you will howl because of sheer breakdown of spirit.”​—Isaiah 65:13, 14.

19. (a) Primarily, through what means does “the faithful and discreet slave” provide explanations of the Scriptures? (b) What kind of study program will enable us to benefit fully from spiritual food?

¹⁹ As this brief historical review has shown, it is through the columns of The Watchtower that explanations of vital Scriptural truths have been provided for us by Jehovah’s “faithful and discreet slave.” The Watchtower is the principal instrument used by the “slave” class for dispensing spiritual food. Are you benefiting from it fully? Do you read each issue, and does your study program include looking up scriptures that are cited but not quoted? Do you also make it a habit to meditate on what you have studied, building up appreciation for it, considering how it should affect your attitude, your desires, your daily activities, your goals in life? Your doing so can be a big factor in your making decisions based on the genuine insight that Jehovah alone has given.

[Footnotes]