HOW UNCERTAINTIES AFFECTED THE RETURNING JEWS

When the returning Jews arrived in Jerusalem, they had much work to do. They quickly rebuilt Jehovah's altar and laid the foundation of the temple. (Ezra 3:1-3) But their initial enthusiasm soon waned. Why? In addition to the temple work, they had to build houses for themselves, plant fields, and feed their families. (Ezra 2:68:70) Moreover, they faced opposition from their enemies, who plotted to stop the temple rebuilding work. - EZRA 4:1-5. 

The returning exiles were also affected by unstable economic and political conditions.  Their land was now a part of the Persian Empire. After Persian King Cyrus died in 530 B.C.E., his successor Cambyses, embarked on a military campaign to conquer Egypt. While heading for Egypt, his soldiers likely demanded food, water, and shelter from the Israelites, which caused them further hardship.  The early reign of Cambyses' successor, Darius I, was marked by revolts and political instability.  These conditions no doubt caused many of the returned exiles to worry about how they would provide for their family.  Because of all the uncertainty they faced, some Jews felt that it was not the right time to build Jehovah's temple. - HAGGAI 1:2. 

Next time: HOW UNCERTAINTIES AFFECTED THE RETURNING JEWS -Conclusion

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The Days of Haggai, Zechariah, and Ezra

 ALL DATES B.C.E.

537: First group of Jewish exiles returns to Jerusalem

520: Haggai and Zechariah prophesy in Jerusalem

515: Temple completed

484: Esther intervenes after Xerxes I (Ahasuerus) degrees the extermination of the Jews

468:  Ezra and a second group of exiles travel to Jerusalem

455: Jerusalem's walls completed

Just as the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah helped God's people in the past to continue to trust in Jehovah during opposition, they can help us today to remain confident in Jehovah's support despite life's uncertainties. (Read Proverbs 22:19) As we consider God's message delivered by Haggai and Zechariah and examine the example of Ezra, we will answer these questions:  How were the returning Jews affected by life's uncertainties? Why should we keep our focus on God's will during uncertain times?  And how can we build our confidence in Jehovah in times of crisis? 

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You Can Remain Confident During Uncertain Times

 "Be strong, . . . for I am with you,' declares Jehovah of armies." - HAGGAI 2:4.

DO YOU at times worry about the future? Perhaps you have lost your job and you worry about providing for your family. You may be concerned about your family's safety because of unstable political conditions, persecution, or opposition to the preaching work. Are you facing any of these issues?  If so, you will benefit from considering how Jehovah helped the ancient Israelites when they were confronted with similar problems. 

It took faith on the part of the Jews who had lived in Babylon all their lives to leave behind a comfortable lifestyle and travel to a country that most of them knew very little about. When they arrived, it was not long before they were affected by unstable economic and political conditions as well as opposition. Some therefore found it hard to focus on rebuilding Jehovah's temple. Thus, about 520 B.C.E., Jehovah commissioned two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to rekindle the people's zeal.  (Haggai 1:1; Zechariah 1:1) As we will see, the encouragement given by these prophets proved to be very effective. Nearly 50 years later, however, the returning Jews again reached a low point. Ezra, a skilled copyist of the Law, then came from Babylon to Jerusalem to encourage God's people to give priority to true worship. - EZRA 7:1, 6. 

Next time: The Days of Haggai, Zechariah, and Ezra

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB -Conclusion

 "Very Tender in Affection"

Jehovah was very tender in affection and merciful" with Job. (James 5:11) How so? Jehovah restored Job to health. Imagine how Job felt when he realized that his flesh had, indeed become "fresher than youth" as Elihu had foretold!  His family and friends rallied around him at last, extending sympathy and gifts. Jehovah restored Job's wealth, giving him twice the possessions he had before. and what of the deepest wounds-the loss of his children? Job and his wife felt a measure of comfort in become parents to ten more children! And Jehovah miraculously extended Job's life. Job lived for 140 more years, long enough to see four generations of his descendants thriving. "Finally," we read, "Job died, of a long and satisfying life." (Job 42:10-17) And in Paradise, Job and  his dear wife will be united with their family, including the ten children Satan took from them.  - JOB 5:28. 29. 

Why did Jehovah reward Job so richly? The Bible answers: "You have heard of the endurance of job." (James 5:11) Job endured more hardships than most of us can even imagine.  The word "endurance" tells us that Job did more than survive those trials. He endured them with his faith and love for Jehovah intact. Rather than turning hard and bitter, he remained willing to forgive even those who had deliberately hurt him. And he never let go of his precious hope or his own prized possession, his integrity.  - JOB27:5.

Each of us needs to endure. We can be sure that Satan will try to discourage us as his Job. But if we endure in faith, remaining humble, willing to forgive others, and determined to protect our integrity, we too may hold our precious hope.  (Hebrews 10:36) Nothing would frustrate Satan more or delight the loving heart of Jehovah more than if we were to imitate the faith of Job!

Next time: You Can Remain Confident During Uncertain Times

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB -Continue

 "You Have Not Spoken the Truth About Me"

Jehovah now took action to comfort Job in his pain. Addressing Eliphaz, evidently the eldest of the three false comforters, Jehovah said: "My anger burns against you and your two companions, for you have not spoken the truth about me as my servant Job has." (Job 42:7) Think about those words. Was Jehovah saying that everything those three men had said was false or that every word that Job had uttered was correct? Of course not.  However, there was a vast difference between Job and his accusers. Job was brokenhearted, racked with grief, and stung by false accusations. Thus, it is understandable that he would speak rashly at times. However, Eliphaz and his two friends did not bear such burdens. Weak in their own faith, they spoke deliberately and arrogantly.  Not only did they attack an innocent man, but worse they misrepresented Jehovah himself, in effect painting him as a harsh, even wicked God.

 Little wonder, then, that Jehovah demanded a price from those men. They had to sacrifice seven bull and seven rams-no small matter, for the bull was designated in the Mosaic Law as the sacrifice that the high priest would have to offer if his sin brought guilt on the whole nation. (Leviticus 4:3) It was the costliest of the animals offered as a sacrifice under that Law. What is more, Jehovah said that he would accept the offering of Job's accusers only if Job first prayed in their behalf. (Job 42:8) How it must have soothed Job's heart to be vindicated by his God and see Jehovah's justice prevail!

Jehovah was confident that Job would do as he asked him to, forgiving those men who had hurt him so deeply. And Job did not disappoint his Father.  (Job 42:9) His obedience was the greatest proof of his integrity, far more powerful that words. And it paved the way for the greatest blessing of Job's life. 

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB - Conclusion -"Very Tender in Affection"

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB -Conclusion

 Teaching About Humility and Love

What was the point of all of this? Job urgently needed a dose of humility. By complaining of what the thought was mistreatment at Jehovah's hand, Job was only increasing his own pain, distancing himself from his loving Father. So Jehovah asked again and again where Job was when such marvel came into existence and whether Job could feed, control, or tame the creatures he had made. If Job could not master even the basic elements of Jehovah's creation, could presume to judge the Creator? Were not Jehovah's ways and thoughts far beyond the scope of Job's limited view? 

In all that Jehovah said, there was also a strong undercurrent of love. It is as though Jehovah were reasoning with Job: "My son, If I can create and care for all of these things, do you really think that I would fail to care for you? Would I really abandon you, rob you of your children, your security, your health? Am I not the only Oe who can restore your losses and heal your terrible pain.' 

Job spoke only twice in answer to Jehovah's probing questions.  He did not argue, justify himself, or make excuses. He humbly acknowledged how little he really knew, and he repented of his rash words. (Job 40:4, 5; 42:1-6) Here we see Job's faith in the finest light. After all that he had endured, he remained a man of great faith. He accepted Jehovah's correction and took it to heart.  We may thus be moved to ask ourselves a probing question, 'Am I humble enough to accept correction and counsel? We all need such help. When we accept it, we are imitating the faith of Job. 

Next time: "You Have Not Spoken the Truth About Me

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB - Continue

 "Out of the Windstorm"

Jehovah knew Job's pain. And he felt pity for the man, as he always does when his beloved children suffer. (Isaiah 63:9; Zechariah 2:8) But he knew, too, that Job had been "speaking without knowledge," making his own problems worse. So Jehovah corrected Job by questioning him extensively. "Where were you," he began, "when I founded the earth? Tell me, if you think you understand."  At the dawn of creation, "the morning stars," God's family of angels, shouted in applause over the wonders of creation.  (Job 38:2, 4) Job, of course, knew nothing of this. 

Jehovah went on to speak of his creative works. In a sense he gave Job a brief tour of what humans today might call the natural sciences, touching on subjects as astronomy, biology geology, and physics. In particular, Jehovah described a number of animals then found in Job's part of the world-the lion, the raven, the mountain goat, the wild donkey, the wild bull, the ostrich, the horse, the falcon, the eagle, Behemoth (evidently the hippopotamus), and finally Leviathan (likely the crocodile). Imagine the privilege of attending a lecture about the natural world delivered by the Creator of the universe!

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB - Continue

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB - Continue

 "Out of the Windstorm"

As Elihu spoke, he often mentioned wind, clouds, thunder, and lightning. He said of Jehovah: "Listen carefully to the rumbling of his voice." Moments later Elihu referred to a "storm wind." (Job 37:2, 9) It seems that as he spoke, a storm was brewing, growing steadily more intense. Finally, it was an all-out windstorm.  And then something more dramatic happened. Jehovah spoke! - JOB 38:1.

When reading the book of Job, it is a wonderful relief to come to these marvelous chapters containing Jehovah's speech to Job.  It is as if a windstorm of truth were blowing away all the empty speeches, all the false words of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Jehovah did not even address those men until later. His focus was on Job alone; He firmly addressed his beloved servant as father would correct a son.

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB - "Out of the Windstorm - Continue

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB Continue

 Elihu Highlights Jehovah's Kindness

Above all, Elihu spoke in defense of Jehovah God.  Powerfully he summarized a profound truth: "It is unthinkable for the true God to act wickedly, for the Almighty to do wrong! . . . The Almighty does not pervert justice." (Job 34:10, 11) As an example of Jehovah's merciful justice, Elihu reminded Job that Jehovah had not stepped in and punished Job for uttering rash and disrespect words. (Job 35:13-15) And rather than pretending to have all the answers, Elihu humbly acknowledged: "God is greater than we can know." - JOB 36:26. 

Though his counsel was frank, Elihu remained kind. He spoke of a wonderful hope, that Jehovah would one day restore Job's health. God would say of his loyal servant: "Let his flesh become fresher than in his youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor." Another instance of Elihu's kindness: Instead of simply lecturing Job, he kindly invited Job to speak, to answer him. "Speak," he said, "for I want to prove you right." (Job 35:25, 32) But Job did not answer. Perhaps he felt no need to defend himself again such kind, encouraging counsel. Perhaps he wept in relief.

We can learn a great deal from both of these faithful men. From Elihu we learn how to counsel and comfort those in need. A true friend will not hold back from pointing out a serious fault or dangerous course of action. (Proverbs 27:6) We want to be a friend like that, remaining kind and encouraging to those in need, even when they speak rashly. And when we counsel instead of dismissing it. All of us need counsel and correction. Accepting it can save our life. - PROVERBS 4:13. 

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB -"Out of the Windstorm" - Continue

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB

 A Wise and Kind Counselor

"I am young," he said, "and you men are aged. So I respectfully held back, and I dared not tell you what I know." But he could longer keep silent. He went on: "Age along does not make one wise, nor is it the only men who understand what is right. (Job 32:6, 9) Elihu then spoke at length, proving those words true. He took a very different approach from that of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Elihu reassured Job that he would not talk down to him or add to his pressures. He also dignified Job, addressing him by name and acknowledging that he had been treated with derision.  Respectfully, he said: "Now, Job, please hear my words." - JOB 33:1, 7; 34:7. 

Elihu offered Job some frank counsel: "You said in my hearing, . . .'I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, without error. But God finds reasons to oppose me."' Elihu went right to the heart of the problem, asking: "Are you so convinced that you are right that you would say, 'I am more righteous than God'?" He could not allow such reasoning to pass. "You ware not right in saying this," The young man said. (Job 33:8-12; 35:2) Elihu knew that Job was filled with anger over his terrible losses and his mistreatment at the hands of his false friends. But Elihu cautioned Job: "Take care that rage does not lead you into spitefulness." - JOB 36:18.

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB -Elihu Highlights Jehovah's Kindness - Continue

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