What Does It Mean to Be LOYAL?

Jehovah Demonstrated Loyalty

Jehovah told his friend Abraham:  "I am a shield for you."  (Genesis 15:1; Isaiah 41:8)  These were not mere words.  Jehovah protected and delivered Abraham and his household from Pharaoh and from Abimelech.  He helped Abraham rescue Lot from a four-king confederacy.  Jehovah restored the procreative powers of 100-year-old  Abraham and 91-year -old Sarah so that through them might come the promised Seed.  Jehovah regularly communicated with Abraham through visions, dreams and angelic messengers.  In fact, Jehovah demonstrated loyalty to Abraham while he was alive and also long after his death.  Over the centuries, Jehovah kept his promises to Abraham's descendants, the nation of Israel, despite their waywardness.  Jehovah's relationship with Abraham was a demonstration of what true loyalty is-love translated into action. -Genesis, chapters 12 to 25.

It was said that "Jehovah spoke to Moses face to face, just as  a  man would speak to his fellow."  (Exodus  33:11)  Yes, Moses had a relationship with Jehovah that was more intimate (no,  not the kind you are thinking of, get your mind out of the gutter, they were like brothers) than that of any other prophet prior to Jesus Christ.  How did Jehovah demonstrate loyalty to Moses?

As a 40-year-old man with power and ability, Moses presumptuously took it upon himself to liberate his  people.  But it was not yet time.  He had to flee for his life.  For 40 years he herded sheep in Midian.  (Acts 7:23-30)  Still, Jehovah did not abandon him.  When the time was right, Moses was brought back to lead Israel out of Egypt.

Similarly, Jehovah demonstrated loyalty to David, the famous second king of Israel.  While David was only a youth, Jehovah told the prophet Samuel:  "Get up, anoint him, for this is he!"  From then on, Jehovah loyally protected and guided David while he was matured as the future king of all Israel.  Jehovah delivered him "from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear"  and from the hand of the Philistine giant Goliath.  He gave David victory after victory over Israel's  enemies, and Jehovah delivered David from the spear of jealous, hateful Saul. -1 Samuel 16:12; 17:37; 18:11; 19:10.

Next time: Continue with Jehovah Demonstrated Loyalty

Watchtower, 2001