DOES JEHOVAH ASKS TOO MUCH OF US?

"What is Jehovah asking back from you but to exercise justice and to live kindness and to be modest in walking with your God?" -Micah 6:8.




JEHOVAH asks something of his people.  But after reading the above words as quoted from Michah's prophecy, you may well conclude that God's requirements are reasonable.  Nevertheless, may do not serve our Grand Creator, and some who once served him has ceased to do so. Why?  Because they think that God asks too much of us.  Does he?  (No!) Or might there be a problem with the person's attitude toward what Jehovah requires? (it  is the person's attitude)  A historical account provides insight into this matter.

The Syrian military chief Naaman was afflicted with leprosy, but he was advised that in Israel there was a prophet of Jehovah who could cure him.  So Naaman and his entourage traveled to Israel and eventually came to the home of God's prophet Elisha.  Instead of leaving his house to greet his distinguished visitor, Elisha sent a servant to tell Naaman:  "You must bathe seven times in the Jordan that your flesh may come back to you, and be clean."  -2 Kings 5:10.

If Naaman complied with the requirement stated by God's prophet, he would be healed of a loathesome disease.  Therefore, was Jehovah asking too much of him?  Not really. Yet, Naaman was not going to do what Jehovah had required.  "Are not the abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus  better than all the waters of Israel?" He protested.  "Can I not bathe in them and certainly be clean?" With that, Naaman went away in a rage. -2 Kings 5:12.

What really was Naaman's problem? It was not that the requirement was so difficult to meet. Naaman's servants tactfully said: "Had it been a great thing that the  prophet himself had spoken to you would you not do it? How much more, then, since he said to you, 'Bathe and be clean'?"  (2 Kings 5:13)  The problem was Naaman's attitude. He felt that he had not been treated with the dignity he deserved and that he had been asked to do something apparently considered ineffectual and humiliating. However, Naaman responded to the tactful counsel of his servants and plunged into the Jordan River seven times.  Imagine his joy when "his flesh came back like the flesh of a little boy and he became clean"! He was filled with gratitude.  Moreover, Naaman declared that from that time on, he would worship no other God but Jehovah. -2 Kings 5:14-17.

Throughout human history, Jehovah has asked people to comply with various  regulations. We invite you to consider a number of these.  As you do, ask yourself how  you would have responded if Jehovah had required that you do such things. Later, we will examine what asks of us today.

Next time: What Jehovah Required in the Past

The Watchtower, 1999