Continue with Jehovah Will Refine His People

Continue with Jehovah Will Refine His People

In 1919, Jehovah's modern-day people emerged from the period of testing.  They were delivered from spiritual bondage to Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion.  The distinction between that faithful anointed remnant and the apostate clergy of Christendom became clear.  God again  blessed his people, 'bringing back for them judges and counselors'-faithful men who counsel God's people according  to his Word and not according to the traditions of men.  Today among the diminishing "little flock" and their increasing millions of  "other sheep" companions, there are thousands of such men. -Luke 12:32; John 10:16; Isaiah 32:1, 2;  60:17. 61:3, 4.

Elders keep in mind that they do, on occasion, act as "judges" in the congregation in order to keep it morally and spiritually clean and to correct wrongdoers.  They are deeply concerned with doing things God's way, imitating his merciful, balanced sense of justice.  In most matters, though, they serve as "counselors." This, of course, is a far cry from being princes or tyrants, and they make  every effort never to give even the appearance of "lording it over those who are God's inheritance." -1 Peter 5:3.

What about the "dross" mentioned in the prophecy of Isaiah? What happens to those who refuse to benefit from God's refinement process?  Isaiah continues:  "And the crash of revolters and that of sinful ones will be at the same time, and those leaving Jehovah will come to their finish.  For they will be ashamed of the mighty trees that you people desired, and you will be abashed because of the gardens that you have chosen." (Isaiah 1:28, 29)  Those who revolt and sin against Jehovah, ignoring the warning messages of his prophets until it is too late, do indeed "crash" and "come to their finish."  This happens in 607 B.C.E. What, however, do these references to trees and gardens mean?

The Judeans have a persistent problem with idolatry.  Trees, gardens and groves often figure in their debased practices.  For example, worshiper of Baal and his consort, Ashtoreth, believe that in the dry season, the two deities are dead and buried.  To prompt them to awaken and mate, bringing fertility to the land, the idolaters gather to carry out perverted sexual acts under "sacred" trees in groves or in gardens.  When rains and fertility come to the land, the false gods receive the credit; the idolaters feel confirmed in their superstitions. But when Jehovah brings the rebellious idolaters to their crashing finish, no idol-gods protect them.  The rebels are "ashamed" of these impotent trees and gardens.

Next time: Conclusion of Jehovah Will Refine His People

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind