Jehovah Exercises Self-Control

The Jew's disbelieving response to Jehovah's prophecies has prevented  them from heeding his warnings.  That is why he goes on to say to them:  "Moreover, you have not heard , neither have you known, nor from that time on has you ear been opened.  For I will know that without  fail you kept dealing treacherously, and a 'transgressor from the belly' you have been called."  (Isaiah 48:8)  Judah's ear has been shut to Jehovah's glad tidings.  (Isaiah 29:10) The way God's covenant people have acted shows  the nation to be a "transgressor from the belly."  From its birth and for its entire  history, the nation of Israel has built up a record of rebellion.  Transgression and treachery  are inveterate faults of the people, not mere occasional sins. -Psalms 95:10; Malachi 2:11.

Is all hope lost?  No. Even though Judah has been rebellious and treacherous, Jehovah is always true and faithful. For the honor of his own great name, he will limit the outpouring of his wrath.  He says:  "For the sake of my name I shall check my anger, and for my praise I shall restrain myself toward you that there may be no cutting you off."  (Isaiah 48:9)  What a contrast!  Jehovah's people, both Israel and Judah, have been unfaithful to him. But Jehovah will sanctify his name, acting in  way to bring praise and honor to it. For this reason, he will not cut off his chosen people. -Joel 2:13, 14.

Righthearted individuals among the exiled Jews are awakened by God's reprimand and become determined to heed his teachings.  To such ones the following declaration is most reassuring:  "Look! I have refined you, but not in the form of silver. I have made a choice of you in the smelting furnace of affliction.  For my own sake, for my own sake I shall act, for how could one let oneself be profaned?  And to no one else shall I give my own glory." (Isaiah  48:10, 11)  The trialsome ordeals-as in the "furnace of affliction"-that Jehovah has allowed to come upon his people have tested and refined them, revealing what is in their hearts.  Something similar happened centuries earlier when Moses  said to their ancestors:  "Jehovah your God made you walk these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, to put you to the test so as to know what was in your heart."  (Deuteronomy 8:2) Despite their rebellious attitude, Jehovah did not destroy the nation at that time, and he will not utterly destroy the nation now.  Thus his name and honor will be upheld.  If his people were to perish at the hands of the Babylonians, he would be untrue to his covenant and his name would be profaned.  It would appear that the God of Israel  is powerless to save his people. -Ezekiel 20:9.  (but he is not powerless, nor will he be)

In modern times too, Jehovah's people have needed refining.  Back in the early days of the 20th century, many of the small group of Bible Students served God out of a sincere desire  for prominence.  Before that small group could spearhead the worldwide preaching of the good news prophesied for the time of the end, they would need to be cleansed.  (Matthew 24:14)  The prophet Malachi prophesied that such a refining work would be accomplished in connection    with Jehovah's coming to his temple. (Malachi 3:1-4) His words were fulfilled in 1918. True Christians had gone through a period of fiery testing in the heat of the first world war and that testing culminated in the imprisonment of Joseph F. Rutherford, then president of the Watchtower  Society, and some of its leading officers.  Those sincere Christians benefited from the refining process. They cam out of World War I more determined than ever to serve their great God in whatever way he indicated.

Since those days, Jehovah's Witnesses have time and again faced the most vicious forms of persecution.  This has not made them doubt the word of their Creator. Rather, they have taken note of the words of the apostle  Peter to persecuted Christians of his day:  "You have been grieved by various trials, in order that the tested quality of your faith . . .may be found a cause for praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."  (1 Peter 1:6,7)  Fiery persecution does not destroy the integrity of true Christians.  Instead, it reveals the purity of their motives.  It adds to their faith a tested quality and shows the depth of their devotion and love. -Proverbs 17:3.

Next time: 'I Am the First, I Am the Last'

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001