DOES JEHOVAH ASKS TOO MUCH OF US?

"What is Jehovah asking back from you but to exercise justice and to love 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 Micah's prophecy, you may well conclude  that God's  requirements are reasonable. Nevertheless, many do not serve our Grand Creator, and some who once served him  have ceased to do so. Why?  Because they think that God asks too much of us. Does he?  Or might there be a problem  with a person's attitude toward what Jehovah requires?  (No, not in my opinion)  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 loathsome disease. Therefore, was Jehovah asking too much of him?  No 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 has spoken to you, would you  not do it?  How much more,m then, since  he said to you, 'Bathe and be clean'?" (2 Kings 5:13)  The problem was Naaman's attitude. He felt that he has not been treated with the dignity that he deserved and that he had been asked to do something he 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 has required that you do such things. Later,we will examine what Jehovah asks of us today. 

Next time: What Jehovah Required in the Past

From the Watchtower magazine, 1999