THE SPLENDOR OF JEHOVAH'S CREATION-"Let the Rivers Themselves Clap Their Hands"

GLANCE at a map of the earth, and in most places, you will see lines snaking their way across landmasses.  These tendrils cross plains,deserts, and grasslands.  They wind their way through valleys, canyons, and forests.  (Habakkuk 3:9)  These are rivers , our planet's arteries of life.  Such watercourses testify  to the wisdom and power of earth's Creator, Jehovah. As we observe them, we share the feelings of the psalmist who sang:  "Let the rivers themselves clap their hands; all together let the mountains cry out joyfully before Jehovah." -Psalm 98:8, 9. 

Rivers are closely linked with human history. The Bible speaks of four major rivers that were parted from a river issuing out of Eden.  (Genesis 2:10-14)  One of the earliest  civilizations sprang up in the fertile valleys of the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers in the Middle East. Great civilizations were made possible by the Hwang River in China, the Ganges and the Indus in southern Asia, and the Nile in Egypt. 

No wonder, then, that man has always stood in awe before the might,the bounty, and the beauty of rivers. The Nile of Egypt flows for about  4,150 miles.  The distinction of being the largest  river goes to the Amazon of South America. While some rivers are majestic, others are very beautiful, like the much smaller but swift-flowing Tone River in Japan. 

What make a river flow? In  a word, gravity, its is gravity that draws water from higher to lower elevations. Sometimes the results are thundering waterfalls. Describing these displays of force and grandeur, the Bible says:  "The rivers have raised, O Jehovah, the rivers have raised their sound; the rivers keep raising their pounding." -Psalm 93:3. 

"Who sends torrents of rain?" Jehovah asked the godly man Job. (Job 38:25, Contemporary English Version) Yes, where does all the water come from?  The answer involves and intricate system called the water cycle. Earth's water is in a container state of circulation powered by the energy of the sun and by gravity. After water evaporates, it rises in the atmosphere. Eventually, it cools and condenses to form clouds.  In time, this vapor returns to the earth as snow or rain. Much of the water is stored in the oceans,lakes, rivers, glaciers, polar icecaps, and under the ground. 

Next time: Conclusion of "Let the Rivers Themselves Clap Their Hands"

From the Watchtower magazine, 2004

Why Does the Bible Describe God in Human Terms?

Since "God is a Spirit," we cannot see him with our physical eyes.  (John 4:24) The Bible therefore uses figures of speech, such as smiles, metaphors, and Anthropomorphisms to help  us  comprehend God's  might, majesty, and activities. Anthropomorphism (Greek,  "manform") is the attributing of human characteristics to a nonhuman subject.  So even though we do not know what  God's spirit body looks like, the Bible speaks of God as having eyes, ears, hands, arms, fingers, feet, and a heart. -Genesis 8:21; Exodus 3:20; 31:18; Job 40:9; Psalm 18:9; 34:15.  

Such descriptive language does not mean that God's spirit body has the same kind of members that human bodies have. Anthropomorphisms are not to be taken literally.  They merely help humans to have a better understanding of God.  Without such figures of speech, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for any description of God to be comprehensible to mere humans.  However, that does not mean that Jehovah God's personality has been fabricated by humans.  The Bible clearly explains that man was created in God's image (Genesis 1:27) Because Bible writers were "inspired by God" their depiction of God's personality is in reality his own description of his personal qualities-the very qualities that he has implanted to varying degrees in the human creation.  (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Rather than being man's qualities in God, they are really God's qualities in man.  

(note: providing man uses those good qualities, which from some people, I have seen no  evidence of) 

Next time: THE SPLENDOR OF JEHOVAH'S CREATION-"Let the Rivers Themselves Clap Their Hands"


From the Watchtower magazine, 2004

Seek God's Approval

God's "intimacy is with the upright ones." Those "blameless in their way are a pleasure to him."  (Proverbs 3:32; 11:20) On the contrary, those who persist in offending God by stubbornly ignoring or defying his righteous feelings, will shortly become the objects of his displeasure.  (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) Indeed, he will soon bring an end  to all the wickedness so prevalent today. -Psalm 37:9-11; Zephaniah 2:2, 3. 

The Bible makes it very clear, however, that Jehovah "does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)  He would much rather display his affection for righteous people who love him than express his displeasure upon those who choose to be irreformable. Jehovah finds  pleasure, "not in the death of the wicked one, but in that someone wicked turns back from his way and actually keeps living." -Ezekiel 33:11.

So no one needs to become the object of Jehovah's anger.  "Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful."  (James 5:11)  With full confidence in God's feelings, you can "throw all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you."  (1 Peter 5:7) Be assured that those who make God's heart rejoice have the wonderful prospect of enjoying his approval and friendship.  Hence, it is now more urgent  than every before to "keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord." - Ephesians 5:10. 

How marvelous that God in his undeserved kindness has revealed his glorious qualities and feelings!  And it is within your power to make his heart rejoice. If you desire to do so, we urge you to contact Jehovah's Witnesses in your area.  They will be happy to show you what they have  found to be practical and attainable in their endeavor to please God.

Next time: Why Does the Bible Describe God in Human Terms?

From the Watchtower magazine, 2004

Do Not Make God Feel Hurt

An example of how Jehovah's feelings can be hurt is found in the account about the days of Noah.  At that time, "the earth became filled with violence.   So God saw the earth and, look! It was ruined, because all flesh had ruined its way on the earth."  How did God feel as he surveyed the depravity and the violence?  "Jehovah felt regrets that he had made men in the earth," says the Bible, " and he felt hurt at his heart." (Genesis 6:5, 6, 11, 12)  God felt regrets in that the conduct of humans had become so evil that he had a change of attitude as regards the wicked preFlood generation.  Because of his displeasure  over their wickedness, God turned from the attitude of  the Creator of humans to that of a destroyer of them. 

(I think I would have a lot of regrets if I were him and still would. Take a real good look at the people in it;  rape, thievery, immorality, adultery, murder, pornography, deceit, corruptness, the making of movies of evil and violence just to  name a few. Of course some or a lot of people only look through rose colored glasses or have their heads in the ground or somewhere else, because they don't want to see it or admit that anything is wrong with, not just this world, but the government as well. And all this and more is caused by Satan.) 

Jehovah also felt distressed when his own people, the ancient nation of Israel, persistently ignored his feelings and his loving direction.  The psalmist lamented:  "How often they would rebel against him in the wilderness, they would make him feel hurt in the desert! And again and again they would put God to the test, and they pained even the Holy One of Israel." Yet, "he was merciful; he would cover their error and not bring ruin. And many times he made his anger turn back, and he would not rouse up all his rage."  (Psalm 78:38-41)  ( Note: There were a couple times that he did show his rage, when a few did something that really got him angry and he punished the ones that did.)  Even though the rebellious Israelites rightly suffered the consequences of their own sinfulness, the Bible tells us that "during all their distress  it was distressing to [God]." -Isaiah 63:9. 

Regardless of the ample evidence of God's tender feelings for them, the people of Israel "were continually making jest at the messengers of the true God and despising his words and mocking his prophets, until the rage of Jehovah came up against his people, until there was no healing." (2 Chronicles 36:16)  Ultimately, their stiff-necked pattern of rebellion "made his holy spirit feel hurt" to such an extent that they lost Jehovah's favor.  (Isaiah 63:10)  The result?  God justly withdrew his protection, and calamity befell them when the Babylonians conquered Judah and destroyed Jerusalem.  (2 Chronicles 36:17-21) How sad when people choose to pursue a sinful course of life that is offensive and distressing to their Creator!

The Bible leaves us in no doubt that God is deeply pained by unrighteous conduct.  (Psalm 78:41)  Things that are  offensive-even detestable -to God include pride, lying, murder, practicing magic, fortune telling,  ancestor worship, loose morals, homosexuality, marital unfaithfulness, incest, and the oppression of the poor. -Leviticus 18:9-29; 19:29; Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Proverbs 6:16-19; Jeremiah 7:5-7; Malachi 2:14-16. 

How does Jehovah feel about idolatry? Exodus 20:4, 5 states:  "You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them."  Why? because an idol "is a thing detestable to Jehovah." (Deuteronomy 7:25, 26) (Note: This includes Buddhas, rosaries, crosses in churches, necklaces, spending too  much time with sports, games, pictures of Jesus, God or the Virgin Mary,  or anything that keeps one from worshiping God.)  The apostle John warned:  Little children, guard yourselves from idols." (1 John 5:21)  (Note:  that goes for adults as well.) And the apostle Paul wrote:  "My beloved ones, flee from idolatry." -1 Corinthians 10:14.

Next time: Seek God's Approval

From the Watchtower magazine, 2004 

How We Can Make God's Heart Rejoice

Consider how the family head Noah made Jehovah's heart rejoice. Noah "found favor in the eyes of Jehovah" because "he proved himself faultless among his contemporaries."  In stark contrast with the wicked people of that time, Noah's faith  and obedience  were so pleasing to God that it could be said that "Noah walked with the true God." (Genesis 6:6,8, 9, 22)  "By faith Noah . . .showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his  household."  (Hebrews 11:7) Jehovah was pleased with Noah and blessed him and his family with survival through that turbulent period of human history. 

The Patriarch Abraham also had an acute awareness of Jehovah's feelings.  His intimate knowledge of God's thinking was clearly evident when Jehovah informed him that Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed because of their depravity. Abraham knew Jehovah well enough to conclude that it was an unthinkable that God would put to death the righteous man with the wicked one.  (Genesis 18:17-33)  Years later, in obedience to God's direction, Abraham  "as good as offered up Isaac," for "he reckoned that God was able to raise up even from the dead." (Hebrews 11:17-19; Genesis 22;1-18)  Abraham was so attuned to God's feelings and displayed such strong faith and obedience that 'he came to be called 'Jehovah's friend.' " -James 2:23.

Another man who endeavored to make God's heart glad was King David of ancient Israel.  Concerning him, Jehovah said: "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man agreeable to my heart, who will do all the things I desire." (Acts 13:22) Before facing the giant Goliath, David put his implicit trust in God and told Israelite King Saul:  "Jehovah, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, he it is who will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Jehovah blessed David's confidence in Him, enabling David to slay Goliath.  (1 Samuel 17:37, 45-54)  David wanted not only his actions but also "the sayings of his mouth and the meditation of his heart to be pleasurable before Jehovah.' -Psalm 19:14. 

What about us?  How can we please Jehovah?  The more sensitive we are to God's feelings, the more we will become aware of what we can do to make God's heart rejoice. As we read the Bible, then, it is essential  that we make the effort to learn about God's feelings so that we "may be filled with the accurate knowledge  of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk  worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him." (Colossians 1:9, 10) Knowledge, in turn, helps us to build faith.  This is vital because "without faith it is impossible to please [God] well." (Hebrews 11:6) Yes, by putting forth effort  to build strong faith and by bringing our lives into harmony with Jehovah's will, we can make his heart glad.  At the same time, we must be careful not to make Jehovah feel hurt at heart. 

Next time: Do Not Make God Feel Hurt

From the Watchtower magazine, 2004 

YOU CAN MAKE GOD REJOICE

CAN we actually affect the way God feels?   Does God have the capacity to rejoice?  One dictionary definition of the word  "God" is the supreme or ultimate reality."  What if that awesome reality were simply a force?  Could we expect an impersonal force to rejoice? Hardly. Consider, though, what the Bible says about God. 

"God is a Spirit,"  says Jesus Christ.  (John 4:24)  A spirit is a form of life that differs from humans.  Though visible  to human eyes, a spirit has a body-"a spiritual one." (1 Corinthians  15:44; John 1:18)  Employing figures of speech, the Bible even speaks , the Bible speaks of God as having eyes, ears, hands, and so forth.  God also has a name-Jehovah. (Psalm 83:18 ) The God of the Bible, then, is a spirit person.  (Hebrews 9:24) "He is the living God and the King to time indefinite." - Jeremiah 10:10. 

As a real living person, Jehovah is capable of thought and action.  He manifest qualities and feelings, likes and dislikes.  The Bible, in fact, abounds in expressions that reveal what things please or displease him. Whereas man-made gods and Idols merely mirror the traits or qualities of their human inventors, the almighty God, Jehovah is the very Originator of the emotions that he planted in humans. -Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 44:7-11. 

Jehovah is without a doubt "the happy God."  (1 Timothy 1:11)  He not only rejoices in his creative works but also takes pleasure in accomplishing his purpose. Through the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah declares:"Everything that is my delight I shall do . . .I have even spoken it; I shall also bring it in.  I have formed it, I shall also do it." (Isaiah 46:9-11) The psalmist sang: "Jehovah will rejoice in his works." (Psalm 104:31)  But there is yet another source of joy to God.  He says: "Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice." (Proverbs 27:11) Think of what that means-we can make God rejoice!  

Next time: How We Can Make God's Heart Rejoice

From the Watchtower magazine, 2004  

MANKIND'S QUEST TO PLEASE GOD

"THERE has never been any human society in which God has not been a part, usually a controlling and creative part.  That is true even of those societies that set out  to be deliberately secular."  So says John Bowker in his book God-A Brief History.  In one way or another, the quest to find God and again his favor has been a thread woven through the fabric of human behavior. Around the world, many have a sincere desire to please God. Of course, how they try to do this varies according to their beliefs. 

Some believe that all that is necessary to gain God's favor  is to live a good life.  Other feel that they win God's approval by performing  charitable acts for the poor.  Then again, religious ceremonies and rituals are important to millions of people.  

On the other hand, there are those who believe that Good is beyond their reach-too distant or too occupied with other matters to pay attention to ordinary people.  The philosopher Epicurus of ancient Greece reportedly believed that  'gods are too remote to do you any more harm than good.'  Nevertheless, may who have such thoughts are religious.  Some may even offer sacrifices and perform rituals in hopes of appeasing their dead ancestors. 

What do you think? Does God really take note of our efforts to gain his favor?  Is it possible for us to touch God's heart and please him?  (Yes,  but we have to follow his commandments, laws and statutes and not what most people think they are suppose to do or what they were brought up to think they should do) 

Next time: YOU CAN MAKE GOD REJOICE

From the Watchtower magazine, 2004

'Do Not Rake Fire Into Your Bosom'

To emphasize the danger of adultery further, Solomon asks: "Can a man rake together fire into his bosom and yet his very garments not be burned? Or can a man walk upon the coals and his feet themselves not be scorched?"  Explaining the meaning of the illustration, he says:  "Likewise with anyone having relations with the wife of his fellowman, no one touching her will remain unpunishable." (Proverbs 6:27-29) Such a sinner will  surely be punished. 

"People do not despise a thief just because he commits thievery to fill his soul when he is hungry," we are reminded.  Even so, "when found, he will make it good with seven times as much; all the valuables of his house he will give."  (Proverbs 6:30, 31) In ancient Israel, a thief was required to make payment even if it took all he had. How much more worth of punishment would be an adulterer, who has no excuse for what he has done! 

"Anyone committing adultery with a woman is in want of heart," states Solomon.  A man in want of heart lacks good judgment, since he is bringing his  own soul to ruin." (Proverbs 6:32)  Outwardly, he may appear to be  a reputable person, but the inner  man is seriously lacking in proper development. 

There is more to the fruitage that an adulterer reaps.  "A plague and dishonor he will find, and his reproach  itself will not be wiped out.  For the rage of an able-bodied  man is jealousy, and he will not show compassion in the day of vengeance. He will have no consideration for any sort of ransom, neither will he show willingness, no matter how large you make the present." -Proverbs 6:33-35. 

A thief can compensate for what he stole, but an adulterer can make no repayment. what  compensation could he offer an angry husband? No amount of pleading  is likely to win the wrongdoer compassion. In no way can the adulterer make restitution for his sin.  The reproach and dishonor heaped upon his own name remains. Moreover, he can in no way ransom himself or buy freedom  from the punishment he deserves.

How wise it is to stay clear of adultery as well as other conduct and attitudes that defame our good name and may bring reproach upon God!  May we, then, be careful not to make foolish pledges. Let industriousness  and truthfulness adorn our reputation. And as we endeavor  to hate what Jehovah hates, may we make a good name with him and our fellowman. 

Next time: MANKIND'S QUEST TO PLEASE GOD

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000

"Do Not Desire Her Prettiness"

Solomon begins the next segment of his counsel by saying:  "Observe, O my son, the commandment of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Tie them upon your heart constantly; bind them upon your throat."    The reason? "When you walk about, it will lead you; when you lie down, it will stand guard over you; and when you have woken up, it itself  will make you  its concern." -Proverbs 6:20-22.

Can a Scriptural upbringing really safeguard us from the snare of sexual immorality?  Yes, it can. We are assured:  "The commandment is a lamp, and a light the law is, and the reproofs  of discipline are the way of life, to guard you against the bad woman, against the smoothness of the tongue of the foreign woman." (Proverbs 6:23, 24) Remembering the counsel of God's Word and using it as 'a lamp to our foot and a light to our roadway' will help us  resist the smooth invitations of a bad woman, or a bad man for that matter. -Psalm 119:105.

"Do not desire her prettiness in your heart," admonishes the wise king, "and may she not take you with her lustrous eyes."  Why? "because in behalf of a woman prostitute one comes down to a round loaf of bread; but as regards another man's wife, she hunts even for a precious soul." -Proverbs 6:25, 26. 

Does Solomon refer to an adulterous wife as a prostitute? Perhaps. Or it could be that he distinguishes between  the consequences of committing immorality with a prostitute  and those resulting from adultery with another man's wife.  The one having intimacies with a prostitute can  be reduced to "a round loaf of bread"-to extreme poverty.  He may even  succumb to painful and crippling sexually transmitted  diseases. On the other hand, the one seeking intimacies  with another's marriage mate would be in greater immediate danger under the Law. An adulterous wife endangers the "precious soul" of her illicit partner.  "More than the shortening of life by dissipation . . . is intended.," says one reference work.  "The sinner is liable to the death penalty." (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22) In any case, regardless of her physical beauty, such a woman is not to be desired.

Next time: 'Do Not Rake Fire Into Your Bosom'

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000

Hate What Jehovah Hates

Hatred for badness-what a deterrent that is from committing acts that damage our reputation!  Should we not then  cultivate an abhorrence for what is bad?  But exactly what should we hate?  Solomon states:  "There are many things that Jehovah hates, these are but a few:  yes, seven things are detestable to his soul: lofty eyes, a false tongue, and hands that are shedding innocent blood, a heart fabricating hurtful schemes, feet that are in a hurry to run to badness, a false witness  that launches forth lies, and anyone sending forth contentions among brothers." -Proverbs 6:16-19. (These are but a few) 

The seven categories that the proverb mentions are basic and cover virtually all types of wrongs.  "Lofty eyes" and "a heart fabricating hurtful schemes" are sins committed in thought.  "A false tongue" and "a false witness that launches forth lies" are sinful words.  "Hands that  are shedding innocent blood" and "feet that are in a hurry to run to badness" are wicked deed. And especially  hateful to Jehovah is the type of individual who takes  keen delight in kindling strife among people who otherwise  would dwell together peacefully. The increase  in the number from six to seven suggests that the list is not intended  to be complete, since humans every keep multiplying their evil deeds. 

Indeed, we need to develop a loathing for what God hates.  For instance, we must shun  "lofty eyes" or any other display of pride. And harmful gossip is certainly to be avoided, for it can easily cause  "contentions among brothers."  By spreading unkind hearsay,unjustifiable  criticism, or lies, we may not be  "shedding innocent blood," but we surely can destroy another person's reputation.  

"Do Not Desire Her Prettiness" 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000