Transcripts: Broadcasts

Transcript: JW Broadcasting. July 2024
[Paul Gillies. Helper to the Coordinators’ Committee]
Paul Gillies: Welcome to JW Broadcasting. In this month’s program, we’ll learn how to develop and protect our God-given thinking ability. Here are some highlights of what’s to come. In our next episode of Imitate Their Faith, we’ll learn from Rebekah. How did her love for God influence her choices? A priest spent years lost in a maze of confusing teachings. How did she escape the maze and find truth? If you’ve been feeling like life is nonstop, you’ll enjoy our latest music video. It’s a reminder to take a breath, pause, and reset. This is JW Broadcasting for July 2024.
[JW Broadcasting logo, collage of images of people worldwide, spin round a globe, transitions into a white box with the capital letters ‘JW BROADCASTING’ a backdrop of the Earth’s sky view]
Young or old, we need to consider the topic of thinking ability and how to develop it effectively. All of us can think. We can think about a lot of things, some good and some bad. It’s not uncommon, even for an adult, to let his mind wander aimlessly. Or a person may spend time thinking of frivolous matters of little substance. That’s what can happen to our thinking, but it doesn’t always have a positive effect on our life or our future. Though specifically addressed to a young man, the Bible book of Proverbs gives sound advice for all of us. Proverbs 1:4 says: “To give a young man [for that matter any of us] knowledge and thinking ability.” What is thinking ability in this verse? The Hebrew word translated “thinking ability” can be used in a bad sense or in a favorable one. So, our mind and thoughts can be directed to a worthy, upright end or just the opposite. If we incline our thinking to aspects of Jehovah’s will and purposes, we’ll safeguard our own thinking ability, directing it into the right channels. How valuable is that type of thinking process? Turn to Proverbs 3:21, 22, which states: “Safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability; they will give you life.” Thinking ability is not in the exclusive realm of the studious type. Throughout our entire life, we take in information by reading,
(Grandmother and Granddaughter examine the ‘learn to read and write’ book in their language)
seeing, hearing, and experiencing things. And it’s the way we take in information and react to it that shapes our individual behavior and personality. Many persons have not used their minds for much more than the essentials of daily living. But to succeed in life and in Jehovah’s eyes, it’s necessary that we learn to train, develop, and guard thinking ability. Consider how trained thinking ability might protect us when it comes to using the Internet wisely. While the Internet can be an excellent tool for gathering knowledge, thinking ability when properly exercised will safeguard us from its harmful effects. For example, some popular social media sites contain short videos designed to deliver instant gratification. If the viewer gets no immediate emotional reward, he is tempted to keep scrolling to find material that will give the desired effect. Over time, this can lower one’s attention span, which may impede a person’s ability to learn, retain, and recall information. None of us would want that to happen to us, would we? Additionally, studies have shown that those who spend too much of their time with their electronic devices are more prone to stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health problems.
(Boy on sofa with his phone, puts it down, lays and stares)
On the other hand, thinking ability can help us to work out ways to control our use of such technology. For example, God-oriented thinking ability can help us to distinguish truth from misleading and false information. Thus, there is wisdom in what is stated at Proverbs 2:11, 12: “Thinking ability will keep watch over you, and discernment will safeguard you, to save you from the bad course.” Why is this so important? Well, thinking ability and discernment gives us perception. And perception is closely related to our conscience. What we have meditated on from God’s Word and stored in our mind can mold our conscience,
(Woman reads a Bible)
which is an inner mechanism to warn us of wrong actions or tendencies. In effect, our thinking watches over us. Notice how this is alluded to at Hebrews 5:14: “But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment [that is, their thinking] trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” All of us, both young and old, should think carefully about the following suggestions: First, grow in knowledge of Jehovah. Proverbs 9:10 says in part: “Knowledge of the Most Holy One is understanding.” Coming to know Jehovah is a blessing and a protection. We need to pray to Jehovah for insight when we study, apply ourselves to Bible reading on a regular basis, and immerse ourselves in the truth. We should talk to Jehovah in prayer as our closest confidant. This means using our thinking ability to convince ourselves that Jehovah’s advice is the best advice, because doing so will safeguard us when we’re tempted,
(Two boys offer a younger boy a cigarette)
tested, or put into a situation where we know we must say no.
(In the library, a young man shows a young woman his phone, she says no and walks away)
Remember who we are, what we stand for, and to whom we have dedicated our life.
(the boy says no to being offered a cigarette and walks away)
Next suggestion: We need to continue to enhance our Christian personality. This is important, but why? Because people who love Jehovah will like and respect us for who we are. And what kind of personality are we suggesting? Did you note the expression “Christian personality”? That means “Christlike.” We cannot go wrong by imitating Jesus in any way possible. Recall that 1 Peter 2:21 says: “To this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely.” Jesus’ whole way of life, his attitudes, his values, his interactions with others, culminated into a personality that we should strive to follow closely. We know well how we want to look when dressed for a special occasion. We clothe ourselves with careful attention to details. Colossians 3:10 picks up on the illustration of clothing. There it states: “And clothe yourselves with the new personality.” Similarly, Romans 13:14 tells us: “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be planning ahead for the desires of the flesh.” We have to think about Jesus’ personality constantly. It certainly does not come naturally to us imperfect descendants of Adam.
(Collage of 4 images: 1: Jesus smiles as he speaks to two women seated by his feet. 2: Two women grins as a man changes a car tyre. 3: A child shows the book ‘Lessons you can learn from the Bible’ to a couple, her mother brings refreshments. 4: An older woman sat with a walking stick smiles as she talks to a man holding her hand while a woman unpacks groceries)
It takes real thinking ability. And remember, in this case, we are not clothing ourselves just for one special occasion. This is to be our daily wardrobe. To the extent possible, with our imperfection, we continuously work to reflect Jesus’ personality. Next suggestion: Give priority to our priorities. What does this mean? To accomplish things in life, we must have schedules, routines, and priorities. For instance, at Bethel, much work is accomplished because of the daily routine and because of giving priority to spiritual matters.
(A woman with an open Bible checks off her Bible reading schedule on her iPad)
At Philippians 1:10, Paul said to “make sure of the more important things.” Wholesome thinking ability will help us to see the value of organizing our life each day to give priority to the most important things. Next suggestion: Keep a modest view of our own knowledge and experience. Thinking ability will help us to filter the information we let into our mind. The real test of whether our thinking ability has been properly trained is how we apply knowledge. So, we need to be cautious in life,
(Teacher hands student a card to sign in front of classmates)
ask questions, fact-check, get advice,
(In his bedroom, he shows his dad)
read, study,
(Dad smiles and they talk)
and learn from Bible principles. And once we’ve accumulated knowledge, insight, and thinking ability, modesty is involved in how we share it. The apostle Paul said at Romans 12:3: “I tell everyone there among you not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think, but to think so as to have a sound mind.” Yes, we need to display a modest outlook on our acquired thinking ability. Did you notice it said to think with “a sound mind,” not an inflated mind, not thinking more of ourselves than is necessary to think? Another way to use thinking ability in this old world is to avoid debt. Now, why is this our last point? Because material things are not the most important things in life. Many work themselves to death to gain material prosperity. However, as Christians, there’s other work that’s related to worship. We want to work ourselves to life, yes, focused on everlasting life yet ahead. It’s true, though, that some money is needed to buy the necessities of life. Whether we’re young and just starting to earn a living or we’re older and have been working secularly for years, we need to learn to manage and budget money.
(Husband calculates finances with bills, letters and a calculator, his wife joins to help)
This involves using our thinking ability to separate needs from wants and being cautious about accumulating much debt. Remember, according to Proverbs 22:7, “the borrower is a slave to the lender.” These few suggestions are but a sample of areas in life where we need thinking ability and discernment in order to analyze our situation, make decisions, and determine future plans. Always remember the advice at Proverbs 3:21, 22: “Safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability; they will give you life.” Yes and, we may add, even everlasting life in God’s righteous new world! Young people in the Bible used their thinking ability to make wise decisions. Rebekah was one of them. Let’s see how she was able to make a life-changing choice. Long ago, Abraham sent his servant Eliezer to find a wife for his son Isaac.
(Eliezer and men travel with camels)
He knew God’s purpose required a woman of deep faith. But who would be willing to leave their home and travel into the unknown?
(Text: Imitate their faith. Rebekah)
Woman: Rebekah! Rebekah!
(Rebekah picks up a basket, and smiles)
Rebekah: Mother, I’m back.
Rebekah’s Mother: Hello, my dear.
(They greet with a kiss)
Rebekah: Hi, Mother.
(Rebekah hands her mother a basket of vegetables)
Rebekah’s Mother: Rebekah! Your cousin has been looking for you.
Rebekah: Ana, I’m over here!
(As Rebekah enters, she removes her satchel)
Laban: Rebekah, can you bring this to Father?
Rebekah: Yeah. Is he still working?
(She accepts the basket)
Laban: Still working.
(Two children run past Rebekah)
Ana: Rebekah, I’ve been looking for you. Can I come with you?
Rebekah: Sure. Hello, Father. Laban said you needed this.
(Rebekah’s Father repairs a wall)
Rebekah’s Father: Ah, thank you.
(Rebekah puts hay over a wooden gate, for a young goat that watches them)
Ana: Can I help with anything?
Rebekah: You can come with me to the well.
(Ana smiles and picks up a clay jar)
Ana: OK.
Rebekah’s Mother: Ana, not today. We need your help making dinner.
(Ana gives Rebekah the clay jar)
Ana: OK.
(Rebekah carry’s the jar on her shoulder and walks past people with goods and camels)
Rebekah: Good day.
Woman: Hello, Rebekah.
Rebekah: Nice to see you.
Woman: Have a good day.
(Rebekah collects water from the well)
Eliezer: Please, give me a little sip of water from your jar.
Rebekah: Drink, my lord.
(She pours water into his hands and looks at the camels)
I will also draw water for your camels until they are done drinking.
(Rebekah smiles as she repeatedly fills a trough. Eliezer watches as she strokes a camel)
Rebekah: You’ve had a long trip.
(Rebekah walks away from the camel)
Excuse me, my lord.
Eliezer: Please tell me, whose daughter, are you?
(He unwraps a cloth to reveal two gold bracelets)
Is there any room at your father’s house for us to spend the night?
(Nighttime, group sat around a fire)
I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say.
Rebekah’s Father: Please speak!
(Rebekah stares intently)
Eliezer: I am Abraham’s servant. And Jehovah has blessed my master very much.
(Rebekah’s parents observe Eliezer)
Sarah the wife of my master bore a son to my master after she grew old.
(Laban and Ana listen intently)
So, my master made me swear, saying: You will go to the house of my father and to my family, and you must take a wife for my son.” But I said to my master: “What if the woman is unwilling to come?
(Rebekah and her mother exchange glances)
He said to me: Jehovah will send his angel with you and will certainly give success to your journey.” When I got to the spring today, I said: “Jehovah the God of my master Abraham, if you will make my journey successful,
(Rebekah clutches her heart)
here I am standing at a spring.
(Flashback, Rebekah carries a water jar and Eliezer prays. Rebekah pours water into his hands)
When a young woman comes out to draw water, “I will say: ‘Please, let me drink a little water from your jar.’ And she will say to me: ‘You take a drink, and I will also draw water for your camels.’ “Let that woman be the one whom Jehovah has chosen for the son of my master.” Before I was finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah
(Rebekah smiles)
coming out with her jar on her shoulder. After that I asked her, “Whose daughter are you?”
(Rebekah clasps her neck and smiles. Ana looks at Rebekah and at the others)
to which she replied, “The daughter of Bethuel.” So, I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her hands.
(Rebekah looks down, and touches her bracelets)
And now tell me if you wish to show loyal love and faithfulness to my master; but if not, tell me, that I may proceed one way or the other.
(Rebekah’s father nods)
Rebekah’s father: This is from Jehovah.
Laban: Let her become a wife to the son of your master, just as Jehovah has spoken.
(Rebekah and her mother smile at each other. Ana glares at Rebekah. A woman hugs Rebekah. Inside the home, Rebekah arranges food)
Ana: The Negeb is far. When will you come back? Why can’t you just stay here?
Rebekah: You heard what my father said: “This is from Jehovah.”
Ana: You can serve Jehovah here!
Rebekah’s mother: That is true.
(Rebekah’s mother sits beside Rebekah and places a hand on her back)
But you know Jehovah will bless you in ways you can’t even imagine. We still have time together.
(Ana approaches, they all hug)
Let’s make the most of it.
(Rebekah walks alone under a tree; she glances back at the group by the fire, then looks heavenward)
Rebekah: Jehovah, why me?
(Now morning, a rooster crows, Ana pats a goat)
Eliezer: Gather all the men and prepare the camels. We must leave soon.
Men: Right away.
Rebekah’s mother: Why are you packing?
Eliezer: Please send me off to my master.
(Ana walks closer and watches the group)
Rebekah’s father: Let the young woman stay with us for ten more days.
Rebekah’s mother: At least ten more days. Then she can go.
Eliezer: Do not detain me, seeing that Jehovah has made my journey successful.
(Ana watches the men pack)
Send me off, in order that I may go to my master.
Rebekah’s father: Let us call the young woman and inquire of her.
(Ana runs through a field to Rebekah)
Ana: Rebekah, Eliezer wants to leave right now!
(Rebekah and Ana arrive home and glance at each other. Rebekah joins the group outside)
Rebekah: Excuse me.
Rebekah’s father: Will you go with this man?
(Rebekah glances between the men, looks at the ground, then back up, nods and smiles)
Rebekah: I am willing to go.
(She hugs her mother)
Rebekah’s mother: I love you.
(Outside the entrance Rebekah hugs Ana and departs)
Ana: Rebekah!
(With tears in her eyes Ana chases Rebekah)
Our sister, may you become thousands times ten thousand, and let your offspring take possession of the gate of those who hate them. Praise Jehovah!
Rebekah: Praise Jehovah! I’ll miss you!
(With tears they wave at each other)
Ana: I love you.
(Ana and her family watch as Rebekah leaves. Eliezer secures the ropes on the camels and smiles as he sees Rebekah approach)
Paul Gillies: Rebekah did not know what lay before her, and there is no record that she saw her family again. She showed faith when she left the comfort of home. Jehovah blessed her as an ancestress of the Messiah. Her faith is worthy of our imitation.
(As they ride off Rebekah glances back to her family and smiles. She looks forward and grins)
Overall, Rebekah had a life of few regrets. The opportunity for the same blessing is there for you too if you imitate the faith of Rebekah. Some people feel that faith and science are at odds. They say that a thinking person cannot believe in God. Is that true? See how these young people used science to build their faith.
(Text: Reasons for Faith. Evolution or Creation)
Presenter: When you believe in creation, what challenges might you face?
(Text: Fabian Malthus. Norway)
Fabian: My favorite subject was science because I learned facts about how things are connected. I thought that was really exciting, seeing how the physical world works. But then you come to a topic like evolution, and you immediately know that there is something here that is not quite right.
(Sketch of classroom, teacher shows stages of evolution from ape to man)
(Text: Marith Roumans. Norway)
Marith: In fifth grade when I was around 12, we had science, my worst subject. The teacher was fully convinced that we descended from apes and that the evolution theory is the truth.
(Close up of evolutionary stages)
Fabian: You realize that you’re probably the only one in that room thinking, ‘This is not true.’
(color sketch of boy with two silhouettes looking at him)
Then you might start questioning yourself, ‘Is the teacher wrong, or have I maybe believed something wrong my whole life?’
(Sketch of classroom and sketch of family reading together)
It’s, it’s a little challenging being alone in such a situation.
Presenter: What helped you to build your faith in a Creator?
Fabian: I spent a lot of time on the bus to and from school reading jw.org and the Five Questions brochure, actually, to make up my mind as to what I believe in.
Marith: I did a lot of research when I got home that evening, and my parents helped me search our website. And what helped me the most was the video What Your Peers Say. Belief in God. I remember one small scene that stuck with me. It was the glass bottle that was pulled up from the sand. Yes, it’s made of the same material, but it definitely didn’t form by itself.
(Sketch of sea, sand and bottle)
There has to be someone that turns it into a glass bottle. And I found that very logical; it really convinced me that there is a Creator.
Fabian: I remember there are three things necessary for life. I learned it was RNA, DNA, and proteins.
(Sketch of RNA, DNA, Proteins)
If they were to exist at the same place and at the same time, that would be very rare. And on top of that, it would be as if those three things, then should team up and say, “We would like to create life, a cell that, in turn, would become an animal, a person, or many other things.
(Sketch changes into a cell, Elephant and girl)
This made me realize that believing this would require even more faith than believing that there is a God who has created everything.
Marith: So, I sent a text message to my teacher with my viewpoints about me believing in a Creator and added a link to the video. He then asked if it was OK if I showed the video to the class. And I said, “Of course.” I watched the video so many times that I knew all the lines by heart. I knew exactly which scene came when and where so that if someone in the class had any questions, I would know the answer. During the last five minutes, I got to appear in front of the class, explained a little about Jehovah’s Witnesses and that we believe in a Creator, and said I had a video that convinced me of that.
(Sketch of classroom, JW.org on the screen)
And when I was about to press start, the bell rang for a break. But everyone stayed in the classroom to watch the video. I thought that was really fun.
Presenter: How does having faith in a loving Creator help you?
Fabian: It makes everything more meaningful. You’re not thinking: ‘Here I am. ‘I’ll just live the way I do until I die, and that’s it.’ You believe that there is a purpose to life, and it also opens the possibility of a hope for the future.
Marith: Around us there are so many people who have different views and theories, and that can have a big impact on us.
(Sketch of School Teacher, Phone, News reporter)
So, if you don’t have a strong faith, then someone can pick away at your faith and try to break it down. Yes, I am very grateful that my parents taught me about creation. So, I always knew that there is a loving Father out there who has created all the beautiful things for us. You can just go out into nature. The sun is shining; look at all the beautiful colors in autumn.
(Sketch of River, Autumn Tree, Sunset, Bible, Butterfly Fish, Otter)
It’s so nice, and all you can do is, really, just be grateful.
Fabian: Now I am 100 percent convinced that creation is a fact. That’s how it must have begun.
(Text: Additional Reading. The Origin of Life. Five questions Worth Asking. Was Life Created?)
Paul Gillies: These young people had doubts, but they faced them head on. You can too. Don’t be afraid to talk to mature Christians. Do your research and reason on what you learn. If you take in accurate knowledge, you’ll find satisfying answers. That’s what Katri wanted, answers to life’s big questions. She was a Lutheran priest in Finland. How would she find real truth? Let’s find out.
(Mother reads, and smiles as daughter draws, she hugs her and shows her a Bible)
(Text: Katri Haarla. Finland)
Katri: My mother taught me from a very young age to pray. For us, it meant chatting openly with our heavenly Father, everyday conversation.
(At school young Katri prays)
That was a valuable life lesson that has empowered me throughout my life. Growing up, I always wanted to become a teacher.
(Katri as a young woman reads the Bible)
But after reflecting on it a bit more, I realized that
(Modern day Katri sat in a wheelchair)
what I really wanted to do with my life was to work for the Kingdom of heaven. So how could I do both? I decided to pursue a career in theology.
(Katri in a Library)
My goal was to become an instructor in the church.
(In a classroom, Katri cleans a chalkboard)
When I started working for the church, I quickly discovered that the teachings of the church contradict what the Bible says. One question left unanswered by the church was why suffering exists.
(She studies the Bible and makes notes)
A pastor could only stammer and say, “Well, it can’t be explained because it’s a mystery.” But I didn’t think the existence of suffering could be a mystery at all. I realized that I had to find a way to satisfy my conscience and still uphold the position of the church. So, while I was teaching,
(She teaches in a classroom)
I would explain, “This is what the church teaches, but this is what the Bible says.”
(The bell rings and pupils exit)
And then the most tragic moment of my life happened.
(Young man at the classroom door holds a flower and smiles at Katri)
I was 22 years old and in the middle of planning for my wedding when my fiancé died in a car accident. Of course, this changed my life completely.
(Young Katri looks at a framed photo)
It was the most painful feeling. I just knew deep down that now I would never marry or have a family of my own. So, I had to find a way to survive, day after day, year after year,
(she studies at night)
and look for another way to leave something meaningful behind. So, I buried myself in my work. The position at the church that I had been working toward was discontinued and changed to the role of a priest. Altogether, I did congregational work for 33 years. And then when my health couldn’t take it anymore, I did other tasks for the church.
(Sat in a wheelchair Katri studies with several books on the table)
I was giving everything I had to give. But whenever I looked to the church to give something to me, I was always left empty. I prayed for many years, “Lord, help me find my real spiritual home.” This was my prayer for about ten years.
(Two women and young girl carrying Bibles approach the front door)
And then one day, I came across Jehovah’s Witnesses. Immediately, I said to my heavenly Father, “This is what I have been searching for!
(Subtitles: “You know, it’s so wonderful that you came. You are an answer to my prayers. Come inside. Welcome to the parsonage.)
“What do you have for me?” That was the first thing I asked them. The first meeting I attended made a big impression on me.
(At the Kingdom Hall)
I remember in particular the verse in the Gospel of John: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love [in your midst].

(Two sisters, smile as they talk to Katri sat in her wheelchair)
And I thought: ‘I’ve been searching for this all my life, and this is it! It’s right here.’
(A sister hugs her)
My closest friend was deeply shocked when I told her that I was going to leave the church to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. When she calmed down, she said: “I will support you, as I always have. But promise me you won’t change.” Four years later, she came to visit me again. She kept watching me closely and said, “You have changed.” I was startled and asked, “In what way?” She said, “It looks to me like you’re happy.”
(Katri and friends sat around a table with refreshments)
My prayer to find a spiritual home was answered,
(They laugh)
and I experienced the great miracle of finally finding what I had been looking for my entire life.
Paul Gillies: We’re glad Katri found the spiritual home she prayed for. A painful loss was a turning point for her. Suffering can cause any of us to wonder: ‘Why me? ‘Why now? Does God care?’ Brother David Splane of the Governing Body examines how we can quell disquieting thoughts in the following morning worship.
(Text: David H. Splane. Governing Body. Genesis 39:2)
David Splane: Have you ever gotten into trouble trying to do the right thing? If you have, think about Jacob. Now, Jacob did the right thing. Rather than marry out of the truth like his brother Esau, he travelled to the home of a believing relative, Laban, and asked for the hand of his daughter Rachel. It didn’t work out so well. Jacob was tricked by Laban into marrying both Rachel and her older sister, Leah. And the women didn’t get along very well. In fact, they acted more like rivals than like family. Now, Jehovah saw what Laban was up to, but he didn’t intervene. And Jacob didn’t blame Jehovah, as if to say: ‘Well, why is this happening to me? ‘I followed instructions. I did the right thing and look where I am today.’ No, that wasn’t Jacob. Now, later on, Jehovah fixed the matter by giving the law to Israel: “You must not take a woman in addition to her sister as a rival wife.” Well, that law seems to have Leah and Rachel written all over it, doesn’t it? Jehovah fixed the matter, but in the meantime, he did sustain Jacob. He did help Jacob through his trial. Now, a bright spot in all of this was Joseph, and he’s the subject of our comment today. Jehovah began dealing with Joseph when he was just a teenager, and He gave him two dreams. Now, the first dream was about food, sheaves of wheat. His brothers’ sheaves bowed down to his sheaf. Now, that was appropriate, wasn’t it? Because later on, not only Joseph’s brothers but almost everyone in the known world was going to look to Joseph for food. Now, the second dream included his father and, strangely, his mother, who had died giving birth to Benjamin. Now, in that dream, the sun, moon, and 11 stars (that would include Benjamin) bowed down to Joseph. Now, there’s no record that Joseph ever attempted to interpret that dream. But Jacob and his sons got the point, and they were offended. And Jacob kind of accused Joseph of being presumptuous. He said: “Am I . . . your mother and your brothers really going to come and bow down to the earth to you?” Now, we won’t comment on the fact that Jacob automatically assumed that he was the sun in that dream. But by means of the dreams, what was Jehovah telling Joseph? He was telling Joseph that he had something special in mind for him. He had a purpose for Joseph. So, what do you suppose the Devil wanted to do? Well, the Devil wanted to frustrate that purpose. He wanted to keep that purpose from being fulfilled. So, Satan must have been overjoyed when he heard Joseph’s brothers plotting to put him to death. Would they have followed through with it? Think about Simeon and Levi. They didn’t hesitate to mow down all the men of Shechem when one man raped their sister. Now, the oldest of the brothers, 24-year-old Reuben, talks the others into sparing Joseph’s life. Now, did Jehovah move him to do that? It could be. It was certainly in line with His purpose. So instead of killing Joseph, his brothers sell him to a band of Ishmaelites. Now, I want you to tuck that in the back of your mind, Ishmaelites, because we’re going to come back to that a little later. So, the Ishmaelites bring Joseph down to Egypt, and he becomes a slave to Potiphar, the chief of Pharaoh’s bodyguard. Now, Joseph is a slave. What happens three years later? His grandfather Isaac dies. And Joseph the slave can’t be there to say goodbye. It kind of reminds us of many of us during this pandemic, doesn’t it? But as with us, Jehovah was with Joseph. He was a great success in Potiphar’s household until Potiphar’s wife accused him of rape and Potiphar threw Joseph into prison. But we can say that Jehovah was with Joseph because he went to prison. Why can we say that? Prison was probably the mildest form of punishment that Joseph could have suffered. He was a Hebrew slave. And under Egyptian law, Potiphar could have killed him on the spot because of the accusations, or he could have had Joseph arrested and the court could have ordered a thousand lashes. Joseph would probably have died under the lash. Well, that gives us perspective when we read in the Mosaic Law that an Israelite could receive up to 40 strokes of the rod, not a thousand lashes. This was love on Jehovah’s part. He wanted to prevent the Israelites from being cruel like the Egyptians. Now, let’s use our imagination a little bit. Later on, Joseph interprets a dream for Pharaoh, and Pharaoh makes him his chief adviser. Now, imagine. Joseph kneels and receives the signet ring from Pharaoh. He rises and takes a step back. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees someone standing near the throne, someone who’s trying to make himself very small: Potiphar, the chief of the bodyguard. I don’t know about you, but that possibility makes me smile when I think about it. Can you imagine what happened when Potiphar went home to lunch that day and told his wife who his new boss was now? I wonder how much sleep she lost over that. Potiphar’s wife did a terrible thing, but so did Joseph’s brothers. In fact, if the Law had been in force, Joseph’s brothers would have been put to death for kidnapping. Later, Jehovah made kidnapping a capital offense. He may have had Joseph’s brothers in mind when he did that. Now, some think that Simeon masterminded the kidnapping plot, and that might explain why Joseph chose him to stay behind when he sent the rest of his brothers’ home. Now, let’s get back to Jehovah’s purpose. Jehovah has a purpose for Joseph. Joseph brings the family down to Egypt. Now, that’s part of the prophecy, but there’s more. God told Abraham that his descendants would be afflicted by foreigners for 400 years. Well, Israel left Egypt in 1513 B.C.E. So, when did the 400 years start? 1913 B.C.E. What happened that year? Isaac’s half-brother, what was his name again? Ishmael. Ishmael persecuted Isaac. But was Ishmael a foreigner? His mother was an Egyptian slave, and his descendants, the Ishmaelites, had Egyptian blood. It’s interesting that the Ishmaelites followed in the family tradition by persecuting Isaac’s grandson Joseph. Jehovah didn’t incite Joseph’s brothers to kidnap him and send him down to Egypt, but He did use the event to carry out his purpose. He didn’t always prevent bad things from happening to Jacob (like marrying sisters who didn’t get along) or to Joseph (like being falsely accused). He didn’t put a hedge around them. But he did help both of them to face their trials every step of the way. He did that for them. He’ll do it for you too. So, if you ever get in trouble trying to do the right thing, think of Jacob; think of Jehovah. Jehovah will help you. He will never abandon you.
Paul Gillies: To see Jehovah’s support, we may have to set aside time to meditate. In this month’s music video, we see just how powerful it is to take a break, take a breath, and take in God’s creation.
(Two families sat around a campfire under the stars)
Female Voice: Sitting around the fire beneath a million stars,
Male Voice: Letting go of the cares of the day; we share the reflections of our heart.
Female Voice: It’s so nice to make the time to think of all the good.
Male Voice: Daily gifts from above, how God shows us his love,
(A couple hug and look at the sky)
Duet: fill us with gratitude.
(Shooting stars as night fades)
Female Voice: We’re just taking a moment to change our focus,
(Girls and boys’ wave)
Duet: Slowing down
(Group camp and prepare food)
Female Voice: to look up and reflect on the simple things, the joy it brings to
Duet: slow down,
Female Voice: to take a deep breath, Pause, and reset.
(Outside his home, a father wearing a suit, hurries to change his car tyre)
Male Voice: As the moon shines through the forest
(His daughter wears a helmet walks past and waves)
Female Voice: in the stillness of the night, our spirits are lifted
(He reverses over a pink bicycle)
Male Voice: by ev’ry good gift that
Female Voice: comes from our Father up high. As we see the bigger picture beyond the trials we face,
(He jumps out the car and stares, shaking his head at the crushed bicycle)
Duet: You and I can endure
Female Voice: as our hearts are assured
(At the campsite, wearing a life vest he swings on a rope over a lake and jumps in)
Duet: of Jehovah’s warm embrace.
Female Voice: We’re just taking a moment to change our focus,
(Mother and child paint landscape on a canvas)
Duet: Slowing down
Female Voice: to look up and reflect on the simple things,
(Flashback: the mother argues with her daughter)
Duet: the joy it brings to slow down,
(The daughter photographs a tree)
Female Voice: To take a deep breath,
(She takes a deep breath)
Pause, and reset. Pause and reset; Pause and reset.
(Teary-eyed the daughter and mother exchange glances and hug. Now, a different family hike)
Duet: We’re just taking a moment to change our focus,
(At home, the couple shake their heads and examine their finances, with several bills marked in red)
slowing down to look up and reflect on the simple things, the joy it brings to slow down,
(On the hike, the family smile and watch a sunset)
Female Voice: to take a deep breath, Pause, and reset.
(Both families sit around a campfire)
Duet: Savor the moment; change our focus. So, take a deep breath. Savor the moment; change our focus. Slow down,
Female Voice: take a deep breath, Pause, and reset.
(A girl blows a marshmallow on a stick. The group chat, laugh and eat S’mores, under the moonlight)
Paul Gillies: Our thinking ability will enrich our life now in so many ways. We’ll make wise decisions that draw us closer to Jehovah, we’ll address any doubts to our faith, we’ll “safeguard [the] practical wisdom” we’ve found in the Bible, and we’ll secure a perfect life in the future. In our postcard for the month, we’ll visit Burundi. It’s located in the often-called “heart of Africa,” bordered on the southwest by Lake Tanganyika. Burundi is full of green rolling hills, cascading waterfalls, and rich agricultural land. Lake Tanganyika is the longest freshwater lake in the world and the second deepest. It’s absolutely bursting with life!
(Hippopotamus swims)
Over 2,000 species are found here, with 500 of them found nowhere else in the world. The local fishermen tap into this natural bounty, hauling in tons of fish every year. Burundi is also a preaching paradise for “fishers of men.” There are now over 17,000 publishers in the country. And they had an incredible Memorial attendance in 2023 of over 65,000 people. But it was not always like this. From 1977 to 1993, the preaching work was banned. Our brothers were persecuted and even imprisoned for their faith.
(Text: Persecution in Burundi. A Broken Promise of Religious Freedom! Watchtower, August 15, 1989, p. 21. Persecution Continues in Burundi. The Watchtower, January 1, 1990, p.15.)
Now when the opportunity comes to preach, they seize it. For example, Sarah Niyungeko walked 45 minutes to school each day. That way she could save money for preaching in seldom-worked territory. The Burundi Bethel family
(Outside Bethel they all smile and wave)
and the 83 publishers of the Bujumbura Gihosha Centre Congregation
(Outside, they all smile and wave)
send warm greetings to all their brothers and sisters. From the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, this is JW Broadcasting.
[Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2024 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania]