Full transcript
0:00Brother Emerson for representing us in
0:02prayer . Today , brothers , our meeting is
0:05filled with spiritual treasures . In the
0:10first talk , Treasures from God’s Word
0:12, we will see how we can have the
0:14correct viewpoint on Jehovah’s
0:16protection . How does Jehovah protect us
0:20today ? Does he still perform miracles
0:23as he did in the past ? That is what we
0:26will consider in this talk . In Apply
0:30Yourself to the Field Ministry , we will
0:31have training for the most important
0:33work we have , which is the preaching
0:35work . We will see how we can start a
0:38conversation in various settings :
0:41house-to-house , informal witnessing ,
0:43and also in public witnessing . In
0:47Living as Christians , we will consider
0:50the theme : Jehovah Is the Protector of
0:53Widows . How can we imitate Jehovah and
0:57also protect these sisters and give
1:00honor to them ? That is what we will
1:03consider . We will also have the
1:05Governing Body Update number six . And
1:08in the congregation Bible study , we
1:10will have chapter 11 . We will continue
1:13to talk about Moses and his courage and
1:16how we can imitate his example . So let
1:19us begin with Treasures from God’s
1:21Word . Have the Correct Viewpoint on
1:24Jehovah’s Protection . Brother Renato
1:27will present it for us . When bad things
1:48happen to good people , including our
1:52brothers and including us , some wonder :
1:56" Why didn't God , why didn't Jehovah
1:59protect me ? " Have you ever asked that
2:04question ? It is very common , isn't it ?
2:06In this week's reading , we notice a
2:09striking difference in the fate of two
2:11of Jehovah's faithful servants . On one
2:15hand , we see the prophet Jeremiah being
2:17released from prison and having his
2:18life spared . On the other hand , we see
2:22Governor Gedaliah , a good man , a just
2:25man , who was betrayed and murdered in a
2:28cruel way . So , the goal of this talk in
2:33the Treasures from God’s Word session
2:35is for us to understand what it really
2:37means to have Jehovah's protection . So ,
2:41what do these accounts of Jeremiah and
2:43Gedaliah teach us ? Let's , let's see ,
2:46let's see first regarding Jeremiah .
2:49Jeremiah had his life saved by Jehovah .
2:52Let us read the account in the Bible .
2:55Jeremiah chapter 40 , verses 2 to 4 .
3:03Which says : " The chief of the guard
3:05took Jeremiah and said to him : Jehovah
3:07your God foretold this calamity against
3:10this place . And Jehovah has brought it
3:13about just as he said : Because you
3:14people sinned against Jehovah and did
3:16not obey his voice . That is why this
3:20has happened to you . Now I am releasing
3:24you from the handcuffs that were on
3:26your hands . " If you think it is good to
3:29come with me to Babylon , come , and I
3:31will take care of you . But if you do
3:34not want to come with me to Babylon , do
3:36not come . Look , the entire land is
3:39before you . Go wherever you think it is
3:42best . So , we see in the account
3:45regarding Jeremiah that Jehovah
3:47fulfilled the promise to preserve this
3:49faithful man physically . He caused the
3:54captain of the Babylonian guard to
3:56release Jeremiah from prison and even
3:57offered him provisions , taking special
4:00care of Jeremiah . What does this teach
4:03us , brothers ? That Jehovah , in this
4:06case , provided physical protection to
4:09Jeremiah , partly because it fulfilled a
4:11promise and was related to Jehovah's
4:14purpose . Now , Gedaliah did not have the
4:18same outcome . Gedaliah was killed . Let
4:21us see what happened to him . Jehovah
4:24did not save Gedaliah's life , even
4:26though he was faithful and feared
4:28Jehovah . Jeremiah chapter 41 , verses 1
4:32and 2 . In the seventh month , Ishmael
4:37the son of Nethaniah , son of Elishama ,
4:39who was of the royal line and one of
4:41the king's main officials , came with 10
4:43other men to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam
4:45at Mizpah . While they were eating a
4:49meal together in Mizpah , Ishmael the
4:52son of Nethaniah and the 10 men who
4:54were with him stood up and struck down
4:56Gedaliah the son of Ahikam , the son of
4:59Shaphan , with the sword . And so he
5:03killed the one whom the king of Babylon
5:06had appointed over the land . Unlike
5:10Jeremiah , Gedaliah , who also feared God
5:14and cared for the people , was killed .
5:19Jehovah permitted , in Gedaliah's case ,
5:21for him to die even at the hands of a
5:24traitor . What does this teach us ? That
5:28God did not perform a miracle to
5:30prevent tragedy . And suffering in the
5:32case of Gedaliah . So , like many of us ,
5:36Gedaliah was a victim of time and
5:38unforeseen occurrences in this system .
5:41So , the example of Jeremiah and
5:43Gedaliah , brothers , teaches us one
5:46thing . Jehovah will not always
5:50miraculously deliver us from trials ,
5:52sickness , or death , especially in our
5:55day . So , the question is : how does
5:59Jehovah , our God , protect us
6:02individually ? Well , look at the picture
6:05in our study material . You will also
6:09see it on the screen . This image shows
6:12a young couple visiting an elderly
6:14brother who is sick in the hospital . So
6:18, this image perfectly illustrates that
6:21Jehovah's protection today does not
6:23mean keeping us out of hospitals . Or
6:27sparing us from sickness and tragedy ,
6:29but Jehovah's protection , as we see in
6:32the image , is by giving us support and
6:34protection through our brothers . Let's
6:38see how this works in practice in two
6:41situations or in two ways . Let us first
6:44read Proverbs , chapter 4 , verses 5 and
6:476 . Proverbs 4 : 5 , 6 says : " Acquire
6:53wisdom , acquire understanding . Do not
6:57forget and do not turn aside from the
6:59sayings of my mouth . Do not abandon
7:03wisdom , and she will keep you . " " Love
7:07her , and she will safeguard you . " So ,
7:11the text tells us to acquire wisdom and
7:13not abandon the wisdom found in
7:16Jehovah’s word , because it will
7:18protect us . And how does that happen ?
7:23The wisdom of the Bible protects our
7:26mind and our heart , meaning it gives us
7:29the balance needed to face tragedies ,
7:31health crises , and injustices , by
7:34giving us patience , peace , and strong
7:36faith in Jehovah’s promises . Let’s
7:42see another way that Jehovah protects
7:44us today on an individual basis . First
7:46Thessalonians 5:14 . First Thessalonians
7:555:14 says : " On the other hand , we urge
7:58you , brothers , admonish the disorderly ,
8:01speak consolingly to those who are
8:04depressed , support the weak , be patient
8:07toward all . " So , in Paul’s words , we
8:11see the encouragement to speak in a
8:13comforting way to the discouraged and
8:15to support the weak . And as we saw in
8:19the image in the workbook , this happens
8:21through our brothers and through the
8:23congregation when we go through
8:25difficult situations , losses , tragedies
8:27, or illnesses . Therefore , the love ,
8:31the comfort , and the visits from our
8:33brothers help us find refuge and
8:36protection during the most difficult
8:38moments of our lives . So , in this talk ,
8:42brothers , we saw that the example of
8:45Jeremiah and Gedaliah teaches us that
8:47Jehovah does not deliver us from the
8:49bad things in life , even if we are
8:51loyal as these two men were . However ,
8:56we also saw that Jehovah gives us
8:58individual protection through the
9:00wisdom found in Bible principles and
9:02also gives us protection through the
9:04love and comfort of our brothers when
9:06we face difficult problems . Therefore ,
9:11brothers , if you are facing an illness ,
9:13a serious , incurable illness , or a
9:16painful loss , never think that Jehovah
9:18is not protecting you . Your friendship
9:22with him , which is the most important
9:24thing in your life , is very well
9:25protected . And even if we suffer the
9:29worst in this system , which might be
9:32the loss of our life or the people we
9:34love , just as happened with Gedaliah ,
9:37our future is totally secure in the
9:39memory and the promise of the
9:41resurrection that Jehovah will bring .
9:53We would like to thank Brother Renato ,
9:54who explained so well how Jehovah
9:56protects us in our day . Now we will
9:58consider " Digging for Spiritual Gems , "
10:01which will be presented to us by
10:02Brother Giordano . A reader for Jeremiah
10:22, chapter 40 and verse 12 . Brother
10:29Mateus . Thus , all the Jews began to
10:41return from all the places to which
10:43they had been scattered . They entered
10:47the land of Judah and went to Gedaliah
10:49at Mizpah , and they gathered wine and
10:52summer fruit in very large quantities .
10:56>> Thank you , Mateus . How does this verse
11:00confirm that Jehovah gave his people
11:02the good land described in Deuteronomy
11:05chapter 8 and verses 6 through 8 ?
11:10Brother Víor's wife . Uh , in that text
11:21of Deuteronomy 8 : 8 , Jehovah promised
11:23that his people would have a land of
11:25wheat , barley , vines , and fig trees .
11:28And many studies have proven that in
11:31that region of ancient Palestine , grape
11:33seeds were found in most archaeological
11:36excavations . So , the vines of the
11:40promised land were so productive that
11:42even in the year 607 B.C.E. , when
11:45Nebuchadnezzar's armies devastated
11:47Judah , the people remained in the
11:49country and gathered wine and summer
11:51fruit in large quantities . So , this
11:55just shows us more and more that
11:56everything Jehovah promises , he truly
11:58fulfills .
11:59>> Very good . Thank you , sister . Brothers ,
12:07what spiritual gems did you find in
12:09this week's Bible reading ? Sister
12:15Dayana . Jeremiah 40 : 14-16 . This verse
12:27shows that Johanan warned Gedaliah
12:30about Ishmael's plan to kill him . But
12:33Gedaliah , however , did not believe him
12:35and thought that Johanan was mistaken .
12:38This teaches me that we should not
12:40ignore a serious warning without first
12:42carefully evaluating the facts . So it
12:46is good for us to be balanced and not
12:48distrust everyone , but we also need to
12:50be prudent and always alert to dangers
12:52that could affect us and our
12:54congregation .
12:56>> Thank you , Dayana . The sister here in
13:02the front .
13:05>> Jeremiah 41 : 17-18 mentions that fear
13:07was influencing the decisions of
13:09Johanan and the people . They were
13:12already thinking about fleeing to Egypt
13:14because of what they imagined the king
13:15of Babylon might do . So this shows us
13:18that when we are afraid , we should not
13:21make a hasty decision just to get rid
13:24of momentary worry . First , we want to
13:27seek Jehovah's guidance and trust in
13:29the best path he can show us .
13:31>> Thank you . The brother here . Jeremiah
13:4340 : 9 . What I learned is that fear can
13:48diminish when we trust in the right
13:51guidance , right ? And Gedaliah
13:54encouraged the people not to be afraid
13:56to serve the Chaldeans after so much
13:58destruction . So those people needed
14:02courage to rebuild their lives , didn't
14:04they ? And this teaches me that we
14:09should not allow painful experiences to
14:11control all our future decisions . With
14:15trust in Jehovah , it is possible to
14:18start over . Thank you , my brother .
14:21Sister Júlia . I liked Jeremiah 41 ,
14:30which shows that Ishmael was from a
14:32royal family and was a prominent man .
14:35Perhaps that is why he thought he had
14:37the right to that position of king of
14:39Judah . And perhaps that is also why he
14:42wanted to kill Gedaliah , who had been
14:44appointed by King Nebuchadnezzar . In
14:47the end , he ended up sabotaging himself
14:49and also harmed the people . This
14:52teaches me that we need to be careful
14:54not to think that we have a right to an
14:55assignment or a certain task .
14:58Assignments are not our right ; they are
15:01an opportunity for us to serve Jehovah
15:03more . And if we start to think that we
15:06deserve a position , we may let pride
15:08take over and end up harming ourselves
15:11and others .
15:12>> Thank you , Sister Júlia . Brother
15:15Rodrigo , just like Brother Antônio ,
15:24you commented on Jeremiah regarding
15:26Gedaliah , who reassured the people ,
15:28right ? In Jeremiah 40 , verse 9 ,
15:30Gedaliah encouraged the people not to
15:33be afraid and to trust in the situation
15:36that Jehovah had already allowed to
15:39happen , right ? So it teaches me that we
15:43can help the brothers , especially those
15:45of us who are elders , not only with our
15:48actions but with our words , right ?
15:51Especially regarding what lies ahead ,
15:54right ? Our actions are worth a lot , but
15:57our words will also help our brothers a
15:59great deal .
16:00>> Thank you , Brother Rodrigo . The brother
16:04back there . I really liked chapter 40 .
16:10Verses 2 and 3 , regarding what the
16:13chief of the guard said to Jeremiah . He
16:17mentioned that that calamity only came
16:19upon the people because they sinned and
16:21did not obey the voice of Jehovah . That
16:23is why it happened to them . And this is
16:27an immutable law of nature , right ? We
16:29reap what we sow . This teaches us an
16:33important lesson about our actions ,
16:35what we sow in the soil of our lives —
16:38that is , the choices we make each day
16:40will produce fruit , meaning these
16:42choices will in some way affect our
16:45future . Very good . Thank you , brother .
16:48The sister here in the front .
16:59Nebuchadnezzar told Nebuzaradan not to
17:02do any harm to Jeremiah . In chapter 40 ,
17:08verses 4 and 5 , it shows that besides
17:10being freed from his chains , Jeremiah
17:13was also given the privilege of going
17:16wherever he thought best . He would have
17:20the option to choose . This attitude
17:23toward Jeremiah shows how much Jehovah
17:25protected him for always having trusted
17:28in Him . Because , Jeremiah , he
17:31transmitted Jehovah's word despite
17:34severe opposition . So , that
17:37demonstrated great trust and loyalty to
17:39Jehovah .
17:40>> Very good , sister . Thank you . Brother
17:46Emmerson . In chapter 41 , verses 11 to
17:5614 , we observe Johanan , when he learned
17:59of the evil that Ishmael had done , he
18:01acted quickly to pursue the traitors
18:04and free those who were held captive .
18:08So , a lesson I learned is that we can
18:10be readily available to our brothers
18:12and sisters when they go through
18:14problems or needs , always giving
18:16practical support whenever possible ,
18:18and emotional support to those who are
18:21suffering .
18:22>> Thank you , Brother Emmerson . Brother
18:24Juan .
18:28>> And speaking about what was offered to
18:31Jeremiah by Nebuzaradan , he gave him
18:33two options , right ? Either to go with
18:36him to Babylon , in verse 4 , where he
18:38would take care of him , or wherever he
18:40thought was best . So , what decision
18:42would Jeremiah make ? With both choices ,
18:46he could feel , let's say , at ease ,
18:48because there was no specific guidance .
18:50Jehovah had not told him where to go .
18:54But perhaps something he thought about
18:56is what influence he would receive from
18:57other people there in Babylon , perhaps
18:59from false worship , things that could
19:01lead him astray , right ? So he made a
19:04very wise decision , right ? So this
19:07teaches us a lot about when we have to
19:09make a decision where there isn't a
19:10direct law , but there are principles ,
19:12right ? And the principle Jeremiah used ,
19:15the decision that will always put
19:17Jehovah first .
19:19>> Thank you , Brother Juan . The sister
19:22behind Wilson .
19:29>> Verse 5 of chapter 41 . There , some men ,
19:34in view of the destruction of Jerusalem
19:37, made cuts on their bodies . And the
19:40note shows that Jehovah , for his chosen
19:43people , forbade this practice , because
19:45this practice had the objective of
19:47being a ritual to appease the dead . And
19:51Jehovah's people already had guidance
19:53on the real condition of the dead ,
19:54besides it going against the principle
19:57of life , of protecting our life , since
19:59life is a gift . So this verse teaches
20:01me that when we have the truth ,
20:03Jehovah's principles , besides
20:05protecting us spiritually , it also aims
20:07at our well-being . For this reason , I
20:09must always obey Jehovah's principles .
20:11>> Thank you , sister . My brothers , we
20:14thank you for your excellent comments .
20:21We thank Brother Jordano and also the
20:23good preparation and the gems that the
20:25brothers highlighted . To finish this
20:28part , we will now have the Bible
20:30reading of Jeremiah , chapter 40 , verses
20:321 to 10 . And the one who will do it for
20:35us is brother Juan Víor . Let us give
20:36our attention to the brother . Jeremiah
20:49received the word of Jehovah after
20:50Nebuzaradan , the chief of the guard ,
20:52released him in Ramah . He had taken
20:55Jeremiah there in chains . And Jeremiah
20:59was among all the exiles from Jerusalem
21:02and Judah who were being deported to
21:04Babylon . The chief of the guard took
21:08Jeremiah and said to him : " Jehovah ,
21:10your God , foretold this calamity
21:12against this place . And Jehovah has
21:16brought it about just as he said ,
21:18because you sinned against Jehovah and
21:20did not obey his voice . That is why
21:24this has happened to you . Now I am
21:27releasing you from the shackles that
21:30were on your hands . If it seems good to
21:33you to come with me to Babylon , come ,
21:35and I will take care of you . But if it
21:38does not seem good to you to come with
21:40me to Babylon , do not come . See , the
21:43entire land is before you . Go wherever
21:46it seems good to you . Before Jeremiah
21:50turned to leave , Nebuzaradan said : " Go
21:53back to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam , the
21:56son of Shaphan , whom the king of
21:58Babylon has appointed over the cities
22:01of Judah , and stay with him among the
22:04people , or go wherever it seems good to
22:06you . " Then the chief of the guard gave
22:11him provisions and a gift and let him
22:13go . So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the
22:18son of Ahikam at Mizpah , and he stayed
22:21with him among the people who had
22:23remained in the land . In time , all the
22:27chiefs of the armies who were in the
22:30open country with their men heard that
22:33the king of Babylon had appointed
22:35Gedaliah the son of Ahikam over the
22:38land and had put him in charge of the
22:41men , women , and children of the poor of
22:44the land who had not been deported to
22:46Babylon . Therefore , they came to
22:50Gedaliah at Mizpah . They were Ishmael
22:55the son of Nethaniah , Johanan and
22:57Jonathan the sons of Kareah , Seraiah
23:00the son of Tanhumeth . The sons of Ephai
23:05the Netophathite , and Jezaniah the son
23:08of the Maacathite . He along with his
23:12men . Gedaliah the son of Ahikam , the
23:15son of Shaphan , took an oath to them
23:18and their men , saying : " Do not be
23:20afraid to serve the Chaldeans . Dwell in
23:24the land and serve the king of Babylon ,
23:27and it will go well with you . As for me
23:30, I will continue in Mizpah to
23:32represent you before the Chaldeans who
23:35come to us . But you must collect wine ,
23:39summer fruits , and oil , store these
23:42provisions in your vessels , and settle
23:45in the cities you have occupied . " We
23:56would like to thank you , brother Juan ,
23:58for your excellent reading . We noticed
24:00that the reading had names that aren't
24:02common in our daily lives , right ? But
24:04we observed that you read them
24:06correctly . Congratulations . You are
24:09being evaluated in the brochure , lesson
24:11two : Speak from the heart . And how can
24:15we do that when reading a publication
24:17or the Bible ? There is a box with a
24:20little light bulb that offers the
24:22following suggestion . If you are going
24:25to read the Bible or a publication ,
24:27first read and understand the subject ,
24:29and then practice the reading . And we
24:32observed from your reading that you
24:34were well-prepared , weren't you ? And
24:36that involved a lot of practice . Also ,
24:38when reading the words of a character ,
24:41you expressed emotion without
24:42exaggeration . Congratulations on your
24:44excellent reading , and thank you very
24:46much . We will now move on to our second
24:49part . Do your best in the ministry . And
24:52point four : Starting conversations from
24:54house to house . The sister who will do
24:57this part for us is Adriana , along with
25:00sister Luciana . Let’s pay attention .
25:03>> Look , at the next house there is a
25:04young woman there at the gate . She sees
25:06me , she didn't go inside . I think she
25:08will talk to me . Hi , how are you ? Hi ,
25:12how are you ? And you ?
25:14>> I’m doing well too . And how is the
25:15family ?
25:16>> It's going , you know ? Yeah , everyone
25:18has different problems . We end up
25:20getting worried , anxious .
25:22>> Yeah , it's not easy . These days we get
25:24so anxious in this world , don't we ? Did
25:26you know that the Bible has some very
25:28helpful advice about anxiety ? It helps
25:31me a lot when I am worried . Do you know
25:33that it helps me a lot ? Do you know
25:34what it does ?
25:35>> Oh , what does it say ?
25:37>> I have my Bible here on my phone . Look
25:39at what it says here . 1 Peter 5 : 7 . See
25:42what it says . While you throw all your
25:45anxiety on him , because he cares for
25:47you . Did you see what it says here ?
25:51That we should throw all our anxiety on
25:53God , open our heart , our worries , and
25:55tell him . This helps me a lot . Look how
25:59beautiful it says at the end of the
26:01text , that God promises to take care of
26:04us .
26:04>> How beautiful , right ? Only God can
26:06really take care of us .
26:08>> He helps and gives the strength and
26:10wisdom we need .
26:12>> That is true . It's very good to know
26:13that , isn't it ?
26:14>> I see that you are going to have a
26:16visitor .
26:16>> Yes , I am . It's my aunt who is arriving
26:18. I came out here to the gate to wait
26:20for her .
26:21>> So I won't take up any more of your
26:22time . How nice that you're having a
26:23visitor , your aunt . So I won't get in
26:25your way . Who knows , maybe next time I
26:27can come back and we can read another
26:29text about anxiety . What do you think ?
26:30>> That would be fine . I'm home in the
26:32morning . Oh , it's a deal . So ,
26:40>> thank you very much , Sister Adriana and
26:42Sister Luciana , for helping us with
26:44this part . Sister Luciana is being
26:47evaluated based on the brochure " Apply
26:49Yourself to Reading and Teaching , "
26:51lesson two , naturalness , especially
26:53point three , " Be Observant . " And we
26:55observed that the sister put into
26:57practice that point when she arrived
26:58and noticed the householder didn't
27:00invite her in , and also when ending the
27:02conversation , because she realized she
27:04was having a visitor and didn't prolong
27:05the conversation with the householder .
27:08And we also observed that the sister
27:09was well prepared , you know ? Thank you
27:11very much and congratulations on your
27:12part . We will now move on to point C , "
27:17Starting Conversations , " and who will
27:19do it for us is Sister Susa , together
27:22with Sister Priscila . Let's give our
27:24attention to the sisters . So I think
27:41yours So I think yours is this , right ?
27:46Oh , wait , the dipyrone is missing .
27:47That's it ,
27:48>> yes , that's it . Can you include the
27:50dipyrone too , please ?
27:51>> Just a minute , I'll enter it here in
27:52the system . Okay .
27:54>> Uh-huh . Oh , girl , I can't wait for us
27:57to live without so much medicine , so
27:58much medication , and also without
28:00sickness . Oh , I can't wait for this to
28:02be over .
28:03>> Ah , yes . But I think it's very
28:04difficult . Look at the mess the
28:06government is in . The politicians are
28:07fighting , nobody agrees on anything . I
28:10don't think they have any way to solve
28:12our problem . There , just go to the
28:14register . Here you go .
28:16>> Oh , okay . Thank you very much . But
28:18before I go , Priscila , I just wanted to
28:21show you something I read on a website
28:23that might interest you too , you know ?
28:26Talking about this subject of
28:28government , I found it very interesting
28:30. Look , it's a very current topic . This
28:33website here shows several interesting
28:35subjects , including this one you just
28:37mentioned , about government , politics ,
28:39the world government is truly in crisis
28:41, not only here in Brazil , but in
28:43several other countries . Look , this
28:46website talks about various subjects ,
28:48not just the ones you mentioned , right ?
28:51When you have a little time , maybe not
28:53now , since you're helping a lot of
28:55people , but another time , I'll even
28:57leave this card here for this website ,
28:59see , jw.org . Then another time when I
29:03come back here , we can talk . You can
29:05tell me what you thought of this
29:06website . Oh , cool . I will access it ,
29:08yes . It is free ,
29:09>> yes . Including the videos and
29:11publications , if you want to download
29:12them , it’s all free .
29:13>> Oh , I’ll take a look . Thank you , okay
29:15?
29:15>> Thank you too .
29:22>> Thank you very much , Sister Susa ,
29:25Sister Priscila , for helping us with
29:27this part . And the sister is also
29:29marked in lesson two , naturalness ,
29:31right ? Only in point five , be adaptable
29:34. And today it is essential to be
29:36adaptable in our ministry . And we
29:38observed that the sister put this exact
29:40point into practice . The sister started
29:42by talking about a subject of illnesses
29:44, but the person's need was different ,
29:47right ? It was about governments . And
29:49the sister adapted her conversation and
29:51brought it around to this point about
29:52governments . Congratulations and thank
29:54you very much , you know , for helping us
29:56. We are now moving on to point six ,
30:00starting conversations and public
30:03witnessing . And who will bring that to
30:05us is Sister Lívia and Sister Elba
30:10Fernanda .
30:20>> Good evening . Feel free to choose what
30:23you’d like to take . They are all free
30:25. I’ll take this one . Oh , cool . And
30:33have you ever thought about that
30:35possibility ? Oh , you know , I think it
30:41is possible to achieve happiness . Uh ,
30:45but I think a person needs to try very
30:49hard , right ? And worry about doing good
30:52today . I myself have gone through many
30:56situations in life , you know , very
30:57difficult ones , but I chose to accept
31:00my karma . So now I hope that in the
31:03next life I will be rewarded , and can
31:06enjoy the good choices I’m making
31:09today . Your point of view on the
31:13choices we make in life is very
31:15interesting . And I also agree that the
31:19decisions we make today can affect our
31:21future life , whether to help us reach
31:23this life of blessings or not . My name
31:27is Lívia and yours
31:29>> is Fernanda .
31:31>> It’s a pleasure to meet you , Fernanda
31:32. But what led you to think like that ?
31:37>> Look , my family was never very
31:38religious , you know ? And when I was
31:41little , we went through many problems .
31:44So , as I grew up , I studied more about
31:49these subjects . I read quite a few
31:52books with ideas that , I don't know ,
31:54made sense to me , you know ? And then as
31:59an adult , when I graduated , I really
32:01decided to believe in this theory that
32:03makes a lot of sense to me .
32:06>> Wow , it's so great that you really like
32:08to study . And I think having reliable
32:11information like that changes the way
32:13we think and do things over the years ,
32:15doesn't it ? That’s true .
32:20>> You know , a few years ago I also
32:23started reading a book that made a lot
32:26of sense to me , and even some tougher
32:29questions about suffering , death , and
32:32life started to make sense too . And
32:37since we’re talking about this topic ,
32:39I wanted to show you a passage from
32:40this book that caught my attention . May
32:43I ?
32:43>> Sure , go ahead . Look , here is the
32:46passage . Tell them to work at good , to
32:52be rich in fine works , to be generous ,
32:56ready to share , safely treasuring up
32:59for themselves a fine foundation for
33:02the future . So that they may get a firm
33:07hold on the real life . Beautiful , isn't
33:11it ? And I think that with these good
33:14deeds , you are looking to get a hold on
33:16that real life . But I believe the
33:19content of this magazine will catch
33:21your attention . And if there is any new
33:24information you'd like to talk more
33:25about , I’m available for us to
33:27continue this conversation . What do you
33:29think ?
33:31>> Oh , I think that’s a good idea , but
33:33I’m only in town visiting some
33:35friends , so I won't be here for many
33:37days . But do you have WhatsApp ?
33:40>> I do , yes , I do . If you want to take my
33:42contact info , then we can keep talking .
33:44>> It’s a deal , then .
33:53>> We also thank Sister Lívia and Sister
33:56Fernanda for helping us . Sister Lívia
34:00is being considered for Lesson 5 , Love
34:02People , specifically point 3 , Choose
34:05Your Words Carefully . And we noticed
34:08that the sister put this point into
34:09practice , didn't she ? When speaking
34:12with someone of a non-Christian
34:13religion , the sister adjusted her way
34:15of speaking with her to be able to lead
34:17to the Bible without mentioning the
34:19Bible . Congratulations and thank you
34:21very much ! We will now consider the
34:24last point , point 7 , Explaining Your
34:27Beliefs , which has the theme : Who is
34:30Jehovah and why is his name important ?
34:33And this will be considered for us by
34:35Sister Mariela , along with Sister
34:36Pauliana . Mariela , since we are sitting
34:43here having a coffee , I would like to
34:44ask you a question , given that you are
34:46a very religious person . You know ,
34:49lately so much has been happening that
34:51sometimes I stop and think , does God
34:53really care about us ?
34:55>> Hmm , interesting , Pauliana . One thing
34:57that helped me , because I’ve thought
35:00about that a lot too , was getting to
35:02know God better .
35:03>> But what do you mean by that ? Do you
35:05think we don't know God ? Well , Poliana ,
35:08I think , I believe that many people
35:11believe God exists , but few people know
35:13more about him . For example , did you
35:16know that God has a name ?
35:18>> No , I've always heard of God , Lord .
35:22>> Yeah , for many years I also used those ,
35:24right ? God and Lord . But did you know I
35:27learned in the Bible that God and Lord
35:29are titles ? Just like we call Luis , our
35:33boss , the manager . Boss and manager are
35:36also titles , but he has a proper name .
35:39So God also has a proper name . Look at
35:41what it says here in the Bible . It's a
35:43text I really like , that says this . May
35:47people know that you , whose name is
35:49Jehovah , you alone are the Most High
35:52over all the earth .
35:55>> So then his name is Jehovah .
35:57>> Yes . That's right , Poliana . Did you see
35:59it here ? And something I find
36:01interesting , Poliana , is that this name
36:03appears many times in the Bible . If God
36:06put this name so many times in the
36:08Bible , it's because he really wanted us
36:10to know it .
36:11>> But Maria , does it make a difference to
36:13call him God or Jehovah ?
36:16>> It does , it makes a big difference . For
36:18example , would you consider yourself a
36:20friend of someone whose name you don't
36:22even know ? Hardly , right ? So , for us to
36:26be friends with God , it's good for us
36:28to use and know this name . It becomes
36:31easier for us to build a friendship
36:32with him . And that's why , right , he put
36:35his name in the Bible , because he
36:36really wants to be our friend .
36:38>> Wow , I had never stopped to think about
36:40it that way .
36:42>> Neither had I. And that was exactly
36:44what made me want to know the Bible
36:45better , right ? I discovered that
36:48Jehovah is not just an almighty God ,
36:50but that he cares about us and wants to
36:52be our friend .
36:54>> Look , I liked that . I always thought
36:56God was someone so distant from us .
36:59>> Yeah , many people think that way , but
37:02the Bible , Poliana , shows a text that
37:04says just the opposite , right ? Actually
37:07, the next time we talk , I would like
37:10to show the meaning of that name and
37:13what that name reveals about Jehovah's
37:16personality .
37:17>> Oh , all right .
37:19>> Let's go now that our coffee is
37:20finished .
37:30>> Thank you very much , Sister Mariele ,
37:31Sister Poliana . Sister Mariele , we were
37:35analyzing the " Improve Your Skills "
37:37brochure , lesson 17 . Speak in a way
37:40that is easy to understand . And how can
37:43we do that ? I found the first point of
37:46this lesson interesting . Study the
37:48material well . Understand the subject
37:51well so you can explain it in your own
37:53words and in a simple way . And that is
37:55exactly what the sister did . We noticed
37:57that she explained it in her own words
37:59and did so in a way that was simple to
38:01understand . Congratulations and thank
38:04you very much . We thus thank all the
38:06brothers and sisters who did their
38:08parts , thereby giving honor and glory
38:10to Jehovah . We will now move on to the
38:12third part of our meeting , Our
38:14Christian Life . To begin this part , I
38:17would like to invite all those who are
38:21able to please stand so that we may
38:23sing song number 17 , titled " I Want To .
38:27" It is based on Luke , chapter 5 and
38:29verse 13 . Now we will have a discussion
38:33on the theme : " Jehovah Is the Protector
38:36of Widows . " We invite Brother Raimundo
38:38to present it . Those who trust in
38:49Jehovah will never be left alone . That
38:55phrase is in the songs we sang earlier .
39:01So , it has everything to do with the
39:03Psalms . The psalmist portrayed this
39:09again in Psalm 68 : 5 , when he
39:12guaranteed that for every tear , every
39:16longing , or every memory a widow has ,
39:21Jehovah guarantees : " I am the protector
39:25of widows . " And how does Jehovah do
39:29that ? He remembers you , he protects you
39:33. When Jehovah had it recorded in his
39:38Word , the Bible , he gave guarantees .
39:44And when you did your research , you
39:47surely noted how Jehovah cares with
39:50such tenderness , like a mother holding
39:54a widow's child in her arms . And could
39:59you now relate , through your research ,
40:02how these stories you found show that
40:05Jehovah loves and cares for widows ?
40:12Sister Ágata ,
40:19>> in the account in Luke 7 : 11-15 , it
40:21relates that Jesus resurrects the son
40:24of the widow of Nain . I found this
40:27account very touching because when he
40:30resurrected him , the boy was already on
40:33that bier , but he didn't return the boy
40:36to the crowd . The first person he
40:38returned him to was his mother . This
40:40shows the value and the care that Jesus
40:43had for that widow . And it is the same
40:46feeling that Jehovah also has .
40:48>> Very well . Look at that beautiful
40:51example from Sister Brenda as well .
41:00Another part that also speaks of widows
41:03is in 1 Timothy 5:16 . There it shows
41:06that Jehovah , out of love , also cares
41:08about their material needs . And in the
41:11time of the early Christians , there was
41:13even an arrangement to care for them in
41:14that regard .
41:16>> Thank you . So , brothers and sisters .
41:19And there are several accounts , aren't
41:21there , that you and I have found . Be
41:25assured , dear sisters who have lost
41:27your faithful and loyal companion , that
41:29Jehovah understands your feelings and
41:31He will protect you . He wants to care
41:36for you , just as He cared for the
41:38examples of widows we saw from the past
41:41. And an example of this is the video
41:45we are about to watch , isn't it ? What a
41:48beautiful gift Jehovah shows for widows
41:52by preparing this material . And what
41:57did you learn from this video about how
41:59Jehovah cares for widows today ? Brother
42:11Jordano , we noticed in the video that
42:16it is a sensitive subject and causes
42:18strong emotions for the sister . But
42:22when she spoke about how Jehovah
42:24answers prayers and matters regarding
42:27her and Jehovah , we saw that it caused
42:30even stronger emotions , because she
42:33realized how she is cared for by
42:36Jehovah . So , through prayers , God's
42:39word , and the brothers , one can
42:42perceive Jehovah's affection for widows
42:44.
42:46>> Correct ? Very well . So , brothers , we
42:50realize that honoring and helping
42:52widows is an important part of our
42:55worship . How can we then honor widows
42:59today ? Vittor .
43:07>> We can do this by showing consideration
43:09for them , being loving and attentive to
43:11their needs . This includes helping with
43:14practical daily tasks or heavier chores
43:16that they might not be able to do alone
43:18, thus demonstrating honor and love for
43:21them .
43:24>> Remember , right ? Thank you . That those
43:29who trust in Jehovah will never be left
43:32alone , because Jehovah is the protector
43:35of widows .
43:37>> Now we will have the congregation Bible
43:39study . Those who will conduct it for us
43:42are Brother Rodrigo Batista along with
43:43Brother Vittor Hugo . Let us give our
43:45attention to the brothers . We invite
43:50the brothers to take their " Courage "
43:52book to chapter 11 , where we will talk
43:54a little more about Moses . And the
43:58theme of the part is : Appear before
44:00Pharaoh . Our brother Vítor will help
44:03us with the reading of the paragraphs .
44:11Moses was a new man . Apparently , he no
44:15longer thought he would be the one to
44:18free the Israelites from slavery in
44:20Egypt . Now , about 80 years of age ,
44:24Moses had a wife and two sons . He had
44:29spent about 40 years working as a
44:31humble shepherd for his father-in-law's
44:34flocks in that dry and hot land where
44:36the Midianites lived . Jehovah saw how
44:41much Moses had changed . One day ,
44:45Jehovah made a thornbush at the base of
44:48Mount Horeb , or Sinai , catch fire , but
44:51the fire did not consume the bush . When
44:55Moses saw that , he approached and
44:58Jehovah spoke to him from within the
45:00fire by means of a powerful angel . God
45:04said that Moses should return to Egypt
45:07and free His people from slavery . To
45:10encourage him , God revealed to Moses an
45:13important aspect of the meaning of His
45:15sacred name . Jehovah . I will become
45:19what I choose to become . Thus , Jehovah
45:24could become a savior for His people ,
45:26who were suffering , and do whatever was
45:29necessary to liberate them and make
45:31them a powerful nation . Despite this ,
45:36Moses felt insecure . He did not think
45:40he was qualified to speak before the
45:42Pharaoh of Egypt . But Jehovah corrected
45:46him and , to strengthen his faith , did
45:48something incredible . For the first
45:52time in the Biblical record , we read of
45:55Jehovah giving a human the ability to
45:57perform miracles . And He gave Moses a
46:01helper and spokesman , his brother Aaron
46:04. Moses , somewhat reluctantly , accepted
46:08the assignment . Now he would be a
46:11Messiah , a Christ , that is , a man
46:14chosen by Jehovah to save His people .
46:19Moses returned to Egypt and , together
46:21with Aaron , appeared before Pharaoh .
46:24But things did not go very well .
46:27Instead of freeing Israel , Pharaoh
46:29ordered the slaves to work even harder .
46:34So , Jehovah sent Moses back to Pharaoh
46:36to announce the first plague against
46:37Egypt . Jehovah turned the Nile into
46:42blood , the Nile river into blood , but
46:46this had no effect on Pharaoh and he
46:48did not set the people free . Jehovah
46:51continued sending Moses to speak with
46:54Pharaoh . Each time he had to announce a
46:58devastating plague , Moses obeyed
47:00Jehovah with courage . However , that
47:04proud ruler refused to listen . Each of
47:09the plagues proved that the gods of
47:11Egypt , their priests with their magic ,
47:14and Pharaoh himself were nothing
47:16compared to Jehovah and His power . From
47:20the fourth plague on , only the
47:22Egyptians were affected , as Jehovah
47:25protected His people . Even so , Pharaoh
47:29continued to harden his heart . He
47:32refused to let the slaves go . During
47:36the ninth plague , Egypt was in total
47:38darkness , but the Israelites still had
47:41light where they lived . Pharaoh agreed
47:44to free the Israelites , but then
47:46changed his mind again . And he warned
47:50that if Moses appeared before him again
47:52, he would be killed . Even so , Jehovah
47:57commanded Moses to appear before
47:59Pharaoh one more time , and he obeyed .
48:03Then came the tenth and final plague ,
48:05which killed all the firstborn of Egypt
48:08, both humans and animals . Pharaoh , who
48:13had lost his own son , finally gave in .
48:17Totally humiliated , he sent for Moses ,
48:20freed Israel , and demanded a blessing .
48:25Finally , Israel was free , exactly 430
48:28years after Abraham had entered the
48:31promised land . Those former slaves
48:36departed accompanied by a large number
48:40of non-Israelites , and many of them
48:42were likely Egyptians . But Pharaoh
48:46changed his mind once again . He
48:49gathered his great army and went after
48:52the Israelites . At the shores of the
48:56Red Sea , Moses and all the people
48:59seemed cornered . The Israelites were
49:04terrified . Moses pleaded with Jehovah
49:07to help them . And Jehovah responded
49:10with one of the most spectacular
49:12miracles that has ever happened . He
49:15parted the Red Sea , and Israel was able
49:18to cross the seabed on dry ground . When
49:23he saw that the Israelites were
49:25escaping , Pharaoh went after them with
49:28his army . But as soon as the Israelites
49:32arrived safe and sound on the other
49:34side , Jehovah closed the Red Sea ,
49:37drowning the Egyptians . The most
49:40powerful army in the world had been
49:43destroyed . Moses never forgot these
49:47impressive events . Now his faith was
49:50stronger than ever . And for the next 40
49:54years until he died at 120 years of age
49:57, he led God's people and cared for
50:00them , being an example of faith , love ,
50:02and courage . Thank you , Brother Victor ,
50:07for your help with the reading . So ,
50:10let's move to the first question ,
50:12brothers . In what ways did Moses show
50:15courage at that time in his life ?
50:19Brother Luiz , please , here in the
50:21middle . Well , even though he felt
50:31incapable and insecure about speaking
50:33to Pharaoh , he showed courage by
50:35accepting Jehovah's assignment , even
50:37though he was already about 80 years
50:40old and did not consider himself
50:42qualified for that task .
50:44>> Very good . Thank you . Would anyone like
50:52to comment on the first image we have ?
50:56If I could have it on screen , please . I
51:02would like to comment on this image in
51:05relation to what we are considering .
51:08Sister Carol , please . Uh , in this image
51:15, we see Moses and Aaron there , right ,
51:18before Pharaoh . And who was Pharaoh ,
51:20right ? Uh , Pharaoh , he was considered
51:23this ruler , right ? His name is not
51:27stated exactly , but he was a
51:29representative of the gods . Not just a
51:32representative of the gods , but a god
51:33himself . He , like many pharaohs , right ,
51:37probably also worshipped his own image .
51:40So he put himself in a position where
51:43people worshipped him , right , as a
51:45ruler . It wasn't just respect ; it went
51:47much further than that . And he
51:49certainly felt very proud , and more
51:52than that , perhaps arrogant , stubborn ,
51:55not used to receiving orders . And it
51:59was before this man that Moses , a meek
52:02shepherd , appeared many times uninvited
52:04and unwelcome , quite the contrary , even
52:07to speak about things that would affect
52:09him and the people . So Moses showed a
52:12lot of courage , didn't he , when facing
52:14that situation .
52:15>> Very good . Thank you , Brother Carol .
52:18Let's continue now with a deeper
52:21analysis . We don't know the name of the
52:25Pharaoh who lived at the time the
52:27Israelites left Egypt . Furthermore , to
52:30this day , no Egyptian records of this
52:32event have been found . Even so , why can
52:36we believe in this Bible account ?
52:42Sister Sofia , please . This 2004
52:50magazine highlighted some factors that
52:53make us believe in this account . The
52:55first is that the Bible account does
52:57not depend on the Pharaoh's name . So ,
52:59it was common for the Egyptians to omit
53:02or erase the names of their enemies .
53:06The second is that they also had the
53:08custom of erasing certain histories ,
53:10right ? There is even an example in that
53:14edition stating that some pharaohs
53:17ended up erasing records so as not to
53:20show failures in wars , so they would
53:23have no reason to be ashamed . The third
53:27is that the account does not try to
53:29bring merit to Moses ; it makes clear
53:31the power that Jehovah had over that
53:33people . And the last is that a lack of
53:37historical evidence does not erase what
53:40happened , because there are many
53:42histories that have no clear written
53:44evidence that has been preserved , but
53:47that doesn't mean they never happened .
53:50>> Very good . Thank you , Sofia , you gave a
53:53nice summary of that publication ,
53:55didn't you ? The next question : why were
54:00people afraid of Pharaoh ? Brother
54:03Camargo , please . The ruler was very
54:10powerful .
54:12>> That's it . Thank you , Brother Camargo .
54:14Sister Luia , please . Besides being seen
54:24as a very powerful ruler , the people
54:26also considered Pharaoh a living god ,
54:28right ? Someone who possessed more
54:32wisdom and power than any mortal . And
54:36besides that , as we see in the image ,
54:39precisely to intimidate everyone and
54:42also inspire terror , he wore a crown
54:44that had the image of a cobra ready to
54:47strike . So , it was already a constant
54:51warning to anyone that any enemy would
54:54be quickly annihilated .
54:56>> Very good . Thank you , Sister Luia ,
54:58Brother Jordano , please , as well .
55:03>> And when Jehovah made the request to
55:05Moses in Exodus 3:10 , He said : " I am
55:08sending you to Pharaoh . " And Moses was
55:12raised with that kind of upbringing ,
55:15knowing that Pharaoh could eliminate
55:18his enemies , right ? During some of the
55:21plagues , Moses was even threatened with
55:24death . So , even feeling insecure , even
55:27not feeling qualified , and being afraid
55:29, he showed a lot of courage .
55:32>> Very good . Thank you , Brother Jordano .
55:35The next question : In what way did the
55:3810 plagues humiliate the gods of Egypt ?
55:43Sister Susan , please .
55:50>> Because they had many gods , right ? So ,
55:52one by one they were being humiliated ,
55:54right ? For example , uh , the fish , uh ,
55:58they believed that some species of fish
56:01were actually venerated and even
56:03mummified . Uh , the goddess Heket as
56:08well ; the frog plague brought dishonor
56:10to this goddess , and so one by one they
56:13were being dishonored and humiliated
56:15before them . So , none of them could
56:18save or protect them .
56:19>> Very good . Thank you , Sister Susan .
56:21Brother Pedro , please , as well . And it
56:28is interesting that from the third
56:31plague on , uh , they did not affect the
56:33Israelites , showing that Jehovah was
56:36able to protect his people . And those
56:39gods that were nothing did not do
56:41anything to protect the Egyptians .
56:44>> Very good . Thank you , Brother Pedro .
56:47Question four ; the brothers can also
56:49use the next image . What indicates that
56:52the path Jehovah opened was wide enough
56:55for all the people to pass , and how
56:57many Israelites must have crossed the
56:59Red Sea ? Sister Fernanda , please . So ,
57:10to have enough time to cross , the
57:12Insight book indicates it was a very
57:14wide path . There are even some
57:17indications that if it were , for
57:19example , 1 km wide , they would need a
57:22space of about 8 km for the people to
57:24go through , right ? About 3 million ,
57:27more or less . So , with animals , with
57:29cargo , that is what it would take . But
57:32if it were an opening 2 km wide , 2.5 km
57:35, it would take 3 km for the whole
57:37group of people to get across , right ?
57:41And what also indicates this is the
57:43fact that in one go , all the Egyptians
57:46who went after them were there . Jehovah
57:48opened the sea , returned the sea to
57:50normal , and they all died at once . So ,
57:53it was not a narrow path ; it was a very
57:55wide path .
57:56>> Very good . Thank you , Sister Fernanda .
58:01Very good . Let us move on now to "
58:04Meditate on what you have learned . " How
58:07does Moses ' example of courage
58:09strengthen us when we think we are not
58:12qualified to fulfill an assignment from
58:15Jehovah ? Sister Nicole , please . So ,
58:27Moses ' example shows us that fulfilling
58:29a Jehovah-given assignment is not about
58:31having a lot of knowledge or a lot of
58:33skill , but rather how much you trust
58:35that Jehovah will take care of you if
58:37you do what He asks .
58:39>> Very good . Thank you , Brother Wilson .
58:47And Jehovah offers help . Moses was
58:50questioning there ; he really did not
58:52want to go . He said a couple of times
58:54or more that he didn't want to , but
58:56Jehovah offered him help , Aaron . And
58:59then he took the courage to go . So , in
59:02a situation we might be going through ,
59:05Jehovah can offer us help to keep going
59:08and not give up .
59:10>> Very good . Thank you , brother Luís
59:12Paulo .
59:16>> In Exodus 4:10 , Moses said : " No ,
59:18Jehovah , I have never been a man of
59:20words . " And then I kept thinking about
59:23how this helps me realize that Jehovah
59:26understands when we get afraid .
59:30Sometimes we receive an assignment and
59:32we get anxious or worried , especially
59:34here in our congregation , there are
59:36many people , it’s always very full .
59:40And then some might think like this : "
59:41Is it a lack of faith ? Am I not
59:43believing that Jehovah will help me ? "
59:44This account helps me think that we can
59:47be afraid because it is a normal
59:49feeling , but thinking that Jehovah will
59:51help us will keep that fear from
59:53paralyzing us . We will be able to
59:55fulfill the assignment , but feeling
59:57fear is part of being an imperfect
59:59human .
59:59>> Very good . Thank you , brother Luiz . The
1:00:03next question is : just as Aaron helped
1:00:05Moses fulfill his assignment with
1:00:07courage , how can we help our brothers
1:00:09today ? Brothers can also use the images
1:00:13, right , brother Vitor , please . Just as
1:00:19Aaron supported Moses when he felt
1:00:21insecure , we can strengthen our
1:00:23brothers by giving encouragement and
1:00:25practical help . Sometimes , a word of
1:00:28support or simply being by our brothers
1:00:30' side can give them the courage they
1:00:32need to fulfill an assignment .
1:00:34>> Very good . Thank you , brother Vitor . Uh
1:00:38, sister Ludmila , please . And in the
1:00:46image we observe an experienced sister
1:00:49doing exactly that . She is helping a
1:00:52more inexperienced sister to feel more
1:00:54confident in the ministry . So this
1:00:57image portrays well , right , what
1:00:59happened with Moses .
1:01:00>> Very good . Thank you . The next question
1:01:08, in what ways can you imitate Moses '
1:01:10courage in this account ? Sister Sandra ,
1:01:14please . Well , just like Moses ,
1:01:25sometimes preaching in a difficult
1:01:29territory , where many people are
1:01:32apathetic , many say they are atheists ,
1:01:35so there are many territories that are
1:01:39challenging and many brothers still go
1:01:42and talk to people , facing them with
1:01:46courage . Right ? Also when there are
1:01:51situations where brothers have to talk
1:01:54to authorities , to doctors , so all of
1:01:56that is a more difficult territory , but
1:01:59the brothers are humble , just as Moses
1:02:02was , and they accept , they go , and they
1:02:05are successful .
1:02:08>> Very good . Thank you , sister Sandra .
1:02:12Sister Priscila , please .
1:02:17>> Not to dwell too much on my limitations
1:02:19, but to trust that Jehovah will
1:02:22provide everything I need to fulfill my
1:02:24assignment .
1:02:26>> Very good . Thank you as well . Let's
1:02:29move on to the final part now . Think
1:02:31about the big picture . What does this
1:02:34account teach me about Jehovah ? Let's
1:02:40have the young lady , please , I don't
1:02:42know your name .
1:02:45>> That Jehovah is very powerful and can
1:02:48always help his servants .
1:02:50>> Very good . Thank you . Sister Milena .
1:03:00And ...
1:03:00>> Jehovah , Jehovah once again showed
1:03:02patience and mercy , right ? Because in
1:03:05the previous account we saw that he had
1:03:07to be patient there with Moses ' lack of
1:03:10humility . The beginning of the chapter
1:03:12says he was a new man now , so he had
1:03:14improved in that aspect . So Jehovah
1:03:15thought , well , now I will use him . But
1:03:17then , he didn't want to either , right ?
1:03:19He didn't feel prepared , but Jehovah
1:03:21again paid attention to his feelings .
1:03:24So it is very good to know that we
1:03:26serve a God who understands our flaws ,
1:03:29our imperfections , is patient , and also
1:03:31understands our feelings so that we can
1:03:33draw close to him .
1:03:35>> Well , thank you . Sister Etna here in
1:03:39the front , please . This account also
1:03:47teaches me that Jehovah is an impartial
1:03:48God , because when he parted the Red Sea
1:03:50, it wasn't just the Israelites there ,
1:03:52there were also Egyptians , right ? So
1:03:55Jehovah doesn't just look at us as a
1:03:57group , but Jehovah looks at us
1:03:59individually as well .
1:04:00>> Very good . Thank you . How is this
1:04:04account related to Jehovah's purpose ?
1:04:09Brother Rodrigo . Well , this account
1:04:18shows that nothing can stop Jehovah's
1:04:20purpose , right ? He had promised to
1:04:23liberate the Israelites and give them
1:04:25the Promised Land , and not even the
1:04:27powerful Pharaoh could stop Jehovah ,
1:04:29right ? So , the 10 plagues showed
1:04:33Jehovah's power and gave the people
1:04:36certainty , right ? That he always
1:04:39fulfills what he promises . Very good .
1:04:42Thank you , Brother Rodrigo . Sister
1:04:44Gabriela . And it also foreshadowed
1:04:49something that would happen in the
1:04:51future , right ? Just as Moses was chosen
1:04:54by Jehovah to save the people from
1:04:56Egypt , in the future , Jehovah would
1:04:58also use his son to save humanity . So
1:05:01Moses can also foreshadow that ,
1:05:03Jehovah's purpose .
1:05:04>> Very good . Thank you . When Moses is
1:05:08resurrected , what would I like to ask
1:05:10him about this period of his life ?
1:05:15Brother Natalício , right ? Please .
1:05:21>> I would ask Moses , you were sent to
1:05:23Egypt on a great assignment from
1:05:26Jehovah . How did you feel standing
1:05:29face-to-face before Pharaoh ?
1:05:32>> Very good . Good question . Thank you .
1:05:35Who else ? Vittor , please . I would ask
1:05:42him how he felt when he saw the Red Sea
1:05:44opening up before him , right ?
1:05:47>> Very good . Nice , Brother Pedro . Uh , I
1:05:58thought that Pharaoh had , or rather ,
1:06:00Moses had been raised in Pharaoh's
1:06:03court . Pharaoh's daughter had raised
1:06:06him , but time passed . Now it was a new
1:06:09group there , a new Pharaoh . So , how did
1:06:13Moses feel returning to Egypt 40 years
1:06:16later ? Now , no longer as the son of
1:06:19Pharaoh's daughter , but as an Israelite
1:06:22who wanted to free his people . Very
1:06:25good . Thank you . The sister as well ,
1:06:28please .
1:06:31>> Well , I would also ask Moses , uh , what
1:06:34it was like to fulfill that assignment
1:06:36and how his relationship with Jehovah
1:06:39grew from then on .
1:06:41>> Very good . Thank you . Thank you all
1:06:44very much for your comments . It was
1:06:46very good . We learned a bit more , right
1:06:48, about Moses ' courage and may we try
1:06:51to apply a little of that in our own
1:06:54lives as well . We thank you , Brother
1:07:05Rodrigo , for helping us with this part ,
1:07:07and also the brothers for their good
1:07:09comments . Before we finish , brothers ,
1:07:12is there any point from this meeting , a
1:07:14lesson or something interesting that
1:07:16you would like to share with us ? A gem
1:07:19that you brothers enjoyed from this
1:07:21meeting ? Let's hear from Sister
1:07:24Fernanda here in the front , please . I
1:07:34really liked the part about the widows ,
1:07:36because we read it in the plural , right
1:07:39, that Jehovah is the protector of
1:07:41widows . Of course , it's comforting and
1:07:45shows us a lot about Jehovah's
1:07:47personality , but the video helped us
1:07:49see how it really happens in practice ,
1:07:51right ? Because the sister's account was
1:07:55very moving , showing how she felt
1:07:57Jehovah's help in her individual case ,
1:08:00in such personal matters of hers . So ,
1:08:03it really was , uh , very touching to
1:08:05hear her account and it helps us see
1:08:07this care from Jehovah . Exactly . Thank
1:08:10you very much . Let's hear from Brother
1:08:12Júlio . I really liked the report , the
1:08:22phrase that the brother used and the
1:08:24Governing Body's concern not to go
1:08:26beyond what is written , right ? For me ,
1:08:30personally , it confirms that I am
1:08:32indeed in the true religion . Exactly .
1:08:36Thank you very much . Let's see the
1:08:40brother here on the side , please . Still
1:08:45on the subject of widows , when we read
1:08:48in the Bible that Jehovah is near to
1:08:51those who are brokenhearted , it shows
1:08:54how Jehovah is a merciful God , because
1:08:57he treats widows as a group , but he
1:08:59knows them individually . So , just the
1:09:03fact that Jehovah created a law to
1:09:05treat widows well shows how Jehovah
1:09:07pays attention to the story of every
1:09:09person who is suffering . So , it was
1:09:12very beautiful to be able to study this
1:09:14account .
1:09:15>> Exactly . So , we certainly learned many
1:09:18lessons , right , many spiritual gems in
1:09:19this meeting . Today in our meeting , for
1:09:23example , in " Treasures from God's Word ,
1:09:26" we clearly see how Jehovah protects us
1:09:28individually . Jehovah uses the
1:09:31congregation , our brothers , to give us
1:09:34comfort , hope , and help in times of
1:09:36trial . And Jehovah also uses his
1:09:39principles in the Bible to help us and
1:09:41give us wisdom . We also see how Jehovah
1:09:45is a loving God , who does not forget
1:09:49the widows and the protection of each
1:09:52one of them . We certainly want to
1:09:55imitate Jehovah’s example and give
1:09:57honor to these sisters . We also saw in
1:10:01the bulletin how Jehovah wants us to
1:10:04view blood , and he gives us information
1:10:06so that we can make good use of this
1:10:09gift from Jehovah , which is life , right
1:10:12? And we also want to maintain a clean
1:10:15conscience before our God . We also
1:10:17learned from Moses , from his courage .
1:10:20We certainly want to imitate his
1:10:22example in every area of our life .
1:10:25Before ending our meeting , we have some
1:10:27announcements to share with the
1:10:29brothers . The first announcement is a
1:10:32letter from the office . This letter
1:10:36says : " To congregations : God's Word Is
1:10:39Truth — A Guide for Your Bible Study . "
1:10:44We are happy to inform you that a new
1:10:47publication titled God's Word Is Truth
1:10:50— A Guide for Your Bible Study was
1:10:53released at the annual meeting on
1:10:56October 3 , 2026 . The digital formats of
1:11:01this publication will form a book that
1:11:03will be updated over time . Initially ,
1:11:07it will contain some chapters , but new
1:11:11content will be added . as it becomes
1:11:15available . The digital formats of this
1:11:19publication are already available for
1:11:21download on the jw.org website and in
1:11:23the JW Library app . The printed format
1:11:28of this publication will begin as a
1:11:31series of brochures . The first brochure
1:11:34is already available . Its title is :
1:11:37God's Word Is Truth — A Guide for Your
1:11:41Bible Study . Ezekiel and Joel . Inform
1:11:45the literature servant if you would
1:11:48like a printed copy of this brochure .
1:11:51In the future , the entire content will
1:11:54be available as a printed book .
1:11:58Furthermore , starting the week of
1:12:00January 4 , 2027 , the study guide will
1:12:03be included in the congregation Bible
1:12:06study schedule . We encourage you to
1:12:10have your own copy of this study
1:12:13publication , whether in digital or
1:12:15printed format , so you can prepare and
1:12:18participate in the study . Second , the
1:12:22research guide . We are happy to inform
1:12:26you that the new revised version of the
1:12:29research guide was released at the
1:12:31annual meeting on October 3 , 2026 . This
1:12:36new edition features many new topics ,
1:12:39making it easier to find relevant
1:12:42information in our publications .
1:12:47Additionally , references to videos and
1:12:49content available only in digital
1:12:52format have now been included . A great
1:12:57effort was made when selecting the
1:13:00topic references to ensure that only
1:13:03up-to-date information was included .
1:13:08Some references to publications from
1:13:11the 1980s have been kept . A new video
1:13:15called Tutorial on how to use the
1:13:17research guide effectively has also
1:13:20been released . It contains suggestions
1:13:24on how to make the best use of the
1:13:26research guide . From time to time , the
1:13:30research guide will be updated to
1:13:32include references to recently released
1:13:35publications . After downloading the
1:13:39research guide in the JW Library app ,
1:13:43you may want to delete previous
1:13:45editions to save storage space on your
1:13:49device . At the moment , the new research
1:13:52guide is available only in digital
1:13:55format . Information regarding a printed
1:13:59edition of the research guide will be
1:14:01provided next year . So that was the
1:14:04letter from the branch office . Now we
1:14:08will conclude our meeting in a joyful
1:14:10way . We invite all those who are able
1:14:14to stand , please , so we can sing song
1:14:17number 38 . Jehovah will give you
1:14:20strength . It is based on 1 Peter
1:14:23chapter 5 and verse 10 . And right after
1:14:26the song , we invite brother Luís
1:14:28Carlos to offer the closing prayer .
1:14:31>> Hello , hello , hello , hello brothers ,
1:14:33how is everyone doing ? A very warm
1:14:35welcome to our consideration of the
1:14:38spiritual gems for this week , October 5
1:14:42to 11 , 2026 . Thank you very much for
1:14:45being here today . And now let us begin
1:14:47our consideration . This week we have
1:14:52the reading of the book of Jeremiah 40
1:14:55and 41 . Let us look at the first
1:14:58question that tells us the following
1:15:00from the text of chapter 40 . Thus all
1:15:05the Jews began to return from all the
1:15:06places to which they had been scattered
1:15:08. They entered the land of Judah and
1:15:14went to Gedaliah at Mizpah and gathered
1:15:17wine and summer fruit in very large
1:15:20quantities . Question : pay attention to
1:15:25the final expression . Gathered wine ,
1:15:30they gathered wine and summer fruit in
1:15:33a large , very large quantity . How does
1:15:40this text demonstrate that it is a
1:15:46fulfillment of prophecy ? How does this
1:15:49verse confirm that Jehovah God gave his
1:15:52people the good land described in
1:15:54Deuteronomy 8 : 6 to 8 , which speaks of
1:16:00keeping his commandments , for he brings
1:16:03them into a good land , a land of
1:16:06streams of water , of springs and
1:16:09fountains flowing in the valleys and in
1:16:12the hills , a land of wheat , barley ,
1:16:15vines , fig trees , and pomegranates , a
1:16:18land of oil and honey ? When it speaks
1:16:23here of vines , the text refers to fruit
1:16:27for wine , to grapes , and also to summer
1:16:31fruit , summer fruit in very large
1:16:34quantities . And we see that the
1:16:37abundance of grapes confirms that
1:16:39Jehovah gave them exactly the good land
1:16:42he had promised them . The text of
1:16:46Jeremiah shows that even after the
1:16:48Babylonian devastation of the year 607 ,
1:16:51those who remained in Judah were able
1:16:53to gather wine and summer fruit in very
1:16:56great quantities . This demonstrates
1:17:02that the land was as productive as
1:17:04described in Deuteronomy 8 : 6-8 , where
1:17:07Jehovah promised Israel a land of vines
1:17:10, fig trees , and pomegranates .
1:17:16Interesting . Let us now see the
1:17:20following , what other spiritual gems we
1:17:22find in this week's reading . And let us
1:17:26now see number one . And we have here
1:17:31the part of chapter 40 . Now I am
1:17:38freeing you from the shackles that were
1:17:40on your hands . If it seems good to you
1:17:44to come with me to Babylon , come , and I
1:17:47will take care of you . But if it does
1:17:51not seem good to you to come with me to
1:17:54Babylon , do not come ; look , the whole
1:17:56land is before you . Go wherever it
1:18:00seems good to you . This teaches us that
1:18:06even if we are in a difficult situation
1:18:09, as the text says , as if we had
1:18:14shackles on our hands , a difficult
1:18:17situation , an illness , a problem at
1:18:20work , or a difficult relationship .
1:18:25Jehovah can open unexpected doors of
1:18:28freedom for us . Today we can identify a
1:18:33burden , a shackle that we carry , fear ,
1:18:36guilt , resentment , and decide to let it
1:18:39go . This sets a new path before us . Let
1:18:47us now see number 2 , chapter 40 . And it
1:18:52tells us before Jeremiah turned to
1:18:54leave , Nebuzaradan said : " Go back to
1:18:57Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of
1:18:59Shaphan , whom the king of Babylon has
1:19:02appointed over the cities of Judah , and
1:19:04stay with him among the people , or go
1:19:07wherever it seems good to you . " So the
1:19:11chief of the guard gave him food and a
1:19:14gift , and let him go . We see an
1:19:18interesting point here . Nebuzaradan was
1:19:21kind to Jeremiah , but he was an
1:19:23instrument of the empire . Jehovah used
1:19:29Nebuzaradan to help Jeremiah . Today
1:19:35there are people who help us and we
1:19:36should be grateful to those who help us
1:19:38. But we do not put our trust in man .
1:19:44We appreciate the gift , but we continue
1:19:46to trust in Jehovah God . Let us now see
1:19:50chapter 41 . The text tells us : "
1:19:54Gedaliah , son of Ahikam , son of Shaphan
1:19:58, swore to them and their men , saying :
1:20:01' Do not be afraid to serve the
1:20:04Chaldeans . ' " " Live in the land and
1:20:06serve the king of Babylon , and all will
1:20:09go well with you . " This teaches us that
1:20:14fear can make us run away from
1:20:17blessings . Sometimes the way out that
1:20:22God gives us is to surrender , work
1:20:24where we don't want to , submit to a
1:20:26process , or accept help . Let us not
1:20:31flee through pride . Today , let us stay
1:20:36where God has placed us and trust that
1:20:38He will teach us there . Jeremiah 40:16
1:20:47tells us : " But Gedaliah , son of Ahikam ,
1:20:51said to Johanan , son of Kareah , ' Do not
1:20:55do this , for what you are saying about
1:20:59Ishmael is a lie . ' " This teaches us
1:21:06that lies or false information can
1:21:09destroy us . Gedaliah did not believe
1:21:14the warning and died . Today , if someone
1:21:18warns us of a real danger , even if we
1:21:22don't like the person , let's verify it
1:21:27before discarding it ; pride might cost
1:21:32us dearly . Let us now look at the
1:21:37following chapter , which is 41 , verse 2
1:21:40. Ishmael , son of Nethaniah , and the
1:21:45ten men who were with him rose up and
1:21:47struck down Gedaliah , son of Ahikam ,
1:21:50son of Shaphan , with the sword . And so
1:21:53he killed the one the king of Babylon
1:21:57had appointed over the land , which
1:22:01teaches us an interesting lesson about
1:22:05envy and ambition . Ishmael killed out
1:22:10of envy and ambition . Today we can kill
1:22:14someone through our words about that
1:22:17person . Let us examine our hearts . Do
1:22:22we feel envious of someone to whom God
1:22:25has given a privilege , a relationship ,
1:22:28or a blessing that we wanted for
1:22:31ourselves ? In that case , it is good to
1:22:36repent and bless that person in prayer .
1:22:40Envy does not build ; it destroys . Let
1:22:47us now look at 41 : 3 . And the text
1:22:51tells us : Ishmael also killed all the
1:22:54Jews who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah ,
1:22:57as well as the Chaldean soldiers who
1:22:59were there . And this motivates us not
1:23:05to leave room for envy in our hearts .
1:23:09Because once it takes hold , it does not
1:23:11stop . When we allow sin to enter our
1:23:16hearts — envy , resentment , vengeance —
1:23:19it does not stop at just one act , but
1:23:21rather it grows . Today , let us cut off
1:23:27at the root any act of wickedness in
1:23:29our lives before it spreads . Let us ask
1:23:34for help , counsel , and take action .
1:23:38Wait . Let us now look at 41 : 7 . But
1:23:46when they entered the city , Ishmael ,
1:23:48son of Nethaniah , and his men killed
1:23:50them and threw them into the cistern .
1:23:55We see how the innocent suffer from the
1:23:57wickedness of others . Sometimes , good
1:24:00people suffer because of the decisions
1:24:02of others . If we have been victims of
1:24:05others ' wickedness , let us not blame
1:24:08ourselves and let us not become what
1:24:10wounded us . God sees , God judges . Today
1:24:16, let us surrender this pain , this
1:24:18frustration to God , and we need healing
1:24:20for our hearts . 4:18 . But among those
1:24:28men they said to Ishmael : " Do not kill
1:24:31us , for we have provisions of wheat ,
1:24:34barley , oil , and honey hidden in the
1:24:36field , so he did not kill them as he
1:24:39had done to their brothers . " This text
1:24:45motivates us to use our assets , our
1:24:48resources , with wisdom . Those who had
1:24:51something to offer saved their lives .
1:24:54Today , let us use our resources — money
1:24:57, time , talent , influence — to help
1:24:59others . What we have can be an
1:25:02instrument of salvation for someone
1:25:04else . Nine , let's look at 4:15 . And the
1:25:12text tells us : " But Ishmael , son of
1:25:14Nethaniah , and eight of his men escaped
1:25:17from Johanan and went to the land of
1:25:20the Ammonites . " This motivates us to
1:25:24use and teaches us that the wicked can
1:25:28flee , they run , they escape , but they
1:25:31will not escape divine justice . Ishmael
1:25:36escaped , but he lived fleeing and
1:25:37running for the rest of his life . Today
1:25:41, do not envy those who do evil and
1:25:44seem to be doing well . their es - escape
1:25:50and their prison . We , on the contrary ,
1:25:54live in peace , doing what is right ,
1:25:56even if we do not see immediate justice
1:25:59. Let's see now 40:14 . They said to him
1:26:08: " Do you not know that Baalis , king of
1:26:10the Ammonites , has sent Ishmael , son of
1:26:13Nethaniah , to kill you ? " But Gedaliah ,
1:26:16son of Ahikam , did not believe them .
1:26:20Gedaliah was a leader who would not
1:26:22listen to others because he believed he
1:26:24knew it all . His pride and his
1:26:28arrogance were very great . If we are in
1:26:33a position of service , home , work ,
1:26:35congregation , or family , let us not
1:26:37discard the words of warning from our
1:26:40team or those around us . Let us listen ,
1:26:45investigate , pray . The humility to
1:26:48listen can save us from a tragedy .
1:26:55Thank you very much for your help , for
1:26:58your visit . May God bless you all , your
1:27:01dear and cherished families . See you in
1:27:04the next broadcast . Agap .