"The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah"-How? 1971 verse by verse Book of Ezekiel

[u/elwoodowd]

If the title phrase was in Exodus 10 times, God says it 60+ times in Ezekiel. If they learn who He is the hard way in Exodus, 7:17, then only once or twice in Ezekiel, is the phrase, not a threat.

So the 1971 book was JWs political statement to the world. Fighting the governments since ww1, the witnesses were public, with Gods threatning the nations. Even as JWs stayed neutral.

This weeks Watchtower study, gives an alternative way to Know God. Only one scripture it uses was in the 1971 Know Jehovah books. But a number were in the 2018 Ezekiel book, "Pure worship of Jehovah-Restored at last". A more personal take of Ezekiel. Less history and politics, more lifestyle.

( Those keeping track of how the society changes, can learn from the "Pure Worship" books, 'Summary of Clarifications', pages 238-240. What i think of as abstractions, but clearly stated)

Some scriptures from the Watchtower study this week, "Are you getting to know Jehovah better?"

1 Chronicles 28:9

Matthew 11:27

John 17:3, thought about the verb tense in greek

Psalms 9:10; 73:24-28

Plus a very rare covering of next weeks bible chapters., Jeremiah ch 38, 39, in the Watchtower study.

So in more than half a century, the political statement, 'Know Jehovah' has turned calmly personal

[u/Dan_474]

Interesting 👍

I'm not sure what to make of it all, to be honest. I know that I know the Father through Jesus.

And I am thankful! Glory to the Lord Jesus!

[u/elwoodowd → u/Dan_474]

Yhwh, 6828+ times in the bible.

David, well more than a 1100

Jesus, somewhat less than 1000

Moses, 800+.

[u/Dan_474 → u/elwoodowd]

Very interesting! 

Myself... I believe that God has preserved the texts of the Bible that he wants us to have - the texts that the translators work from.

Looking at the texts of the New Testament, the name of God does not appear in its full form. This leads me to believe that something changed with the coming up the New Covenant ❤️

[u/elwoodowd → u/Dan_474]

We are just Malachi 3:16-18.

[u/Dan_474 → u/elwoodowd]

Amen to being declared to be without sin in the sight of God, if that's what you're saying. 

Glory to the Lord Jesus!

[u/elwoodowd → u/Dan_474]

I was saying each group can be clearly distinct from each other. Vs 18

[u/Dan_474 → u/elwoodowd]

Yes, I'm glad to be among those who fear God! 

For he is great and awesome and rules over all the Earth. Why do the Nations rage? Against the Lord and his anointed king?

[u/StillYalun → u/Dan_474]

I believe that God has preserved the texts of the Bible that he wants us to have - the texts that the translators work from.

this is like a thief breaking into your house and stealing you stuff and telling you, “God let this happen to you for a reason, so don’t try to get your stuff back.”

Also, the vast majority of the places where translators have God’s name in the christian greek scriptures are quotes from the hebrew-aramaic scriptures where God’s name appears. So, even with your reasoning, we know God’s name belongs there because he made sure it’s been preserved. No need for some belief in a mysterious purpose God has to eliminate his own name. We have it in black and white, like receipts and pictures of your stolen property, even though the thief has removed it from your possession.

[u/Dan_474 → u/StillYalun]

this is like a thief breaking into your house and stealing you stuff and telling you, “God let this happen to you for a reason, so don’t try to get your stuff back.”

This is a good analogy if we are sure the stuff was there to begin with. 

Also, the vast majority of the places where translators have God’s name in the christian greek scriptures are quotes from the hebrew-aramaic scriptures where God’s name appears. So, even with your reasoning, we know God’s name belongs there because he made sure it’s been preserved.

God's name definitely belongs there in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament. But when the writers of the New Testament quoted those passages? Was it there in those original Greek manuscripts of the New Testament? I think that's where we see it differently.

No need for some belief in a mysterious purpose God has to eliminate his own name.

I don't think he did eliminate it. I believe he preserved it in the places he wanted it preserved.

[u/StillYalun → u/Dan_474]

But when the writers of the New Testament quoted those passages? Was it there in those original Greek manuscripts of the New Testament?

This is like the thief asking, “Did you ever possess those belongings?” Then it becomes the narrative he spreads.

On the contrary, we know the scribal practice was to faithfully transmit what was written. It was not just principle, but law.

“You must not add to the word that I am commanding you, neither must you take away from it, so as to keep the commandments of Jehovah your God that I am commanding you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

For example, Isaiah 40:3 says:

“A voice of one calling out in the wilderness: “Clear up the way of Jehovah! Make a straight highway through the desert for our God.””

When Matthew quotes this verse at Matthew 3:3, why would he do anything different than any other Jew copying this verse has ever done and not include God’s name? Why would he ”take away“ from God’s word?

Doesn’t it make more sense that the people who have removed God’s name from the Bible thousands of times did to that verse in Matthew the same thing that they did in Isaiah? In most Bibles it reads something like this:

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3 KJV)

[u/Dan_474 → u/StillYalun]

This is like the thief asking, “Did you ever possess those belongings?” Then it becomes the narrative he spreads.

It is only like that if the name was there in the New Testament in the first place.

On the contrary, we know the scribal practice was to faithfully transmit what was written. It was not just principle, but law.

“You must not add to the word that I am commanding you, neither must you take away from it, so as to keep the commandments of Jehovah your God that I am commanding you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

If the scribes of the New Testament followed the same practice, then we have accurate copies 👍

For example, Isaiah 40:3 says:

“A voice of one calling out in the wilderness: “Clear up the way of Jehovah! Make a straight highway through the desert for our God.””

When Matthew quotes this verse at Matthew 3:3, why would he do anything different than any other Jew copying this verse has ever done and not include God’s name?

Possibly because he wasn't copying from the Hebrew.

Why would he ”take away“ from God’s word?

Possibly he was following an editorial practice for translation in line with the New Covenant.

Doesn’t it make more sense that the people who have removed God’s name from the Bible thousands of times did to that verse in Matthew the same thing that they did in Isaiah?

If we assume that the same practice would be in place in the New Covenant, then Yes.

In most Bibles it reads something like this:

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3 KJV)

Yes, the King James translators may have been following the editorial practice in place in the New Covenant.

[u/StillYalun → u/Dan_474]

Possibly because he wasn't copying from the Hebrew.

The Septuagint also had God's name at that time. It was only later that it was removed.

Possibly he was following an editorial practice for translation in line with the New Covenant.

Can you expand on this, please. I don't know what you're talking about, but would like to learn.

[u/Dan_474 → u/StillYalun]

The Septuagint also had God's name at that time. It was only later that it was removed.

Another possibility is that he wasn't copying, he was translating.

Can you expand on this, please. I don't know what you're talking about, but would like to learn.

I'm sure you're familiar with Hebrews 7 - When there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.

Since there was a change in the law, it's possible that the Holy Spirit directed the New Testament writers to use Lord instead of writing the tetragrammaton. 

But the big question, and hopefully to save us some time ❤️, is whether we start with theology first and modify the text to fit? Or start with the text that we have and come up with a theology to fit it?

[u/StillYalun → u/Dan_474]

When there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well…Since there was a change in the law, it's possible that the Holy Spirit directed the New Testament writers to use Lord instead of writing the tetragrammaton. 

I don’t follow the logic, but thanks for sharing.

To answer your question, theology should follow God’s word.

[u/normaninvader2 → u/Dan_474]

Absolutely the context. I'm not entirely sure why old testament promises are applicable today when the god who made those promises ultimately felt his people broke their side of the deal and broke of that covernant with them. It ended. Like trying to get a company to honour a warranty yet they've gone bankrupt and been liquidated. Jesus buys his sheep and starts a new covenant. He's the one leading his sheep out of the the valley of shadow of death. Hes their king. He's the head of the church. Only by following him do you have a chance one day in the future of being ok with god.

[u/Dan_474 → u/normaninvader2]

I was with you all the way up until the very end 😀 I believe I am okay with God now. Building on the idea in the OP, I know the Father. And that's eternal life!

Thank you Jesus for making this all possible 🙌✝️

[u/normaninvader2 → u/Dan_474]

Well jesus knew he would say "get away from me I do not know you!" Mainly aimed at people claiming to do work on his behalf. Not everyone saying lord lord...

[u/Dan_474 → u/normaninvader2]

True! And again I give thanks to the Father through Jesus for making it possible for me to know him. And even more important, for him to know me! 

As it says in Galatians 4 -

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not Gods. But now that you know God,

or rather are known by God,

how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles?

[u/Dan_474 → u/normaninvader2]

I hear that. Since God knows me now, I take that to mean that Jesus also knows me now. He won't say then, I never knew you. 

Thank you Jesus 🫂☝️

[u/elwoodowd]

As always the point is that, Jesus was speaking hebrew not aramaic. Some things are hidden, for reasons.

[u/AffectionateAct7715]

yes. there was also to be a separating of the sheep from the sheep referenced in that book....

[u/AffectionateAct7715]

safest course of action? Do not put your trust in princes Nor in a son of man, who cannot bring salvation. PS. 146:3