Bible reading: JEREMIAH 29-30
🎵 Song 12 — opens in JW Library
Repentant Jews would search for Jehovah with all their heart (Jer 29:12, 13; jr 114 ¶3)
Jehovah would restore his people (Jer 29:14)
They would not be exterminated but instead disciplined “to the proper degree” (Jer 30:11; Heb 12:6; jr 168 ¶2)
FOR MEDITATION: How should we respond when Jehovah disciplines us?—w22.11 21 ¶6.
Why these scriptures
And you will call me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’
“‘You will seek me and find me, for you will search for me with all your heart.
And I will let you find me,’ declares Jehovah. ‘And I will gather your captives and collect you together out of all the nations and places to which I have dispersed you,’ declares Jehovah. ‘And I will bring you back to the place from which I caused you to go into exile.’
“For I am with you,” declares Jehovah, “to save you. But I will make an extermination among all the nations to which I scattered you; However, you I will not exterminate. I will discipline you to the proper degree, And I will by no means leave you unpunished.”
for those whom Jehovah loves he disciplines, in fact, he scourges everyone whom he receives as a son.”
Referenced material
Jer 30:11—How can parents imitate Jehovah when administering discipline? (w14 7/1 12 ¶1-4)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
Why these scriptures
“For I am with you,” declares Jehovah, “to save you. But I will make an extermination among all the nations to which I scattered you; However, you I will not exterminate. I will discipline you to the proper degree, And I will by no means leave you unpunished.”
🗺️ Places: Jerusalem (Jerusalem, Israel), Babylon (Hillah, Iraq), Judea (southern West Bank / Israel)
Referenced material
Why these scriptures
30 The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying:
“This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says, ‘Write in a book all the words that I speak to you.
For “look! the days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when I will gather the captives of my people, Israel and Judah,” says Jehovah, “and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers, and they will possess it once again.”’”
These are the words that Jehovah spoke to Israel and Judah.
This is what Jehovah says: “We have heard the sounds of trembling; There is terror, and no peace.
Ask, please, whether a man can give birth. Why, then, do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach Like a woman giving birth? Why has every face turned pale?
Alas! For that day is a terrible one. There is none like it, A time of distress for Jacob. But he will be saved out of it.”
“And in that day,” declares Jehovah of armies, “I will break the yoke from off your neck, and your straps I will tear in two; and no more will strangers make him their slave.
They will serve Jehovah their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.”
“And you, my servant Jacob, do not be afraid,” declares Jehovah, “And do not be terrified, O Israel. For I will save you from far away And your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob will return and be calm and undisturbed, With no one to make them afraid.”
“For I am with you,” declares Jehovah, “to save you. But I will make an extermination among all the nations to which I scattered you; However, you I will not exterminate. I will discipline you to the proper degree, And I will by no means leave you unpunished.”
🗺️ Places: Judea (southern West Bank / Israel)
Referenced material
HOUSE TO HOUSE. Start a conversation on the subject of the September campaign, and offer a Bible study. (lmd lesson 3 point 4)
Referenced material
PUBLIC WITNESSING. Start a conversation on the subject of the September campaign. (lmd lesson 1 point 5)
Referenced material
ijwbv article 6—Theme: What Is the Meaning of Jeremiah 29:11? (th study 1)
Why these scriptures
“‘For I well know the thoughts that I am thinking toward you,’ declares Jehovah, ‘thoughts of peace, and not of calamity, to give you a future and a hope.
Referenced material
🎵 Song 3 — opens in JW Library
Discussion.
During the time that the Jews were captive in Babylon, Jehovah promised them that they would eventually be restored to their homeland. (Jer 29:10) Their misery would end. Such promises from God benefit his servants not only when they are fulfilled. Even before they come true, they give us hope as we await their fulfillment.
Hope can make a difference in our physical health.—Pr 17:22
Hope can give us the strength to fight discouragement.—Pr 24:10
Hope can stabilize us in an unstable world.—Heb 6:19
Play the VIDEO Universal Peace Is Sure to Come!—Do Not Lose Hope. Then ask the audience:
What lessons did you learn from the video?
🎬 Play the VIDEO — opens in JW Library
Why these scriptures
“For this is what Jehovah says, ‘When 70 years at Babylon are fulfilled, I will turn my attention to you, and I will make good my promise by bringing you back to this place.’
A joyful heart is good medicine, But a crushed spirit saps one’s strength.
If you become discouraged in the day of distress, Your strength will be meager.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, both sure and firm, and it enters in within the curtain,
🗺️ Places: Babylon (Hillah, Iraq)
Talk by the service overseer. Stimulate enthusiasm for the campaign, and outline local arrangements.
Referenced material
🎵 Song 156 — opens in JW Library
Comments are AI-generated study aids, not published material. Program text and references are © Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania; follow the links above to read them on jw.org.