Earthdayplans

Green Care Project  to create posters  for businesses  to have and association with moral qualities

 Current project for each willing associate with moral qualities Gen.1:26a; to create posters for banks and businesses to help to plant fruit trees from seed along streams and bike trails

To prevent death from rising streams by planting fruit trees along the stream to feed the wildlife with fruit trees from seed.

Knowing were to rest , that could  provide food .

Farms Healthy for the Mentally Ill Over 100 experts learn about Green Care, a concept that combines farming, teaching, and health care. According to the broadcasting company NRK, some who have been mentally ill for years no longer need to be institutionalized when they start doing farm work. It is “healthy for mind and body.” More than 600 traditional farms in Norway cooperate with Green Care, for which they receive extra income.

 

When you can create  living parks full of  life  to enjoy.

Go to the bike trails were the fruit trees will be growing to create  living parks for the wildlife and public welfare  and eat  your lunch.

Project go green along the streams

Why pay to go to the park’s

Planting  fruit trees from seed  to create  farms

 Going from state to state on the bike trails  enjoying  fruit trees

Planting  fruit  trees from seed  will create living parks

Project List

*** g03 6/8 p. 28 Watching the World ***

Watching the World

The Value of Potted Plants

“Thousands of pupils would achieve higher marks if potted plants were scattered around their schools,” say researchers, as reported in The Times of London. Professor Derek Clements-Croome of Reading University found that carbon dioxide levels in some overcrowded and poorly ventilated classrooms exceeded the recommended amount by more than 500 percent, thus damaging the children’s concentration and retarding their progress. Calling the condition sick classroom syndrome, he says that the average density of children in classrooms is five times that of workers in office buildings, where “sick building syndrome” is known to affect the workers and their performance. What plants could be used to improve room air quality? One study in the United States named spider plants as the most effective. Dragon trees, ivy, rubber plants, peace lilies, and yuccas are also very good at eliminating air pollutants. The houseplants reduce the levels of carbon dioxide by converting it into oxygen.

*** g03 6/22 pp. 5-9 Rain Forests—Can We Use Them Without Destroying Them? ***

Rain Forests—Can We Use Them Without Destroying Them?

DO YOU feel that the logging industry has a right to destroy the world’s tropical rain forests? Likely you would answer no! However, some ecologists might insist that many who would say no have already, in effect, said yes—for instance, by purchasing furniture made from beautiful and popular tropical timber that comes from wild rain forests rather than from plantations.

Logging is often equated with deforestation. And, indeed, many forests are destroyed by logging. It is claimed, though, that other forests have been harvested with only minimal damage. Can tropical rain forests and their wildlife really survive logging? Let us first examine how logging can destroy a forest.

How Logging Can Destroy Forest and Wildlife

Here is one scenario: The story begins with bulldozers cutting roads deep into a forest. Loggers wielding chain saws are soon in action. The logging company has only short-term permission to cut lumber, so the workers are directed to take everything of value. As the marketable trees fall, they damage or destroy neighboring trees to which they are connected by vines. Next, heavy, track-laying vehicles break through the dense vegetation to haul out the logs, compacting the thin soil until it is virtually useless.

Logging company employees generally eat more meat than do local villagers. The forest is scoured for game; often more is killed than is really needed. The roads that loggers leave behind open up a previously inaccessible region. Hunters can now enter with vehicles and guns to finish off whatever wildlife is left. Trappers take the smaller animals and birds for the lucrative pet trade. Then come the settlers, landless thousands seeking an opportunity to eke out a living on the newly accessible land. Their slash-and-burn farming method finishes off the remaining trees, allowing heavy rains to wash away the thin topsoil.

In effect, the forest has been left for dead. Logging was merely the first step. But does harvesting tropical rain forests have to be so destructive?

Low-Impact Logging

In recent years there has been renewed interest in the concept of low-impact logging and the sustainable management of forests. The idea is to harvest timber in such a way that doing so inflicts minimal damage on the forest and its wildlife. The forest gradually recovers, permitting another harvest a few decades later. Faced with pressure from conservationists, some traders now advertise their timber as originating from forests that have been certified as being sustainably managed. Let’s take a look at how low-impact logging works.

A professional forester and a group of assistants push their way through the undergrowth. They form one of several groups that will spend perhaps six months in the jungle, conducting a forest inventory. The logging company has a long-term concession here, so the workers have the time to take this tree census for the sake of preserving the forest for future use.

The forester marks each tree with a registration number and identifies the species. There are hundreds of varieties, so he must have considerable expertise. The next step, however, requires modern technology.

Using a hand-held device that communicates with satellites of the Global Positioning System, the forester keys in the tree’s size, species, and registration number. Then when he hits the enter button, all the details of that tree, including its exact position, are instantly sent from the forest to a computer in a bustling city far away.

Later the forest manager has his computer print out a map detailing every tree of value in the forest. He chooses precisely which trees may be felled in harmony with official regulations. In the case of many species, it is permissible to fell only 50 percent of the trees larger than a certain diameter specified in the concession. The oldest and healthiest trees must be left standing as seed bearers.

How, though, can you fell trees without damaging the forest? Awake! put that question to Roberto, the forester mentioned in the preceding article. He explained: “The map is the key. With the tree map, we can plan the harvest so as to cause minimum damage to the forest. Even the direction of felling can be planned to minimize collateral damage.

“We can also plan the extraction of logs with winches, instead of using bulldozers to break through to every tree felled. Before felling, loggers cut the vines that connect crop trees to their neighbors—again to reduce collateral damage. We work the concession in rotation, each year mapping and harvesting a section so that we will not return to plots until at least 20 years have passed. For some forest areas, it’s 30 years.”

However, Roberto is employed by a logging company. Awake! thus asked him: “How much interest do loggers really have in protecting wildlife?”

Protecting the Animals

“You can’t have a healthy forest without animals,” Roberto notes. “They are vital for the pollination and dispersal of seeds. We make every effort to reduce the disturbance to wild animals. For example, we carefully plan access roads so that they are few and far between. Wherever possible, we make roads narrow enough to permit the tree canopy to close over them. This allows animals such as sloths and monkeys to cross the road without descending from the trees.”

Roberto points to some colored areas on his map. These are to be left completely untouched. A protected corridor on each side of every stream, for example, permits animals to move from one area to another in undisturbed jungle.

“Besides the vital streamside habitats,” he explains, “we also protect caves, outcrops of rock, ancient trees with cavities, trees bearing fleshy fruits—in fact, any area vital to the survival of a certain species. To prevent illegal hunting, we forbid our employees to have guns, and so that they won’t need wild meat, we fly beef and chicken into the lumber camp. Then, when we have finished a section, we carefully block or control the roads to prevent hunters or illegal loggers from entering the forest.

“Personally, I’m happy to do all this because I believe in conserving God’s creation. But nearly all the measures I’ve described are required by international regulations for a certified, sustainably managed forest. To get a certificate, a company has to satisfy inspectors from international organizations.”

Are sustainably managed forests profitable? Aside from a few enthusiasts like Roberto, loggers as a rule do not receive plans to conserve wildlife with much enthusiasm. Such restrictions are often perceived as a threat to profit.

Nevertheless, studies carried out in eastern Amazonia in the late 1990’s found that the cost of tree mapping, vine cutting, and planned log extraction was more than recovered, thanks to the increased efficiency achieved. Fewer logs were lost, for example. Often, without such mapping, a chain-saw crew will fell a tree that the extraction crew cannot find in the dense jungle.

Also, timber independently certified as originating from a sustainably managed forest may be easier to sell. But does low-impact logging really protect biodiversity? How much wildlife survives such a rain-forest harvest?

Can Forest Wildlife Survive Logging?

Granted, tropical rain-forest ecosystems are fragile and complex. Yet, they can prove surprisingly resilient under certain conditions. For example, if some untouched forest remains near a harvested area, saplings of the harvested species will gradually grow to fill the gaps left in the canopy. But what about the animals, birds, and insects?

A few species are affected seriously, and most logging operations reduce the number of bird and animal varieties in the area. However, low-impact logging often has very little effect on the majority of species. In fact, the opening of gaps in the canopy may actually encourage some species. Recent research has suggested that the presence of humans—even when some of them are there for selective logging—may increase the biological diversity of rain forests.

There is considerable evidence, then, to suggest that tropical rain forests can be harvested responsibly, without doing permanent damage to the diversity of life. London’s Economist said: “Just 10% of the remaining forest, managed sustainably, could meet all the existing demand for tropical hardwood. Much of the rest might then be declared untouchable.”

An example of total protection is the forest referred to in the opening article. Ramiro protects it because scientists have identified several endangered species there. Such cloud forests are rare and contain an unusually high diversity of life. “The key to conservation has been education,” explains Ramiro. “Once the local villagers realized that their water supply depends on the forest, they became interested in preserving it.”

Ramiro adds: “Ecotourism is also important because visitors learn why the different trees and plants they see are worth protecting. They leave with an increased appreciation for the forest and its wildlife.”

The examples of Ramiro and Roberto illustrate that it is possible for man to make use of the tropical rain forest without destroying it and its wildlife. But the fact that it is possible does not make it probable. Some people today can make sure that the tropical timber they buy comes from a certified, sustainably managed forest. For others, though, no such service is available. So, will conservation efforts save the forests’ striking diversity of life?

[Maps on page 7]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

BOLIVIA

The map at right gives details about each tree; as the above shows, the map represents only a tiny region of Bolivia

[Credit Line]

All maps except top left: Aserradero San Martin S.R.L., Bolivia

[Pictures on page 7]

Each tree is individually numbered, and its species identified. Then, with the help of a Global Positioning System monitor (above), its exact location is recorded

[Picture on page 7]

‘The forest inventory map is the key to planning a forest harvest that will not permanently damage the forest or its wildlife.’—Roberto

[Picture on page 8, 9]

“The key to conservation has been education.”—Ramiro

[Picture Credit Line on page 9]

Foto: Zoo de Baños

*** g03 9/22 p. 6 Communication in the World Around Us ***

Plant-to-plant communication is equally amazing. According to Discover, researchers have “caught willow, poplar, alder, and birch trees listening to their own kind and barley seedlings listening to other barley seedlings. In each case, damaged plants, whether eaten by caterpillars, infected by fungus or powdery mildew, [or] infested by spider mites, . . . sent out chemicals that seemed to jump-start the defenses of undamaged plants nearby.” Even unrelated plants have responded to chemical alarms

The wicked gets caught by the ideas that they have thought up

 

Who will you follow Jesus who adhere to every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth, and not his own ideas Mat. 4:4;1Pet.4:11; or find yourself getting caught up by the ideas that you or others have thought up.

(Psalm 10:2-11)  ² In his haughtiness the wicked one hotly pursues the afflicted one; They get caught by the ideas that they have thought up.  ³ For the wicked has praised himself over the selfish longing of his soul, And the one making undue profit has blessed himself; נ [Nun] He has disrespected Jehovah.  ⁴ The wicked one according to his superciliousness makes no search; All his ideas are: “There is no God.”  ⁵ His ways keep prospering all the time. Your judicial decisions are high up out of his range; As for all those showing hostility to him, he puffs at them.  ⁶ He has said in his heart: “I shall not be made to totter; For generation after generation [I shall be] one who is in no calamity.” פ [Pe´]  ⁷ His mouth is full of oaths and of deceptions and of oppression. Under his tongue are trouble and what is hurtful.  ⁸ He sits in an ambush of settlements; From concealed places he will kill someone innocent. ע [`A´yin] His eyes are on the lookout for someone unfortunate.  ⁹ He keeps lying in wait in the concealed place like a lion in his covert. He keeps lying in wait to carry off some afflicted one by force. He carries off the afflicted one by force when he draws his net shut. ¹⁰ He is crushed, he bows down, And the army of dejected ones has to fall into his strong [claws]. ¹¹ He has said in his heart: “God has forgotten. He has concealed his face. He will certainly never see [it].”

(Proverbs 12:1-8) 12 A lover of discipline is a lover of knowledge, but a hater of reproof is unreasoning. ² One that is good gets approval from Jehovah, but the man of [wicked] ideas he pronounces wicked. ³ No man will be firmly established by wickedness; but as for the root-foundation of the righteous ones, it will not be caused to stagger. ⁴ A capable wife is a crown to her owner, but as rottenness in his bones is she that acts shamefully. ⁵ The thoughts of the righteous ones are judgment; the steering by the wicked ones is deception. ⁶ The words of the wicked ones are a lying in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright ones is what will deliver them. ⁷ There is an overthrowing of the wicked ones and they are no more, but the very house of the righteous ones will keep standing. ⁸ For his mouth of discretion a man will be praised, but one who is twisted at heart will come to be for contempt.

(Jeremiah 23:16-28) ¹⁶ This is what Jehovah of armies has said: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to YOU people. They are making YOU become vain. The vision of their own heart is what they speak—not from the mouth of Jehovah. ¹⁷ They are saying again and again to those who are disrespectful of me, ‘Jehovah has spoken: “Peace is what YOU people will come to have.”’ And [to] every one walking in the stubbornness of his heart they have said, ‘No calamity will come upon YOU people.’ ¹⁸ For who has stood in the intimate group of Jehovah that he might see and hear his word? Who has given attention to his word that he might hear it? ¹⁹ Look! The windstorm of Jehovah, rage itself, will certainly go forth, even a whirling tempest. Upon the head of the wicked ones it will whirl itself. ²⁰ The anger of Jehovah will not turn back until he will have carried out and until he will have made the ideas of his heart come true. In the final part of the days YOU people will give YOUR consideration to it with understanding. ²¹ “I did not send the prophets, yet they themselves ran. I did not speak to them, yet they themselves prophesied. ²² But if they had stood in my intimate group, then they would have made my people hear my own words, and they would have caused them to turn back from their bad way and from the badness of their dealings.” ²³ “Am I a God nearby,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “and not a God far away?” ²⁴ “Or can any man be concealed in places of concealment and I myself not see him?” is the utterance of Jehovah. “Is it not the heavens and the earth that I myself actually fill?” is the utterance of Jehovah. ²⁵ “I have heard what the prophets who are prophesying falsehood in my own name have said, saying, ‘I have had a dream! I have had a dream!’ ²⁶ How long will it exist in the heart of the prophets who are prophesying the falsehood and who are prophets of the trickiness of their own heart? ²⁷ They are thinking of making my people forget my name by means of their dreams that they keep relating each one to the other, just as their fathers forgot my name by means of Ba´al. ²⁸ The prophet with whom there is a dream, let him relate the dream; but the one with whom my own word is, let him speak forth my word truthfully.”. . .

 

 

 

(Romans 11:17-32) ¹⁷ However, if some of the branches were broken off but you, although being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became a sharer of the olive’s root of fatness, ¹⁸ do not be exulting over the branches. If, though, you are exulting over them, it is not you that bear the root, but the root [bears] you. ¹⁹ You will say, then: “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” ²⁰ All right! For [their] lack of faith they were broken off, but you are standing by faith. Quit having lofty ideas, but be in fear. ²¹ For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. ²² See, therefore, God’s kindness and severity. Toward those who fell there is severity, but toward you there is God’s kindness, provided you remain in his kindness; otherwise, you also will be lopped off. ²³ They also, if they do not remain in their lack of faith, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. ²⁴ For if you were cut out of the olive tree that is wild by nature and were grafted contrary to nature into the garden olive tree, how much rather will these who are natural be grafted into their own olive tree! ²⁵ For I do not want YOU, brothers, to be ignorant of this sacred secret, in order for YOU not to be discreet in your own eyes: that a dulling of sensibilities has happened in part to Israel until the full number of people of the nations has come in, ²⁶ and in this manner all Israel will be saved. Just as it is written: “The deliverer will come out of Zion and turn away ungodly practices from Jacob. ²⁷ And this is the covenant on my part with them, when I take their sins away.” ²⁸ True, with reference to the good news they are enemies for YOUR sakes, but with reference to [God’s] choosing they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. ²⁹ For the gifts and the calling of God are not things he will regret. ³⁰ For just as YOU were once disobedient to God but have now been shown mercy because of their disobedience, ³¹ so also these now have been disobedient with mercy resulting to YOU, that they themselves also may now be shown mercy. ³² For God has shut them all up together in disobedience, that he might show all of them mercy.

(Psalm 21:11) ¹¹ For they have directed against you what is bad; They have thought out ideas that they are unable to carry out.

(Psalm 21:12-13) ¹² For you will make them turn their backs in flight By your bowstrings that you make ready against their face. ¹³ O be exalted in your strength, O Jehovah. We will sing and make melody to your mightiness.

(2 Chronicles 6:9-10) . . .’ ¹⁰ And Jehovah proceeded to carry out his word that he had spoken, that I might rise up in the place of David my father and sit upon the throne of Israel, just as Jehovah had spoken. . .

(Jeremiah 33:14) ¹⁴ “‘Look! There are days coming,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘and I shall certainly carry out the good word that I have spoken. . .

(Psalms 74:2-75:2)  ² Remember your assembly that you acquired long ago, The tribe that you redeemed as your inheritance, This Mount Zion in which you have resided.  ³ Do lift up your steps to the long-lasting desolations. Everything the enemy has treated badly in the holy place.  ⁴ Those showing hostility to you have roared in the middle of your meeting place. They have set their own signs as [the] signs.  ⁵ One is notorious in being like him that brings up axes on high against a thicket of trees.  ⁶ And now the very engravings of it, one and all, they strike even with hatchet and iron-tipped beams.  ⁷ They have thrust your sanctuary into the fire itself. They have profaned the tabernacle of your name to the very earth.  ⁸ They, even their offspring, have said together in their own heart: “All the meeting places of God must be burned in the land.”  ⁹ Our signs we have not seen; there is no prophet anymore, And there is no one with us knowing how long. ¹⁰ How long, O God, will the adversary keep reproaching? Will the enemy keep treating your name with disrespect forever? ¹¹ Why do you keep your hand, even your right hand, withdrawn From the midst of your bosom to make an end [of us]? ¹² And yet God is my King from long ago, The One performing grand salvation in the midst of the earth. ¹³ You yourself stirred up the sea with your own strength; You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters. ¹⁴ You yourself crushed to pieces the heads of Le·vi´a·than. You proceeded to give it as food to the people, to those inhabiting the waterless regions. ¹⁵ You were the One that split the spring and the torrent; You yourself dried up ever-flowing rivers. ¹⁶ To you the day belongs; also, to you the night belongs. You yourself prepared the luminary, even the sun. ¹⁷ It was you that set up all the boundaries of the earth; Summer and winter—you yourself formed them. ¹⁸ Remember this: The enemy himself has reproached, O Jehovah, And a senseless people have treated your name with disrespect. ¹⁹ Do not give to the wild beast the soul of your turtledove. Do not forget the very life of your afflicted ones forever. ²⁰ Take a look at the covenant, For the dark places of the earth have become full of the abodes of violence. ²¹ O may the crushed one not return humiliated. May the afflicted one and the poor one praise your name. ²² Do arise, O God, do conduct your own case at law. Remember your reproach from the senseless one all day long. ²³ Do not forget the voice of those showing hostility to you. The noise of those rising up against you is ascending constantly. To the director. “Do not bring to ruin.” A melody. Of A´saph. A song. 75 We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks to you, And your name is near. Men have to declare your wondrous works.  ² “For I proceeded to take a set time; I myself began judging with uprightness.          ³ The earth and all its inhabitants being dissolved,

It was I that adjusted its pillars.” Se´lah.

 ⁴ I said to the foolish ones: “Do not be foolish,”

And to the wicked ones: “Do not exalt the horn.

 ⁵ Do not exalt YOUR horn on high.

Do not speak with an arrogant neck.

 ⁶ For neither from the east nor from the west,

Nor from the south is there an exalting.

 ⁷ For God is the judge.

This one he abases, and that one he exalts.

 

(Isaiah 26:1-14) 26 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city. He sets salvation itself for walls and rampart. ² Open the gates, YOU men, that the righteous nation that is keeping faithful conduct may enter. ³ The inclination that is well supported you will safeguard in continuous peace, because it is in you that one is made to trust. ⁴ Trust in Jehovah, YOU people, for all times, for in Jah Jehovah is the Rock of times indefinite. ⁵ “For he has laid low those inhabiting the height, the elevated town. He abases it, he abases it to the earth; he brings it in touch with the dust. ⁶ The foot will trample it down, the feet of the afflicted one, the steps of the lowly ones.” ⁷ The path of the righteous one is uprightness. You being upright, you will smooth out the very course of a righteous one. ⁸ Yes, for the path of your judgments, O Jehovah, we have hoped in you. For your name and for your memorial the desire of the soul has been. ⁹ With my soul I have desired you in the night; yes, with my spirit within me I keep looking for you; because, when there are judgments from you for the earth, righteousness is what the inhabitants of the productive land will certainly learn. ¹⁰ Though the wicked one should be shown favor, he simply will not learn righteousness. In the land of straightforwardness he will act unjustly and will not see the eminence of Jehovah. ¹¹ O Jehovah, your hand has become high, [but] they do not behold [it]. They will behold and be ashamed at the zeal for [your] people. Yes, the very fire for your own adversaries will eat them up. ¹² O Jehovah, you will adjudge peace to us, because even all our works you have performed for us. ¹³ O Jehovah our God, other masters besides you have acted as owners of us. By you only shall we make mention of your name. ¹⁴ They are dead; they will not live. Impotent in death, they will not rise up. Therefore you have turned your attention that you might annihilate them and destroy all mention of them.

*** it-2 p. 733 Rampart ***

Divine help or “salvation” may serve as a sure protection, comparable to walls and a rampart. Thus, with apparent reference to Jerusalem, Isaiah 26:1 says what Jehovah God would do for the city: “He sets salvation itself for walls and rampart.”

 

 

*** w73 7/15 p. 441 The Boundaries of God’s Kingdom ***

¹⁶ The more we appreciate this, the more our hearts are drawn out in deep gratitude, motivating us to pattern our own lives after the same standard. As Paul said: “You should be made new in the force actuating your mind, and should put on the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.” Specially concerning love, keep in mind that it is laid upon us as a law and a command, not merely an invitation. (Eph. 4:23, 24; see also Matthew 22:36-40; John 13:34; James 2:8; 1 John 4:7-12.) To help and guide you in this, Jehovah has gathered his people into a closely knit unity, like dwelling in a city of Bible times, bounded by a strong wall for protection. This is beautifully described at Isaiah 26:1-4, 7: “We have a strong city. He sets salvation itself for walls and rampart. Open the gates, you men, that the righteous nation that is keeping faithful conduct may enter. . . . Trust in Jehovah, you people, for all times, for in Jah Jehovah is the Rock of times indefinite. The path of the righteous one is uprightness. You being upright, you will smooth out the very course of a righteous one.”—See also Revelation 22:15-21.

*** ip-1 chap. 21 pp. 276-281 Jehovah’s Hand Becomes High ***

A Song of Salvation

¹³ What of God’s people? Thrilled to have Jehovah’s favor and protection, they raise their voices in song. “In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: ‘We have a strong city. He sets salvation itself for walls and rampart. Open the gates, you men, that the righteous nation that is keeping faithful conduct may enter.’” (Isaiah 26:1, 2) While these words no doubt had a fulfillment in ancient times, they also have a clear fulfillment today. Jehovah’s “righteous nation,” spiritual Israel, is endowed with a strong, citylike organization. What a cause for rejoicing, for song!

¹⁴ What kind of people come into this “city”? The song gives the answer: “The inclination that is well supported you [God] will safeguard in continuous peace, because it is in you that one is made to trust. Trust in Jehovah, you people, for all times, for in Jah Jehovah is the Rock of times indefinite.” (Isaiah 26:3, 4) “The inclination” Jehovah supports is the desire to obey his righteous principles and to trust in him, not in the floundering commercial, political, and religious systems of the world. “Jah Jehovah” is the only reliable Rock of security. Those having full confidence in Jehovah receive his protection and enjoy “continuous peace.”—Proverbs 3:5, 6; Philippians 4:6, 7.

¹⁵ What a contrast to what happens to the enemies of God’s people! “He has laid low those inhabiting the height, the elevated town. He abases it, he abases it to the earth; he brings it in touch with the dust. The foot will trample it down, the feet of the afflicted one, the steps of the lowly ones.” (Isaiah 26:5, 6) Again, Isaiah may be here referring to an “elevated town” in Moab, or he may mean some other city, such as Babylon, which is certainly elevated in haughtiness. Whatever the case, Jehovah has turned the tables on “the elevated town,” and his ‘lowly and afflicted ones’ trample it. Today this prophecy aptly fits Babylon the Great, particularly Christendom. In 1919 this “elevated town” was forced to release Jehovah’s people—a humiliating fall—and they, in turn, have taken to trampling upon their old captor. (Revelation 14:8) How? By publicly announcing Jehovah’s coming vengeance upon her.—Revelation 8:7-12; 9:14-19.

Desiring Righteousness and Jehovah’s “Memorial”

¹⁶ After this triumphant song, Isaiah reveals the depth of his own devotion and the rewards of serving the God of righteousness. (Read Isaiah 26:7-9.) The prophet provides a fine example of ‘hoping in Jehovah’ and of having a deep desire for Jehovah’s “name” and “memorial.” What is Jehovah’s memorial? Exodus 3:15 says: “Jehovah . . . is my name to time indefinite, and this is the memorial of me to generation after generation.” Isaiah cherishes Jehovah’s name and all that it stands for, including His righteous standards and ways. Those who cultivate a similar love for Jehovah are assured of his blessing.—Psalm 5:8; 25:4, 5; 135:13; Hosea 12:5.

¹⁷ Not all, however, love Jehovah and his lofty standards. (Read Isaiah 26:10.) The wicked, even when invited, stubbornly refuse to learn righteousness in order to enter “the land of straightforwardness,” the land occupied by Jehovah’s morally and spiritually straightforward servants. Consequently, the wicked “will not see the eminence of Jehovah.” They will not live to enjoy the blessings that will flow to mankind after Jehovah’s name has been sanctified. Even in the new world, when the whole earth will be a “land of straightforwardness,” some may fail to respond to Jehovah’s loving-kindness. The names of such ones will not be written in the book of life.—Isaiah 65:20; Revelation 20:12, 15.

¹⁸ “O Jehovah, your hand has become high, but they do not behold it. They will behold and be ashamed at the zeal for your people. Yes, the very fire for your own adversaries will eat them up.” (Isaiah 26:11) In Isaiah’s day, the hand of Jehovah has shown itself to be exalted when Jehovah protects his people by acting against their enemies. But most have not recognized this. Such ones, spiritually blind by choice, will eventually be forced to “behold,” or acknowledge, Jehovah when they are eaten up by the fire of his zeal. (Zephaniah 1:18) God later says to Ezekiel: “They will have to know that I am Jehovah.”—Ezekiel 38:23.

“Whom Jehovah Loves He Disciplines”

¹⁹ Isaiah knows that any peace and prosperity that his fellow countrymen enjoy is due to Jehovah’s blessing. “O Jehovah, you will adjudge peace to us, because even all our works you have performed for us.” (Isaiah 26:12) In spite of this and in spite of Jehovah’s having set before his people the opportunity to become “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation,” Judah has had a checkered history. (Exodus 19:6) Repeatedly, her people have turned to the worship of false gods. As a result, time after time they have been disciplined. Such discipline, however, is evidence of Jehovah’s love because “whom Jehovah loves he disciplines.”—Hebrews 12:6.

²⁰ Often, Jehovah disciplines his people by allowing other nations, “other masters,” to dominate them. (Read Isaiah 26:13.) In 607 B.C.E., he allows the Babylonians to take them into exile. Does this benefit them? Suffering in itself does not benefit a person. However, if the sufferer learns from what happens, repents, and gives Jehovah exclusive devotion, then he benefits. (Deuteronomy 4:25-31) Do any Jews show godly repentance? Yes! Isaiah says prophetically: “By you only shall we make mention of your name.” After their return from exile in 537 B.C.E., the Jews often need discipline for other sins, but they never again fall prey to worshiping gods of stone.

²¹ What of Judah’s captors? “Impotent in death, they will not rise up. Therefore you have turned your attention that you might annihilate them and destroy all mention of them.” (Isaiah 26:14) Babylon will suffer for the cruelties visited upon Jehovah’s chosen nation. By means of the Medes and the Persians, Jehovah will overturn proud Babylon and free his exiled people. That great city, Babylon, will be rendered impotent, as good as dead. Eventually, she will cease to exist.

²² In the modern fulfillment, a remnant of chastened spiritual Israel was set free from Babylon the Great and restored to Jehovah’s service in 1919. Revitalized, anointed Christians threw themselves into their preaching work. (Matthew 24:14) In turn, Jehovah has blessed them with increase, even bringing in a great crowd of “other sheep” to serve with them. (John 10:16) “You have added to the nation; O Jehovah, you have added to the nation; you have glorified yourself. You have extended afar all the borders of the land. O Jehovah, during distress they have turned their attention to you; they have poured out a whisper of prayer when they had your disciplining.”—Isaiah 26:15, 16.

(1 Timothy 4:11-16) ¹¹ Keep on giving these commands and teaching them. ¹² Let no man ever look down on your youth. On the contrary, become an example to the faithful ones in speaking, in conduct, in love, in faith, in chasteness. ¹³ While I am coming, continue applying yourself to public reading, to exhortation, to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not be neglecting the gift in you that was given you through a prediction and when the body of older men laid their hands upon you. ¹⁵ Ponder over these things; be absorbed in them, that your advancement may be manifest to all [persons]. ¹⁶ Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

(Isaiah 26:1-4) 26 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city. He sets salvation itself for walls and rampart. ² Open the gates, YOU men, that the righteous nation that is keeping faithful conduct may enter. ³ The inclination that is well supported you will safeguard in continuous peace, because it is in you that one is made to trust. ⁴ Trust in Jehovah, YOU people, for all times, for in Jah Jehovah is the Rock of times indefinite.

*** it-1 p. 618 Detestable Thing ***

Even though Israel’s leaders, the kings and the priests, were guilty of these acts or condoned them (1Ki 21:25, 26; 2Ki 21:2-12; 2Ch 28:1, 3; 33:2-6; 36:8, 14; Eze 8:6-17; 43:7, 8), God’s faithful prophets were ordered to cause the people to know Jehovah’s detestation of their rebellious course and warn them of the consequences. (Eze 16:2, 51, 52; 20:4; 22:2; 23:36) The people were urged to reject such detestable practices and return to God’s statutes and standards of conduct. (Eze 14:6) To continue practicing what God detests could only lead to eventual desolation and destruction. (Jer 44:4, 22; Eze 6:11; 7:3-9; 11:21; 12:16; 33:29) After the exile some would become ashamed of their bad ways, and Jehovah would give them “a new spirit.”—Eze 6:9; 11:18-21; 36:31.

Job’s experience shows that those who uphold God’s standards may be mocked (Job 30:9, 10) and rejected by former acquaintances (Job 19:19; Ps 88:8), because such ones “have hated a reprover, and a speaker of perfect things they detest.” (Am 5:10) “It is something detestable to the stupid ones to turn away from bad.” (Pr 13:19) But God detests those who twist his standards so as to pronounce “the wicked one righteous” and “the righteous one wicked.” (Pr 17:15) He promises a complete reversal of circumstances in the future for his servants who are thus detested.—Isa 49:7; compare Mt 5:10-12; 1Pe 3:16; 4:1-5;

*** es05 p. 20 February ***

Friday, February 11

Whatever things are righteous, . . . chaste, . . . lovable, . . . well spoken of, . . . continue considering these things.—Phil. 4:8.

The word righteous means being right in God’s eyes—meeting his standards. Chaste conveys the idea of purity in thought and conduct. Slander, obscene jokes, or sexual innuendos have no place in our conversations. (Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:8) When Paul recommends considering lovable things, he refers to matters that are pleasing and agreeable or that inspire love, as opposed to those that arouse hatred, bitterness, or contention. Things well spoken of refer to information that is reputable or of good report. Such good reports would include the life stories of faithful brothers and sisters, which appear regularly in the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Why not share with others your impressions once you have read these faith-strengthening articles? w 9/15/03 9, 12, 13

 

*** sv p. 29 Saving the Human Race—In the Kingdom Way ***

Theocratic rule will hold sway. This will result in a unified, harmonious, just and peaceful rule. Those appointed representatives will answer for their conduct in office, not to the people, but to God’s anointed King, Jesus Christ. This One will rule in faithful expression of his foretold titles, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace,” sustaining his peaceful government “by means of justice and by means of righteousness, from now on and to time indefinite.”—Isaiah 9:6, 7.

 

*** sl chap. 16 pp. 308-309 Awaiting the “New Heavens and a New Earth” ***

⁶¹ Consequently, those who take heed to Peter’s exhortation have nothing to do with the “false teachers” who “quietly bring in destructive sects” and who “disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves.” Christians holding to true prophecy do not follow these false teachers. Such faithful Christians are not among the many who “will follow their acts of loose conduct” and on account of whom “the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively.” (2 Peter 2:1, 2) To avoid causing the way of the Bible truth to be spoken of abusively by ridiculers and other worldlings, Christians who heed the apostle Peter’s words pay constant attention to what sort of persons they ought to be “in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion.” By this course they will escape from “bringing speedy destruction upon themselves” along with “the heavens and the earth that are now” and that are “stored up for fire.” (2 Peter 3:7) By “holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion.

 

Who will you have a Association with Jesus patterns, who adhere to every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth, Mat.4:4; 1Pet.4:11; or to disown (Jesus)  a litter at a time by following ideas, What kind of Association would this have upon you, if you are having ideas thought up to you about others or anything that is not adhere to Jesus patterns;.. Prov.12:2; Psalm 10:2-11 ; follow Jesus who did not follow ideas.  1Pet.2:21-23: Mat.4:4: