SA06 - What the Bible Reveals About Its Author
Imagine there being a time when a company that is superior in the field of robotics creates the most advanced, life-like organism that can perform any task a human can.
They made this robotic organism so complex that it is almost impossible to distinguish from a real human being. It can walk, talk, think, and even feel emotions and through a complex level of mathematical calculations, can look into your eyes, and based on the computation of your rapid eye movement, determine what you are thinking.
As impressive as this robot is, everyone can see that if put in the wrong hands, it can easily become a monster. No matter how hard anyone tries, no one knows how to ethically use the robot to the complete satisfaction of humankind.
The company soon realizes that they need to create a comprehensive manual. A guide that would help people understand how to use the robot ethically with the understanding that if the robot is misused, it will cause irreparable harm. Therefore, the company starts working on a step-by-step manual.
Straight away, they realize that the manual is going to be a thick volume, containing detailed instructions on how to use the robot ethically. It covers everything from basic operation to more complex ethical considerations. It explains how to ensure the robot's safety and how to respect the privacy and dignity of others. It even includes guidelines on how to deal with situations where the robot's actions can cause serious harm.
The company worked tirelessly on the manual for many years. When it is finally complete, they start to distribute it to all who would encounter the robot but quickly realizes that the manual with its numerous volumes is far too big to distribute, and that no one would take the time to consider its pages, for they were too dense.
The company realizes that creating the manual is just as important as creating the robot itself, but if no one refers to it, this creation would change the world, making it a far worse place.
Then they came up with a clever idea, to write a simple book, with a plain cover and no title but unlike the previous grandiose manual, this book would be special because it would be a book of stories, and each story would contain within it, a multi-layered piece of wise counsel.
The book began with a story about a young man who is trying to decide what to do with his life. He is faced with many choices and how he can use his robot to accomplish many things, but he didn't know which choice would be the right choice to make. The story told him that he should not simply follow his heart, but instead consider how his actions would affect all those around him.
The next story is about a woman who is struggling to forgive. The story told her that forgiveness is a choice, and that it is the only way to heal from the pain of betrayal. On-and-on the book continues with stories about love, loss, friendship, faith, and family. Each story contains a piece of wise counsel that not only helps the reader navigate how to use the robot, but also beautiful qualities that will allow the reader to draw closer to understanding the initial intent of the creation so they can develop a friendship with it.
Over time, the stories in the book became more and more popular and provided sound guidance to men and women for thousands of years reflecting the maker’s wisdom, justice, and love. People from all over the world would read the stories and find comfort in the wise counsel they contained. The book became a source of strength and guidance for many people and accomplishes what a step-by-step manual can never.
Jehovah knows that we too need his wise counsel, and he gave us a precious gift, the Bible, that is filled with his wisdom. The Bible’s counsel has such a positive effect on people, it transforms lives.
No other book is like God’s Word because the Author, Jehovah God, is almighty, eternal, and has unparalleled wisdom and lovingly he does not give us an endless list of rules, micromanaging every aspect of our life. Instead, he appeals to our thinking ability through real-life stories, stirring prophecies, and practical counsel. In these ways, God’s Word moves us to love and obey him from our heart.
The Author has created a book that is more than just a mere collection of stories. It has become a source of hope and inspiration for many people by observing how He dealt with people like us, and through that behavior we are able to understand more clearly that “Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful.” – James 5:11
Jehovah has given us a beautiful gift, the Bible, which reveals his wisdom, his justice, and his love. The Bible proves that Jehovah wants us to come to know him and become his friend. As we do, we can be certain that He will bless our efforts and that we “will find the knowledge of God.” – Proverbs 2:5
Thank you for reading,
-Soli Jehova Gloria (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Do you have a comment that did not get mentioned during the Watchtower study? What encouraging observations would you like to point out? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
7 comments
Love this story, Mark – well done – definitely something to give a lot of thought to. I like the fact that Jehovah created the brain (man still is not 100% sure how it works) and Jehovah created the heart. When we think of something lovely it goes to the heart and we FEEL the thought – and when we feel happy in our heart it goes to the brain and we smile, or even giggle.. The connection Jehovah made to the two organs allows us to soak in his word by feeling the emotions, excitement, and sorrow of the stories written. When we reflect – these feelings can be so intense that they come back to mind over and over again. We can with these two organs – put ourselves in the person’s shoes (sandals) home, situation, etc. We can actually picture what it may have been like. Those thoughts to me bring us closer to Jehovah and Jesus and each writer who was inspired by Jehovah’s spirit to write their life, history, genealogy, or practical advice. His gift the Bible is a book that gives life to all who read it, apply its examples and words of wisdom, and knows that He had us in mind when He had it recorded. What a special father we all have.
Beautifully said. Love this illustration. Glad to see you’re back. Thanks.