Jehovah’s “Beaming Eyes” Examine All

“[Jehovah’s] beaming eyes examine the sons of men.”​—PS. 11:4.

 1. To what kind of people are we drawn?

HOW do you feel about people who take a genuine interest in you? They offer an honest opinion when you invite them to do so. When you need help, they provide it generously. When you need counsel, they offer it in love. (Ps. 141:5; Gal. 6:1) Are you not drawn to such people? Well, Jehovah and his Son are just like that. In fact, their interest in you exceeds that of any human, and their motive is entirely unselfish; they want to help you to “get a firm hold on the real life.”​—1 Tim. 6:19; Rev. 3:19.

 2. To what extent is Jehovah interested in his servants?

² The psalmist David expressed the depth of Jehovah’s interest in us when he said: “[Jehovah’s] own eyes behold, his own beaming eyes examine the sons of men.” (Ps. 11:4) Yes, God does not simply look at us; he examines us. David also wrote: “You have examined my heart, you have made inspection by night . . . You will discover that I have not schemed.” (Ps. 17:3) Clearly, David was aware of the depth of Jehovah’s interest in him. He knew that he would hurt Jehovah and merit His displeasure if he nurtured sinful thoughts or developed a scheming heart. Is Jehovah as real to you as he was to David?

Jehovah Sees the Heart

 3. How does Jehovah demonstrate a balanced attitude toward our imperfections?

³ Jehovah’s primary interest is in the inner person​—who we really are at heart. (Ps. 19:14; 26:2) Lovingly, he does not dwell on minor failings. For example, when Sarah, the wife of Abraham, spoke less than truthfully to a materialized angel, the angel evidently saw that she was afraid and embarrassed, so he simply gave her a mild reproof. (Gen. 18:12-15) When the patriarch Job declared “his own soul righteous rather than God,” Jehovah did not withhold a blessing from him, aware that Job had suffered intensely at Satan’s hand. (Job 32:2; 42:12) Likewise, Jehovah did not take offense at the frank words of the widow of Zarephath to the prophet Elijah. God understood that she was grief-stricken at the loss of her only child.​—1 Ki. 17:8-24.

4, 5. How did Jehovah show graciousness in the way he dealt with Abimelech?

⁴ Because Jehovah examines the heart, he has shown consideration even toward unbelievers. Consider his dealings with Abimelech, king of the Philistine city of Gerar. Abimelech, not realizing that Abraham and Sarah were married, took Sarah to become his own wife. However, before Abimelech could go any further, Jehovah said to him in a dream: “I too have known that in the honesty of your heart you have done this, and I was also holding you back from sinning against me. That is why I did not allow you to touch her. But now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will make supplication for you. So keep living.”​—Gen. 20:1-7.

⁵ To be sure, Jehovah could have dealt harshly with Abimelech, a worshipper of false deities. But God saw that the man acted honestly on this occasion. Graciously acknowledging this, Jehovah told the king how to gain forgiveness and “keep living.” Is that not the kind of God that you want to worship?

 6. In what ways did Jesus imitate his Father?

⁶ Jesus perfectly imitated his Father, focusing on the good in his disciples and readily forgiving their errors. (Mark 10:35-45; 14:66-72; Luke 22:31, 32; John 15:15) Jesus’ attitude harmonized with his words found at John 3:17: “God sent forth his Son into the world, not for him to judge the world, but for the world to be saved through him.” Yes, the love that Jehovah and Jesus have for us is deep and constant. It is seen in their desire that we gain life. (Job 14:15) Such love explains why Jehovah examines us, how he views us, and how he acts on what he sees.​—Read 1 John 4:8, 19.

Examined Through the Eyes of Love

 7. With what motive does Jehovah examine us?

⁷ How wrong it is, then, to think of Jehovah as a celestial policeman who peers down from above in order to catch us in the act of sinning! Satan is the one with a cynical, accusing eye. (Rev. 12:10) He even attributes bad motives where there are none! (Job 1:9-11; 2:4, 5) Concerning God, the psalmist wrote: “If errors were what you watch, O Jah, O Jehovah, who could stand?” (Ps. 130:3) The implied answer is, No one! (Eccl. 7:20) Rather, Jehovah watches us with the merciful, kind eyes of a caring parent who wants to protect his beloved children from harm. He often alerts us to our imperfections and weaknesses so that we can avoid harming ourselves.​—Ps. 103:10-14; Matt. 26:41.

 8. How does Jehovah instruct and discipline his servants?

⁸ God’s love is expressed through the instruction and discipline provided both in the Scriptures and in the spiritual food dispensed by “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45; Heb. 12:5, 6) Jehovah also extends help by way of the Christian congregation and its “gifts in men.” (Eph. 4:8) What is more, Jehovah watches to see how we respond to his fatherly training, and he seeks to help us further. Says Psalm 32:8: “I shall make you have insight and instruct you in the way you should go. I will give advice with my eye upon you.” How important it is, then, that we always listen to Jehovah! We need to keep ourselves humble before him, recognizing that he is our loving Teacher and Father.​—Read Matthew 18:4.

 9. What traits should we avoid, and why?

⁹ Conversely, may we never become hardened by pride, by a lack of faith, or by “the deceptive power of sin.” (Heb. 3:13; Jas. 4:6) Often, these traits begin when a person nurtures unwholesome thoughts or desires. He may even reach the point of rejecting appropriate Scriptural counsel. Worse still, he may become so set in his bad attitude or ways that he makes himself an enemy of God​—a truly fearful situation! (Prov. 1:22-31) Consider the example of Cain, the firstborn of Adam and Eve.

Jehovah Sees All and Acts Accordingly

10. Why did Jehovah disapprove of Cain’s offering, and how did Cain respond?

¹⁰ When Cain and Abel each brought an offering to Jehovah, He was interested not only in their gift but also in their motive. As a result, God expressed his approval of Abel’s offering, rendered in faith, but his disapproval of Cain’s, which in some way reflected a lack of faith. (Gen. 4:4, 5; Heb. 11:4) Rather than learn from the event and change his attitude, Cain became consumed with anger toward his brother.​—Gen. 4:6.

11. How did Cain manifest a treacherous heart, and what is the lesson for us?

¹¹ Jehovah observed this dangerous development and considerately spoke to Cain, pointing out that if he did good, he would have cause for exaltation. Sadly, Cain ignored his Creator’s counsel and murdered his brother. Cain’s bad heart was further reflected in the insolent manner in which he replied to God’s question: “Where is Abel your brother?” Cain retorted: “I do not know. Am I my brother’s guardian?” (Gen. 4:7-9) How treacherous the heart can be​—even to the point of disregarding the direct counsel of God! (Jer. 17:9) Let us therefore learn from such accounts and be quick to reject wrong thoughts and desires. (Read James 1:14, 15.) If we receive Scriptural counsel, may we appreciate it and view it as an evidence of Jehovah’s love.

There Is No Secret Sin

12. How does Jehovah respond to wrongdoing?

¹² Some may feel that if no one sees them do wrong, they will get away with it. (Ps. 19:12) In a sense, there is no such thing as a secret sin. “All things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting.” (Heb. 4:13) Jehovah is a Judge who examines our deepest motives, and he responds to wrongdoing in a way that reflects perfect justice. He is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth.” Yet, to the unrepentant, he will “by no means . . . give exemption from punishment” when individuals “practice sin willfully” or manifest a devious, scheming attitude. (Ex. 34:6, 7; Heb. 10:26) This fact was reflected in Jehovah’s dealings with Achan and with Ananias and Sapphira.

13. How did wrong thinking evidently contribute to Achan’s bad conduct?

¹³ In direct violation of God’s command, Achan took spoil from the city of Jericho and hid it in his tent, likely with the complicity of his family. When his sin was exposed, Achan showed that he realized the seriousness of what he had done, for he said: “I have sinned against Jehovah.” (Josh. 7:20) Like Cain, Achan had developed a bad heart. In Achan’s case, greed was a major factor, and it contributed to his becoming deceitful. Since the spoil from Jericho belonged to Jehovah, Achan in effect stole from God, and this cost him and his family dearly.​—Josh. 7:25.

14, 15. Why did Ananias and Sapphira merit God’s disapproval, and what is the lesson for us?

¹⁴ Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, were members of the early Christian congregation in Jerusalem. Following Pentecost of 33 C.E., a common fund was set up to care for the physical needs of the new believers from distant lands who still remained in Jerusalem. The fund was maintained by voluntary contributions. Ananias sold a field and donated part of the money to the fund. However, with his wife’s full knowledge, he pretended that he had donated the entire proceeds. No doubt, this couple wanted to gain special honor within the congregation. But their act was deceitful. In a miraculous way, Jehovah revealed the fraud to the apostle Peter, who confronted Ananias with his error. At that, Ananias fell down and expired. Shortly thereafter, Sapphira also died.​—Acts 5:1-11.

¹⁵ Ananias and Sapphira did not fall prey to a momentary weakness. They schemed and lied in an attempt to deceive the apostles. Worse still, they ‘played false to the holy spirit and to God.’ Jehovah’s response demonstrates in no uncertain terms that he is prepared to protect the congregation from hypocrites. Truly, “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”!​—Heb. 10:31.

Maintain Integrity at All Times

16. (a) How is Satan trying to corrupt God’s people? (b) What methods does the Devil employ to corrupt people in your area?

¹⁶ Satan is doing all he can to corrupt us and make us lose Jehovah’s approval. (Rev. 12:12, 17) The Devil’s evil intentions are clearly reflected in the world, which is obsessed with immoral sex and violence. Pornography can now be easily accessed through computers or other electronic devices. May we never succumb to Satan’s attacks. Rather, may our sentiments be like those of the psalmist David, who wrote: “I will act with discretion in a faultless way. . . . I shall walk about in the integrity of my heart inside my house.”​—Ps. 101:2.

17. (a) Why does Jehovah eventually bring hidden sins into the open? (b) What should be our determination?

¹⁷ Today, Jehovah does not miraculously reveal gross sin and deceitful conduct as he sometimes did in the past. Still, he sees all and in his own time and way brings hidden things into the open. Paul said: “The sins of some men are publicly manifest, leading directly to judgment, but as for other men their sins also become manifest later.” (1 Tim. 5:24) Jehovah’s primary motive in bringing bad deeds into the light is love. He loves the congregation and wants to protect its purity. Moreover, he shows mercy to those who were overtaken by sin but who are now truly repentant. (Prov. 28:13) So let us strive to maintain a complete heart toward God and reject all corrupting influences.

Maintain a Complete Heart

18. How did King David want his son to feel toward God?

¹⁸ To his son Solomon, King David said: “Know the God of your father and serve him with a complete heart and with a delightful soul; for all hearts Jehovah is searching, and every inclination of the thoughts he is discerning.” (1 Chron. 28:9) David wanted his son to do more than merely believe in God. He wanted Solomon to appreciate the depth of Jehovah’s interest in His servants. Do you appreciate Jehovah in that way?

19, 20. According to Psalm 19:7-11, what helped David to draw close to God, and how can we imitate David?

¹⁹ Jehovah knows that rightly inclined people will be drawn to him and that knowledge of his beautiful qualities will warm their heart. Hence, Jehovah wants us to get to know him and to become acquainted with his wonderful personality. How do we do so? By studying his Word and by experiencing his blessing in our lives.​—Prov. 10:22; John 14:9.

²⁰ Do you read God’s Word daily in an appreciative, prayerful frame of mind? Do you see the value of living by Bible principles? (Read Psalm 19:7-11.) If so, your faith in Jehovah and your love for him will continue to grow. And he, in turn, will draw ever closer to you, walking hand in hand with you, as it were. (Isa. 42:6; Jas. 4:8) Yes, Jehovah will prove his love for you by blessing you and protecting you spiritually as you walk along the cramped road to life.​—Ps. 91:1, 2; Matt. 7:13, 14.

Jehovah Watches Us for Our Good

“[Jehovah’s] eyes are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him.”​—2 CHRON. 16:9.

 1. Why does Jehovah examine us?

JEHOVAH is the perfect Father. He knows us so well that he is aware even of the “inclination of [our] thoughts.” (1 Chron. 28:9) However, he does not examine us merely in order to find fault. (Ps. 11:4; 130:3) Rather, he lovingly wants to protect us from anything that might damage our relationship with him or harm our prospects for gaining everlasting life.​—Ps. 25:8-10, 12, 13.

 2. Jehovah shows his strength in behalf of whom?

² Jehovah is matchless in power and sees all. For that reason, he can come to the aid of his loyal ones whenever they call on him, and he can support them during their trials. “[Jehovah’s] eyes are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him,” says 2 Chronicles 16:9. Note that Jehovah uses his strength in behalf of those who serve him with a complete heart, a heart that is pure and sincere in motive. He shows no such concern for those who are deceitful or hypocritical.​—Josh. 7:1, 20, 21, 25; Prov. 1:23-33.

Walk With God

3, 4. What does it mean to ‘walk with God,’ and what Bible examples shed light on this matter?

³ To many, it is inconceivable that the Creator of our vast universe allows humans to walk with him in a spiritual sense. Yet, that is exactly what Jehovah wants us to do. In Bible times, Enoch and Noah ‘walked with God.’ (Gen. 5:24; 6:9) Moses “continued steadfast as seeing the One who is invisible.” (Heb. 11:27) King David found himself humbly walking alongside his heavenly Father. He said: “Because [Jehovah] is at my right hand, I shall not be made to totter.”​—Ps. 16:8.

⁴ Of course, we cannot literally take Jehovah by the hand and walk with him. But we can do so in a figurative sense. How? The psalmist Asaph writes: “I am constantly with you; you have taken hold of my right hand. With your counsel you will lead me.” (Ps. 73:23, 24) Simply put, we walk with Jehovah when we closely follow his counsel, which we receive primarily through his written Word and through “the faithful and discreet slave.”​—Matt. 24:45; 2 Tim. 3:16.

 5. How does Jehovah keep a fatherly eye upon his loyal ones, and how should we feel toward him?

⁵ Because Jehovah cherishes those who walk with him, he keeps his fatherly eye upon them, caring for them, protecting them, and teaching them. “I shall make you have insight and instruct you in the way you should go,” God says. “I will give advice with my eye upon you.” (Ps. 32:8) Ask yourself: ‘Do I see myself walking hand in hand with Jehovah, as it were, listening to his wisdom and knowing that his loving eye is upon me? Does my awareness of his presence influence my thoughts, words, and deeds? And when I err, do I see Jehovah, not as a God who is aloof and stern, but as a warm, merciful Father who wants to help repentant ones back into his warm embrace?’​—Ps. 51:17.

 6. What advantage does Jehovah have over a human parent?

⁶ At times, Jehovah may come to our aid even before we embark on a wrong course. For instance, he may observe that our potentially treacherous heart begins to desire things that are improper. (Jer. 17:9) In such a situation, he can act even sooner than human parents can because his “beaming eyes” have the ability to look deep inside us, to examine our inmost thoughts. (Ps. 11:4; 139:4; Jer. 17:10) Consider God’s response to a situation that developed in the life of Baruch, the prophet Jeremiah’s personal secretary and close friend.

A True Father to Baruch

7, 8. (a) Who was Baruch, and what unwholesome desires may have started to develop in his heart? (b) How did Jehovah demonstrate his fatherly concern for Baruch?

⁷ Baruch was a professional scribe who faithfully served alongside Jeremiah in what became a difficult assignment​—proclaiming Jehovah’s judgments to Judah. (Jer. 1:18, 19) At some point, Baruch, who may have belonged to a prominent family, began to seek “great things” for himself. Perhaps he began to nurture personal ambitions or a desire for material prosperity. Whatever the case, Jehovah saw that this dangerous thinking was developing in Baruch’s heart. Speaking through Jeremiah, Jehovah promptly addressed the matter, saying to Baruch: “You have said: ‘Woe, now, to me, for Jehovah has added grief to my pain! I have grown weary because of my sighing, and no resting-place have I found.’” Then God said: “You keep seeking great things for yourself. Do not keep on seeking.”​—Jer. 45:1-5.

⁸ Although he was firm with Baruch, Jehovah reacted, not with anger, but with genuine fatherly concern. Evidently, God saw that the man’s desires did not reflect a wicked or devious heart. Jehovah also knew that Jerusalem and Judah were in their last days, and he did not want Baruch to stumble at that critical time. Hence, to bring his servant back to reality, God reminded him that He was “bringing in a calamity upon all flesh,” adding that if Baruch acted wisely, he would live. (Jer. 45:5) In effect, God said: ‘Be realistic, Baruch. Keep in mind what will soon happen to sinful Judah and Jerusalem. Remain faithful and live! I will protect you.’ Jehovah evidently reached Baruch’s heart, for he responded positively and survived the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred 17 years later.

 9. How would you answer the questions raised in the paragraph?

⁹ As you reflect on the account about Baruch, consider the following questions and scriptures: What does God’s way of dealing with Baruch reveal about Jehovah and his feelings toward his servants? (Read Hebrews 12:9.) In view of the critical times in which we live, what can we learn from God’s counsel to Baruch and from Baruch’s response? (Read Luke 21:34-36.) In imitation of Jeremiah, how can Christian elders reflect Jehovah’s concern for His servants?​—Read Galatians 6:1.

The Father’s Love Reflected in the Son

10. How is Jesus equipped to handle his position as Head of the Christian congregation?

¹⁰ During the pre-Christian era, Jehovah’s love for his people was revealed through his prophets and other faithful servants. Nowadays, it is seen, above all, in the Head of the Christian congregation, Jesus Christ. (Eph. 1:22, 23) Thus, in the book of Revelation, Jesus is depicted as a lamb with “seven eyes, which eyes mean the seven spirits of God that have been sent forth into the whole earth.” (Rev. 5:6) Yes, empowered with the fullness of God’s holy spirit, Jesus has perfect discernment. He too sees what we are on the inside, and nothing escapes his notice.

11. What role does Christ play, and how does his attitude toward us reflect that of his Father?

¹¹ Like Jehovah, though, Jesus is no celestial policeman. He examines us through the eyes of love. One of Jesus’ titles, “Eternal Father,” reminds us of the role he will play in the granting of everlasting life to all who exercise faith in him. (Isa. 9:6) Moreover, as Head of the Christian congregation, Christ can move willing, spiritually mature Christians, especially elders, to provide comfort or counsel to those in need.​—1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Tim. 4:1, 2.

12. (a) What do the letters to the seven congregations in Asia Minor reveal about Jesus? (b) How do elders reflect Christ’s attitude toward God’s flock?

¹² Christ’s deep interest in the flock is reflected in the letters to the elders of the seven congregations in Asia Minor. (Rev. 2:1–3:22) Therein, Jesus indicated both his awareness of what was happening in each congregation and the depth of his concern for his followers. The same applies today​—only more so—​since the Revelation vision is fulfilled during “the Lord’s Day.”a (Rev. 1:10) Christ’s love is often expressed through the elders, who serve as spiritual shepherds of the congregation. He can move these “gifts in men” to give comfort, encouragement, or counsel when needed. (Eph. 4:8; Acts 20:28; read Isaiah 32:1, 2.) Do you view their efforts as an expression of Christ’s interest in you personally?

Help at the Right Time

13-15. How may God choose to answer our prayers? Give examples.

¹³ Have you ever prayed intensely for help and received an answer in the form of an encouraging visit from a spiritually mature Christian? (Jas. 5:14-16) Or perhaps the help came in the form of a talk at a Christian meeting or information in one of our publications. Jehovah often answers prayers in these ways. For example, after giving a talk, an elder was approached by a sister who in the weeks prior to the talk had been the victim of a gross injustice. Instead of complaining about her problem, she expressed deep appreciation for certain scriptural points made in the talk. They applied to her situation and gave her much comfort. How glad she was that she had attended that meeting!

¹⁴ Regarding help received through prayer, consider the example of three prison inmates who came to a knowledge of Bible truth while incarcerated and became unbaptized publishers. Because of a violent incident, a number of privileges were taken away from all the prisoners in the facility. That sparked a protest. The prisoners decided that after breakfast the next morning, as an act of defiance, they would refuse to return their plates. The three unbaptized publishers were now in a dilemma. If they joined in the revolt, they would be violating Jehovah’s counsel found at Romans 13:1. If they did not join in, they could expect reprisals from angry inmates.

¹⁵ Unable to communicate with one another, the three men prayed for wisdom. The following morning, all three found that they had decided on exactly the same solution​—they simply would decline breakfast. When the guards later came to collect the plates, the three men had none to return. How glad they were that the “Hearer of prayer” was near!​—Ps. 65:2.

Facing the Future With Confidence

16. How does the preaching work show Jehovah’s concern for sheeplike ones?

¹⁶ The worldwide preaching work is yet another evidence of Jehovah’s concern for honesthearted individuals, wherever they may live. (Gen. 18:25) Jehovah, often by using angelic direction, can guide his servants to sheeplike ones​—even if these live in areas not yet reached by the good news. (Rev. 14:6, 7) For example, by means of an angel, God directed Philip, an evangelizer of the first century, to intercept an Ethiopian official and open up the Scriptures to him. The result? The man accepted the good news and became a baptized follower of Jesus.b​—John 10:14; Acts 8:26-39.

17. Why should we not become overly anxious about the future?

¹⁷ As the present system of things moves toward its end, the foretold “pangs of distress” will continue. (Matt. 24:8) For example, food prices may rise considerably because of increasing demand, extreme weather, or economic instability. Employment may become harder to find, and employees may come under increased pressure to work longer hours. Whatever happens, all who keep spiritual interests in first place and maintain a ‘simple eye’ need not be overly anxious. They know that God loves them and will care for them. (Matt. 6:22-34) Consider, for example, how Jehovah provided for Jeremiah at the time of Jerusalem’s turbulent end in 607 B.C.E.

18. How did Jehovah prove his love for Jeremiah during the siege of Jerusalem?

¹⁸ During the latter part of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah was imprisoned in the Courtyard of the Guard. How would he obtain food? Had he been free, he could have searched for it. Instead, he was totally dependent on those around him, most of whom hated him! Still, Jeremiah trusted not in men but in God, who promised to care for him. Did Jehovah live up to his word? Absolutely! He saw to it that Jeremiah daily received “a round loaf of bread . . . until all the bread was exhausted from the city.” (Jer. 37:21) Jeremiah, as well as Baruch, Ebed-melech, and others, survived that time of famine, disease, and death.​—Jer. 38:2; 39:15-18.

19. As we face the future, what should be our resolve?

¹⁹ Yes, “the eyes of Jehovah are upon the righteous ones, and his ears are toward their supplication.” (1 Pet. 3:12) Do you rejoice in your heavenly Father’s watchfulness? Do you feel safe and secure in knowing that his eyes are upon you for your good? Be determined, then, to continue walking with God​—no matter what the future may hold. We can be sure that Jehovah will always keep a close, fatherly eye upon all his loyal ones.​—Ps. 32:8; read Isaiah 41:13.

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