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“A Time of Goodwill”Isaiah’s Prophecy—Light for All Mankind II
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22. How does Jehovah emphasize that he will never forget his people?
22 Isaiah now continues to report Jehovah’s pronouncements. He foretells that the exiled Israelites will tend to tire out and lose hope. Isaiah says: “Zion kept saying: ‘Jehovah has left me, and Jehovah himself has forgotten me.’” (Isaiah 49:14) Is this true? Has Jehovah abandoned his people and forgotten them? Acting as Jehovah’s spokesman, Isaiah continues: “Can a wife forget her suckling so that she should not pity the son of her belly? Even these women can forget, yet I myself shall not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15) What a loving response from Jehovah! God’s love for his people is greater than that of a mother for her child. He is constantly thinking of his loyal ones. He remembers them as if their names were engraved on his hands: “Look! Upon my palms I have engraved you. Your walls are in front of me constantly.”—Isaiah 49:16.
23. How did Paul encourage Christians to trust Jehovah not to forget them?
23 In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul exhorted Christians: “Let us not give up in doing what is fine, for in due season we shall reap if we do not tire out.” (Galatians 6:9) To the Hebrews he wrote the encouraging words: “God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name.” (Hebrews 6:10) Never should we feel that Jehovah has forgotten his people. Like ancient Zion, Christians have good reason to rejoice and patiently wait on Jehovah. He holds firm to his covenant terms and promises.
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“A Time of Goodwill”Isaiah’s Prophecy—Light for All Mankind II
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25. In modern times, what restoration did spiritual Israel experience?
25 These words have a modern fulfillment. In the difficult years of the first world war, spiritual Israel experienced a period of desolation and captivity. But she was restored and came to be in a spiritual paradise. (Isaiah 35:1-10) Like the once devastated city described by Isaiah, she was delighted—as it were—to find herself teeming with joyful, active worshipers of Jehovah.
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