FOR THE BENEFIT OF “VESSELS OF MERCY”

8. What reasons are presented in Romans 9:14-24 as to why Jehovah God does not act immediately against those who cause others to suffer?

⁸ The Scriptures explain that God’s purpose in not taking action immediately against those responsible for bringing great suffering on others is for the ultimate benefit of righteously disposed ones. In his letter to the Romans, the Christian apostle Paul wrote:

in order that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,

Romans 9:14-24.

9. How did Pharaoh reveal himself to be a ‘vessel of wrath’?

⁹ What Jehovah God may cause or may allow to develop in the lives of people can reveal just what kind of “vessels” they are.

11. How did the Israelites benefit from their experience with Pharaoh?

¹¹ Surely, the Israelites, as “vessels of mercy,” benefited from what the Most High had done. His permission of oppression and then bringing it to an end in a magnificent demonstration of power helped them to know him better, providing them with a glimpse of his greatness that could not have been gained otherwise. Though painful, Israel’s experience in Egypt certainly should have helped them to see the importance of having faith in his saving power, as well as having a wholesome fear of God. This was essential if they were to continue pursuing a way of life that would lead to happiness, security, peace and good health.​—Deuteronomy 6:1-24; 28:1-68.

12. As illustrated in the case of Job, what does Jehovah’s permission of suffering enable us to do?

¹² Just as the inclination of people’s hearts became manifest in that time, so the testing and trials that may befall us by God’s permission can reveal whether our service to him is rightly motivated. It is the contention of God’s adversary, Satan, that those who do the divine will are basically selfish. Respecting faithful Job, the adversary declared: “Everything that a man has he will give in behalf of his soul. For a change, thrust out your hand, please, and touch as far as his bone and his flesh and see whether he will not curse you to your very face.” (Job 2:4, 5) By faithful endurance under suffering, we share in proving Satan’s contention to be a lie and share in vindicating the good name of our heavenly Father, who trusts his loyal servants. What if Jehovah were to allow Satan, by means of his agents, to subject true Christians to very cruel treatment that ended in death or crippling infirmity? What if some were even sexually assaulted or abused in other vile ways? These things are shocking. Yet there is nothing beyond the power of our heavenly Father to rectify fully in his due time. So, in some cases, he may see fit to let the trial be pushed to such an extreme point. Through faithfulness, even to the point of death, God’s servants are thus given the opportunity to show beyond denial the genuineness of their devotion.