Lesson 07
What Is Jehovah Like?
When you think of Jehovah God, what comes to your mind? Is he awe-inspiring but far away from you, like the stars of a distant galaxy? Or do you imagine him to be powerful but without a personality, like a thunderstorm? What is Jehovah really like? Through his Word, the Bible, Jehovah reveals some of his qualities, as well as his interest in you.
1. Why are we unable to see God?
“God is a Spirit.”
Jehovah does not have a physical body. He is a Spirit who lives in heaven, a place that we cannot see.
2. What are some aspects of Jehovah’s personality?
Although Jehovah is invisible, he is a real Person with qualities that endear him to those who know him. The Bible says: “Jehovah loves justice, and he will not abandon his loyal ones.”
He is also “very tender in affection and merciful,” especially toward people who are suffering.
“Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are discouraged.” footnote
And did you know that Jehovah is affected by the way we act? A person who chooses to do bad things disappoints him and makes him sad.
Read Psalm 78.40, 41: How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness And made him feel hurt in the desert! Again and again they put God to the test, And they grieved the Holy One of Israel.
But a person who does what is right makes him happy.
Read Proverbs 27.11: Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, So that I can make a reply to him who taunts me.
3. How does Jehovah show that he loves us?
Jehovah’s most outstanding quality is love. In fact, “God is love.”
Jehovah reveals his love, not only through the Bible but also through the things he created.
Read Acts 14.17: although he did not leave himself without witness in that he did good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying you with food and filling your hearts with gladness.”
Consider, for example, how he made us. He has given us the ability to see beautiful colors, hear delightful music, and taste delicious food. He wants us to enjoy life.
DIG DEEPER
Learn what Jehovah uses to accomplish amazing things. Then see how Jehovah reveals and expresses his appealing qualities.
4. Holy spirit—God’s active force
Just as we use our hands to do work, Jehovah uses his holy spirit. The Bible reveals that holy spirit is, not a person, but the force God uses to get things done.
Read Luke 11.13: Therefore, if you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!”
Read Acts 2.17: ‘“And in the last days,” God says, “I will pour out some of my spirit on every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams,
Discuss these questions:
God will “pour out” his holy spirit on those who ask for it. So do you think holy spirit is a person, or is it God’s active force? Why do you say that?
Jehovah uses his holy spirit to accomplish amazing things.
Read Psalm 33.6: By the word of Jehovah the heavens were made, And by the spirit of his mouth everything in them.
Read 2 Peter 1.20, 21: For you know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were moved by holy spirit.
Discuss this question:
What are some ways in which Jehovah has used his holy spirit?
5. Jehovah has an appealing personality
Moses was a faithful worshipper of God, but he wanted to know his Creator better. So Moses said to him: “Make me know your ways, so that I may know you.”
In reply, Jehovah revealed to Moses some aspects of His personality.
Read Exodus 34.4-6: So Moses carved out two tablets of stone like the first ones and got up early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, just as Jehovah had commanded him, and he took the two tablets of stone in his hand. Then Jehovah came down in the cloud and stationed himself with him there and declared the name of Jehovah. Jehovah was passing before him and declaring: “Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and abundant in loyal love and truth,
Discuss these questions:
What aspects of Jehovah’s personality did he reveal to Moses?
Which of Jehovah’s qualities especially appeal to you?
6. Jehovah cares about people
God’s people, the Hebrews, were slaves in Egypt. How did their suffering affect Jehovah? Play the AUDIO and follow along, or Read Exodus 3:1-10. Then discuss the questions that follow.
AD))) Video Title: Jehovah Cared About Their Suffering (with Audio Description and Transcript) (Duration: 2:45).
Read Exodus 3.1-10: Moses became a shepherd of the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. While he was leading the flock to the west side of the wilderness, he eventually came to the mountain of the true God, to Horeb. Then Jehovah’s angel appeared to him in a flame of fire in the midst of a thornbush. As he kept looking, he saw that the thornbush was on fire, and yet the thornbush was not consumed. So Moses said: “I will go over to inspect this unusual sight to see why the thornbush does not burn up.” When Jehovah saw that he went over to look, God called to him out of the thornbush and said: “Moses! Moses!” to which he said: “Here I am.” Then he said: “Do not come any nearer. Remove your sandals from your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy ground.” He went on to say: “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at the true God. Jehovah added: “I have certainly seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard their outcry because of those who force them to work; I well know the pains they suffer. I will go down to rescue them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a land good and spacious, a land flowing with milk and honey, the territory of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Now look! The outcry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen also the harsh way that the Egyptians are oppressing them. Now come, I will send you to Pharaoh, and you will bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
What does this account tell you as to how Jehovah feels about human suffering?
Do you think that Jehovah really wants to help humans and that he is able to do so? Why, or why not?
7. The natural world reveals Jehovah’s qualities
Jehovah reveals his qualities through the things he created. Play the VIDEO. Then Read Romans 1:20, and discuss the question that follows.
AD))) Video Title: Creation Reveals Jehovah’s Love—The Human Body (with Audio Description and Transcript) (Duration: 1:58).
Read Romans 1.20: For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.
What qualities of Jehovah do you see in the things he has made?
SOME PEOPLE SAY: “God is not a person, he’s just a force that is everywhere.”
What do you think?
Why do you feel that way?
SUMMARY
Jehovah is an invisible Spirit with many appealing qualities, especially love.
Review
Why are we unable to see Jehovah?
What is the holy spirit?
What are some of Jehovah’s qualities?
Lesson completed on:
Goal
After reading try to discern what it reveals about God’s personality.
Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.
From lesson 7, memorize Proverbs 27:11: Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, So that I can make a reply to him who taunts me.
Build a Bible mind map to locate scriptures, memorize: Hosea, Joel.
EXPLORE
1. Deepen your understanding of Jehovah by learning about four of his outstanding qualities.
“What Is God Like?” (The Watchtower No. 1 2019) Open explore 1 in new page
2. Consider evidence that Jehovah is not present in all things.
“Is God Everywhere, Omnipresent?” (Web article) Open explore 2 in new page
3. See why the Bible refers to the holy spirit as God’s hands.
“What Is the Holy Spirit?” (Web article) Open explore 3 in new page
4. A blind man struggled to believe that God cared about him. Find out what changed his mind.
“I Now Feel That I Can Help Others” (The Watchtower, October 1, 2015) Open explore 4 in new page
[End of lesson 7.]