Daily text, for Saturday, May 14. 2016

[Queen Esther]

You should be holy, because I, Jehovah your God, am holy.—Lev. 19:2.

The Israelites were commanded to train their children to observe God’s standards of holiness. (Deut. 6:6, 7) What a fine pattern this sets for Christian parents today, who must likewise train their children in the ways of holiness, thereby helping them to bring honor to God’s glorious name! (Prov. 1:8; Eph. 6:4) When the Israelites were faithful, they gave a fine witness to God’s name. They had been told: “All the peoples of the earth will have to see that Jehovah’s name has been called upon you, and they will be afraid of you.” (Deut. 28:10) Sadly, however, Israelite history was mostly a record of unfaithfulness. Time and again, they returned to the worship of man-made idols. Moreover, like the Canaanite gods they worshipped, they became cruel, sacrificing their children and oppressing the poor. What a powerful lesson this is for us to strive always to be holy in imitation of the Most Holy One, whose name we bear! w14 7/15 3:6, 7