Zechariah 2:8-11: Two Jehovah's
If you've researched Jehovah's Witnesses at all, then you already know about Genesis 19:24. In the JW's New World Translation, it reads:
Then Jehovah made it rain sulphur and fire from Jehovah, from the heavens, upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
There's two Jehovah's in this verse! That's a real problem for Witnesses. They believe only the Father can be called Jehovah. It's no problem for you and I because we know that Jesus can be called Jehovah, too.
Like I said, you probably already know about that verse.
So do the Witnesses.
On a JW answer page, one of them writes (typos and misspellings are his):
It is Genesis 19:24 which says: "Then the LORD (Jehovah) rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD (Jehovah) out of heaven;" There aren't two Jehovahs here, but only one who is mentioned with enphasis.
The semantic here is: "Jehovah rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the place in which He (Jehovah)is, out of heaven". Moses repeated the divine name to show enphasis and not to show to Jehovahs. The jews readers knew it.
The answer isn't very good, but they've gotten used to it. Even if it doesn't satisfy you (of course, it won't), they're satisfied with it. However, there's . . .
A Better Passage
The JW's already know you're going to use Genesis 19:24. They don't seem to be prepared, however, for these verses:
For this is what Jehovah of armies has said, "Following after [the] glory he has sent me to the nations that were despoiling YOU people; for he that is touching YOU is touching my eyeball. . . ." And YOU people will certainly know that Jehovah of armies himself has sent me. (Zech. 2:8-9, NWT)
That's just verses 8 and 9. The next two continue the thought that "Jehovah of Armies" claims to be sent by "Jehovah of Armies."
You will find that Witnesses are not nearly as prepared for Zechariah 2:8-11 as they are for Genesis 19:24. It stumbles them every time. If you're kind and not cruel, understanding and not triumphant (and if God is willing!), this will be an open door. Lead them to trust in the Word of God and not in the Watchtower that is deceiving them.
Remember, your goal is to win the person, not the argument.
One More Verse
If you are able to open the Witness' mind and spirit, even a little, you can try another verse on them, too. It's not as clear, but it's plenty clear enough to drive the point of Zechariah 2:8-11 home.
"I caused an overthrow among YOU people, like God's overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah. . . ." is the utterance of Jehovah. (Amos 4:11, NWT)
Here you have Jehovah referring to "God's" overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah! Jehovah is speaking of God as though he were someone else? How could that happen under Witness theology?
Amos 4:11 will help the Witness understand Genesis 19:24 as well. The Father and the Son were working together, one in heaven and one on earth. Both can be called Jehovah; both can be called God. These passages don't make sense any other way.
The Witness will see that, too. He or she may not be able to admit it to you, but inside what is obvious will be obvious even to them. Bit by bit, one chink at a time, we can break through the armor the Watchtower has wrapped around their minds.
If they are unable to respond this time with you, pray for them. God may send them to another person who will water—or maybe even reap!—what you have planted.
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