God’s Path: Straight or ZigZag?

The December 1, 1981 Watchtower magazine (pp. 26-35) contains an article entitled “The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter.” Assuring the reader that the light of Jehovah’s servants is steadily increasing—especially since 1914—the article states, “Light from God’s word has flashed forth, like sunshine on a morning without clouds, to illuminate even more clearly the pathways that Jehovah’s servants must tread.”

The article admits, however, that some individuals question the validity of this statement. The reader is told that some feel the path has not always moved straight forward for Jehovah’s Witnesses, admitting that at times the organization (Watchtower Society) has “shown adjustments, seemingly to previous points of view.” To avoid any confusion, the article assures the reader, “This has not actually been the case.” Why? This question is answered by comparing the issue to a sailboat tacking into the wind. The article reminds the reader that sailors often maneuver their sails to cause a boat to “tack” right to left and left to right, all while continuing to make forward progress—even in spite of contrary winds. The implication is that, like sailors, the Watchtower Society may have chosen a path that at times was not clear (and even seemed to be going in the wrong direction), but ultimately, the chosen path was making forward progress, and that is what really matters. Sounds reasonable, right?

Unfortunately, this reasoning contradicts what the Society has strongly maintained and taught in the past. The August 1, 1992 issue of the Watchtower (p. 17) demands that the reader “run not uncertainly.” The article states, “to run ‘not uncertainly’ means that to every observer it should be very evident where the runner is heading. The Anchor Bible renders it ‘not on a zigzag course.’” The article then declares, “If you saw a set of footprints that meanders up and down the beach, circles around now and then, and even goes backward at times, you would hardly think the person was running at all, let alone that he had any idea where he was heading.” The apostle Paul’s life is mentioned to demonstrate he was running “not uncertainly.” According to the article, “seeing the strenuous efforts needed to succeed in the race for life,” the apostle Paul was neither tacking nor was he on a zigzag course. Jehovah’s Witnesses are exhorted to follow Paul’s lead, and to do likewise without getting off course.

A comparison of these two articles might lead the reader wondering if “doing likewise” means going forward—in a straight path—without uncertainty, or if it means accepting the Society’s admitted zigzag course of maneuvering back and forth.

Rather than following the changing doctrines of the Watchtower Society, Jehovah’s Witnesses would be better off if they heeded the admonition of the LORD in Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” The Bible never mentions that God will provide a zigzag course for us to follow. Instead, when we follow Him and the direction He provides, our path is straight and our direction is clear.