Friday: Further Thought – ‘The Nations: Part 2’
Daily Lesson for Friday 2nd of May 2025
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Tower of Babel,” Pages 117–124, in Patriarchs and Prophets.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“ ‘I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.’ Revelation 21:1. The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin.
“One reminder alone remains: our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, upon His side, His hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought. Says the prophet, beholding Christ in His glory: ‘He had bright beams coming out of His side: and there was the hiding of His power.’ Habakkuk 3:4, margin. That pierced side whence flowed the crimson stream that reconciled man to God—there is the Saviour’s glory, there ‘the hiding of His power.’ ‘Mighty to save,’ through the sacrifice of redemption, He was therefore strong to execute justice upon them that despised God’s mercy. And the tokens of His humiliation are His highest honor; through the eternal ages the wounds of Calvary will show forth His praise and declare His power.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 674.
Discussion Questions
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Do you remember the treasure hunts we had when we were kids? We would be given a clue as to where the next clue was hidden, and off we would go to test our sleuthing skills. Typically, after a dozen or so clues, we would find the treasure. The one who found the treasure had bragging rights, but in a good Christian spirit, "The treasure" was usually something shareable like a bag of sweets (this was before the health message) and all the participants could have a piece. I remember some of the clues were pretty hard to solve. It wasn't just a case of walking to the named location to find the next clue hitting you in the face. It required skill, knowledge of geography, a bit of maths and some intuition. Not every kid was up to it and tagged along in the wake of the others. But, at the end, everyone shared in the treasure
Some Bible prophecies are a bit more like those treasure hunts than we sometimes imagine. They require a bit of thinking skill and sometimes some of the participants just tag along. But the prize is ultimately shareable with everyone.
Jesus talks about this treasure hunt in the Gospel:
At various times during my career, I have been ambushed by the "clue-analysts" who think that because I have a background in maths, I am interested in a deep analysis of the prophetic clues. They present me with pages of diagrams and calculations that prove some deep meaning in the detail of the tenth toe or the sixth horn. i can tell you now that in spite of my maths background, when I see a square-root sign in a prophetic interpretation, my brain blocks it out.
The prophetic clues point to Jesus and when we find that treasure, we need to share it. That is the point of prophecy.
All earthly things will vanish at the end. Why is this important to keep in mind.
Answer: where your treasures are, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:34.
I believe that question 1 scenario is very plausible, because I believe that when we ascend to heaven with Christ and His Angels, we have a new body and our only luggage will be our characters. That is extremely important to me, us, and all who have this hope.
👋🏾It might seem like a minor thing to some, but it's important for a struggling saint like me who wants to learn to edify myself and also to help others. Question: Why do we translate the portion of Habakkuk 3:4 as "...bright beams coming put of His side..." when all other translations say "...out of His hands..."?
Good to see you again, Paulette!!
The "we" in your question necessarily refers to Ellen White whom Shawn Boonstra is quoting.
After doing a little research at BlueLetterBible.org, I conclude that this is a difficult/obscure text.
For one thing, the most common meaning for the word qeren translated as "beams" is "horns." List of meanings:
As you suggest, the most meanings of yāḏ, is hand. But other meanings include
My husband studied a little biblical Hebrew many years ago, and he tells me it is a difficult subject. For one thing, it consists of only consonants. So we have no idea how the words were pronounced. For another thing, biblical Hebrew has a very small vocabulary, and the same word may have a dozen different meanings, depending on context.
Ellen White didn't study biblical Hebrew, but she chose a marginal/alternative reading, instead of the most common one.
That leads me to conclude that she may have had a little divine help. What do you think?
I appreciate the powerful word picture that emerges from her description.
Could you share what difference you see when you substitute "hand" for "side"?
Paulette,
I like these thoughts on Habakkuk chapter three verse four, from the Clear Word.
"He will come with the brightness of the sun, and His splendor will fill the land. Rays of light will flash from His wounded hands, for there He hides His power."
Enjoy our Sabbath Paullette and Inge. 😊 We are under His wings. Both, please do not make yourselves scarce.
Thanks, Bro. There's NO safer place...and I'll be right here.✅️
When Jesus was tried and convicted of crimes He did not commit, He endured the full weight of humanity’s sinful rebellion without resistance. He willingly took up His Cross, allowing the sin of mankind to bring His physical life to an end — knowing that no earthly power could touch His Spirit or separate Him from the Love of His heavenly Father. To me, this reveals the steadfast Love and faithfulness the Father extends to His children to keep them eternally safe.
All the might of worldly powers — rising and falling, one after the other — can ultimately affect only the physical realm. None can create lasting peace, for they are powerless to guide the human spirit toward it. The peace humanity longs for is found only in surrender — by entrusting ourselves fully to our heavenly Father.
Jesus Christ showed us the Way, and the Holy Spirit now leads us along that path throughout our lives. Like Jesus, we are called to follow this Way wholeheartedly, trusting that God’s Grace will be sufficient in every circumstance.
Believe in Jesus Christ. Love Him and our heavenly Father. Be kind and gracious to your fellow man — this is the Way - Matt.22:37–40.
Let's not doubt the "little horn." Its power has survived long enough, and its influence permeates all nations. We must focus all our efforts on our relationship with the Creator because troubled times may be at hand, but He says, "Be of good cheer."
Thanks for your intervention, Inge. The explanation you offer, while somewhat complex, satisfies me. You see, I assist with the lesson reviews on Sabbaths and I prefer to have some confidence in the explanations I offer to the class rather than just gliding over stuff that could be problematic.🙏🏾