Genesis 35:12 The promise that a land would be given to God’s people, Israel, was first given to Abraham and then repeated to Isaac and Jacob. Joseph’s deathbed words repeated this promise (Gen: 50:24). God informed Abraham, however, that “four hundred years” would pass before the seed of Abraham would take possession of the land (Gen: 15:13, Genesis … Continue reading –>
“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (Deut: 7:6). There is no question about it: The Lord specifically had chosen the Hebrew people to be His special … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Ezek: 16:8; Deut: 28:1, Deuteronomy 28:15; Jer: 11:8; Gen: 6:5; John 10:27-28; Gal: 3:26-29; Rom: 4:16-17. Memory Text: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). “In a … Continue reading –>
Trusting God or Science By Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission The physician showed the 3D ultrasound images to Dr. Hernando Díaz. “You’re a physician,” he said. “Here is the evidence. End the pregnancy.” Hernando’s pregnant wife, Erica, wept. The images showed that their baby had Potter’s Syndrome, a rare condition associated with kidney failure, abnormal limbs, … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Abraham in Canaan,” pages 132-144 and “The Test of Faith,” pages 145-155, in Patriarchs and Prophets. “It was no light test that was thus brought upon Abraham, no small sacrifice that was required of him … . But he did not hesitate to obey the call. He had no question to ask concerning … Continue reading –>
“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” (Gen: 12:2). In Genesis 12:2, God promises to make Abram’s name great — that is, to make him famous. Why would the Lord want to do that for any sinner, no matter … Continue reading –>
Not only did God promise Abraham that in him would all the families of the earth be blessed; the Lord said that He would make of him a “great and mighty nation” (Gen: 18:18; see also Gen: 12:2, Gen: 46:3) — quite a promise to a man married to a woman past child-bearing age. Thus, when Abraham was without … Continue reading –>
“To enjoy true happiness we must travel into a very far country, and even out of ourselves.” — Thomas Browne. Look at that above quote, written in the 1600s. Do you agree or disagree? Read it in the context of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 and of Revelation 3:12. Augustine wrote of the human condition: “This life of ours — if … Continue reading –>
“In thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Gen: 28:14). “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal: 3:29). More than once the Lord said to Abraham that in his seed, his offspring, all the nations of the earth would be … Continue reading –>
“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Gen: 15:1). Read Genesis 15:1-3. Think of the context in which the message was given. Why would the first thing the Lord says to Abram be “Fear not”? What would … Continue reading –>
