While sitting in class in his Papua New Guinea high school, young Willie Siso noticed that he was having difficulty hearing. A doctor told him he had an inflammation in his ear. But Willie’s hearing continued to fail. Why is God allowing this? he wondered. As his hearing deteriorated, Willie began learning sign language. He … Continue reading –>
Further Study: For more information on this week’s topic, read Ellen G. White, The Covenant of Grace, p. 131-137, in God’s Amazing Grace. “This same covenant was renewed to Abraham in the promise, In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Gen. 22:18. This promise pointed to Christ. So Abraham understood … Continue reading –>
(Eph. 2:6) In many instances people can experience the promises of a covenant before all the terms are even met. For instance, a person purchasing a home has the opportunity to live in the home before it is paid for. Or a citizen enjoys the public services offered by the government before he has even … Continue reading –>
(Heb. 9:15-22) There were strong consequences for violating certain biblical covenants. Yahweh warned Abraham that any male who was not circumcised would be cut off from the chosen (Gen. 17:14), and a litany of curses was directed toward those who refused to abide by the terms of the Sinai covenant (Deut. 27:11-26). Ultimately, those who … Continue reading –>
Although a covenant is based on promises, there are usually conditions to meet before the promises are fulfilled. The Abrahamic covenant involved the circumcision of all males who were either born to Abraham or his descendants. When Yahweh covenanted with Israel, He personally engraved the requirements for the relationship on tablets of stone (Deut. 9:8-11). … Continue reading –>
Covenants are based on promises. In fact, it is possible to use the two terms interchangeably. Of course, when a covenant is made, it is expected that the person who makes the promise (covenant) has the ability to deliver what is promised (covenanted). In the Old Testament, some covenants were local and limited affairs (see, … Continue reading –>
(Gen. 9:12-17) A covenant can be simply defined as an agreement between two parties based upon promises made by either one or by both parties. There are two basic methods by which a covenant can operate. In the first, both parties to the covenant agree to the terms of the relationship and make mutual promises. … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 9:12-17, Gen 17:2-12, Gal. 3:15-28, Deut. 9:9, Heb. 10:11-18, Heb. 9:15-28. Memory Text: For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins … Continue reading –>
Mpo [m’POH] and Tendai [TEN-dai],* live in Zambia. One day they were hot and thirsty after playing. They sat down in the shade to rest. Then Mpo jumped up. “There’s a b-i-g watermelon growing in a field near here. Let’s go get it!” The two boys set off toward the field. “Mpo ran ahead and … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, Preaching the Distinctive Truths, p. 231, 232, in Evangelism; The Faith That Works and How Faith Is Made Perfect, p. 88, 89 in The Faith I Live By. “Let the subject be made distinct and plain that it is not possible to effect anything in our standing before God … Continue reading –>
