Sitting in a shop in Tehran, Iran, the Persion rug depicted an ancient forest. Beautifully done, it re-created a scene in Switzerland: mountains, a waterfall, a turquoise lake, forested hillsides, and an expansive blue sky dotted with clouds. Anyone in that shop could have spent their time noting the details: the number of knots per … Continue reading –>
From the beginning of Mark, the reader knows who Jesus is–the Messiah, the Son of God (Mark 1:1). However, people in the story struggle with understanding just who He is and what He is all about–except for those with demons. They know exactly who He is! The demons recognize Him and wither before His mighty … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 24:67-25:8. What is the meaning of these final events in the life of Abraham? After Sarah died, Abraham married again. Like Isaac, he is comforted after the death of Sarah (Genesis 24:67). The memory of Sarah must still surely be vivid in the mind of the patriarch, as it is for his son. Yet, the … Continue reading –>
Genesis chapter 24 tells the story of the marriage of Isaac after Sarah’s death. The two stories are related. Read Genesis 24:1-67. Why is Abraham so concerned that his son not marry a woman from the Canaanites? Just as Abraham wanted to acquire the land in order to bury his wife, because of God’s promise to … Continue reading –>
In Genesis 22:23, we see the report of the birth of Rebekah, which anticipates the future marriage between Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 24:1-67). Likewise, the report of the death and burial of Abraham’s wife, Sarah (Genesis 23:1-20), anticipates his future marriage with Keturah (Genesis 25:1-4). Read Genesis 23:1-20. What function does the story of Sarah’s death and burial … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 22:8, Genesis 22:14, Genesis 22:18. How did God fulfill His promise that He will provide? What was provided? When Isaac asked about the sacrificial animal, Abraham gave an intriguing answer: God will “provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8, NKJV). Yet, the Hebrew verbal form can actually mean “God will provide Himself as … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 22:1-12 and Hebrews 11:17. What was the meaning of this test? What spiritual lessons come from this amazing event? Genesis chapter 22 has become a classic in world literature and has inspired philosophers and artists, not just theologians. The meaning of God’s test is difficult to comprehend, however. This divine command contradicted the later biblical prohibition … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Genesis 22:1-24, Hebrews 11:17, Leviticus 18:21, John 1:1-3, Romans 5:6-8, Genesis 23:1-25:34, Romans 4:1-12. Memory Text: “Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things” (Genesis 24:1, NKJV). Finally, as God had promised, Sarah bore Abraham a son, “in his old age” (Genesis 21:2), and he named the baby … Continue reading –>
A Teacher’s Prayer By Andrew McChesney A school friend told Selinah that she should worship Jesus. “You need to go to church because Jesus is coming and, when He comes, He will take His own,” she said. The friend also said only two churches exist in the world — the Seventh-day Adventist Church and another … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Law and the Covenants,” Pages 370-373, in Patriarchs and Prophets. Abraham’s patient and tenacious plea with God on behalf of the people of Sodom (Genesis 18:22-33) should encourage us to pray for the wicked, even though they appear to be in a hopeless condition of sin. Furthermore, God’s attentive response to Abraham’s … Continue reading –>
