Daily Lesson for Friday 29th of August 2025
Further Thought:
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Because we live in the territory of our enemy, it is no wonder we may be hurt in real life by his skillful and deceptive schemes. Who among us has not known pain and suffering, all brought about because of sin and the sinful fallen world in which we live? It’s just part of life now, unfortunately. However, God gives us power to cope.
“The precious Saviour will send help just when we need it. The way to heaven is consecrated by His footprints. Every thorn that wounds our feet has wounded His. Every cross that we are called to bear He has borne before us. The Lord permits conflicts, to prepare the soul for peace. The time of trouble is a fearful ordeal for God’s people; but it is the time for every true believer to look up, and by faith he may see the bow of promise encircling him.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 633.
Discussion Questions
- People through the centuries have struggled with the fact that the Lord had those pagan nations driven out of their land, and sometimes even wiped out. It is, indeed, troubling. However, how should realizing that God’s love must also manifest justice help us trust that, even in these events, His love, not just His justice, was revealed?
- Dwell more on the fact that right after all Jesus’ words about loving others, even our enemies, and even those who hate you, He says to us, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48, NKJV). Why would Jesus have this command follow right after these other commands? What was He telling us here about what it means not only to be “perfect” but to be as perfect as “your Father in heaven”?
- The apostle Paul had a positive and uplifting attitude toward God’s law and its functions, yet he was against the misuse of the law. What does his statement mean that “you are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14, NIV)? What are ways that we can misuse the law?
- What is the difference between justice and vengeance? Are they completely different concepts or just different manifestations of the same idea? How do we know if our desire for justice is not really a desire for vengeance?
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The Bible teaches that justice is about restoring what is broken and bringing relationships back into alignment with God's will, while revenge seeks and focuses only to satisfy personal anger or pain. Scripture reminds us, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19), showing that vengeance belongs to God alone. True justice, revealed through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21), is rooted in love, mercy, and reconciliation, not retaliation. Revenge fuels cycles of harm, but God’s justice heals and restores. Micah 6:8 calls us to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God,” highlighting that justice flows from humility before Him. Unlike revenge, which centers on self, justice in Christ centers on God’s righteousness. When we trust His plan, we release our desire for payback and pursue peace. In doing so, we reflect the justice of God, which always seeks restoration over destruction.
Among ourselves, we often have explanations about the treatment of the conquered nations by the Hebrews. Many of these explanations appear somewhat fragile when we try and argue them with our modern agnostic friends. In my own discussions I have had to be very careful what I say when the writings of the Koran are compared with say the book of Joshua. Some of the descriptions are very challenging. Carmel and I read Joshua and Judges last year as part of our worship program and some evenings after our readings we would have to read something else just to clear our minds of genocide and destruction,
It does not hurt to admit that some of these scenarios are tough, and they challenge our concept of inspiration. I remind myself that the Bible is essentially a case book recording how a nation came to know about God. It also records how they abused that relationship in both ignorance and greed. The early Hebrews were at the bottom of the spiritual learning curve, and had much to learn. It is important for me to recognise that I too, with all our history of Christian understanding and theological refining, still have a lot to learn.
Another issue that we need to take away from this study is that the occupation of Canaan at the end of the Exodus does not provide the precedent for supporting Israel's reestablishment and occupation of Palestinian land today. It concerns me that one of the drivers for the current conflict is the view held by some evangelical churches with a historicist interpretation of prophecy that Israel as a nation must be restored. I recognise that the issue is a complex one and my aim in raising this is not to take sides but rather recognise that the real need in the conflict is the need for compassion. That is sadly lacking on both sides. If Christianity has anything to say at all in this conflict it should be to promote compassion.
God is the sovereign Creator of the universe comprised of over 1 trillion galaxies with the average galaxy containing approximately 300 billion stars/suns, each with the potential for a planetary system containing life. Who are we to question the scriptures and the actions of God?
The problem is that the pictures we have of God sometimes conflict with one another. God has made us naturally curious and that curiosity had led us to some really great discoveries. Just because God made everything does not mean that he has given us nice pat answers. God asked Job a lot of questions to do with his understanding of nature in an attempt to show Job how little he knew. Interestingly, we can answer quite a number of those questions now. The answers to those questions have helped us understand or appreciate God better. We are God's intelligent creation. Of course we are going to ask questions about God and about his revelation in scripture. That is what intelligence means.
As a science teacher I realize of course that the foundation of the scientific method begins with a question from observation. However casting doubt on the sovereignty and His word, to me, is an entirely different matter. "The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times" Psalms 12:6
It is not a case of casting doubt but of resolving some of the issues we encounter when reading the Bible. The case in point is that we have to resolve the record of apparent genocide recorded in Exodus with our view of a loving caring God. Such questions are not easily answered and we need to admit that.
Throughout history God has intervened and punished or even destroyed Israel, other nations and the world. This is done out of the need to protect those who love and are following Him. If evil is allowed to prosper it grows and consumes all around it.
With the advent of AI, genetic engineering, internecine carnage worldwide, unimaginable sexual debauchery, polarization of cultures etc It would appear that we in the world are at another tipping point in this post-Christian society where God will step in and announce "it is finished, this cannot be allowed to continue or my loved ones will be consumed also."
So like Job I say, "Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him..." Job 13:15
If I may intervene: the more I learn about the depths of evil and what humans are capable of doing to another human being(s), I realize that yet I know very, very little. When I hear yet another testimony of how a child is sexually abused time and again for example, there is a point where I can’t take it anymore, although I can take a lot. When I imagine that God sees EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME, my heart sinks like Job’s. It certainly makes it easier to understand and accept God’s decision to destroy the cancer of evil. And since He is fair, the righteous will live again. So to be honest there isn’t much I need to reconcile in my mind between the genocide in the Bible and between his grace and love.
Amen!
The lesson study asks the following question: "People through the centuries have struggled with the fact that the Lord had those pagan nations driven out of their land, and sometimes even wiped out. It is, indeed, troubling. However, how should realizing that God’s love must also manifest justice help us trust that, even in these events, His love, not just His justice, was revealed?"
My response: It’s true, those stories about God driving out or destroying nations can be hard to understand. But remembering that God’s love and justice always go hand in hand really helps. He doesn’t rush to destroy people. Think about Nineveh—when they repented, God showed mercy and spared them. Or Abraham pleading for Sodom—God was willing to save the whole city if just a handful of righteous people could be found. Those examples show that God gives chance after chance, and only when people completely reject Him and leave no room for change does judgment finally come.
So even in those tough parts of the Bible, we can trust that God’s love was still guiding His actions. His justice wasn’t about cruelty, but about bringing an end to evil after every opportunity for mercy had been given.
To fully appreciate “Living the Law” is probably the most difficult aspect of a Christian’s life. Ellen G. White states: “The precious Saviour will send help just when we need it.” I want to expand this view by saying: “The precious Saviour has sent His never ending, ever-present help of the Holy Spirit to indwell us, surrounding us at all times - even when we are not aware of ‘needing’ anything - Matt.28:20.
One considers the miracle of ‘being born again’, as this re-birth has placed us into the Kingdom of God and into His Presence; this is where our life unfolds now. In His Kingdom, the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are ever present. We know that our every thoughts and acts are known to them at all times – Psalm 139:2; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Rev.2:23.
They are ever present - manifested in the loving, caring, non-judgmental relationships we build with our family, friends, and our fellow man. Our heavenly Father extends the Power inherent in His Love to all who desire to live in His Kingdom. His Kingdom is the essence of who He IS - Life experienced through His Law of Righteousness - Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19.
‘Abiding in Him’ means to be alive IN Him - loving and trusting Him unreservedly! God’s ‘Law’ and God’s ‘Way’ are synamonous. His Love governs those who love Him with all their heart as their life is in Him – they are ever present in His Love!
He is our Life – our Refuge and our Strength - an ever-present Help - Psalm 46:1; 10. 1 Chronicles 28:9; Heb.4:12.
I have to remind myself every time I mix with real people rather than spiritual nerds that Christianity should be an infectious disease (I mean in a good way) rather than an explanation.
Jesus said:
That is the infection disease Jesus gave us and he asks us to give others.
Maurice - do you consider me a 'spiritual nerd' when comparing me to your friends - the 'real' people? Yes, I am a bit of a stickler when trying to use 'true-to-meaning-words’ when expressing spiritual truths. But no offense taken! 🙂 You know that most of my comments address lesson topics from a 'theological/philosophical' point of view, though I am always glad to read your comments using a 'life-application' perspective.
May I revisit the point I tried to make using your words: 'Christianity should be (like) an infectious disease', considering this to be the 'right condition' for a Christian to display. But this leaves the question/matter addressed in my comment unanswered - "'Who' or 'what' carries this 'infectious virus"? How do we catch this 'disease'?
Do you think this virus is passed on by/through doing 'good works' by faithful people, or is it the indwelling Holy Spirit inspiring the 'good works' we eagerly engage in which represents the 'virus' which, when accepted, will cause us to experience the ‘infectious disease’ - being a new creation?
Please consider - Jesus was 'infected' with this virus causing His 'disease of total surrender and loving obedience' to the Father. The Gift/Virus came from His Father. Knowing - because He was also man – He asked His Father to share the Holy Spirit with us as well - John 14:16-17.
Once our life is safely within Jesus Christ, anything and everything good is the expression of this Gift working through us! How is that? It is because Life is in God's Spirit - sourced in, and governed by His Law of creative Love working according to His Will.
We cannot do anything, and I mean literally 'anything', of our own will power except accept Him or refuse Him; it is always and only God's Love which we share because nothing 'good' is found in man. James 1:17; Rom.8:28; Psalm 107:8-9.
We can all be spiritual nerds in an online discussion because it is essentially a verbal medium and we love explaining oursleves. Of course the Holy Spirit is at work but I remind myself that it is often the silent partner in this exercise. We need to be responsive rather than descriptive.
Jesus said:
Yes, Maurice - the 'silent' partner reveals Himself through living our life of loving service to God through others, using the various gifts given to His Ecclesia - Eph.4:11-16; Rom.12:1; 1 Peter:3:15.
He, Jesus desires to rest in us;!!! see Acts ch 7:47-51
Vengeance is for the Lord! Justice is for all. Justice will prevail because Jesus has conquered the right over evil. Jesus is love that brings justice for free!