“He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3, NRSV). Imagine the “paths of righteousness” (Psalm 23:3) stretching out before you, way out into the distance. You cannot see the end, but you know that at the end of the journey is home, God’s house. As you focus a little closer to you, do you … Continue reading –>
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1, NKJV). Some children were asked to draw a picture of God. Without exception, each one drew a picture with a heart somewhere in it. When asked why, they declared unanimously that God is love. It was as simple as that. It is easy to have … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Psalm 23:1-6, Romans 12:18-21. Memory Text: “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3-4). Sophie leaned back against her bedroom door and slid to the floor. Tears were welling up fast, and it was only a moment before she was sobbing. “How … Continue reading –>
Praying for 10 Years By Andrew McChesney Winston Crawford, a U.S. volunteer teaching English in Moscow, invited one of his Russian students to the Seventh-day Adventist church on Sabbath. The student, Sasha, did not seem moved by the worship experience. He had been raised in an atheistic family, and he looked downright bored. Winston felt … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “Joseph and His Brothers,” in Patriarchs and Prophets, Pages 233-240. “The life of Joseph illustrates the life of Christ. It was envy that moved the brothers of Joseph to sell him as a slave; they hoped to prevent him from becoming greater than themselves. And when he was carried to Egypt, they … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 49:29-50:21. What great themes of hope are found in the conclusion of the book of Genesis? The conclusion of Genesis is made of three events that are filled with hope. First, it is the hope that Israel will return to the Promised Land. Moses, the author of Genesis, describes Jacob’s and Joseph’s deaths and … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 49:1-28. What is the spiritual significance of Jacob’s blessing on his sons? Beyond the prophecies concerning the immediate history of the tribes of Israel, Jacob sees the Messiah and the ultimate hope of salvation. This hope is already indicated in Jacob’s opening words that use the expression “in the last days” (Genesis 49:1), a technical … Continue reading –>
As Jacob approaches death, he remembers his earlier return to Bethel (Genesis 35:1-15), when he received from God the renewed promise of the “everlasting possession” (Genesis 48:4) that was given to Abraham (Genesis 17:8). The hope of the Promised Land is, therefore, a comforting thought that nurtures his hope as he feels death coming. Jacob turns, then, to Joseph’s … Continue reading –>
It’s very interesting how, despite all that Jacob had been told about Joseph’s being alive in Egypt, the Lord still gave him “visions of the night” (Genesis 46:2) and in them commanded him to leave. Jacob leaves the Land of Promise for, of all places, Egypt — which later becomes associated with the one place that God’s … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 46:1-34. What is the significance of Jacob’s departure from Canaan? When Jacob leaves his place in Canaan, he is full of hope. The assurance that he will no longer be hungry and the good news that Joseph is alive must have given him the momentum that he needed to leave the Promised Land. Jacob’s … Continue reading –>
