Read Ezra 1:9-11 and Daniel 1:1-2. How do the texts in Daniel help us understand what Ezra was referring to? Notice how in Ezra details are given, while in Daniel the big picture was presented. Together, though, these texts show that the Lord is in control. “The history of nations speaks to us today. To every nation and … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Ezra 1:9-11; Dan. 1:1-2; Dan. 5:1-30; Deut. 30:1-6; Ezra 8:1-23; Neh. 11:1-2; Neh. 12:1-26. Memory Text: “These joined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Consecration”, pages 43–48, in Steps to Christ. “The ministration of the earthly sanctuary consisted of two divisions; the priests ministered daily in the holy place, while once a year the high priest performed a special work of atonement in the most holy, for the cleansing of the sanctuary. Day by day the … Continue reading –>
Look at Nehemiah 10:32-39 again. Why were the temple’s practices essential for the Israelites, as shown by “we will not neglect the house of our God” (Neh. 10:39, NKJV)? Why was the Temple so important for the faith as a whole? (See also Heb. 8:1-7). The Israelites pledged to take care of the temple. Even though they were a small group … Continue reading –>
Read Nehemiah 10:30-39. What are four things the Israelites pledged to do as part of the renewed covenant? The people pledged the following: 1. No mixed marriages (no marriage to an individual who could lead one into idolatry); 2. True Sabbath observance (no distractions through business transactions); 3. Debt cancelation and Sabbatical year observance to care for the poor and give them … Continue reading –>
A sure covenant. We have agreements, pacts, contracts, and other forms that lead to a commitment to carry out certain duties or fill requirements in business and other activities of life. What is the difference between the legal documents we use in business and the agreements we seal in our spiritual walk with Jesus? Are you … Continue reading –>
The covenant, in the Memory Text, was sealed by the leaders, Levites and the priests, just as much as God sealed the covenant with Abram in Hymn 264, “O for That Flame of Living Fire”. The Children of Israel had their special way of putting their covenant in place with God. Hymn 347, “Built on … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: God is faithful to keep His promises. We should trust and cling to His promises. November 23, 2019 1 Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 10:1, 28-29. Ask the class what the main point of this passage is. Why did they have to separate themselves from the people of the land in order to … Continue reading –>
A member of a church in which I had recently spoken asked me to come to her home. She was very upset because a neighbor claimed to be a witch and put a curse on her home and family. The lady church member believed in God but was afraid of what this curse might mean. … Continue reading –>
Bible scholars recognize that there is a typical structure to biblical covenants; this was even seen in covenants made by the ancient Hittites. That is, God communicated to the people in a manner that they, in their culture, could especially understand. The covenants that were common during the time of ancient Israel had the following … Continue reading –>
