After generations of slavery and the social degradation that such a condition can inflict on His oppressed people, God sought to lift up the newly freed Israelites, pointing them to a better way of living and giving them laws for the best ordering of their new society. But one of the first parts of this … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Exod. 16:16-18, Exod. 20:8-11, Deut. 5:12-15, Matt. 12:9-13, Lev. 25:1-7. Memory Text: “And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath’” (Mark 2:27, NKJV). God created the Sabbath as the final act of the Creation week. It has been said that on the seventh day, God not only rested, … Continue reading –>
The question has been asked, “What is the difference between the spirit of the law and the letter of the law?” To me, it all comes down to motivation. When I stop at a red light to avoid getting a ticket, I am only obeying the letter of the law. Would I go ahead and … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Law Given to Israel”, pages 303-314; “God’s Care for the Poor”, pages 530-536, in Patriarchs and Prophets. “There is nothing, after their recognition of the claims of God, that more distinguishes the laws given by Moses than the liberal, tender, and hospitable spirit enjoined toward the poor. Although God had promised greatly … Continue reading –>
Meeting the Israelites as a people who had no home of their own and who were waiting for their arrival in the Promised Land, God knew the importance that the land would take on as they established their new society in Canaan. Under the leadership of Joshua, God oversaw an orderly distribution of the land … Continue reading –>
Many Christians recognize and follow the Bible’s instructions regarding paying—or returning—tithe. Usually referenced from Malachi 3:10, it is a simple formula, with believers giving 10 percent of their income—or “increase”—to support the work of the church in spreading the gospel. Entrusted with these tithes, churches usually have strict guidelines about how to use these funds, primarily … Continue reading –>
Read Exodus 23:9. What is God’s message to Israel here? As newly freed slaves, the Israelites knew what it was to be oppressed, exploited, and marginalized. And while they celebrated their freedom, God was concerned that they not forget where they had come from, what it was like to be excluded, and what He had done … Continue reading –>
Sabbath afternoon’s reading had the theme of ‘bless, blessed, blessing’, giving us our first hymn today, Hymn 293, “Heavenly Father, Bless Us Now”, just as God blessed so many throughout our past history. We may continue further singing Hymn 667, “Lord, Bless Thy Word to Every Heart”. ‘The God Who Hears’ (Sunday) is summed up … Continue reading –>
“You shall not take vengeance.” The opening words of this week’s lesson include a command to love our neighbors, even the ones who don’t agree with us. What would life be like if everybody who followed Jesus was eager to share God’s love with others? Was that the purpose God had in mind when He … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Jesus has shown a liberal, tender, and hospitable spirit toward the poor. He still calls His people to exercise their sympathy, tenderness, and benevolence. July 13, 2019 1. Have a volunteer read Exodus 3:16,17. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. Why was … Continue reading –>
