Thursday: More Old Testament Lessons
Read 2 Peter 2:6-16. What other examples does Peter use to give his warning about what wickedness will lead to?
The first substantive reference to Sodom in the Bible is Genesis 13:12-13. Lot and Abraham decided to separate for “financial” reasons. Lot chose the Jordan valley, and “pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Gen. 13:12).
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The Bible then comments, “Now the people of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD” (Gen. 13:13, NRSV). Later, when God warned Abraham that He was planning to destroy Sodom, Abraham negotiated an agreement that God would not destroy it if 10 righteous people were found there (Gen. 18:16-33). The unlikelihood of finding even 10 righteous people in Sodom was amply demonstrated by what happened to the messengers sent to visit Lot. The city was duly destroyed; only Lot and his two daughters escaped (Gen. 19:12-25).
Peter derives two lessons from this story. First, the two cities provide an example of the punishment coming to the ungodly (2 Pet. 2:6). Second, it shows that the Lord knows how to rescue the righteous from trial (2 Pet. 2:7-9). Peter then notes some of the characteristics of those who were destroyed at Sodom and Gomorrah: they indulge their flesh in depraved lust, despise authority, are bold and willful, and do not hesitate to slander the angels (2 Pet. 2:10-11). These characteristics have similarities to how Peter describes the false teachers and their followers.
The story of Balaam is found in Numbers 22:1-24:25. He had been hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. At first reluctant, he was eventually persuaded to take on this task by the offer of a larger sum of money (Num. 22:7-21). On his way he was confronted by an “angel of the LORD” and was saved from death only when his donkey turned aside. Balaam then beat his donkey and realized his mistake only when his eyes were opened, and he saw the “angel of the LORD” himself (Num. 22:22-35). In the end, Balaam ended up blessing Israel (Num. 23:4-24:24). Peter used Balaam as an example of those enticed by adultery and greed (2 Pet. 2:14-15). Such people are like Balaam. They have left the path that they should follow.
| Think about all that we have been given, both in the Bible and in the writings of Ellen G. White. Thus, why can we as Seventh-day Adventists never say that we haven’t been warned? |
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thank you! it all come back to each of us has Christians ...like me i one like that now that i released that i was wrong but i want to change my life and be closer to my FATHER AND THAT IS GOD WHO TAKES CARE OF ME EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE ....
MY FAMILY IS IMPORT IN MY LIFE SPECIAL MY HUSBAND AND BABY .AMEN
Amen.
Those of us who are familiar with the scriptures and spirit of prophecy, know the truth but are often challenged to implement it in our lives. I pray that I can find the strength through the Holy Spirit to shun that which is evil in the sight if God and to follow the straight testimony. Dear God, remove the desires of this world and to only let me have the desires of that which is eternal, in Christ Jesus I pray amen.
"The world is a circle!" There is a lot that comes back as reactions to our actions (if not everything)... Hopefully, in the mercy of God, He has given us His Son! So we can hide under His wings, and plead for His forgiveness, and take His garments, because ours are dirty and filthy! We need to exchange selves for Jesus love indeed, every day!
Balaam is an example of what Christ wants us to do. Never vere to the left or the right, stay in the middle of the road. The left is a path of greed. The right is a path of adultery. For the path that leads to righteousness is straight and narrow. Hebrews 12:13. The Lord will bless you and all your family Wilma.
I don't think God like us to be like Balaam, he was a prophet that became greedy and was bribed. Had he go straight forward and was not impeded by his Donkey, he'll be dead. His Donkey saw the Angel with sword and that's why it hesitated and in the process the donkey saved his master's life. Yes we should go straight forward to Canaan but not to be like Balaam.
You are so right Maggie. Balaam is an example of what Christ does NOT want us to do. Thanks.
Another Bible text to contemplate is: Proverbs 4:27. Couple of verses bove is good too,, let thy eyelids be facing straight.
Amen! God looks after his special people. Even if God will destroy this dark world, we his people will be in security. God bless you all and thanks for sharing us this important lesson. May God improve your knowledge of sharing HSS.Amen
As the scripture says, all of us like sheep have gone astray, but the wonderful thing is that God is an ever loving, forgiving, compassionate God who when we confess our sins casts them to the bottom of the sea and remembers them NO MORE.I think we remember our sins more than God does after we confess them. He also says that there is no big sin or little sin, so a person that steals a watch is just a guilty of sin as another person who steals $1,000,000.00. With the end of the world more at hand than ever, we just need to draw closer to God, prayer consistently and claim His Promises and tell someone about his loving kindness, love our brothers and sisters and do good to and for them and our neighbors.
It is challenging to know what knowledge renders and the gratification of finding the truth ---so well founded in the Bible. I often wonder what went wrong when Jesus came and mingle among his own ---they had the knowledge of the truth as well and yet, they rejected him and contribute as ignorants of the truth would and even to the extend of convicting and killing of the King of Kings!!!! Knowledge can blind the individual when legalism and selfcenterness shapes and molds that torrential certainty that we know better than most. I am confined to believe that the challenge is beyond our human capabilities to discern at times how wrong we act, even though we know the truth and at times take it for granted and complacency sets. Thanks for the great study and the great guidance to better understand the scope of what we are dealing today and what is to come!!!!!!!!!!God bless!!!! great job!!!!
We have the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy as guidelines to the way we should live. Yes, being mortals we, from time to time commit a sin. It is high time that we begin to shun the appearance of evil, if we shun the appearance it will not become evil; we can only do this through empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray more for each other so that we receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and as God would want us to, shun the appearance of evil so that our lives can please our Maker. We can be on one of two sides only, there is no middle ground.
It is challenging to know what knowledge renders and the gratification of finding the truth ---so well founded in the Bible. I often wonder what went wrong when Jesus came and mingle among his own ---they had the knowledge of the truth as well and yet, they rejected him and contribute
as ignorants of the truth would and even to the extend of convicting and killing of the King of Kings!!!! ......knowledge can blind the individual when legalism and selfcenterness shapes and molds that torrential certainty that we know better than most. I am confine to believe that the challenge is beyond our human capabilities to discern at times how wrong we act, even though we know the truth and at times take it for granted and complacency sets. Thanks for the great study and the great guidance to better understand the scope of what we are dealing today and what is to come!!!!!!!!!!God bless!!!! great job!!!!
When God was pleased in 1Kings 9:1-9 the warning was much the same. The throne of David was secure for ever. What a much different picture in 1&2Peter. There is little to pat our selves on the back about. What texts do we seek? Those that are optimistic, or those that are nearly hopeless? When texts about Gods unceasing Love are mentioned it is the only comfort that has real meaning. There are many books and chapters in the Bible, each with a purpose. Some more meaningful than others.
The lesson this week regarding false teachers and prophets is difficult to find applications from our lives currently. Because of where in the world we reside, the possibilities are much more plentiful. The point that Peter is making, these warnings are here and now. Continuing with 3Peter1:-3 we are given warnings of more to come. Especially Gods promises of the end of all things. Because God does not keep track of time" a thousand years is as one day" we should not hasten His soon coming as some anticipate. For those that have this urgency I would ask, are we ready?