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 –>
By Wilson Measapogu Indian villagers faced constant trouble from an intruding tiger. The wild animal crept by night into Gudem Madhavaram, a remote village with no electricity on a mountainside in India’s Andhra Pradesh state. The villagers—dependent upon goats, cows, and bulls to produce milk and cultivate crops for their rich landowners—watched in despair as … 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 –>
Read Matthew 22:37-40, then Exodus 20:1-17. How does Jesus’ summary of the commandments help your understanding as you read each of the Ten Commandments? The Ten Commandments read like a constitution. After a brief preamble that sets out the basis on which these statements are made—in this case, the fact of God’s deliverance of His people—the document … Continue reading –>
“I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering” (Exod. 3:7, NIV). Four hundred years is a long time to wait, especially when waiting in conditions of increasingly harsh slavery. God had promised that He would … Continue reading –>
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into … Continue reading –>
