Study Helps - Lesson 6

Lesson 6 May 5 - 11

Sibling Rivalry

Memory Text: (Prov 17:17 RSV) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Sabbath Afternoon

(Prov 18:24 NRSV) Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin.

(Prov 18:24 NKJV) A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Sunday

Cain And Abel

(Heb 11:4 NKJV) By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

(1 John 3:12 NKJV) not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.

(Jude 1:11 NKJV) Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

(Mat 23:35 NKJV) "that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

(Luke 11:51 NKJV) "from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.

(Heb 12:24 NKJV) to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

Read Genesis chapter 4

Read Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 71 - 79

Monday

Jacob And Esau - The Twins

(Gen 25:25-26 NRSV) The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. {26} Afterward his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

(Gen 25:25-26 NKJV) And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. {26} Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

(Gen 25:27-28 NRSV) When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. {28} Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

(Gen 25:27-28 NKJV) So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. {28} And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

(Gen 27:5-29 NKJV) Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it. {6} So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, "Indeed I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, {7} 'Bring me game and make savory food for me, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of the LORD before my death.' {8} "Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you. {9} "Go now to the flock and bring me from there two choice kids of the goats, and I will make savory food from them for your father, such as he loves. {10} "Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it, and that he may bless you before his death." {11} And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, "Look, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth-skinned man. {12} "Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be a deceiver to him; and I shall bring a curse on myself and not a blessing." {13} But his mother said to him, "Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me." {14} And he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and his mother made savory food, such as his father loved. {15} Then Rebekah took the choice clothes of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. {16} And she put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. {17} Then she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob. {18} So he went to his father and said, "My father.' And he said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?" {19} Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me." {20} But Isaac said to his son, "How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?" And he said, "Because the LORD your God brought it to me." {21} Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not." {22} So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau." {23} And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands; so he blessed him. {24} Then he said, "Are you really my son Esau?" He said, "I am." {25} He said, "Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's game, so that my soul may bless you." So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank. {26} Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come near now and kiss me, my son." {27} And he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him and said: "Surely, the smell of my son Is like the smell of a field Which the LORD has blessed. {28} Therefore may God give you Of the dew of heaven, Of the fatness of the earth, And plenty of grain and wine. {29} Let peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, And let your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, And blessed be those who bless you!"

(Gen 27:45 NRSV) until your brother's anger against you turns away, and he forgets what you have done to him; then I will send, and bring you back from there. Why should I lose both of you in one day?"

(Gen 27:45 NKJV) "until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him; then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereaved also of you both in one day?"

Read Genesis chapters 32 - 33

(Gen 32:22-32 NKJV) And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. {23} He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. {24} Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. {25} Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. {26} And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" {27} So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." {28} And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." {29} Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. {30} And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." {31} Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. {32} Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob's hip in the muscle that shrank.

Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 195 - 203 (Not included with lesson help)

Tuesday

Two Against One: Miriam And Aaron Versus Moses

(Exo 2:1-10 NKJV) And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. {2} So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. {3} But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank. {4} And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him. {5} Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. {6} And when she had opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, "This is one of the Hebrews' children." {7} Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?" {8} And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go." So the maiden went and called the child's mother. {9} Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him. {10} And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, "Because I drew him out of the water."

(Exo 7:1-2 NRSV) The LORD said to Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. {2} You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his land.

(Exo 7:1-2 NKJV) So the LORD said to Moses: "See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. {2} "You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land.

Read Exodus chapters 15 - 17

(Num 12:1-2 NKJV) Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. {2} So they said, "Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?" And the LORD heard it.

(Num 12:3 NKJV) (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)

(Num 12:13 NKJV) So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, "Please heal her, O God, I pray!"

Wednesday

Mary And Martha

(John 11:5 NRSV) Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus,

(John 11:5 NKJV) Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

(Luke 10:38-42 NKJV) Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. {39} And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. {40} But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." {41} And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. {42} "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

(John 11:1 NKJV) Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

Desire of Ages, p. 525

As Christ gave His wonderful lessons, Mary sat at His feet, a reverent and devoted listener. On one occasion, Martha, perplexed with the care of preparing the meal, went to Christ, saying, "Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me." This was the time of Christ's first visit to Bethany. The Saviour and His disciples had just made the toilsome journey on foot from Jericho. Martha was anxious to provide for their comfort, and in her anxiety she forgot the courtesy due to her Guest. Jesus answered her with mild and patient words, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Mary was storing her mind with the precious words falling from the Saviour's lips, words that were more precious to her than earth's most costly jewels. {DA 525.1}

The "one thing" that Martha needed was a calm, devotional spirit, a deeper anxiety for knowledge concerning the future, immortal life, and the graces necessary for spiritual advancement. She needed less anxiety for the things which pass away, and more for those things which endure forever. Jesus would teach His children to seize every opportunity of gaining that knowledge which will make them wise unto salvation. The cause of Christ needs careful, energetic workers. There is a wide field for the Marthas, with their zeal in active religious work. But let them first sit with Mary at the feet of Jesus.

Desire of Ages, p. 525 (Continued)

Let diligence, promptness, and energy be sanctified by the grace of Christ; then the life will be an unconquerable power for good. {DA 525.2}

Sorrow entered the peaceful home where Jesus had rested. Lazarus was stricken with sudden illness, and his sisters sent to the Saviour, (p. 526) saying, "Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick." They saw the violence of the disease that had seized their brother, but they knew that Christ had shown Himself able to heal all manner of diseases. They believed that He would sympathize with them in their distress; therefore they made no urgent demand for His immediate presence, but sent only the confiding message, "He whom Thou lovest is sick." They thought that He would immediately respond to their message, and be with them as soon as He could reach Bethany. {DA 525.3}

(Mat 6:33 NKJV) "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Not sure of scripture reference (sorry)

(Luke 12:33 NKJV) "Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

(Mat 6:19-21 NKJV) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; {20} "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. {21} "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Thursday

The Prodigal Son And The Elder Brother

(Luke 15:29-30 NRSV) But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. {30} But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!'

(Luke 15:29-30 NKJV) "So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. {30} 'But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'

Friday

(Gen 30:15 NKJV) But she said to her, "Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes also?" And Rachel said, "Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son's mandrakes."

(Gen 38:3-10 NKJV) So she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. {4} She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. {5} And she conceived yet again and bore a son, and called his name Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.

{Gen 38:6-10} Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. {7} But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD killed him. {8} And Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother." {9} But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. {10} And the thing which he did displeased the LORD; therefore He killed him also.

(Judg 9:21 NKJV) And Jotham ran away and fled; and he went to Beer and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.

(2 Sam 13:14-15 NKJV) However, he would not heed her voice; and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her. {15} Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, "Arise, be gone!"

(2 Sam 13:32 NKJV) Then Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, answered and said, "Let not my lord suppose they have killed all the young men, the king's sons, for only Amnon is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

(Mark 3:33-35 NRSV) And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" {34} And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! {35} Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."

(Mark 3:33-35 NKJV) But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" {34} And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! {35} "For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother."

(James 2:15-16 NRSV) If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, {16} and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?

(James 2:15-16 NKJV) If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, {16} and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

(Mat 18:15-17 NRSV) "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. {16} But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. {17} If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

(Mat 18:15-17 NKJV) "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. {16} "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' {17} "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.