WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday July 1, 2012

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SAMUEL ADMINISTERED JUSTICE GOD’S WAY
(Confession and praise precede GOD’s justice)
(1 Samuel 7)

In the First book of Samuel, taking up at chapter 7, we find that, after 20 years of having the “Ark of the LORD” under the care of Eleazar and the men at Kiriath-Jearim, the people of Israel continue to mourn, because they felt that GOD had abandoned them. The Ark had resided at the home of Abinadab, Eleazar’s father, just 10 miles northwest of Jerusalem, since the Philistines returned it after keeping it for seven months (1 Samuel 6:1).
Here Samuel calls all the people together at Mizpah and offered to pray to GOD in intercession for them, once they had demonstrated that they were serious about wanting to return to GOD. They had to first, get rid of all their idol gods, and promise to obey only the LORD, the GOD of Israel. In return for their obedience, Samuel promised, GOD would rescue them from the oppression of the Philistines.
And so they met there at Mizpah in a great ceremony, and they drew water from a well and poured it out to the LORD (perhaps a ritual of purification). Then, they fasted all day and confessed their sins against the LORD. On that day Samuel became the last judge over Israel, and as they celebrated, the Philistines gathered their armies and advanced against the Israelites, probably thinking the Israelites were preparing to engage a “holy war” attack against them. However, the Israelites were actually frightened by the news of the attack, and begged Samuel to pray to GOD that HE might save them.
And so, Samuel took a young lamb and sacrificed it up to the LORD as a burnt offering and petitioned the LORD to help Israel, and the LORD answered him, immediately. As Samuel was sacrificing the offering, the Philistines arrived at Mizpah, but the LORD spoke in a thundering voice from Heaven that threw their army into a state of confusion. While they were in a state of confusion, the Israelites were able to overcome the Philistines and defeat them, chasing them, from Mizpah to Bethcar, slaughtering them, all along the way.
In recognition of the victory, Samuel took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah, and he called it, “Ebernezer”, which means, “the stone of help”. Afterwards, Samuel went on to judge over Israel for the next thirty years. They were able to overcome the Philistines, because Samuel prayed an intercessory prayer that GOD could honor. GOD had, long ago, seen how Samuel honored HIM in his heart, and this prayer was most likely honored for his sake, and not for the sake of the wobbly Israelites, who would shortly show more signs of their spiritual decay and rejection of GOD, by demanding to have a king to rule over them, just as the surrounding pagan nations were governed.
However, for now, peace would remain between Israel and the Amorites for the duration of Samuel’s life, and each year he would travel around a 10-mile radius of Jerusalem, setting up his court, first, in Bethel, then later in Gilgal, and Mizpah to judge and teach the people of Israel. He also heard cases in his hometown of Ramah, where he also built an altar to the LORD.
The Israelites had a GODly leader, who was dedicated to adhering to the rules and standards of GOD, but they rejected, both he and GOD, because they believed that the “self-rule”, and “self-worship” that they saw in the surrounding pagan nations was a better plan. Instead of worshipping the GOD WHO made them in HIS OWN spiritual image, they preferred to worship the many other gods, who were made by the hands of sinful man.
Whenever the leadership in the Christian Church deteriorates spiritually (like the Davidic kings did), through too much socializing with their peers in the world, the church that they preside over, as a result, will become more like the world. It then begins to use worldly ideas, methods, and resources in a fruitless effort to do the work of GOD, “man’s way”. However, human ingenuity can never rise to the level and standard of the Almighty, Sovereign GOD, and, to have success, as it is defined by GOD, we must stay focused on GOD, and follow the ways and Will of GOD completely, just as Samuel did.
Unfortunately, the more successful our churches become financially, the more they seem to move farther and farther away from GOD, becoming blinded by the world’s view of what “success” is. And it is largely because of the “pride” that invariably comes along, in an equal proportion, with the “prosperity” that man achieves. Remember, pride comes naturally to man, but “humility” can only come by finding GOD. And the only way that anyone can find GOD, is by, first, coming to the end of one’s self, and then, in that very same place, one can also find, “humility”.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday June 24, 2012

Over 30,000 readers worldwide


LOVING AS WE ARE LOVED
(A humble and loving heart practices justice)
(Deuteronomy 10:12-22 & 16:18-20)

In Deuteronomy chapter 10 Moses tells us that the LORD once again wrote down HIS Ten Commandments, this time, on a fresh new set of stone tablets that he himself had hewn. Most scholars believe that this was a symbol of how GOD would re-write HIS Law on the hearts of men, through the first advent of CHRIST JESUS, WHOSE body would be broken in order to nullify the effects of sin and death on the world, for those who believe. GOD gives man a second chance through CHRIST.
The “Ark of the Covenant” (v. 2) symbolizes CHRIST, the only place in WHOM the commandments of GOD could be kept (Colossians 2:9). The words this time were exactly the same as the first, which serve to signify the “immutability” of GOD (GOD is unchanging). The message in this passage (Vs. 1-5) is that “In” and “Through” JESUS, GOD restores to HIMSELF, just exactly what HE originally intended man to do, and that is, “to be the keeper of HIS Covenant”.
Those of us who really love GOD express it in our actions and behavior. We make a great effort to walk only in HIS Will, and, in HIS Ways, at all times. And just as GOD’s actions reveal to us, HIS faithfulness, compassion, and commitment to us, so too, our actions must reveal to HIM, our loyalty and obedience to HIS Word.
Beginning in verse 12 of this chapter, we see Moses giving Israel a call to be loving to each other, and obedient to GOD. Here he tells the Israelites exactly what GOD requires of each of them, and that is that they fear GOD, live according to HIS Will, love and worship HIM with all their heart and soul, and, last but not least, obey HIS commands and laws, and they should do these things, for their own good.
In verse 16 the Hebrew word “muwl” (mool) is used for “circumcision” and it means to “cut short, curtail, or cut back to such a degree that, that which is unwanted, is destroyed as a result”. Here Moses recommends to the people that they “circumcise the foreskin of their hearts” to the point that it is cleansed from all sinfulness. He also suggests that they put away their stubbornness, which oftentimes, prevents GOD’s people from being obedient, because stubbornness is oftentimes rooted in pride. Those who have circumcised hearts can be identified by their love for GOD, and, for their fellowman.
In the Old Testament the “orphans” and the “widows” are often grouped with the “alien” because, invariably, they all fall to the bottom of the social totem pole of society as being powerless. They are usually poor and weak with no one to care for them, and protect them from harm. In verses 17-18, and, throughout all of scripture, GOD always places a special emphasis on the attitude that GODly people should have toward these segments of society, within the Christian community. A lack of concern for people in these groups is a sure sign of a morally corrupt society. It was Peter C. Craigie who wrote, “When people cease to care, then, religion, morality, social customs and values, all cease to function as “mortar” that hold together a society, and maintain ancient faith”.
In verses 20-22, Moses further encourages the people reminding them of the great and awesome wonders of GOD, and why they should therefore serve, fear, adhere to, hold fast to, and give praises to the almighty GOD. And he also reminded them of how GOD had already started to make good on HIS promise to Abraham, as HE had increased their numbers greatly from the 70 or so individuals who first entered into the land of Egypt, to the now countless number that stood ready to enter into the “Promised Land” of Canaan.
In Deuteronomy 16:18-20 we see Moses instructing the Israelites to set up a “true justice system” that is ran by men who are full of GODly character, respect, and honor. They were to appoint such judges and officials from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. These judges were to determine justice based on what the accused did, not on who they were, who they know, or, who they were related to. They were also not to favor their friends by acquitting the guilty, or by tampering with the legal process that GOD had already put in place, through HIS Word. They were to never accept a bribe, but rather, were to let justice prevail at all times. It was an idea that was apparently lost before very long because history tells us that GOD, once again, had to throw HIS chosen people into captivity in Syria, and in Babylon, because they became corrupt and started to ignore GOD altogether. And they went on to prove what GOD has known all along, and that is, without HIM, man can’t do anything right, for too long.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday June 17, 2012
Over 30,000 readers worldwide

MAKING A FRESH START
(Make a new start using GOD’s economics)
(Leviticus 25)

In Leviticus 25, GOD gives Moses a set of unique regulations to take back to the Israelites from Mount Sinai. They are instructions that only those Israelites, who were willing to truly honor GOD, and share HIS concern for the land and the people, would adhere to faithfully. These instructions are given to teach us how to revere and honor GOD’s plan for our lives, to teach us to be sensitive to those in need, and to treat the needy with respect.
First of all, in verses 1-7 we see the institutionalizing of the “Sabbath Year Rest”, or “Sabbatical Year”, by GOD, the CREATOR. In as much as the people were to work only six consecutive days, and then, rest their bodies from their labors, so the land too must be allowed to rest and rejuvenate after a six consecutive year-period, of working by man. In the seventh year they were to do no farming of crops in the land for the entire year. Here GOD shows HIS concern that every so often, both the people, and the land, needed to be endowed with an automatic fresh, new start.
Here GOD is instituting a “Sabbath Year Rest” out of respect for the land HE created for our pleasure, and HE took it much more serious than man ever has. In fact, HE took it so serious that HE even based the length of Israel’s punishment in Babylon on how many consecutive Sabbath Year Rests that they had violated over a 490-year span. GOD sentenced HIS chosen nation to one year for every Sabbath Year Rest that they failed to observe over that time, amounting to a total of 70 years in captivity in Babylon.
Also in this passage, we can see yet another, very important aspect, being incorporated by GOD, and that is, HIS concern for the poor, and those foreigners who chose to live under HIS rules. In verses 5-6 GOD tells the Israelites not to store away the crops that grew naturally during the seventh year, but rather, they were to allow themselves, their servants, and the needy foreigners who lived among them to have their fill of what grew during that period. Also, the livestock could partake of the land’s bounty in the seventh year, but no one could store up what they took.
Next we see the institutionalizing of the “Year of Jubilee” (Vs. 8-23), which was to be observed every seventh “Sabbatical Year”. On the first day of the fiftieth year, GOD figured that a “Day of Atonement” should be the first order of business in a year that HE would “set apart” as “Holy”. It would be a time that, (you guessed it) people would be given a chance for a “fresh new start” at a better life. It would be a time of “releasing of burdens”, mostly of an economic nature, for every person, and, for the land also. Every person could return to the lands that belonged to their ancestors and rejoin their families as owners.
The Jubilee Year was also to be used as a measuring stick for the price of land, because when that year came, all land had to be returned to its original owner. In other words, the price of land would be based on the number of years left until the next Jubilee. The more years left until the next Jubilee, the higher the price that the seller could get for the land, the fewer the years, the lower the price. After all, the person selling the land is actually selling a certain number of harvests. The people were to show their fear of the LORD by not trying to take advantage of one another. And so land could never be sold on a permanent basis, because, GOD says, “The land really belongs to ME” (Vs. 15-23).
In this passage (Vs. 9-17) we’ll also do well to note these four elements;
· Repentance (v. 9) – Coming to the end of ourselves and finding the LORD, asking HIM for forgiveness for trying to live a life without HIM is always primary.
· Release (Vs. 10 & 13) – By the atonement of our sins and giving our lives to GOD, we release ourselves from a burden that we could not otherwise carry.
· Rest (Vs. 11-12) – We are then put in a place of rest and peace that we could not otherwise find.
· Restoration (Vs. 13-17) – We are restored into a right relationship with GOD, a new beginning, walking in the newness of life, that is, CHRIST JESUS.
And finally, in verses 24-55, we see “Redemption” being addressed. To “redeem” simply means to buy back. In this chapter of Leviticus it concerns the right to “buy back” family members, land, or other properties. Oftentimes, in the Old Testament days, when an individual had no resources with which to redeem his relative, land, or property, a “near relative” could legally redeem it for him. That can be likened to what CHRIST JESUS did for us through HIS vicarious sacrifice on the cross. HE was born of woman, so that HE could become a true human being, so that, as our near kinsman, HE could pay the cost necessary to bring us back to GOD.
Everyone, periodically, needs to be able to make a fresh, new start in life. And, in the case of “sinful man”, spiritually, a “new start” is exactly what JESUS affords us with. HE buys us back, and returns us to our original OWNER, our FATHER GOD, WHO art in Heaven.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday June 10, 2012

HOLINESS IN PERSONAL CONDUCT
(Reflect GOD in how we behave and how we treat others)
(Leviticus 19)

One would be hard-pressed to try and find a passage of Scripture, other than Exodus 20, that has been more violated by man than Leviticus 19. The regulations given by GOD in this chapter are tied together by their relationship to the Ten Commandments. It is a passage that is addressed to the entire nation of Israel. Here there are three basic precepts that involve human behavior; (1) Precepts that relate to GOD (Vs. 1-2, 3b, 4-8, 12, 19a, 23-25, 30, & 37), (2) Precepts that relate to people (3a, 9-11, 13-18, 20-22, 29, 32-36), and (3) Precepts that relate to things (19b-c, 26-28, & 31).
GOD’s order for human behavior is that we worship HIM, love people, and use things (in ways that are permissible by HIS Laws). If we change that order around in any way, we automatically put ourselves out of the order, or Will, of GOD. Whenever we worship people, or things, we are going against the order of GOD. If we love things instead of people, or, foolishly think that we can use GOD, and idolize things or people, then, automatically, we put ourselves out of the Will of GOD.
“I AM the LORD your GOD” is a statement that is repeated by GOD 16 times here in Leviticus 19, and over 40 times in chapters 18-26. That is because GOD is dead serious about getting us to understand that we belong to HIM. “Be holy because I, the LORD your GOD am holy” is the statement in Scripture that breeds ethics into theology. All of Scripture, either directly states, or implies the charge by GOD, that we (men, women, and children) are to imitate HIM in our daily behavior and lifestyles. We must understand that we belong to HIM, and, that we are to aspire to reflect HIS image to others, through our own daily behavior (Leviticus 19:1-2).
As people living under GOD (Christians), we are to deal with each other fairly and justly. We are not to steal from each other (v. 11), cheat each other (v. 11b & 35-36), rob anyone (13a), tell lies (11c), show favoritism (v. 15), or, slander and gossip (v. 16a). We should not try to get ahead at the cost of someone else (v. 16b). We should not nurse hatred in our hearts (v. 17), and never seek revenge, or hold a grudge (v. 18). We are also to show respect for our parents (v. 3a) and the elderly (v. 32), pay our hired workers (v. 13b), treat the disabled with dignity and respect (v. 14), and also show respect to those foreigners living among us who also worship our GOD, the FATHER of our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST (v. 33).
In addition, as people living under GOD, we should not engage in ancient pagan cult practices such as, eating meat with blood (or drinking blood) (v. 26a), fortune telling and witchcraft (v. 26b), wearing clothing (v. 19d) and hairstyles (v. 27) that imitate those who are indifferent toward GOD, or, who represent the anti-CHRIST agenda.
We are not to mark our bodies with tattoos, carvings, cuttings, or piercings (v. 28). We are not to hand over our children to prostitution (v. 29), or, use mediums and psychics (v. 31). We are only to use the things that GOD has blessed us with, the exact way that GOD has instructed us to use them (Vs. 19, 23-25, & 30).
I know that, as humans, we can best see the importance of GOD’s laws better when the breaking of those laws concern us personally as a victim. But maybe we should try and put ourselves in the position of the LAWMAKER, GOD, and try and discern how HE feels every time we ourselves break HIS Laws, and someone else is affected. Maybe then we ourselves can move closer to the point where sin begins to break our hearts, and to where wrong things will no longer fascinate, and have power over us personally, as an individual, living under GOD.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday June 3, 2012

JUSTICE FOR ALL
(Practice GOD’s justice and mercy)
(Exodus 23:1-9)

In Exodus 23 we see a continuation of the “Covenant Code of Conduct” that GOD expected HIS “chosen community” to adhere to at all times. In verses 1-9 we see an expansion of the ninth commandment which states, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor”.
In any family, organization, or nation where there is ignorance or indifference towards GOD, crime and sin will run amok. Anarchy prevails and law and order is swept aside. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s a government, business, church, or private family, when we allow wickedness to thrive, we provide fuel for a downward spiral towards immorality, and a gradual slide towards an unstructured existence, much like we already see developing today in every area of our society. GOD did not mean for this to be so.
Public, and private morality, depends heavily on how well we know the Word of GOD, and how well we adhere to HIS laws. In other words, in order for this nation and its individuals to function well, we have to, first, know GOD’ ways, and then, keep HIS laws and directives that HE has set before us. Without GOD’s Word, we abandon ourselves to our own sinful ways, however, by contrast, our obedience to GOD’s Word, ultimately brings joy and peace to our lives.
Oftentimes we are surprised by the ineptness of the “human justice system”. We go to human authorities to obtain justice, but, in reality, there is no guarantee that justice will be done. True satisfying justice can only come from GOD, and GOD will certainly make things right in the end.
The reason why man’s justice is imperfect is because, man himself is imperfect. Therefore, we can’t judge other men the way GOD can, using our own methods, simply because, we’re all ourselves “men under judgment”. An unjust person is an abomination to those who seek to be upright, and obeys GOD’s law. By contrast, a person who seeks to be upright is an abomination to those who are unjust, and are always seeking out new ways to break the law (Proverbs 29:27).
The Old Testament system of justice made it incumbent upon all individuals to tell only the facts of what they knew, in order to help establish the truth involving a case. In GOD’s courtroom, there can be no wicked or unrighteous person giving a testimony, because it is highly unlikely that such a person will ever report the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
That system also warned against shaping one’s testimony to side with the majority. GOD’s courtroom does not allow for the majority to rule. GOD uses a GODly judge who will listen only to HIM, and will not be swayed by what the majority in a courtroom says or thinks.
It also warned against accepting bribes from wealthy wrongdoers, as well as, showing favoritism toward the poor. In GOD’s court there can be no partiality or favoritism between those who are rich, or those who are poor. All people must be judged fairly. We must never, knowingly, condemn an innocent person to death, and never accept bribes to have a case dismissed, or slanted in one person’s favor over another. The only way justice can prevail is by always being partial only to the truth based upon the written Word of GOD.
In the Hebrew the word “zar” is used to describe a “foreigner” or “alien” who is not related to Abraham’s family (the Jews), and the word “ger” is used to describe one who is not a member of the covenant community of Israel. We see in verse 9 of this passage, just how sensitive Old Testament Law is to a foreigner or alien. And while we know that the Israelites were charged by GOD to drive out all idol worshipping pagans from their community, resident aliens (non-Jews who chose to remain in Israel living under the laws of GOD) were to be treated with kindness.
Time and time again the Israelites are reminded in the Old Testament to reflect back on their own former “foreigner status” in the land of Egypt. They are reminded repeatedly to not treat foreigners living among them, in the same unmerciful manner as the Egyptians had treated them. GOD’s law requires HIS chosen community to kindly and mercifully interact with foreigners just as they would with their own people, always treating them fairly and justly.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website