THURSDAYSeptember 27
New Covenant Promises
It's bad enough, a woman being unfaithful to her spouse; yet, the imagery used was that of a woman who sold herself into prostitution. How low! And yet, as we have seen, the Lord was still willing to take Israel back, still willing to forgive, still willing to heal the broken relationship. The Lord promised that He would make atonement for all that Israel has done
(Ezek. 16:63). Not only would He take them back, but He would do even more for them.
Read Jeremiah 31:31-37 (see also Gal. 3:29; Heb. 8:7-13; 10:16, 17).
What is the message for ancient Israel, and for us today? What hope, what promises, are found there for us?
NOTES:
Not only would the Lord forgive their sins; He promised to write the law in their hearts, to impress it on their minds
(Jer. 31:33). This text is the foundation of the gospel, the mystery of grace. This is the new covenant, and it forms the foundation of His promises to all who have given themselves to Jesus in faith and obedience.
We might fall, we might sin, we might make mistakes, but thanks to Jesusand the fullness of what He has done and is doing for us God will not forsake us. The plan of salvation, at its heart, offers us all forgiveness; no sin is too great, no sinner too bad, that forgiveness can't be found at the foot of the Cross. This was, in its own context, the message that God gave to, ancient Israel; and it is, in our context, that of the light shining from the cross of Calvary, the message that the Lord has for His people today. Even if we have "played the harlot," our loving and caring husband, the Lord, loves us and wants to take us back. He, though, doesn't force us; instead, He draws us with "bands of love"
(Hos. 11:4).
Have you played the harlot? Have you spurned God's love? His words to you are, "Come back! I will heal and forgive." The question now is, What is your response?
NOTES:
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FRIDAYSeptember 28
Further Study: "The Role of Israel in Old Testament Prophecy," pp. 25-38, in
The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4.
"Nor were these the only prophecies upon which the exiles had opportunity to base their hope of speedy deliverance. The writings of Jeremiah were within their reach, and in these was plainly set forth the length of time that should elapse before the restoration of Israel from Babylon. 'When seventy years are accomplished,' the Lord had foretold through His messenger, 'I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.' Jeremiah 25:12. Favor would be shown the remnant of Judah, in answer to fervent prayer. 'I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.' Jeremiah 29:14."Ellen G. White,
Prophets and Kings, pp. 552, 553.
NOTES:
Discussion Questions:
As a class, talk more about the question of how sin causes people to do irrational and reckless things. How is it that people who know better nevertheless allow themselves to be swept away by their passions? What can we do, if anything, to help someone we see heading down that path? NOTES:
Talk about the idea of God's law being a protection. What does that mean? How does it protect us? What does it protect us from? At the same time, too, why is faithfulness to the law and to the principles of living that God has given us no guarantee that we will not suffer?
NOTES:
Wednesday's lesson talked about the joy, happiness, and peace that come from being in a saving relationship with our Lord. Talk about just what it is about serving the Lord that brings joy, happiness, and peace. Let each member share their own experiences. Seek to learn from each other. Why, in a world full of idols (in whatever form they come), is it important to focus on the blessings and good things that we have been given as children of God?
NOTES:
Summary: Though the Israelites failed Yahweh, we must not judge them. After all, how faithful are wewho have them as an exampleto our covenant vows to the Lord?
NOTES:
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I N S I D E
StoryA Fisherman's Prayer
by A. B. ARLOO
The African country of Ghana has a large and vibrant Adventist presence. But unreached areas remain, such as the Afram Plains of eastern Ghana. This region, with nearly impassible terrain and a harsh climate, is difficult to enter. Until recently most of the 1.6 million people living there had never heard the Adventist message. In 2002 a team of Global Mission pioneers entered the Afram Plains to sow the seed of the gospel. One day the evangelists learned that God had, indeed, gone before them to prepare the soil.
Maxwell Vitashi is an old fisherman in the area. One day he paddled his boat upstream for several miles in search of a good catch. But as he dragged in his nets, his boat suddenly capsized, and he was tossed into the swift-flowing waters.
Maxwell swam toward the nearest shore, but the river was wide, and his strength began to fail. He feared that he would die. Although he was not a Christian, he prayed, "God, save me." Suddenly he felt a powerful force push him to a spot between two tree stumps. He grabbed the stumps and hung on, gasping for breath. He looked around. He was utterly alone. His hands grew numb from the cold water, and he wondered whether he would still die in the river. Again he prayed.
From nowhere a boat appeared. Two men paddled toward Maxwell, lifted him from his perch, and settled him into their boat. They paddled toward the riverbank and carried him to the shore, where they gently laid him on the ground. Maxwell heaved a weary sigh. Then he quickly sat up to thank the men who had saved him. They were gone. He scanned the beach and the river, but he found no sign of the men who had saved him.
Maxwell stumbled into the village, where he told everyone what had happened. "Who were the men?" many asked. But Maxwell did not know. He had lived in this region his entire life and had never seen them before.
Maxwell lost his boat that day, but he rejoices that the God of the universe stepped down to save his life and reveal His presence to a humble fisherman who, until then, did not even know God's name.
When the Global Mission pioneers arrived in his village shortly after Maxwell's experience, the fisherman welcomed them and invited his family and friends to listen and learn about the God who heard his desperate prayers. A. B. ARLOO is the Global Mission and Sabbath School director for the East Ghana Conference in Koforidua, Ghana.
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Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness.
email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org
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