Reflections
Exodus 3:1-12; Deuteronomy 30:1-10
Considering what to write in today’s blog, I felt this was a perfect time to take a reflective look at our Sunday School lessons for the summer and reflect on the lessons that were to be learned from them. This quarter’s lessons were “Call Sealed with Promises”, and we learned God keeps His promises.
Unit I of the summer series was “Called Out of Egypt” where the nation of Israel cried out to God while in bondage and God heard their cry. Moses was God’s chosen leader called to lead the people to freedom. In this unit we learned of Moses and Aaron’s responses to God’s call, and how we as modern day believer should respond when God calls us to service. We are to respond with a willing heart and in obedience knowing God is with us and will supply all that is needed to answer His call. The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart was so God could display His supreme power over all, this included Pharaoh. Israel’s Red Sea deliverance should have been sufficient for them to believe God and His powers forever. In the next unit God called Israel to be His people and a new covenant was called for and implemented.
In unit II we see God calling the nation of Israel to be His people and establishing a new covenant with them. This new covenant was the heart of the Law (Deuteronomy 5:1-5). These laws instruct the nation of Israel on their duty to God and to one another (Deuteronomy 5:6-21), and they apply to us today. They are commonly known as the Ten Commandments. Just as these commandments were given to cultivate or build a stronger relationship between God and His people (believers). To be His people obeying His commandments are not optional but is a requirement. Also, in this unit we have God calling on the people to remember important landmarks in their lives and the importance of these landmarks as a way of teaching future generations of their heritage and how God delivered their fathers; just as God delivered fore-fathers He will do the same for present and future day believers. Lastly, in unit II, we have God calling certain people for special service as it is an honor to be called by God for a special ministry in His program and this service is to be a service to God in reverence. Then there is the establishment of Jubilee as a symbol of what happens when we accept Jesus Christ---our reconciler back to God. What a Jubilee?
In unit III is the “Call to Choose Life”, which is an ongoing call to obedience and rewards or disobedience and punishment. All who choose obedience demonstrates a trust in God and faithfulness to Him and His laws. Also, unit III displayed the people short memory and appreciation for what God had already done for them as they found every reason to grumble about what they didn’t have as opposed to what they had and display a heart of gratitude for God’s deliverance. This statement was made several times, “would God bring us her for us to die”, and they expressed their desire to return to Egypt. What an indictment against God, His love, provision, and deliverance? A reasoning thought on their statement, is if God had delivered them out of bondage would He bring them to a place just to leave them. I think not! Israel’s grumbling led to their rebelling which led to Moses’ frustration with them and his disobeying God which prevented Moses from entering into the Promised Land. What do this say about our leaders who are called to lead God’s people? Leaders are to remain steadfast regardless of the people’s complaining and their unfaithfulness. Also, depicted in this unit was God’s call for obedience and Israel’s disobedience resulted in what would have been a forty day journey turned into a forty year journey. The price of disobedience!
The last lesson in this unit and quarter is “God Calls for Decision”, and the question is what decision? The decision is whether to obey God and His commandments or disobey as obedience “leads to a spiritual and physical liberation” (SSPB commentary). As this promise was true during Israel’s days it remains true today. Which do you choose? If the choice is a renewal or rededication of one’s life then two things must occur, and they are (1) repentance, and (2) obedience to the Lord. God has shown repeatedly His love and willingness to forgive and restore His people; God is faithful to His Word.
Allow me to close this dialogue with rhetorical questions, how do we see ourselves in this scenario? What is our gratitude toward God for His deliverance? In looking forward to next quarter’s lessons which deals with the covenant communities and taking a look at four leaders and their commitment to God, then ask ourselves what is our commitment to God and our community?
Author’s Contact:
wwhite@goodshpeherdwritingandpublishing.com, www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com, shop and purchase books, Heavenly Bread, a monthly devotional, An Exposé Of The Holy Spirit, and The Lord Is My Shepherd, Inspirational books. A complete virtual mall is coming soon
Considering what to write in today’s blog, I felt this was a perfect time to take a reflective look at our Sunday School lessons for the summer and reflect on the lessons that were to be learned from them. This quarter’s lessons were “Call Sealed with Promises”, and we learned God keeps His promises.
Unit I of the summer series was “Called Out of Egypt” where the nation of Israel cried out to God while in bondage and God heard their cry. Moses was God’s chosen leader called to lead the people to freedom. In this unit we learned of Moses and Aaron’s responses to God’s call, and how we as modern day believer should respond when God calls us to service. We are to respond with a willing heart and in obedience knowing God is with us and will supply all that is needed to answer His call. The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart was so God could display His supreme power over all, this included Pharaoh. Israel’s Red Sea deliverance should have been sufficient for them to believe God and His powers forever. In the next unit God called Israel to be His people and a new covenant was called for and implemented.
In unit II we see God calling the nation of Israel to be His people and establishing a new covenant with them. This new covenant was the heart of the Law (Deuteronomy 5:1-5). These laws instruct the nation of Israel on their duty to God and to one another (Deuteronomy 5:6-21), and they apply to us today. They are commonly known as the Ten Commandments. Just as these commandments were given to cultivate or build a stronger relationship between God and His people (believers). To be His people obeying His commandments are not optional but is a requirement. Also, in this unit we have God calling on the people to remember important landmarks in their lives and the importance of these landmarks as a way of teaching future generations of their heritage and how God delivered their fathers; just as God delivered fore-fathers He will do the same for present and future day believers. Lastly, in unit II, we have God calling certain people for special service as it is an honor to be called by God for a special ministry in His program and this service is to be a service to God in reverence. Then there is the establishment of Jubilee as a symbol of what happens when we accept Jesus Christ---our reconciler back to God. What a Jubilee?
In unit III is the “Call to Choose Life”, which is an ongoing call to obedience and rewards or disobedience and punishment. All who choose obedience demonstrates a trust in God and faithfulness to Him and His laws. Also, unit III displayed the people short memory and appreciation for what God had already done for them as they found every reason to grumble about what they didn’t have as opposed to what they had and display a heart of gratitude for God’s deliverance. This statement was made several times, “would God bring us her for us to die”, and they expressed their desire to return to Egypt. What an indictment against God, His love, provision, and deliverance? A reasoning thought on their statement, is if God had delivered them out of bondage would He bring them to a place just to leave them. I think not! Israel’s grumbling led to their rebelling which led to Moses’ frustration with them and his disobeying God which prevented Moses from entering into the Promised Land. What do this say about our leaders who are called to lead God’s people? Leaders are to remain steadfast regardless of the people’s complaining and their unfaithfulness. Also, depicted in this unit was God’s call for obedience and Israel’s disobedience resulted in what would have been a forty day journey turned into a forty year journey. The price of disobedience!
The last lesson in this unit and quarter is “God Calls for Decision”, and the question is what decision? The decision is whether to obey God and His commandments or disobey as obedience “leads to a spiritual and physical liberation” (SSPB commentary). As this promise was true during Israel’s days it remains true today. Which do you choose? If the choice is a renewal or rededication of one’s life then two things must occur, and they are (1) repentance, and (2) obedience to the Lord. God has shown repeatedly His love and willingness to forgive and restore His people; God is faithful to His Word.
Allow me to close this dialogue with rhetorical questions, how do we see ourselves in this scenario? What is our gratitude toward God for His deliverance? In looking forward to next quarter’s lessons which deals with the covenant communities and taking a look at four leaders and their commitment to God, then ask ourselves what is our commitment to God and our community?
Author’s Contact:
wwhite@goodshpeherdwritingandpublishing.com, www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com, shop and purchase books, Heavenly Bread, a monthly devotional, An Exposé Of The Holy Spirit, and The Lord Is My Shepherd, Inspirational books. A complete virtual mall is coming soon
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