Friday, May 29, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday May 31, 2020

Over 239,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

PURSUE LOVE AND JUSTICE
(GOD loves and pursues even the unfaithful)
(Hosea 11:1-10 and 12:1-14)

   The Book of Hosea consists of two distinct sections. The first section focuses on his personal life, while the second section focuses more on his messages from GOD. Hosea prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel prior to its fall to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. His ministry spanned around 40 years, and he was a contemporary to Amos, Isaiah, and Micah, who also ministered and prophesied to other parts of northern Israel at that time.
    Hosea’s unhappy home life was used by GOD to symbolically depict how unhappy HE HIMSELF was about the state of affairs in the nation of Israel. And just as Gomer, Hosea’s wife, constantly left him for a life of prostitution, so too, we constantly to leave GOD, and make ourselves prostitutes, to the world’s ways of doing things. However, just as Hosea continued to bring Gomer back under his roof of protection, so too GOD continues to love us, and restore us, back into HIS glorious favor as well.
    In the Old Testament Hebrew, the word most often used for “love” is “aheb”, and it describes “the motivation by which GOD restrains HIMSELF from destroying us because of our disobedience to HIM and HIS Word”. Love is the one controlling element in GOD’s relationship with HIS sinful people, who call HIM, “their GOD and SAVIOR”. It explains why, through Abraham’s seed, GOD sent CHRIST JESUS to save us from ourselves, and particularly, from our bad choices.
    Through GOD’s love, we are freed from the bondage of sin. However, as GOD’s greatest creation (who has been given wills that are free), we must still “choose” whether or not we wish to walk away from the plantation of the cruel “slave master of darkness”, satan, and start walking in “the newness of life and light”, that GOD has blessed us with, through CHRIST JESUS.
    Here in Hosea chapter 11, the author of GOD gives us a vivid description of how we have abandoned the FATHER WHO taught us how to walk. Here in verses 1-4 we find being presented, the very imagery of a young toddler who is just learning how to walk. Here we can also envision the child being encouraged by the concerned parent, who patiently holds on to the hand of this dependent child, gently reminding him or her, that, whenever they stumble, everything can still be okay if they repent and move back  into “the Most High faith”, and then, “hold fast to their commitment to GOD”.
    And so, in this passage, “the language of love” continues to dominate the book of Hosea, but now, it moves from the depiction of “marital love”, that was clearly seen in chapters 1-3, to a vision of “parental love” that is clearly seen here in chapter 11.
    In Deuteronomy 21:18-21, we see contained in the Law of Moses, a seemingly, very harsh way, by today’s standards, of dealing with disobedient children. There we see a child being taken into a, somewhat, quasi-courtroom setting, where he must appear before the leaders of the town, because of his continued defiant acts against his parents. There the child is found guilty, and is actually sentenced to be stoned to death, by those leaders.
    Here in Hosea 11 however, we see “GOD’s anger and judgment” being overcome by “HIS love for Israel”, which is depicted as “HIS child” in this book. Instead of wiping Israel out of existence, GOD says that, for their rebellious ways, HE will send them back into captivity, as they once were in Egypt.
    This time however, GOD would use Assyria to capture and enslave Israel in 722 B.C. (Vs.5-6). And although Israel had continued to acknowledge GOD as being “Most High” with their lips, they did not show HIM honor through their behavior, as they constantly indulged themselves in idolatry, and many other perverse activities of the surrounding pagan nations.
    True followers of the GOD in Heaven already know that obedience to GOD is the only way to truly show that we love, worship, and honor HIM (v.7). And JESUS, our literal LORD and SAVIOR, teaches us that the only way to prove our love for HIM is by “obeying HIM”, and, by “loving others”. And we must do as JESUS, our human example and role model, did, during HIS short human lifespan here on earth. After all, “imitation” has always been “the greatest form of flattery”.
    And so, in verse 8 we see GOD seemingly tormenting over what HE should do as a form of punishment for HIS beloved Israel. Should HE utterly destroy them, as HE did Admah and Zeboiim, or should HE just “spank them” and let them live? Admah and Zeboiim, which is mentioned here in this verse, were two of the five cities (along with Sodom, Gomorrah, and Bela) that were destroyed by GOD, because of their defiant sins against HIM (Genesis 19:24-25, Deuteronomy 29:23).
    In verse 9 of this chapter we see GOD making the decision, this time, to not let HIS anger dictate the degree of Israel’s deserved punishment (which is death), as HE did with those sinful communities in earlier days. Instead, GOD reasons that HE alone is the HOLY ONE living among HIS people, and that, HE would not deal with them, this time, as mere humans would, by killing everyone.
    Here we see that GOD, because of HIS sovereignty, does not have to deal with all situations the same way, but rather, HE can deal with HIS creation as HE pleases, or as HE sees fit at the time (Daniel 4:17, Romans 9:14-15). The decision of death, though called for under GOD’s OWN Law for Israel’s sin, is, in this particular case, foregone. Here GOD simply allows “HIS love for HIS people”, to overcome “HIS wrath against them”.
    In Hosea chapter 12, taking up at verse 1, GOD says that northern Israel surrounds HIM with “lies and deceit” (“mirmah”), while Judah (southern Israel) was still walking with HIM at that time, and was faithful. The people of northern Israel “fed on the wind” and “chased after the winds of the east”, making alliances with the eastern nations of Assyria and Egypt, instead of trusting in GOD for protection. Now the LORD GOD was bringing a lawsuit, so to speak, against HIS beloved nation of Israel (v.2).
    In verse 6 Hosea implores his people to “return to GOD before it was too late” and start acting on “the principals of love and justice” that are called for in GOD’s Word! He urged them to always live in “confident dependence” on GOD, not man!
    However, the Israelites, for the most part, rejected Hosea’s pleas, and chose instead, to continue on, in their crafty, dishonest ways of doing business. They loved to boast about how rich they had made themselves, and they never were willing to admit to their “cheating” and dishonest methods of doing business with their own people, and, especially with foreigners (Vs.8-9). They had totally forgotten that their GOD, the true GOD in Heaven, perpetually see all, hears all, and knows all that we do.   
    In this book of Hosea, GOD’s overwhelming compassion for HIS “chosen people” is highlighted by much insight into “HIS true and divine nature”. However, we must always remember, that, “GOD’s grace and mercy” will never trump “GOD’s truth”. However, we must also remember that “GOD is love”, and “HIS love” will always trump “HIS Law”. Love that suffers and finds its own inner conflict, will, eventually, always find a solution.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY DALEXANDER- Official Website

          
    

Friday, May 22, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday May 24, 2020

Over 238,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

REPENT OF INJUSTICE
(A message to Judah’s King Jehoahaz)
(Jeremiah 22:1-9)

   The prophet Jeremiah was a priest descending from the line of Aaron. His father, Hilkiah, although he was a priest, was probably not the high priest who discovered the copy of the Law during Josiah’s reign (2 Kings 22:2-14). Hilkiah was a popular and common name of many priests of the line of Levi in the Old Testament times.
    Jeremiah was born in the small town of Anathoth in the territory of the Benjamites. It was located about 3 miles northeast of Jerusalem. Anathoth was one of the cities that was allocated to the priests by Joshua (Joshua 21:15-19). The priests were required to live only in the places that were specified by GOD, through Joshua. They were not to wander around all over Israel, and especially not into the surrounding pagan territories.
    Although Jeremiah was born a priest, he began to function as a prophet once he received word and power from GOD to operate in that capacity. GOD began to speak through him directly during the 13th year of the reign of the GODly king, Josiah. After the death of Josiah, every king who ascended to the throne afterwards, practiced evil and showed no worthiness to their position under GOD as leaders.
   Here in Jeremiah 22, the prophet continues his deliverance of messages from GOD concerning the “injustices” of Judah’s leadership, and the rich, against the Gentiles, orphans, and widows living in Judah. The kings of Judah were supposed to operate as absolute Monarchs. However, they were also required to stay rigidly fixed on the ways of GOD, WHO empowered them. They were responsible to shepherd GOD’s people, and to maintain the “right” and “just” moral order that is called for in the Laws of GOD.
    In verses 1-5 GOD instructs Jeremiah to go and confront the king of Judah, his officials, and other influential people, who were evidently meeting there in the palace at that time. He was told to command them to start doing the things that are right and just under the LORD. This message was very similar to the one given to Jeremiah in 21:12, however now, certain consequences have been added.
    Here Jeremiah is instructed to speak directly to the king saying; “Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!
    Jeremiah goes on to tell the king that, if he were careful to obey the LORD in all these commands, he could expect to receive continued blessings. However, if he chose to disobey these commands, he could expect his reign to come to an end, and his royal palace, that they loved and adored so much, would be destroyed.
     In verses 6-9, as only the LORD can, HE speaks to the very walls of the palace in which the Davidic Kings lived. Evil spirits will come to inhabit any and everything we choose to put before the LORD, and choose to worship and adore, more than HE WHO created us and blessed us with those very things.
    Here the LORD is speaking directly to those evil spirits who were receiving worship from the king, and the people of Judah, through their adoration and high regard for the palace itself. The palace and the things within it had become “like a god” to the king and the people of Judah, just like pagans worshiped the idols that they themselves had built.
    If we worship and adore any person, place, or thing, more than we do GOD, then evil spirits will certainly take up residence in those people, places and things, so that they may, unbeknownst to the adorer, actually receive their highest worship. That is how “the spirit world” operates, they steal our heart from GOD through the people, places and things that we adore more than JESUS CHRIST, and GOD HIMSELF, WHO created us. If we love anything or anyone more than we love GOD, then that person, place, or thing has become an idol to us.
    In order to remain right and just, under GOD, we must not lose our heart to the people, places, and things of this world. GOD loves for us to have and enjoy the blessings of HIS creation, and HE HIMSELF loves HIS OWN creation, and HE tells us in the beginning that “it is all good” (Genesis 1:25). However, if we put anything that HE created above HIM in our lives, including ourselves, we, as human beings, made in HIS spiritual image, violate our covenant with HIM as our creator (GOD made us to serve HIM in obedience and righteousness), and we become like adulterers and prostitutes against HIM, in HIS sight.
      
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY DALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, May 15, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday May 17, 2020

Over 237,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

PRACTICING JUSTICE
(No one is exempt from GOD’s judgment)
(Jeremiah 21)

   The life of the prophet Jeremiah is, perhaps, described in greater detail than any other prophet in the annals of the Old Testament. His ministry covers the last 40 years of Judah’s existence, before it was ultimately captured and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces in 586 B.C. He became an eyewitness to that Babylonian invasion, and he actually saw the devastation, slaughter, and deportation of his people, and the destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem.
    Jeremiah had pleaded tearfully with his people for many years to turn from their sins, but instead of listening to his warnings from GOD, the people chose to ignore him, and some even persecuted him for his troubling messages. Therefore, the destruction of Jerusalem, GOD’s OWN chosen people, now stands as an eternal reminder to the world, of what can and will happen to any nation that rejects GOD, the CREATOR of everything, and everyone, we can, and, cannot see.
      King Zedekiah, Judah’s last king, ruled from 597 to 586 B.C., the year that Jerusalem finally fell to the Babylonians. The events described here in Jeremiah 21, most likely takes place in the 9th year of his 11-year reign. Zedekiah’s desperate plea to Jeremiah (Vs.1-2) to ask GOD for help against Nebuchadnezzar after surviving the first invasion in 605 B.C. (and feeling the pinch of the impending invasion in 597 B.C.), was rejected because it came much too late. GOD had already sanctioned Judah’s demise, and indeed, had sided with the Babylonians to punish and overtake Israel, by decimating her with plagues, famine, and of course, by the sword.
    GOD gave Jeremiah a message to carry to his people that caused them to hate him fiercely because it made them view him as a treasonous scoundrel. The LORD said to tell them to; “Take your choice of life or death! Everyone who stays in Jerusalem will die from war, famine, or disease, but those who go out and surrender to the Babylonians will live. For I have decided to bring disaster and not good upon this city, says the LORD. It will be captured by the king of Babylon, and he will reduce it to ashes”.
    GOD announced HIS judgment on Judah’s last kings because they refused to “administer justice” and move the nation away from their sinful behavior. HE commanded that they “give justice to the people they judged over”, “rescue them from internal oppressors”, and, in short, as leaders, “Do what is right in HIS eyes”.
    “Administering justice rightly” is a resounding theme throughout the Old Testament. The way kings ruled in their royal court set the stage for all the lower courts in the land. The practices of evil kings and leaders were, and are, greatly denounced by GOD. To whom much is given, much is required, and so “responsibility” will always be, the “obverse” of “privilege”.
    GOD says that if we as leaders do not do what is right, HIS anger will burn against us like an unquenchable fire because of all our sins. GOD called Jeremiah as a young man, and gave him an old message. It would be a message that, like always, would be rejected by man. When Jeremiah spoke, the people refused to hear him, and a whole biblical “book of Lamentations” was written to express his heartbreak over the defiance of his people, Israel.
    Mankind has always been willing to embrace GOD’s love and forgiveness, and that goes for believers and unbelievers alike. We all want a GOD WHO will come to our rescue when we have gotten ourselves into trouble, due to our sin and disobedience against HIM.
    However, very few of us are interested in truly following GOD, through JESUS CHRIST, or, having an experiential relationship of friendship with GOD, by allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to lead and guide us on a daily basis. And unless we repent, and that attitude changes, and we recognize how much we need GOD, we simply won’t be able to escape the “devil’s lifestyle”, nor “GOD wrath” that is contained in HIS judgment.
   
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY DALEXANDER- Official Website






Friday, May 8, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday May 10, 2020

Over 237,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

PROMISING PEACE
(Promised blessings for GOD’s people)
(Zechariah 8)

   The “post-exilic” prophet, Zechariah, is often referred to as “the prophet of hope”. Even as a young man he seemed to reinforce the pleadings of the prophet Haggai, who was his contemporary. Haggai was the first post-exilic prophet whom GOD sent to encourage the Israelites to finish the rebuilding of the fallen Temple at Jerusalem, after they began returning there following their time of captivity in Babylon, starting in 539 B.C.
    In 520 B.C., Haggai and Zechariah were instrumental in moving the people of Israel back into a brief re-commitment to GOD that resulted in the finishing of the work on the Temple at Jerusalem. Remember, all work on the Temple had ceased during the previous 18 years, after an enthusiastic start by Ezra, Zerubbabel, Nehemiah and others.
    Zechariah’s book begins with 8 visions that depict, in very graphic language, the power and control of the Almighty GOD over human events. These visions also speak of the importance of spiritual strength, the judgment of GOD on sin, and the promise of better times ahead. These visions are followed by a series of updated messages that embody encouragement, and further admonishments from GOD.
    There are two themes that are emphasized in the book of Zechariah that are of special interest to Christians. First, it is a book that is filled with detailed references to the first advent of CHRIST JESUS. They include references of CHRIST’ lowliness and humanity (6:12), HIS betrayal by Judas Iscariot (11:12-13), HIS deity (3:4 and 13:7), HIS priesthood (6:13), and HIS kingship (6:13, 9:9, 14:9 and 14:16).
    The second theme that is of interest to Christians is one of “eschatology”, which is the systematic study of the “End Times”. The final section of Zechariah’s book (chapters 12-14) is focused on the coming of “the MESSIANIC age”, where Jerusalem and the people of GOD will, at last, truly become holy.
    Here in Zechariah 8, we first see a series of seven short messages from GOD, through HIS prophet, Zechariah, concerning HIS promise of “a future restoration of Jerusalem” (verses 1-17). These seven messages are followed by three short messages concerning “the rejoicing of GOD’s people as a result of this great restoration” (verses 18-23).
    In this chapter GOD’s passion for HIS chosen people is affirmed in the same superlative terms that were given earlier to us by the prophet Joel (Joel 2:18-20), as he prophesized about the defeat of Gog and Magog in a yet, future, eschatological event. In the peaceful time that follows, both wisdom (the elderly), and youth, will safely walk the streets of a restored Jerusalem (v.4). It was a forecast that seemed impossible to the small, discouraged remnant that had survived the 70-year captivity, under the thumb of Babylon. Here GOD promises to rescue HIS people, and, to gather and restore the diaspora from the east, and, from the west (Vs.7-8).
    In verses 9-10 GOD tells the discouraged remnant to take heart and finish the task of rebuilding the Temple, just as HIS prophets were urging them to do, ever since the walls and foundation was laid by Ezra, Nehemiah, Zerubbabel and the others. Now, however, they were free to work without the distractions from their enemies that the others faced (Nehemiah 4). Those enemies led by Sanballat and Tobias, had sought, very vigorously in those days, to halt the construction of the walls around Jerusalem.
    Zechariah tells the people that the LORD Almighty promises to restore peace and prosperity to the community and bless the earth to produce abundant crops throughout Judah and northern Israel. They would no longer represent to the world, “a symbol of cursedness”, but instead, would become “a symbol and source of blessings” that all the other nations would desire and envy (Vs.11-13).
    In verses 14-17 GOD affirms the fulfillment of HIS purpose for future blessings, by contrasting those coming blessing, with the already fulfilled promises of disaster and judgment that were forecasted to their ancestors by pre-exilic prophets. In view of the options of punishment and blessings, GOD offers HIS people an agenda that would feature honesty, and justice. HE also instructs them to NOT make evil plots to harm each other and stop swearing to things that are false.
    In verses 18-23, Zechariah gives to us, from the LORD, three encouraging messages of the rejoicing that will occur as a result of being an obedient, faithful society in the LORD. The LORD now seems to finish addressing the question asked by the delegation that was sent to the prophets and the priests by Bethel to ask (Zechariah 7:2-3), “Should we continue to mourn and fast each summer on the anniversary of the Temple’s destruction, as we have done for so many years?”. Here the LORD tells the people to put an end to these “self-imposed” fasts and mourning, and instead, they will begin to have festivals of joy and celebration for themselves, and begin to love “truth” and “peace”, which are the things that GOD loves (v.19).
    When GOD decides to bring in the future day of blessing, all mourning by HIS faithful obedient people will be turned to joy. People from many nations will desire to join with the followers of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, because of their relationship to HIM. Powerful nations will journey to Jerusalem in their search for peace and holiness, and to worship GOD during the Millennial Age, still, yet to come.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY DALEXANDER- Official Website


  
   

   

     
   
   
     
   
   
   

Friday, May 1, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday May 3, 2020

Over 236,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

PROPHESYING RESTORATION
(Jerusalem’s rebellion and redemption)
(Zephaniah 3)

   Zephaniah, along with Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and Micah, prophesied to Judah during the last decades before it was ultimately destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces in 586 B.C. Josiah, who was king of Judah at that time, was so stirred by Zephaniah and the others’ messages that he began to institute sweeping reforms in Israel in 629 B.C.
    The emergence of so many powerful prophets during Josiah’s reign perhaps suggests how significant this period was to the salvation of the nation of Israel. However, these reforms were too little too late for the doomed nation, as it had now slid to new moral lows, while they continued to follow the evil behavior of the pagan nations around them.
    In fact, not only would Judah soon feel the wrath of GOD, but, so too would the surrounding nations suffer the effects of GOD’s judgment and punishment for their sins. Judah had foolishly hoped that when GOD visited them on “The Day of the LORD”, HE would go easy on them and only punish their pagan neighbors. However, this was not to be.
    As Josiah, who became king at the age of 8, grew up and matured into a righteous young man under the guidance of his mother, Jedidah, Assyria’s power had diminished considerably. And so, not having to worry about this once, prominent enemy of Judah’s, the primary concern for the young king began to center more on internal affairs.
    Soon after taking full reign of Judah, Josiah’s primary focus shifted toward “the moral and spiritual reform” of his fallen people. He staged an intense campaign of reforms between 629 and 622 B.C., however, despite his stern personal commitment to this effort, the people instead, chose to continue their downward moral slide, by becoming more steadily involved in the pagan religious practices of the surrounding nations.
    Here in Zephaniah 3, verse 1, we see a tragic description of how people of every age were rebelling against GOD with violence and crime. Their representation of GOD was almost non-existent, just as it is today, throughout the world. We are not serious at all about influencing other people toward GOD, even in the Church. GOD intends, at least for HIS professed followers, to live by HIS standards, and have a GODly influence on the society in which we live. GOD calls for us (the Church) to actively do that which is defined as “good” and “right” by HIM in HIS Word.
    GOD is actively involved in the lives of those who have HIM in their hearts, even when they may fall short, or, when they have to suffer the effects of the shortcomings of the world around them. When we as Christians, or “followers of GOD” fall short, we need to accept GOD’s correction and move on, less we encounter a more severe judgment or punishment in the future (Vs.5-7).
    “Arrogance” is perhaps man’s greatest sin, because it produces rebellion against GOD, idolatry, and injustices of every kind. GOD will always respond to our pride with judgment, just as HE did with the Israelites here in this passage. HIS response will have an immediate impact upon HIS professed followers (the Church), and a later impact upon the unbelieving world. HIS judgment will have a purifying effect on the survivors of HIS Church, as it is intended “correct”, as well as “punish”. Those who survive will be “humbled” and hopefully returned to a state of “obedience” to GOD the CREATOR.
    The attitudes of “pride” and “humility” are quite literally, “basic”, as they reflect our orientation to the LORD. “Pride” is arrogance, self-centeredness, insolence toward authority, presumptuousness, and a flat-out unwillingness to, neither, recognize that one needs GOD, nor, to submit to GOD in any way.
    “Humility” on the other hand, is responsive, trusting, and unassuming. It is a willingness and eagerness to submit to GOD, and, have a primary goal of pleasing GOD, rather than oneself. One of these two attitudes is dominant in every individual, although they may be more clearly displayed in some more than in others. Our attitude should not be, “What GOD can do to please me”, but rather, it should be, “What can I do to please GOD” (vs.11-12).
    Zephaniah told the people of Judah that, despite the shortcomings of that generation, GOD was still willing to grant a bright future to HIS chosen people of Israel, and GOD is saying the same thing to us today. And although GOD will continue to discipline us for our sins against HIM, HE will also continue to purify us through HIS disciplinary actions, which will transform us, and eventually, bless us.   
    And so, we see the theme of Zephaniah’s messages are “pride”, “Judgment”, and “purification”. Our current sinful state can be transformed into a life that is pleasing to GOD if we, first, “recognize that we need GOD”, and then, “repent” and “humble ourselves” toward GOD. And then CHRIST JESUS, our LORD and SAVIOR, will do for us, things that we cannot do for ourselves in our own power. And the HOLY SPIRIT will begin to lead us, and guide and counsel us, into making, not only “good decisions”, but rather, “the best decisions” for our own personal lives.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY DALEXANDER- Official Website