WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday May 30, 2021

 

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PREACHING TO ENEMIES

(Jonah goes to Nineveh)

(Jonah 3)

 

   The prophet Jonah ministered during the reign of King Jeroboam II of northern Israel. Years earlier, during the reign of Jeroboam’s great grandfather, Jehu, the nation of Assyria had established dominance in the east and had secured tributes from Jehu, making him their “vassal” (puppet) king.

    Several years later, the Assyrians suffered a temporary setback due to dissension within their own camp. This setback allowed Jeroboam II to expand Israel’s territories to its greatest size since the “United Kingdom of Israel” existed under Kings David and his son, Solomon.

    Unfortunately, because of Jeroboam’s disobedience to GOD, and his leading of the people of Israel farther into idolatry, GOD sent both the prophets Amos, and Hosea, into northern Israel to warn him of HIS impending judgment if they didn’t repent and return to worship and obedience to HIM only. In fact, the prophet Hosea specifically told Israel that GOD would use the Assyrians to topple them because of their steadfast refusal to repent.

    However, because Assyria had been lingering in a weakened and declining state for a few years at that time, Israel did not believe neither Amos, nor Hosea, and they remained rebellious and stubborn, continuing to ignore their warnings from GOD.

    And so, perhaps we can see more clearly why Jonah was so reluctant to obey GOD and go to preach repentance to Nineveh. He, of course, was one of those who believed Amos and Hosea, however, he had a problem with going to rescue Israel’s enemies from her own GOD’s judgment, just so they could come later on and destroy his own people.

    Here in Jonah chapter 3, the LORD speaks to Jonah a second time commanding him to “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message of judgment I have given you” (v.2 NLT). This time the prophet obeys the LORD’s command and travels to the massive city of Nineveh, which was so large that it took about three days to see it all.

    Jonah delivered this time-sensitive message to this sin-filled city, and much to his dislike, the people believed his report. The LORD was giving the pagan city forty days to repent or face certain destruction. The people of Nineveh fasted and tore their clothes to show their deep sorrow.

    Even the king of Nineveh, when he heard Jonah’s message, stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robe (v.6). He then dressed himself in sackcloth and sat on a heap of ashes before sending out a royal decree throughout the city. He ordered everyone, and all their animals to go without food and drink. He also ordered them to dress themselves also, in sackcloth and pray earnestly to the LORD of Israel for forgiveness. When GOD saw that the people of Nineveh had put a stop to their evil ways, HE had mercy on them and ceased to carry out HIS judgment against them (v.10).

    Nineveh’s repentance delayed GOD’s wrath for another 150 years. However, as man always does, so too did the Ninevites fall back into the doldrums of sin, and thus their city was still, ultimately allowed by GOD to be destroyed. In fact, world history now tells us that Nineveh was invaded and destroyed by Nabopolasser of Babylon, and his ally Cyaxeres the Mede in 612 B.C. (also see Nahum’s prophecy in the book of Nahum).

    The lesson that GOD is trying to teach Jonah is that, when we cause HIM to withdraw HIS compassion from us, through our ungratefulness and disobedience, we don’t have a right to be angry when we see HIM bestowing HIS mercy and grace upon someone else, even if that happens to be someone whom we don’t like.

    After all is said and done, we won’t be able to see weather or not this lesson was wasted on Jonah, because his book ends without him ever responding to GOD’s final comments to him. However, Jonah was clearly at fault with his attitude of not wanting GOD’s compassion bestowed in the lives of others, even if he felt like those who were “saved” were not necessarily his friends.

    The book of Jonah has often been called “The Gospel of Second Chance”, because it clearly shows that when we know GOD, HE will not let us run away from obedience for too long. And sometimes HE may have to place great storms in our lives, or great fishes in our path to get our attention. However, we can be thankful because, ultimately, our compassionate GOD always has our best interest at heart.

   

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 May 23, 2021

 

Over 270,000 readers worldwide

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PREACHING TO THE EXILES

(The justice of a righteous GOD)

(Ezekiel 18)

 

   In the book of Ezekiel, here in chapter 18, the prophet Ezekiel receives yet another message from GOD. This time the message is regarding GOD’s sovereignty and righteousness in judgment, and how we are all, as individuals, responsible for our own actions and behavior.

    In chapters 15-17 of this book, we saw that Ezekiel had already delivered three other messages, or, parables, that were designed to convict the nation of Judah of her sins against GOD. Now, here in this chapter, the prophet’s message returns to the bluntness necessary to drive home to Judah, their own personal, individual responsibility to GOD for their personal iniquities, and broken relationships with HIM.

    Ezekiel begins this chapter with a proverb that must have been very familiar to Israel because it had also been quoted by the prophet Jeremiah just a few years earlier (Jeremiah 31:29). Here GOD asks Ezekiel about this proverb since it had been circulating among the populace for some time. The proverb simply states that; “The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste” (v.2) (NLT).

    The point of this proverb is that the children of Israel believed that they were suffering because of the sins of their parents. They felt that GOD was now punishing them for the sins of their ancestors, and not because of any fault of their own, and this of course, was ridiculous. In fact, the very thought of this proverb depicts GOD as being “unjust”, which is a blasphemous conclusion.

    GOD therefore saw a great need to refute this false doctrine, and HE called this foolishness to the attention of HIS post-exilic prophet. Like most false doctrine, a trace of truth is used in order to make it sound plausible, and this particular proverb was no exception.

    In the holy “Decalogue”, the “Ten Commandments”, cited in the book of Exodus (20:5 and 34:6-7) and Deuteronomy 5:9, we see a few examples of where GOD talks about punishing the children of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate HIM. However, the whole point of these passages is that “the effects of sin are serious and long-lasting”, and not that GOD punishes the innocent for their ancestors’ evils literally.

    There is always a chance that our iniquities and mistakes will affect others at some future date, however, that backlash lies with us as responsible human beings, not with GOD. GOD gives us “wills that are free” (freedom of choice), and our choices always, invariably, will affect someone else, be they family members or not, in the future. Here in this passage, GOD presents us with three hypothetical case examples to show how we as individuals are responsible for our own choices in life.

    In case number one, GOD presents us with the example of a righteous man who does what is lawful and right under HIM. The man does not worship idols or engage in forbidden sexual practices and activities such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, and bestiality. He is merciful to his creditors and does not rob the poor. He gives food to the hungry and provides clothing to those in need. He gives loans without interest, stays away from injustice, and faithfully considers, at all times, what is right by GOD. This particular person is “just” and will be honored and allowed to live with GOD eternally.

    In case number two the LORD presents us with another supposition. Suppose the son of that same man grew up to be a robber or a murderer, and refuses to do right, and in fact, he does exactly the opposite of the father. Should such a sinful person go unpunished because of the reputation of his father? No way! GOD says that person must be punished according to his own iniquities, and not spared because of his father’s righteous behavior.

    In the third case scenario GOD says that, “Suppose that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father’s wickedness and decides against that kind of lifestyle for himself”. He, instead, chooses to live the righteous lifestyle of his grandfather. That son will not be punished because of his father’s sins, but rather, will be blessed as his grandfather was. And bear in mind, it is not because of his grandfather’s righteous choices and decisions that he is blessed, but rather, it will be because he himself personally made the right choices under GOD.  

    When we blame others for our faults and misfortunes, we inevitably deny our own guilt, and, through human ingenuity, claim innocence and perfection, that, in our own minds, justify our sinful behavior against GOD. In this passage of scripture, GOD is clearly saying in no uncertain terms, that, “the person who sins is the person who pays for the consequences”, not our children, and not anyone else.

    Every human being has to make an account for the deeds done in his or her lifetime. GOD will judge each of us according to our own actions, good or bad. And so, we must turn away from our sins, and be drawn instead, to the GODlier things in this life, lest we allow our sins to destroy us.

    We must put our rebellious ways behind us, in order that we may grasp and obtain “a new heart” (new way of thinking), and “a new spirit” (new GODly influence). Then and only then, can we begin walking in “the newness of life”, that is, CHRIST JESUS. When we begin to make GODly decisions, GOD’s mercy towards us, will “win out” (“katakauchatai”), over HIS judgment against us (James 2:13b).

    GOD does not wish to see any of HIS human creation perish by becoming permanently separated from HIM, by way of our sins. Instead, HE wishes for us to live eternally with HIM, by way of our new-found relationship with CHRIST JESUS. GOD does not enjoy punishing us for our sins, but rather, HE relishes in the thought that we choose to be blessed by HIM, because of our obedience.      

 

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

 

  

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

 

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday May 16, 2021

 

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PREACHING DOOM

(Jeremiah meets with King Zedekiah)

(Jeremiah 38:14-28)

 

   The prophet Jeremiah prophesied to the nation of Judah from 627 to circa 580 B.C., which was approximately 100 years after the death of Isaiah. Five kings ruled over Judah during this time, with King Josiah being the first of those five. Unfortunately, the four kings that followed him were exceedingly wicked, and the king in this passage, Jehoiachin, was counted among them.

    Jehoiachin was removed from the throne of Judah by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, in 597 B.C., and was subsequently taken into captivity. He was replaced by the “puppet king”, or, “vassal”, Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, whom Nebuchadnezzar renamed “Zedekiah” (2 Kings 24:16-17).

    Zedekiah vacillated between serving Babylon and, at one and the same time, rebelling against her, much to the displeasure of King Nebuchadnezzar. He ruled in Judah for the final decade of its existence, before Jerusalem was finally destroyed in 586 B.C. by the Babylonians, just as the prophet Isaiah had earlier foretold (2 Kings 20:16-18).

    Jeremiah had often warned Judah, in both word and deed, about their coming destruction because of their idolatry and sorted other disobediences and sins against GOD. He illustrated time and time again, his prophesies from GOD, with symbolic demonstrations, even using his own body. Sadly, his messages, like the messages of other prophets before and after him, went largely unheeded because they were either misunderstood, or just simply dismissed as rhetoric, and sometimes, even as being treasonous against Israel itself.

    Zedekiah’s officials, who took much exception to Jeremiah’s seemingly demoralizing preaching against Judah, received little opposition from their king, and here in the first half of this chapter of the book of Jeremiah (Vs.1-7), they were able to throw the prophet into an empty “cistern” located in the prison yard. There was no water in the cistern, however there was a thick layer of mud at the bottom of it, and Jeremiah sank slowly down into it.

    However, as GOD would have it, an important palace official, an Ethiopian by the name of Ebed-melech (Ee-bed-mee-lek), got word of what had happened to Jeremiah. And so, he rushed to the palace and convinced Zedekiah to have Jeremiah taken out of the cistern dungeon in which he had been unjustifiably placed. Jeremiah was then returned to the “Courtyard of the Guard”, the palace prison, where he would remain for some time.

    Taking up at verse 14 we see a now troubled King Zedekiah sending for the prophet Jeremiah, summoning him from prison to come to the third entrance gate of the LORD’s Temple. There Zedekiah tells Jeremiah that he needed to ask him a question, and he demanded that Jeremiah answers truthfully. Jeremiah responded that “If I tell you the truth you will kill me. And if I give you advice, you won’t listen to me anyway” (v.15).  King Zedekiah then swears by GOD to Jeremiah that he would not kill, nor turn him over to the men who wanted him dead (v.16).

    And so we see, Zedekiah was not only afraid of the Babylonians, but he was also leary of his own officials, and this is why he sought Jeremiah in secret, to inquire as to what he should do to protect himself from all possible peril, both interior, and, exterior threats.

    However, in verse 17 we see the prophet Jeremiah deliver to the king, a message of pending doom. Here he tells Zedekiah that: “The LORD GOD Almighty, the GOD of Israel, says: If you surrender to Babylon, you and your family will live, and the city will not be burned. But if you refuse to surrender, you will not escape! This city will be handed over to the Babylonians, and they will burn it to the ground” (Vs.17-18).  

    We are sorely mistaken if we assume that the priorities of “GOD” and “nation” are always the same. In fact, nowadays they rarely are, because we live our lives so far apart from GOD’s Will for us. In this passage, the community leader’s (officials) complaint that Jeremiah’s preaching was “weakening the morale of the people” may have been a legitimate argument, however, this did not make Jeremiah a traitor.

    To speak against one’s country, when that country is clearly operating far out of the Will of GOD and Justice, can never be a bad thing. Jeremiah, just as true Christians should today, put GOD’s Word and values first, and he felt that if those who called themselves by GOD’s name, “followers of CHRIST” (a Christian nation) would do the same, in the end, all would be well with them.

    When we put GOD first, and our family and nation a distant second, the two will never conflict. We must be faithful to GOD first, and then only good things can follow. And as I often say, “The leaders of men, who wish to be effective in a positive way, must first, be a follower of GOD. And we as Christians have an obligation to prove to the world, through our behavior, that Christianity really does produce the best men and women.

 

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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Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

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Clinton Family Portrait - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday May 9, 2021

 

Over 269,000 readers worldwide

larrydalexander.blogspot.com

 

OFFERING HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

(The condition of our hearts and lives influences our worship)

(Isaiah 29)

 

   Many pre-dominantly African American Christian churches are well-known for long Sunday worship services that feature loud gospel music, and praise dancing. We even see hand clapping, and outstretched hands to GOD, even while they are performing “demonic miming” in the church. We seem to have developed a knack for “honoring GOD with our lips” and “dishonoring HIM with our actions and hearts”, at one and the same time.

    However, great prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel provide strong warnings to all people who attempt to entertain and impress each other with a public display of religious ceremonies that tend to veil a heart that has no genuine connection to GOD, or, to JESUS CHRIST, the “true Believer’s LORD”.

    Here in Isaiah 29, verses 1-4, the prophet Isaiah continues with the theme that he began in chapter 28 concerning the “five woes” of impending doom for the nation of Israel that are featured in chapters 28-33. In this last part of the second “woe of doom”, which are all purposed by GOD to bring HIS people back to HIM, we see Isaiah now focusing more so on Jerusalem and southern Israel (Judah).

    Unlike the judgment that would befall northern Israel, Jerusalem (referred to here as “Ariel”) would not suffer as greatly as its Samarian counterparts did at the hands of Sennacherib and the Assyrians in 701 B.C. Jerusalem would be spared, due to GOD’s divine intervention upon the “City of David” at this time (verses 5-8).  

    In verses 9-24, like the passage of verses 1-8, we see comprised, a prophecy that consist of two parts:  The first part (Vs.9-16) is actually made up of three short prophecies of judgment, likely from the years leading up to 701 B.C., and the threatened invasion by the Assyrian King, Sennacherib, into Judah (2 Kings 18). The three short prophecies all have the same subject, which is the blindness and the lack of understanding of Judah’s leadership.

    The second part (Vs.17-24) is a prophecy of “salvation” that is reminiscent of parts of Isaiah chapters 24-27 (Isaiah’s apocalypse), and chapters 40-55. The obvious pattern of “sin”, “judgment”, and “hope” seems to strengthen with each catastrophe and continues throughout the book of Isaiah. Here also (Vs.9-12), the way Isaiah seems to go about his mission, may very well remind us of his vision in the temple in chapter 6, verses 1-13.

 

    In verses 13-14, which are also about “blindness”, we see that, because of the hypocrisy of Israel, its leaders would be deprived of the resourcefulness that is needed to guide the nation through the difficult crisis ahead. The original context of this prophecy seems to speak of a time when “irresponsibility” and “short-sightedness” led to the devastation of Judah. However, as it stands, it can be taken as a general attack on the “lip-service” of GOD’s people who were faithfully attending acts of worship, mouthing the words of prayer and hymns, without actually taking seriously, what they were saying and doing.

    The LORD judged Judah’s hypocritical attempt to maintain a show of worshipping HIM, while actually living as though HIS ways were not important at all. The people had replaced “true worship” with “lip-service”, “man-made rules”, and bible text that they merely memorized, and reduced to just “church talk”. While using their mouths to flatter GOD, their hearts remained far from HIM, and in truth, they “loved many other things” more than they loved GOD.

    GOD hates “false worship”, and so HE promises to confound Judah with many wonders. The LORD would demonstrate that HE alone is worthy of worship and praise, and in the midst of HIS wondrous acts, the wisdom of the wisest men in Israel would vanish, and all understanding of the people would be hidden. Whenever we separate ourselves from a right relationship with GOD, our human wisdom fails us, and here we clearly see GOD saying, that, HIS power will confound the very best of “human intellect”.

    In verses 15-16 we see just WHO is sovereign and in charge in this world, and that, of course, is the LORD. Hypocritical worship grows out of “selfish pride”, and selfish pride leads to “self-delusion”. It is very possible for a person to convince himself, or herself, that they can hide their plans and actions from GOD. Here in these verses, Isaiah confronts those who were going to great lengths to keep their unfaithfulness secret from GOD.

    Such attempts are not just limited to Isaiah’s day, but perhaps, are even more commonplace here in the twenty-first century Church. However, Isaiah says that one day mockers will be destroyed and then a “shamed Church” will at last, stand in awe of the Almighty GOD, and hopefully begin to gain the understanding that we now so tragically lack.

    In today’s church we surely seem to need reminding that nothing is hidden from GOD, and we would do well to adopt what I call “the attitude of Hagar”, and become convinced that the GOD of Abraham is also “the GOD WHO sees me”.

   

 

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

 

Clinton Family Portrait - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia