WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday October 20, 2013

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SIBLING RIVALRY

(GOD can work through troubled relationships)

(Genesis 16, 21:12-21, & 26:2-5, 12-14)

In Genesis 16 we saw a frustrated Sarah, giving in to the pressures of an aging body, and an aging desire to bear children, and giving her servant Hagar, to her husband Abraham to wed, in order that they might start a family of their own. So Abraham, being 85 years old at the time, agreed to Sarah’s wishes and took young Hagar as his wife, and she became pregnant.

When Hagar knew for sure, that she was pregnant, she began to treat Sarah, her master, with contempt. This angered Sarah very much, and, as a result, she began to blame Abraham. Abraham responded by telling her, that, “since she (Hagar) is your servant, you deal with her in the way you see fit”.

So Sarah began to treat Hagar very harshly, causing her to run away from home. In verse 7 of chapter 16, we see an Angel of the LORD, finding Hagar sitting beside a desert spring, along the road to Shur. After asking her two questions, (where have you come from? And, where are you going?), the angel tells Hagar to return to Sarah and submit herself to her authority. Here, we see the angel delivering two messages from GOD, one “hortatory” (return and submit), and the other “promissory” (she was to give birth to a son).

After Hagar’s encounter with the angel, she refers to GOD as “the GOD who sees me” and she also says, “I have seen the ONE who sees me”. Hagar then names the place of the desert spring “Beer Lahai Roi”, which means “well of the living ONE who sees me”. And Hagar returned home, where she bore Abraham a son, and she called his name “Ishmael” (GOD hears), because the LORD heard her misery.

Throughout Scripture, names provided GOD’s people with a message from HIM. Here, we see GOD speaking in direct revelation, and Hagar, in return, responds in faith. GOD sees our afflictions, and HE also hears, and HE answers us when we seek HIM in earnest, with a desire to accept HIM, as the only wise, living GOD.

In Genesis 21 we see, however, that, after the birth of Isaac, by Abraham’s wife Sarah, who was “the son of the promise”, sibling rivalry begins between the two sons as Sarah sees Ishmael and his mother, Hagar, making fun of Isaac. Sarah then angrily demanded that Abraham send them both away, for she did not want to share the family inheritance with them.

This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael, too, was his son. However, GOD consoled Abraham and instructed him to conform to Sarah’s wishes, because Isaac was really the son through whom his descendants would be counted (Vs. 11-12). God also assured Abraham that HE would also make a nation of the descendants of his and Hagar’s son as well (v.13).

And so Abraham prepared food and water for Hagar and Ishmael and sent them away into the wilderness of Beersheba (v.14), having faith that GOD would do as HE promised and deliver them safely to HIS chosen destination, just as HE had done with him years earlier when he called him to leave the village of Haran (Genesis 12:4), for “a land of promise” in Canaan.

It is while Hagar and Ishmael were traveling aimlessly in the wilderness that they were visited again by “The ANGEL of GOD”, who had heard the cries of Ishmael from Heaven, and HE called to Hagar to comfort her. HE gave her water from a well and she immediately ran and gave some to her son who was, at this time, dying of thirst a hundred yards away. HE also promised to make a great nation of the descendants of Ishmael, and GOD was with him as he grew up in the wilderness of Paran. He became an expert archer, and Hagar arranged a marriage for him to a young woman from Egypt (Vs. 17-21).

In Genesis 26:2-5 the LORD extends the “Abrahamic Covenant” promise to Isaac as HE appeared to him at Gerar. There the LORD instructed Isaac not to go to Egypt, but rather, he must stay there in the land of Canaan. The LORD told Isaac that if he obeyed HIM and remained there, that HE would bless him, and give that land to him and his descendants, just as HE had promised Abraham years earlier. And so Isaac remained there, and as a result of his obedience, his crops were overwhelmingly great. He harvested a hundred times more than he planted and he became a rich man as his crops continued to grow. He also acquired large flocks of sheep and goats, great herds of cattle, and many servants (Vs. 12-14).

And so GOD worked through the sibling rivalry between Isaac and Ishmael, and they both became successful in their own right, because they and their parent trusted greatly in the LORD. And as we look back and contemplate on this story, we can clearly see that the most important thing that either of them had to offer, or pass down to their offspring was not wealth or skill, but rather, it was their “legacy of faith”, through their personal relationship with 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

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday October 13, 2013

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A PROMISE KEPT

(GOD fulfills HIS promises in surprising ways)

(Genesis 17:15-17, 18:9-15, & 21:1-7)

In Genesis 15:1-6, we saw Abraham accepting GOD’s divine promise of a son, to be born of his flesh, even though it seemed physically impossible for him and Sarah in their old age (100 years old and 90 years old respectively). Also, in this passage, one should note that, at this time, Abraham had not yet been circumcised as a sign of his covenant with GOD, and the Law, which was delivered by Moses, was still some 400 years away. Therefore, neither circumcision, nor, Abraham’s strict obedience to the law, accounted for GOD’s declaration of Abraham’s righteousness (Genesis 15:6). It was his trusting faith in GOD that afforded him with the gift of Salvation.

In the Old Testament Hebrew, the word used for “covenant” is “briyth” (ber-eeth), and specifically, it is a compact made by passing between two pieces of flesh, in the same sense as “cutting” with a knife. We saw in Genesis 15, verses 9-10, GOD making a covenant with Abraham by ordering him to bring to HIM, a three-year old heifer, a three-year old female goat, a three-year old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon, all except the birds, to be cut down the middle, and the halves laid side by side, as a sign of that covenant.

Here in Genesis 17, GOD now reveals to Abraham, more details of that previously promised covenant (Genesis 12:1-3 & Genesis 15). Here GOD tells Abraham, who was to this point, still called “Abram”, to serve HIM faithfully and live a blameless life, and HE, in return, would make a covenant with him that would guarantee to make him father of a mighty nation, and in fact, HE would make him “father of many nations”.

After hearing this, Abram knelt down prostrate, face to the ground. It was then and there that GOD informed that HE was changing his name to “Abraham”, which means “father of many nations”. And so, from that day on, every time Abraham heard his name called, he was reminded of GOD’s covenant promise with him.

In Genesis 17:9-14, GOD reveals yet another confirming sign to Abraham, only this one was to apply not only to him, but in fact, was to apply to all males who share the Jewish promise of the everlasting covenant. Here GOD Almighty institutes the ancient ritual of “circumcision” into the Jewish doctrine. Circumcision involves the cutting away of the foreskin from the tip of a male’s penis. This procedure was to be performed on every Jewish male child on the eighth day of his life. It is intended;

·         To serve as an everlasting reminder, from generation to generation, of GOD’s sacred covenant with HIS chosen people.

·         It would also serve as a “cutting” reminder (if I may pun on words) that symbolized how GOD wished for them to lay aside the impurity of their nature, and remain loyal to the family of GOD.

·         It would serve to remind them that all mankind is dependent upon GOD for the reproduction of life.

·         And that anyone who refused to be cut in this way would be cut off from his people, because of his disobedience to GOD’s command.

Sarai, Abraham’s wife, also underwent a name change, as well as a life change, and her name was changed by GOD, to “Sarah”, as she would become “the mother of many nations”. At the ripe old age of 90, she gave birth to Abraham’s son, who would be heir to the promise.

Scripture tells us that Abraham laughed to himself in disbelief when GOD informed him of this miraculous deed that would befall he and Sarah, and when Sarah later heard the news, she too, laughed in disbelief. And to show you that GOD too, has a sense of humor, HE instructed the aging couple to name their son “Isaac”, which means, “He laughs”. It would serve as a lasting reminder that they laughed at the Word of GOD.  

In Genesis 18:9-15, we see the appearance of a “Theophany” (an appearance of GOD to man) to Abraham, that is believed by most Theologians, to be CHRIST HIMSELF, with two of HIS angels. This time HE gives Abraham and Sarah a precise time frame for the birth of their son Isaac, and HE reminded them, while Sarah laughed to herself, that nothing is impossible for GOD. GOD works with us and our limitations and imperfections when we have faith in HIM, and, believe in HIM, to a point of knowing.

And finally we see in Genesis 21:1-8, GOD’s promise to this faithful couple, being realized at the appointed time. And Sarah’s laughter, that resulted from her once, unbelieving spirit, is now turned into “a laughter of joy”, that can be shared by her friends and family. It was made possible, because she finally, in her old age, turned herself over to GOD, through faith. This story serves to remind and assure each of us, that, the seemingly impossible things in life, are put there, only to serve as proof that all things become possible for those who believe in the SOVEREIGN GOD, WHO created and controls, all things.

GOD knew that Sarah was barren, when HE made the promise to her and Abraham, that “a countless number of descendants would be theirs”. But Sarah chose not to wait on that promise, and decided to take matters into her own hands. She displayed an “inadequate view of GOD”, and therefore, had to learn the lesson that all Christians, sooner or later, must learn. That we must wait on GOD to fulfill HIS promises, no matter how long we think it should take. GOD has no respect for “time”, as we understand “time”. To GOD, time is irrelevant, because HE is the master and owner of all “time”, and therefore, has all the time in the world to do HIS bidding, and HE also understands that we don’t. We must have faith that GOD will do for each of us, what HE promises HE will do, and HE will only do it when the time is exactly right for us to receive, and maximize, HIS wonderful blessings.

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 October 6, 2013

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A LASTING INHERITANCE

(GOD always follows through on HIS promises)

(Genesis 15)

In Genesis chapter 15, verses 1-6, we see one of the most defining passages on faith that can be found anywhere else in all of scripture. This passage underscores the argument by the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 4, where he debates that “Justification” and “Salvation” are imputed to us by GOD, because of our faith in HIM, and, that those gifts from GOD have never been given as a result of our so-called “good works”.

In the biblical Greek, the word “logizomai” (log-i-zom-ahee) is used to describe what takes place when GOD accredits us with righteousness that we could not otherwise earn, just as HE did with Abram in this passage. Logizomai is an accounting term that means “to reckon”, or, “to make an entry in the account book”. The doctrine of “imputation” is taught throughout the Old and New Testaments. To “impute” means “to accredit someone other than the one who is responsible”.

Scripture teaches us that, when we believe GOD, HE, WHO keeps all record books, looks into our accounts and clearly sees that we are not righteous. HE then, through HIS grace and mercy, chooses to accept our faith in HIM, in place of that lack of righteousness. In other words, for those who have faith in HIM (CHRIST JESUS), GOD will stamp the word “RIGHTEOUS” over their accounts, and announce that their debt is covered, or, is paid in full, through the blood of CHRIST JESUS.

Here we see Abram (Abraham), on faith, accepting GOD’s divine promise of a son, to be born of his own flesh, even though it seemed physically impossible for he and Sarai (Sarah) in their old age, which was, at that time, 100 years old, and 90 years old, respectively. Also in this passage, one should note that at that time, Abram had not yet been circumcised as a sign of his covenant with GOD, and, that the Law (The Ten Commandments), which was delivered by Moses was still some 400 years away. Therefore, neither circumcision, nor, Abram’s strict obedience to the Law factored in GOD’s decision to declare him “righteous” (Gen. 15:6). It was only through Abram’s “trusting faith” in GOD that GOD afforded him the distinction of being “righteous”, and, in addition, granted him the gift of eternal life (salvation).

In verses 7-8 of this chapter of Genesis, we find that, after Abram believed in GOD to deliver the seemingly impossible feat of presenting he and his wife Sarai with the birth of a child of their own flesh in their old age, he now, strangely wavers when GOD added the promise that he would also give the entire land of Canaan to his offspring. And actually, that’s not so surprising when we consider the fact that we too, after we’ve exercised great faith in GOD on one occasion, have on a later occasion, failed to show the same measure of faith.

Many of us struggle with maintaining a high level of faith, over a long period of time. Hopefully, through a closer, more personal, experiential relationship with GOD, we can overcome our pattern of inconsistency in trusting in the LORD for all things, just as Abram managed to do later on in his life.

In verses 9-10 GOD instructs Abram in a sacrificial ritual that was known as a “Covenant of Blood”. Abram is obedient to GOD’s instructions, as he gathers up, and cuts into halves, three animal sacrifices; a three-year old heifer, a three-year old female goat, and a three-year old ram. He also brought the LORD two bird sacrifices, a turtledove, and a young pigeon, the two of which, he did not sever in halves. This “Covenant of Blood” was considered to be the most binding of all covenants in Old Testament times, and it was always formalized by GOD’s “passing through” the divided halves of the sacrificial animals, an act which HE apparently used to consummate the deal (v. 17).

In verse 11 we see vultures (birds of prey), which, in this passage represent a “bad omen” for Israel’s near future, and would later turn out to be their enslavement in Egypt. Abram was eventually able to “shoo” these birds away, who were trying to devour GOD’s covenant sacrifices which he had prepared. Satan will always oppose, and try to destroy any of man’s dealings with GOD, however, in the ensuing verses, 12-16, GOD shows Abram in a dream, how Israel would be preyed upon and oppressed by Egypt, but would eventually be rescued, as GOD would “shoo” Egypt away in the end, and they would ultimately come away from Egypt with great wealth (Vs. 13-14).

In the Hebrew, the word used for “believed”, in verse 6 is “aman” (aw-mawn), and it simply means “to be certain”. It is a word that sets our mind on the absolute trust that Abram had in GOD. Abram’s story is perhaps, scripture’s greatest example of a man who possessed a “saving faith” that GOD would always deliver on HIS promises, no matter how impossible it may seem to the human thought process.

Abraham’s righteousness was won by strong faith in GOD, and he was fully persuaded, that GOD would do just what HE said HE would do. He came to know, just as we must all come to know, that GOD’s power is not bound by our understanding, and neither is it bound by our lack of understanding.

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 September 29, 2013

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THE PROUD BROUGHT LOW

(Build for GOD, not for yourself)

(Genesis 11:1-9)

Genesis 11:1-9 explains how the “race of mankind”, the only race in the beginning, became divided and scattered throughout the ancient world by GOD. In those days, the people prided themselves in their own skills and intellect, pretty much the way man does today, and what they prided themselves in, eventually became their downfall.

In these few verses, Moses relates the story of the “Tower of Babel”, where GOD created all of the various languages that now divide our races and cultures across the globe, as an “act of judgment” against the rebellious early descendants of Noah. GOD had ordered the descendants of Noah to “multiply and fill the earth with people” (Genesis 9:1), but instead, they rebelled against GOD, and decided to settle together in one place, the area that is now known as “Babylon”, which had been developed and built by Nimrod. Apparently Nimrod wanted all the people to reside in his cities under his control.

 GOD’s people arrogantly boasted of their assumed “superior knowledge”, and sought to build cities, and a tower, that would reach up to the Heavens, thinking that the false gods, or goddesses that they worshiped, would come down to them. In fact, the word “babel” actually means “the gate of the gods”. Here we see the people begin to build “a step-like edifice” in the form of a pyramid, called “Ziggurats”, which were later associated with religious worship of false gods, by pagan sects, in the ancient Middle East, as well as in South America.

The events here in chapter 11, actually occurred chronologically before the events of chapter 10, which gives us a breakdown of the various tribes, languages, territories, and nations that the LORD formed as judgment for the building of the “Tower of Babel”. This fact is explained in Genesis 10:25 where we see that one of the sons of Eber, named Peleg, which means “division”, was born, and lived during this time. This was approximately five generations after the flood that destroyed the earth.

In verse 1 we see that the whole world spoke the same language. As the population slowly migrated eastward, they decided to settle in the plain they called “Shinar” near Babylon. There they decided to build a city, and they began to make great piles of brick, which they burned thoroughly before using. They also collected “natural asphalt” to use as mortar, and they began to build this imposing tower as “a monument to their own greatness”, and, as “a symbol of unity” that would serve to keep them together forever in one area (this, of course, was in direct disobedience to GOD).

However, GOD, WHO is always on watch from on high, evaluated the actions of these Shinarites as evil and very arrogant, because they failed to consult with HIM. And so their desires to increase their unity and strength was seen by GOD as rebellious, and having the potential for the greatest evil ever.

Here in this passage GOD shows HIS absolute power and majesty over all things with HIS swift and sound judgment, and HE simply “reverses” everything that the Shinarites held dear to themselves, in this case, their “communication”, and their “unity” as a people. Here we see GOD, first, confounded the languages, presumably so that only small groups of people would be able to understand each other, and then, HE scattered those small groups abroad, to be separated unto themselves, over all the earth, just as HE had originally instructed them to do.

It never profits one to rebel against GOD’s will, and HE has demonstrated down through the years just how foolish that can be. Pride always precedes a fall and the ill-advised building project by these Shinarites will forever stand as an historical example of “a haughty spirit” manifesting itself before a fall from grace. The Almighty GOD in Heaven can never be a captive of HIS OWN world, its people, or, our opinions about HIS sovereignty. GOD is free, and HE is subject to no one’s will but HIS OWN.

Each person has to ultimately make up their minds whether they want to reside with the prostitute called “Babylon”, or with the “Heavenly bride” called Jerusalem. Babylon is the biblical symbol of “pride”, “immorality”, and “rebellion against GOD”. Jerusalem will forever stand as symbol of light and hope for GOD’s true people, those who actually embody the “Church” in their hearts, where GOD always looks to see, if HE can see HIMSELF.

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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            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday September 22, 2013

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NEVER AGAIN

(GOD makes and keeps covenants for our good)

(Genesis 9:1-17)

When holding and reading the Bible, one must be acutely cognizant of the fact that, in addition to being “the inerrant word of GOD”, we also hold in our hands, a very “human document”. This historical writing tells the story of a chosen people of GOD, and how GOD acted upon their lives, and, on the lives of all mankind, as our HOLY CREATOR.

In the Old Testament, GOD is attempting to show us just how far we are from HIS high and holy standards. In the New Testament, GOD sends us JESUS to try and show us just how we can move closer to that high and holy standard. The Old Testament also contains the stories of the many men and women of deep and powerful unbending faith, such as Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, and the like, who clung to their belief in the Almighty GOD. In this day and age, we too, can build, and embody the same measures of faith that those heroes exhibited, but we must sincerely seek and honor GOD, just as they did, in all that we do.

Genesis is the first book of the Holy Bible, and, the first of five books accredited to the authorship of Moses. Moses is one of the most towering figures in Jewish history, and, the one who came to be known simply, as “The Law Giver”. He begins his writings with the telling of the “Creation Account” of all things, “the fall of man at the hands of Adam and Eve”, and “the subsequent intolerable wickedness of mankind”, which led to the “Great Flood” method of destruction by GOD. However, just as GOD always replaced the darkness of our ancestors existence, with the light of HIS presence in those days, so it is too, in these days of the twenty-first century.

Over the next few lessons, we will focus on, and trace GOD’s covenant promises to HIS people, through, the annals of Old Testament biblical history, and we’ll began with this first account of GOD’s “Rainbow Covenant” with Noah. Noah is the first man in Scripture to be called “righteous” (Genesis 6:9), and he was the only righteous man on earth at the time of the flood!

In Genesis chapter 9, verses 1-15, we take up this great man’s story at a time, immediately following the world-ending Flood. Here Noah and his sons are instructed by GOD, just as Adam and Eve were, in the beginning, to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth with human life. Once again HE gives man dominion over the animals of the earth, but this time, HE allows man the use of animals for food. However, GOD also issued one restriction and that was, that, man not eat an animal with its “lifeblood” still in it. In the beginning, remember that GOD only instructed Adam and Eve to eat the vegetation of the land, with one restriction, do not eat of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. After their disobedience to GOD, HE quickly removed them from the “Garden of Eden” before they had a chance to eat from the eternal “Tree of Life”.

Because we bear GOD’s image (GOD’s Nature), in HIS eyes, every human being is irreplaceable. In verses 5-7, it is extremely important to understand, that, the “Death sentence” that GOD imposes on those who kill other human beings, is neither “retribution”, nor, is it to be considered as a “preventative measure” to guard against murder itself. Each and every human life is so significant to GOD that, no penalty less than death provides an adequate measure of value. It is the only way to affirm the ultimate worth of an individual, in the eyes of GOD. Apparently GOD saw the necessity for a covenant, that, not only come in the form of a promise from HIM, HE also reasoned that there must be an obligation from man that he not take life lightly, after seeing the devastation of the flood.

GOD did not want the example of the flood’s destruction to be taken as a sign that HE placed a “cheap value” on human life. This covenant was to show that life is sacred, and that man must not destroy that which is made in the spiritual image of GOD. Man also needed to learn how to govern himself with human laws that would ensure the stability of nature, and, that wickedness would not run amok like it had before the flood. And so here we see, quite literally, “the birth of government into human society”.

The next time we look up in the sky and see a Rainbow that spans to connect the Heavens to the earth, remember GOD’s promise of security to Noah, that comes across the spans of time to lend to us also, that same assurance of security. It is reminiscent of the security that CHRIST JESUS gives us, when we accept the covenant that was ushered in to us by HIM many years later, and signed in HIS OWN blood. It is a superior covenant that, unlike the Rainbow Covenant with Noah, reconnects us with GOD, and secures our future 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

            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday September 15, 2013

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Over 49,000 readers worldwide

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CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES

(Sin damages our relationship with GOD, and, with each other)

(Genesis 3)

In Matthew chapter 4, verses 1-11, JESUS won victory over satan by entering into his house, or domain, and “binding the strongman” with HIS precise knowledge of the Word of HIS FATHER GOD. Here in Genesis 3, satan gained dominion over the earth from man, because Adam and Eve either “did not understand” precisely what GOD commanded, or, “they did not remember, or care” precisely what GOD had commanded in HIS Word. If we are to be victorious in this life, just as CHRIST was, we must do so by understanding, remembering, and doing exactly what GOD commands of us.

In this world, we all eventually come to know we are “naked” and “unprotected” from the subtleness of temptations, and the shrewdness of satan, when we don’t know and adhere to the laws of GOD. It is a relationship that we simply cannot afford to “leave home without”, or live without. Our relationship with GOD must be an “experiential” one.

In Genesis chapter 2, we saw how GOD gave dominion over the earth to HIS greatest creation, man. Now, here in Genesis chapter 3, we see how man ceded it back over to satan, by way of his disobedience to GOD, his CREATOR. At that time, the “serpent” (satan in disguise) proved to be the shrewdest of all the creatures whom the LORD had created, and though he was, at that time, a “subordinate to Adam and Eve”, he quickly pounced upon his first opportunity to take advantage of his “lackadaisical superior” under GOD, and became, himself, “the prince of this world”.

The serpent convinced Eve that her “disobedience” would make her equal to GOD, and Adam, who was there with her at the time, apparently agreed (Vs.1-6). It was at that moment that they both realized just how “vulnerable and naked” they were, because they were now, “totally separated” from the GOD WHO created them in HIS OWN spiritual image. They were now feeling “the sting of guilt” for the very first time.

The position of “innocence and peace” that GOD had placed Adam and Eve in was destroyed by their yielding to temptation from man’s only enemy, satan. And the consequences of that disobedience would affect the entire human race, for all times. Satan’s shrewd enticement of Adam and Eve will forever remind us that we are never forced to sin, but rather, we are always vulnerable to temptation, and must ultimately “choose” to do the “wrong” or “right” thing.

In order to overcome temptation we need to know the Word of GOD accurately, and then be voluntarily willing to trust in HIS judgment that it is the very best thing for us to do. If we believe GOD’s Word, we believe that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”. Satan convinced Eve that “disobedience to GOD” was the beginning of knowledge and wisdom”. Wisdom can never be obtained by disobeying the CREATOR of wisdom, which is GOD. GOD’s Word tells us that, before the world was ever created, wisdom already existed with GOD. In other words, GOD created wisdom first, before HE ever created anything else (Proverbs 8:22).

Following the spiritual fall of Adam and Eve, the spirit of “mistrust” and “alienation” entered into their personal relationship with each other (their marriage), and their personal relationship with GOD. They begin to hide themselves from GOD, and made excuses when they were finally confronted by HIM. They both blamed GOD directly for their sin, instead of accepting responsibility for their own “bad choice”. Adam claimed that it was the fault of “the woman GOD made” (v.12), and Eve claimed it was the fault of “the serpent GOD made” (v.13).

Today we react in the same way that Adam and Eve did when confronted with our sins, but instead, we claim that “it is the “sin nature” that GOD gave us when we were born”. And so, again, we see it as GOD’s fault that we sin, not ours, which is still just as ridiculous as it was when Adam and Eve originally voiced their lame excuses.

We sin because we want to, not because “we can’t help it”, and a 100% human JESUS, proved that with HIS OWN mortal life. For a wide variety of inexcusable reasons (bad teaching, laziness, the desire to do only what we want to do, etc.) most people don’t have an accurate knowledge of, or desire to obey the Holy Scriptures, and this is in spite of it being available to us today, in every language imaginable.

Human beings are not born with “sin nature”, but rather, we are born with “GOD’s nature”. We acquire “sin nature” from satan the moment we first disobey GOD at an age of accountability, just like Adam and Eve did. GOD would not be a “just GOD” if HE started us out with the disadvantage, or “deficit”, of already having sin in us. Instead, what Scripture teaches us is that we are born into a “state of sin”, or, “a world of sin”, a world where sin already exists. The sin is not originally in us, but rather, we are “born into it” (Chuwl) (Psalm 51:5) by way of our sinful parents who sinned before us, starting with Adam and Eve, who were the first to choose to do the wrong thing.

GOD wouldn’t be angry at us for sinning, if HE in fact, “made us” to sin from the beginning, starting us out in a state of helplessness, for that is a ridiculous thought. GOD made everything good, from the beginning, including the human side of HIS creation, the originals, and the reproductions, were, and are, made perfectly good (Genesis 1:31), particularly in the spiritual sense, just like HIMSELF.

Sin brought “physical death” into the world, but we don’t have to fear because JESUS has replaced it, or “covered it” with “spiritual life”, through HIS vicarious sacrifice. Satan crippled mankind with temptation and deception, but JESUS “crushed satan’s head” with HIS “righteousness”, and has now “reclaimed” man from under the dominion of sin and death.

The only way that we can keep our “restored relationship” with GOD, and with each other pure, is by “accepting responsibility for our sins” and bad choices (earnest repent), and then, by relying on the “forgiving love” and “life-giving blood” of CHRIST JESUS to heal the damaging effects that our sin can have on our lives, and, on the lives of others.

GOD banished man from the “ideal setting” of the Garden of Eden for his own good, however, HE did not banish man from HIS heart, and, from the ideal setting of the Kingdom of Heaven, for the same reason. And so, biological death can now be viewed as a “grace gift” from the Almighty GOD. And when we choose the right path, we will be kept from the “punishing consequences” that lie on the road to destruction, and, in the end, we will come to know the absolute full extent of GOD’s redeeming love for mankind, HIS greatest creation.  

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 September 8, 2013

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LOVE AND MARRIAGE

(GOD created man and woman to be in relationship with each other, and with HIM)

(Genesis 2:1-7, 18-25)

Back in Genesis chapter 1, verses 26-31 Moses tells us that GOD created mankind and “patterned him after HIMSELF, spiritually”. This means that HE gave only humans the capacity for “spiritual fellowship” with HIM, or, in other words, HE shared, only with the human side of HIS creation, “HIS nature”.  In verse 27, the Hebrew word used for “image”, “tselem” (tseh-lem), means, “a representative figure”. And so here the word “image” is used “figuratively”, not literally, because JESUS tells us that GOD does not have a “physical” image, but rather, HE is spirit (John 4:24).

And so the phrase “made in GOD’s image” is speaking of a “spiritual image” that consists of the communicable spiritual attributes of GOD, which we know as, “GOD’s Nature”, or, “The Nature of GOD”. GOD’s Nature is what all men and women have in common. And when we are in touch with GOD’s Nature, we don’t get confused about what our roles are under GOD. We know that if we are born male, we are “a representative figure” of “manhood” under GOD, and if we are born a female, we are “a representative figure” of “womanhood” under GOD. When GOD uniquely breathed life into man, HE also imparted to us, the elements of HIS nature, which also allows us to have the capacity for spiritual fellowship with HIM, and to worship HIM as GOD.

These seven basic elements of GOD’s nature are;

·         Life – Genesis 2:7a, John 1:4 & 14:6

·         Personality – Genesis 2:7b, John 1:1b & 2

·         Truth – John 14:6, Hosea 14:9b

·         Wisdom – Proverbs 7

·         Love – 1 John 4:8 & 16,

·         Justice – Jeremiah 50:7b, Psalm 89:14a, Deuteronomy 16:18-20  

·         Holiness – Leviticus 11:44 & 19:2

With that being said, now let us look at the creation of man in more detail. In Genesis chapter 2, verse 1, the bible tells us that “the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was complete”. This means that GOD “totally finished” HIS work of creation and left nothing undone that HE would have to come back later on and finish, or change. And neither does HE need man to come along and try to change anything for HIM, or, for his own evil, pride-filled purposes.

And so we are to function as GOD originally purposed us to do, if we are to stay within HIS Will and HIS creation roles for us, which cannot, and will not change. HE does not have to change, because HE got it right on the first try. That’s why HE’s GOD, and we’re not.

 Man is incapable of improving on GOD’s work, period. He cannot improve upon GOD in any way, not in nature, not in animals, not in insects, not in birds, not in human beings, human functions and creation roles, and certainly not in the way that the institution of marriage was originally set up. As mere humans, we don’t get to change the definitions that GOD has placed on morality, marriage, creation roles, etc.

Here in Genesis chapter 2, verses 8-17, Moses tells how GOD carefully shaped the “Garden of Eden” so that Adam and Eve (not Adam and Steve), whom HE created, would be able to use all of those “communicable attributes”, to make wise decisions based on obedience to HIM. They were not to use human ingenuity, sexual perversion, or any of the other things that evil minds concoct to do, through pride and self-worship, in order to do that which is pleasing in his own sight.

GOD left it to them to take care of their place of residence that HE had so generously provided for them here on earth, and, HE also left them with specific instructions as to how they should live under HIM. Those attributes that HE embodied in them were to also come in handy as they explored and discovered their love for the beauty of GOD’s creation, their delight in meaningful work, their moral responsibility, and even their passion for invention.

When GOD fashioned beautiful Eve from the rib of Adam (the world’s first surgery–v.21), it let man know that “he and woman” would always share a common identity in GOD, and “a distinct identity from each other” (separate and distinct creation roles). They would always be equals, sharing in GOD’s likeness, or, spiritual image, and, as husband and wife, they should always be distinct, and yet inseparable. They would always share an equal responsibility in caring for each other, and, for all of GOD’s creation.

And so we see that GOD made man for HIMSELF so that he would obey, serve and worship HIM, at all times. And then later, HE made woman, from man, for man, to be a companion who will help him at all times (v.18). They were also to come together to “reproduce life” through sexual intercourse (Genesis 1:28a), something that two men together, or two women together can’t possibly do. Homosexuality is against GOD’s nature (life), just like all other sexual sin, and is therefore, anti-CHRIST. It is anti-life and does not fit anyone’s creation role, and we as human beings, don’t get to change the definition of GOD’s intended creation roles for mankind.

The same GOD WHO says, Thou shalt not murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, etc., is the same GOD that says two men, or two women, shalt not commit sexual acts with each other, as they would with their GOD-appointed human counterpart (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13), nor shall a man even wear women’s clothes, nor, a woman wear men’s clothes (Deuteronomy 22:5).

Now, let’s talk about adultery for a moment, and we’ll start with “unequally yoked marriages”, since there seems to be much more of them in today’s society than those that are “biblically correct”. In an “unequally yoked” marriage, where either the male, or the female, may be an unbeliever, the Christian in the marriage, by way of their faith, pledges before GOD to abstain from “adultery”. Also, in marriages where only one spouse is a believer, that marriage is “joined in spiritual union with CHRIST”, because of that believer. In other words, the husband, or wife, and CHRIST become “one in spirit”, and it is still a marriage sanctioned under GOD. And so, in marriage, you are no longer viewed by GOD as being two, but rather, you and your spouse become one, with CHRIST. Now keep in mind that there is also a “spiritual link” involved in sexual intercourse, where the people, who choose to engage in it, become spiritually connected as one, whether they are married or not, because GOD made sexual intercourse, only for marriage (1 Corinthians 6:16).

When a married person has sexual intercourse, outside of marriage, they are not only spiritually joining themselves with that “outside” person, but they are also joining their spouse, who is one with them, to that outside person, and, in effect, pulling that spouse into that adulterous relationship with them.

However, the victimized party in the relationship must not get so angry that he or she forgets about the third member of our marital union, JESUS CHRIST. HE too has been pulled into our sinful act, spiritually, but I assure you that HE will not abandon the Christian side of that marital union for any reason.

CHRIST gave up the comforts of Heaven and came down to sacrifice HIMSELF for all of our sins, including our sexual sins, and we are forgiven for whatever we do, no matter what sin we committed, commit, or will commit, if we earnestly repent of our wrongdoing. HE bought us at a high price. And so, if HE can forgive us, and stay with us, why can’t we try and do the same for our spouse.

Christians are called to a high standard in married life, and, in the single life, and our bodies belong to CHRIST forever. For the human being, especially the Christian, to forgive has always been, “divine”. And if we are, in any sense, to be called “A follower of CHRIST”, then, we must indeed, follow HIS examples, forever incorporating them into our everyday lives, so that we may be a shining example to others, at all times.

We, as men and women, must never lose sight of the fact, that, our commonalities, the divisions and distinctions of our physical forms and human functions, our earthly roles, and, our spiritual responsibilities of fellowship with GOD, are all invaluable gifts and privileges, that should not be abused. These privileges have only been given to “humans”, as GOD’s special creation, so that we may have dominion over the works of HIS hands, here on earth, 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

            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website