The Covenant and the Call to Relationship

 The Covenant and the Call to Relationship

Exodus 24:1–8

Brothers and sisters, today we turn to Exodus 24:1–8, a powerful moment when God and His people entered into a covenant at Sinai. The passage describes two key actions: the reading of God’s Word and the sprinkling of blood. Together, they show us how deeply God desires not just obedience from His people, but a real, living relationship with them.

First, Moses read aloud the words of the covenant—God’s law, His commands, His instructions. The people responded with confidence: “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” (Exod. 24:7). Their words were sincere, but as we know, their obedience was short-lived. Soon they turned aside to idols and rebellion. This shows us the reality of human weakness—we may promise with enthusiasm, but our strength cannot carry us far.

Then came the sprinkling of the blood. Moses took the blood of the sacrifice and sprinkled it on the altar and the people, saying, “Behold, the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you.” The blood symbolized cleansing, sealing, and life given. It was God’s way of saying that the covenant was not just about rules but about a bond—a relationship established through sacrifice.

That is the heart of our God. He is not a God of mere agendas, contracts, or legal codes. He is a God of relationships. His covenant is never just “Do this and live,” but rather, “I will be your God, and you will be My people.” That is why Jesus later declared in John 12:32, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” The cross was the ultimate sprinkling of blood—not on stone or on an altar, but poured out once for all, to draw us into a living relationship with Him.

And so we see: our promises alone will fail, just as Israel’s did. We cannot sustain obedience by willpower. What God requires is not empty vows but a heart bound to Him in love. A close, personal relationship with God is the only way to overcome our weakness and fragility. His Spirit within us makes obedience possible. His grace empowers us to walk in faithfulness.

Let us remember today: we cannot just promise to obey. We must be drawn to Christ, held by His blood, and live daily in a relationship with Him. Only then will His covenant promises truly be written on our hearts. Amen.

More on: Lesson 10 - The Covenant and the Blueprint

Love Beyond Retaliation

 

Love Beyond Retaliation

Text: Matthew 5:38–48

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus takes us deep into the heart of God’s law, showing us that righteousness is not just about outward obedience, but about inward transformation. Today, we come to one of the most challenging teachings in all of Scripture: how to respond when wronged. Jesus addresses the famous principle, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”

The Original Meaning of the Retaliation Law

In Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, and Deuteronomy 19:21, God gave Israel the law of retaliation, or lex talionis. At first glance, it sounds harsh, but in its original context it was actually merciful. It was designed to limit revenge. Without this law, retaliation could escalate—one injury leading to a feud, and a feud leading to bloodshed. This principle made justice proportional. If someone knocked out a tooth, you could not take their life. It was a safeguard for fairness.

How Jesus Interprets the Law

But in Matthew 5, Jesus says something shocking:
"You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

What is Jesus doing here? He is not abolishing the law of Moses, but fulfilling it (Matthew 5:17). He is showing that God’s true intention is not to create a people obsessed with strict justice, but a people marked by grace, mercy, and love.

The problem in Jesus’ day was that people had taken this principle, originally meant for courtrooms and judges, and applied it to personal relationships. Instead of seeking justice through proper authority, individuals used it to justify personal revenge. Jesus corrects this by teaching His disciples that personal vengeance has no place in the kingdom of God.

What This Means for Us Today

This teaching confronts us directly, because human nature still craves revenge. If someone insults us, our instinct is to insult back. If someone hurts us, we want to hurt them worse. But Jesus calls us to live differently.

1. Responding with Grace Instead of Retaliation
   Jesus gives practical illustrations: turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, giving your cloak. These examples teach us not to be controlled by a spirit of retaliation but by a spirit of generosity.

2. Loving Our Enemies
   Jesus goes even further: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (v. 44). This is radical love—the kind that reflects the very heart of God. When we love those who hate us, we show that we are children of our Father in heaven.

3. The Call to Perfection
   Jesus ends with these words: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (v. 48). Here, “perfect” means complete or mature in love. God’s love extends to the just and unjust alike. He sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous. Our calling is to mirror that same love to all people, even those who mistreat us.

Practical Application

• At work: When someone gossips about you, instead of plotting to get even, pray for them.

• In family life: When tempers flare, respond with gentleness rather than harsh words.

• In society: Instead of fueling cycles of hatred, Christians are called to be peacemakers, breaking the chain of retaliation through forgiveness.

How About Us?

The law of retaliation was never meant to promote personal vengeance; it was meant to restrain it. Jesus reveals that the ultimate fulfillment of that law is not in measured justice, but in unmeasured love. To follow Christ is to choose the harder path—to forgive when wronged, to bless when cursed, to love even when hated.

This is not weakness—it is strength. It is the strength of the cross, where Jesus, though reviled, did not retaliate, but prayed, “Father, forgive them.” And it is by His Spirit that we, too, can live as children of our Father in heaven, perfect in love.

Reverence in the Presence of God

 

Reverence in the Presence of God

Text: Exodus 19:9–25; Hebrews 4:16

When Israel stood at Mount Sinai, God prepared them to receive His holy law. They were told to wash their clothes, consecrate themselves, and even set boundaries around the mountain. Thunder, lightning, and the sound of a trumpet filled the air. All of this was meant to teach the people reverence—a deep sense of awe before the Almighty.

Today, we must ask ourselves: in our church life, where is that same sense of reverence? Have we perhaps lost it in our casual age? Or do we still come before the Lord with hearts filled with awe and respect?

The Purpose of Preparation

God’s instructions at Sinai were not simply about outward rituals. They were meant to shape the people’s hearts, to remind them that they were approaching the Holy One. The washing, the waiting, the trembling—all pointed to the fact that God is not to be taken lightly.

In our worship today, we no longer prepare with those same external rituals, but the principle remains. Do we take time to prepare our hearts before worship? Or do we rush in casually, forgetting that we are entering the presence of the King of kings?

Jesus Broke Down the Barriers

At Sinai, boundaries were set around the mountain: “Do not come near.” But when Jesus came, He tore the veil in the temple from top to bottom. The message was clear: through Christ, we now have access to the very throne of God.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.” No longer do we tremble in fear at the base of the mountain; we are welcomed as children into the Father’s presence. Christ removed the barriers, not so that reverence would vanish, but so that awe could now be joined with intimacy.

Outward and Inward Reverence

Some may ask: does reverence mean we must always wear our finest clothing? Not necessarily. God has always looked upon the heart. David was chosen over his brothers because, as 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Yet there is nothing wrong with desiring to look our best for church. Dressing with care can be a reflection of respect. But true reverence is not in polished shoes or pressed clothes—it is in humble hearts, lifted in worship, seeking God with sincerity.

Recovering Reverence in Our Churches

Have we lost the sense of awe? Sometimes church can feel routine—songs, announcements, sermons—until we forget that God Himself is present with His people. Reverence is not stiffness, nor is it empty formality. Reverence is a posture of the soul that says: “God is here, and He is holy.”

We recover reverence by preparing our hearts before we gather, by treating worship as sacred, by coming not as consumers but as worshipers. When we sing, we sing as if before His throne. When we pray, we pray as children speaking to their Father. When we listen to His Word, we lean in as though God Himself were addressing us.

Coming Boldly as We are

The Israelites trembled at Sinai, but we come boldly to the throne of grace. Yet boldness does not cancel reverence—it deepens it. We stand in awe, not out of fear, but out of love, because the God of holiness is also the God of mercy.

So let us come as we are, through Christ. Let us come with hearts prepared, with spirits humble, with a renewed sense of awe. For the God who gave His law is the same God who gave His Son, and He is worthy of our deepest reverence. Amen.

The Law That Leads Us to Christ

 

The Law That Leads Us to Christ

Text: Romans 3:20–24; Romans 10:4

In Romans 3:20–24 Paul writes, “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known… This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

This passage raises an important question: if the Ten Commandments and the law cannot save us, then what role do they play in our lives today? And when Paul says in Romans 10:4 that “Christ is the end of the law,” what does that mean?

The Law Reveals Our Need
Paul is very clear: the law was never meant to be a ladder by which we climb into heaven. Instead, it is like a mirror. In Romans 3:20 he says the law makes us “conscious of sin.”

When we look into God’s commandments, we see His holiness—and at the same time, our failures. The law exposes our brokenness, showing us that we fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). But this revelation is a gift, not a curse. Because until we know our need, we will never reach out for the Savior.

The Law as a Guide for Living
Although the law cannot save, it still has a purpose in the life of the believer. Think of it as a fence around a pasture. The fence does not give life to the sheep, but it protects them. In the same way, God’s commandments give us boundaries so that we might live in freedom, not slavery to sin.

Jesus Himself affirmed the moral law when He summarized it as love for God and love for neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40). The Ten Commandments show us what that love looks like in practice: honoring parents, valuing life, guarding purity, telling the truth, respecting others’ property, and worshiping God alone.

Christ the “End” of the Law
But Paul goes further in Romans 10:4: “Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

The word end here does not mean destruction, as though the law no longer matters. Instead, it means goal, purpose, or fulfillment. Christ is the destination to which the law has always pointed. The law prepared the way by showing humanity its need for righteousness. Christ fulfills that need by being our righteousness.

The Law Points to Jesus
Every time the law convicts us, it drives us back to Christ. The commandments whisper, “You cannot do this on your own.” But Jesus answers, “I have fulfilled it for you.”

Through His perfect life, Jesus obeyed the law in our place. Through His death and resurrection, He bore the penalty for our disobedience. And now, by faith, His righteousness is credited to us (Romans 3:24).

So the law continues to function as a signpost. It points beyond itself to the Savior. It reminds us that salvation is not in rules, but in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The LAW for US Today
Romans 3 and 10 together teach us that the law is not abolished, but completed in Christ. The Ten Commandments still guide our lives, but they cannot save us. They show us our need, they set boundaries for living, and above all, they lead us to Jesus—the One who is both the end and fulfillment of the law.

So let us not despair when the law shows us our failures. Let us rejoice that it points us to the One who never failed, who kept the law perfectly, and who now offers us grace freely.

As Paul declares: “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22).

The Different Functions of God’s Law

 

The Different Functions of God’s Law

Scripture Reading: James 1:23–25
"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."

God’s law is often misunderstood. Some see it as a burden, others as something harsh or outdated. But when we look at the Ten Commandments and the rest of God’s moral law, we discover it is not a chain to bind us, but a gift of grace that serves several purposes. The law is like a fence around a garden—keeping us safe from destruction, guiding us to righteousness, and ultimately pointing us to Jesus Christ, our Savior.

The Law as a Guide for Life

The Ten Commandments are not merely rules to restrict us. They are God’s blueprint for holy living. They reveal His character—His justice, His love, His holiness. The law teaches us what is right and wrong, helping us to live lives that honor God and respect others.

Just as traffic laws protect drivers and pedestrians, God’s commandments protect families, relationships, and communities. Far from being negative, they are positive instructions for abundant living. As James tells us, the “perfect law gives freedom” (James 1:25). True freedom is not the absence of rules, but living within God’s will.

The Law as a Fence of Protection

Imagine a shepherd building a fence around his sheep. The fence is not to keep the sheep from joy but to protect them from wolves and danger. Likewise, God’s law is a spiritual boundary for our protection.

When God says, “You shall not steal” or “You shall not commit adultery,” He is not taking away our joy—He is preserving it. Sin may promise pleasure, but it always ends in pain. God’s law shields us from that pain. Living within His commandments means we are safe in His care, walking in the path of blessing.

The Law as a Mirror of Truth

James compares the law to a mirror. A mirror shows us what we look like; it does not wash us, but it reveals our need for cleansing. In the same way, the law reveals our sin and our shortcomings. When we measure ourselves against God’s standard, we quickly see that we fall short.

This is not to condemn us without hope, but to drive us to the One who can cleanse us. The law prepares our hearts to receive the gospel of grace.

The Law as a Tutor Pointing to Jesus

The greatest function of the law is that it points us to Christ. Paul writes in Galatians 3:24 that “the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.” We cannot save ourselves by keeping the law. Instead, the law shows us our need for a Savior and directs us to the cross, where Jesus perfectly fulfilled the law on our behalf.

On the cross, Jesus bore the curse of the broken law so that we might receive the blessing of His righteousness. In Him, the law is not abolished but fulfilled. We now keep the law, not to be saved, but because we are saved.

So What is God's LAW Do?

God’s law is not a burden, but a blessing.

• It guides us in holy living.

• It protects us from harm.

• It reveals our need for grace.

• And it points us to Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the law.

When we look into the mirror of God’s law, let us not walk away and forget. Instead, let us live as doers of the Word, rejoicing in the freedom and protection of God’s perfect law, fulfilled in Christ.

The Firstborn, the Cross, and the Call to Remember

 

"The Firstborn, the Cross, and the Call to Remember"

Text: Exodus 13:1–16

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Introduction

In Exodus 13:1–16, God gives Moses a powerful command: “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.” This comes right after the final plague in Egypt—the death of all Egyptian firstborns—and the miraculous sparing of Israelite homes marked by the blood of the lamb.

Why this command? Why did God require that all firstborn be consecrated to Him? And what does that ancient command have to do with us today? Let’s dig into this passage to uncover a timeless truth about grace, ownership, and redemption.

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A Call to Remember God's Grace

The consecration of the firstborn was meant to be a living memorial. It reminded each generation that God spared their lives—not because of their goodness, but because of His grace. Every time a firstborn was presented or redeemed, it was a moment of remembering that the Israelites were once slaves, but God delivered them with a mighty hand.

Verse 14 says, “When in the future your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him...”

This was a teaching moment, a family discipleship tool. Every household would pass on the story of salvation—how blood on the doorpost saved their lives. In the same way today, we are called to remember and teach our children about God’s grace and deliverance. Whether through communion, testimony, or daily life, we must not forget what God has done.

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The Principle: Everything Belongs to God

God says, “It is Mine.” He doesn't say, "Offer it if you feel like it," or "Set aside what you don’t need." No—He declares ownership. This is not just about firstborns, but a greater principle: everything we have belongs to God.

The firstborn represented the strength and future of a family. To offer it to God was to say, “I trust You more than my own resources.” It was a form of surrender, a way of acknowledging, “You gave this to me, and I give it back to You.”

Today, we may not bring lambs or sons to the altar, but we are called to give our first and best to God—our time, our talents, our treasure. Not because He needs them, but because they already belong to Him.

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Jesus, the Firstborn Redeemer

This passage also points forward to Jesus Christ, the firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15), who was not spared but given—so that we could be redeemed. In Exodus, firstborns were saved by the blood of a lamb. At the cross, we are saved by the blood of the Lamb of God.

As Exodus 13:15 reminds us, the firstborn had to be redeemed—either by sacrifice or by death. Jesus took the place of every firstborn that should have died under judgment. He is our substitute. He redeems us with His own life.

Redemption has a cost. For Israel, it was a lamb. For us, it was the Son of God. That truth should stir our hearts toward worship and obedience.

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Living as the Redeemed

So what does this mean today?

• We must remember God’s grace—not just mentally, but actively, through worship, obedience, and teaching the next generation.

• We must surrender everything to God—our lives, our dreams, and our “firsts,” because He owns it all.

• We must live as redeemed people, not as slaves to fear or sin, but as those who have been bought with a price.

Let Exodus 13 remind us: God delivered us, God owns us, and God redeemed us. Let us live with gratitude, with purpose, and with trust in the Lamb who was slain.

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Let us pray:

Lord, thank You for redeeming us with the blood of Your Son. Help us to live lives that are consecrated to You, offering You our first and our best. May we never forget the cost of our salvation, and may our lives tell the story of Your grace for generations to come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

More: EXODUS Sabbath School Lesson 6 - Through the Red Sea

When the Heart Grows Hard: Pharaoh, Judas, and Us

 

“When the Heart Grows Hard: Pharaoh, Judas, and Us”

Text: Exodus 7–11; Matthew 26:14–16; Acts 7:51

Introduction

There’s a frightening reality found in the story of Exodus that we dare not ignore: a man can see the hand of God at work—again and again—and still say No. He can be surrounded by light and still choose darkness. He can be offered life and still prefer death. Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt, was given chance after chance to make the obvious, reasonable, and righteous decision: Let God’s people go. But he didn’t. He hardened his heart. And in doing so, he offers us a sobering picture of how self-deception and sin can destroy a soul.

The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

The Bible repeats it like a drumbeat: Pharaoh hardened his heart.
In Exodus 7:13, “Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen.” Sometimes it says he hardened his heart (Exodus 8:15), other times that God hardened it (Exodus 9:12). These are not contradictions—they are complementary. God confirmed the direction Pharaoh had already chosen. Pharaoh chose to resist, and God allowed him to be strengthened in that resistance.

Think of it like clay and wax under the sun. The same sun melts wax but hardens clay. The difference lies not in the sun, but in the substance.

Pharaoh saw miracles—frogs, hail, blood, darkness, and death. He even admitted his sin (Exodus 9:27), but he never truly repented. Why? Because he had already committed to a path of pride and power. He didn’t want to lose face. His throne meant more than truth. He became, as Scripture says, “stiff-necked” (Acts 7:51)—a heart so proud that it couldn’t bow even before the living God.

How Does This Happen? How Can a Person Be So Self-Deceived?

Pharaoh’s downfall wasn’t sudden. It was gradual. And that’s the danger. Sin doesn’t often leap—it creeps. Pharaoh's heart didn’t harden overnight. Each refusal, each moment of resistance, each lie he told himself added another layer of spiritual callousness. By the end, he couldn’t even hear reason anymore. He was enslaved to his own will.

This is exactly what Hebrews 3:13 warns against:
"But exhort one another daily... lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."

Sin deceives. It convinces us we’re okay, even when we’re walking toward disaster. It rationalizes rebellion. It justifies jealousy, pride, bitterness, lust, or greed. And if we allow it, it slowly hardens our sensitivity to God. We stop listening. We ignore warnings. We resist conviction. We tell ourselves, “Later.” But the more we delay, the more numb we become.

The Tragedy of Judas: Another Hardened Heart

Pharaoh isn’t the only one in Scripture who walked the road of spiritual self-destruction.

Judas Iscariot walked with Jesus, heard His teaching, saw His miracles. Yet when the moment came, he sold his Savior for silver (Matthew 26:14–16). He had every reason to choose the right path. But somewhere along the way, he let bitterness and greed grow. He probably told himself, “It’s just a deal. Jesus will get out of it like He always does.” But sin had already blinded him.

And when the scales finally fell from his eyes, it was too late. His regret was deep, but his repentance was missing (Matthew 27:3–5). Like Pharaoh, Judas saw the truth after it crushed him.

Warnings for Us Today

The stories of Pharaoh and Judas aren’t just ancient history. They are mirrors for us.

How many of us have felt the tug of God’s Spirit—urging us to change, to forgive, to surrender, to let go of that sin—but we resist?

Every time we ignore God’s voice, our hearts risk growing colder. We might still attend church, sing the songs, serve in ministry—but inside, something is dying. We become like Pharaoh: religious on the outside, but rebellious within.

God does not harden hearts arbitrarily. But if we continually shut Him out, He may let us walk the path we've chosen. Romans 1:28 speaks of those who “did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God,” so He “gave them over to a depraved mind.” It’s one of the scariest realities in Scripture.

The Good News: God Can Still Soften a Hardened Heart

But here’s the hope: no heart is beyond the reach of grace—if it will yield.
Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

God is still in the business of heart surgery. But we must want it. We must humble ourselves before we’re humbled by judgment.

How About Us?

Pharaoh had every chance. Judas walked with Jesus Himself. And yet both made disastrous choices, even when the truth was clear.

The warning is for us: Don’t play with sin. Don’t ignore the Spirit. Don’t think you have forever.

If the Lord is speaking to you, respond today. As Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Because the only thing more tragic than a hardened heart… is a heart that stayed that way.

Amen.

More: Sabbath School EXODUS Lesson 4 - The Plagues

I do not Know the LORD

 

“That I May Know Him”

Text: Exodus 5:1–2
“Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: “Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.” Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.”’”

What would you say to someone who says, “I do not know the Lord”? Not in rebellion, not in mockery, but simply in honesty?
That question was asked long ago by Pharaoh—though his version was full of pride and resistance. But what about today, when someone says it out of confusion, curiosity, or even sadness? “I don’t know the Lord.”

Today, I want us to walk through how God responded to that statement in Exodus and how we can lovingly respond to those who say it today.

Pharaoh’s Words: “I Do Not Know the Lord”

Pharaoh’s statement in Exodus 5:2 was blunt: “I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.”
It was not a question, but a challenge. He saw himself as a god-king. The God of the Hebrews meant nothing to him.

But here’s the key truth: God took that statement seriously—and personally.

Through the plagues and the mighty acts of deliverance, God essentially said, “You will know who I am.” Over and over, God said, “So that you may know that I am the Lord.”

Pharaoh came to know about God through judgment. But it doesn’t have to be that way for others.

What if Someone Today Says, “I Don’t Know the Lord”?

What if a friend, a coworker, a family member says the same words—not with Pharaoh’s arrogance, but with sincere honesty?

It’s more common than you think.

They may not have grown up in church.
They may have heard of God but never met Him.
They may feel unworthy, or unsure where to begin.

Here’s where we come in—not to scold or preach at them, but to gently introduce them to the God we know.

Helping Others Know the Lord

Moses had a mission: to speak on behalf of God, even when it was difficult. We are called to the same.

Here’s how we help others know the Lord:

• Tell Your Story – Share what God has done in your life. People may not understand theology, but they can’t deny your testimony.

• Point Them to Jesus – Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). To know the Lord is to know Jesus.

• Be Patient – God was patient with Moses when he had questions, and He was persistent with Pharaoh even in his rebellion.

• Live What You Speak – Let them see the Lord through your actions, peace, kindness, and integrity.

• Pray for Them – Only the Holy Spirit can open someone’s heart. Never underestimate what your quiet prayers can do.

Why It’s So Important to Know the Lord

Why should someone want to know the Lord?

Because to know the Lord is:

• To walk in truth, not confusion

• To live with hope, not despair

• To find grace instead of guilt

• To experience love that never fails

Jesus said in John 17:3, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

Eternal life is not just about heaven—it's about relationship. It starts now. Knowing the Lord is not about religion, it’s about life—real life.

If someone tells you, “I don’t know the Lord,” don’t panic. That’s a starting place. It’s honest. And it’s where we all once were.

Pharaoh resisted God and was brought low. But others—like the woman at the well, the thief on the cross, or Saul on the Damascus road—came to know the Lord through grace.

Let us be like Moses: willing to speak, even when it’s uncomfortable. Willing to go where God sends us. Willing to be part of God’s plan to help someone say one day, “Now I know the Lord.”

If you’re here today and those words—“I don’t know the Lord”—feel true of you, I invite you to take a step. Ask. Seek. Knock.
God wants to be known. He has revealed Himself in Jesus. And He’s not far from any one of us.

As the Scripture says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

Moses, Zipporah, Circumcision: The Lord Who Will Not Be Ignored

 "The Lord Who Will Not Be Ignored"

Text: Exodus 4:18–31

The Strange Passage

Let’s be honest—Exodus 4:18–31 is one of the strangest, most jarring passages in the Old Testament. One moment, Moses is on his way to obey God’s call, and the next, God seeks to kill him. Then Zipporah, Moses' wife, steps in and circumcises their son, touching Moses with the foreskin and saying, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me.” What’s going on here?

We might be tempted to skip past passages like this—but we must remember that every word of Scripture is inspired and profitable (2 Tim. 3:16). So today, we will walk through this story, consider its background, and find its message for us today.

The Journey Begins (vv. 18–20): Obedience with Loose Ends

Moses finally agrees to obey God’s call. He asks Jethro for permission to return to Egypt, loads his family on a donkey, and heads out. Outwardly, everything seems in order.

But there’s a major unresolved issue: Moses has not circumcised his son.

According to Genesis 17:10–14, circumcision was the covenant sign for Abraham’s descendants. God said any male who was not circumcised would be cut off from his people. For Moses to approach the God of the covenant while neglecting the covenant sign was serious disobedience—especially as the one God had chosen to lead the covenant people.

Historical Note:
Some scholars suggest that Moses may have compromised with Zipporah, a Midianite, on this issue. Midianites practiced circumcision, but not necessarily in the same way or at the same time as the Hebrews. There may have been tension in their marriage over this. Perhaps Moses avoided the conflict—but in doing so, he also avoided obedience.

The Lord’s Confrontation (v. 24): God Seeks to Kill Moses

This is shocking. God, who had just sent Moses to Egypt, now comes to kill him? The Hebrew here is ambiguous—it could mean "God sought to put him to death," and the subject (Moses or the son) is not fully clear. But the context points to Moses being in danger.

Why? Because God is holy, and His servants must not treat His covenant lightly. Moses cannot represent God before Pharaoh while openly ignoring God’s covenant requirements in his own family.

Lesson:
Partial obedience is not obedience. God is patient, but He is also just. He is not to be trifled with, even by His chosen leaders.

Zipporah’s Bold Action (vv. 25–26): A Wife Steps In

Zipporah sees the seriousness of the moment. She circumcises their son and touches Moses (or perhaps the child) with the foreskin, saying, “You are a bridegroom of blood to me.” This act seems to satisfy God's requirement, and the danger passes.

What does this tell us?

• Zipporah may not have liked the Hebrew custom, but she knew what had to be done.

• Her action saves Moses’ life and allows him to fulfill God’s mission.

• Her words, though perhaps spoken in frustration or grief, recognize the blood covenant that defines Israel's relationship with God.

Historical Insight:
In the ancient Near East, covenant signs were not optional customs—they were binding and serious. By circumcising the child, Zipporah ensured her family was under God’s covenant protection.

God Provides Help (vv. 27–31): Aaron and Obedient Faith

The rest of the passage quickly shifts tone. God sends Aaron to meet Moses. The brothers reunite, and together they present God’s message and signs to the elders of Israel. The people believe and worship—at least for now.

This shows us something powerful: Once the issue of obedience is resolved, God moves forward. He provides help. He affirms His plan. He begins the redemption of His people.

What Can We Learn?

1. God Takes Obedience Seriously
   God does not ignore private disobedience, especially from those called to lead. What Moses left undone nearly cost him everything. We must not delay in obeying God in both public and private matters.

2. Our Families Matter in Ministry
   Moses’ household was part of his calling. Ministry doesn’t exempt us from living in obedience at home—it begins there. How we lead our families matters to God.

3. God’s Mercy Is Amazing
   Though the Lord sought to confront Moses, He also allowed for repentance and provided a way forward. God doesn’t cast us aside when we fail. He disciplines those He loves—and then restores.

4. Obedience Clears the Way for Mission
   Once the issue is resolved, the story accelerates toward God’s purpose: the deliverance of His people. When we deal with what’s holding us back, we can move freely in God’s mission.

"Bridegroom of Blood"

This passage reminds us that God’s covenant is sealed in blood. For Moses, it was the blood of circumcision. For us, it’s the blood of Jesus. We do not stand before God on our merit, but by the covenant of grace established through Christ.

But that grace is not a license for disobedience. It is a call to live fully surrendered lives, in our homes, our ministries, and our hearts.

Let us respond with reverence, repentance, and readiness—so that, like Moses, we may be used powerfully in God’s plan.

Prayer:

"Lord, You are holy and faithful. Teach us to honor Your covenant in every area of our lives. Help us not to delay obedience, and give us courage to lead with integrity—starting in our own homes. Thank You for the blood of Christ, which covers our sins and calls us into Your mission. In His name we pray, Amen."

More: EXODUS - Sabbath School Lesson 2 - The Burning Bush

Ninevah: When God Changes His Mind

 

“When God Changes His Mind: The Power of Our Choices”

Text: Jonah 3:5–10

Jonah came to Nineveh with a message that sounded final: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” There were no conditions, no “if you repent, then...” Just a clear warning of destruction. But in Jonah 3:5–10, we see that this prophecy never came to pass. Why? Because the people responded with repentance—and God responded with mercy.

This story is not just about a city in ancient Assyria. It speaks directly to us today, living in a world that, like Nineveh, stands on the brink of judgment. The message of Jonah shows us that divine judgment is not set in stone—and neither is our future.

Why the Prophecy Was Not Fulfilled

Verse 10 says it plainly:
"Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it."

The prophecy was not fulfilled because it was conditional. God's warnings are often an invitation to change. Nineveh fasted, repented, and turned from their evil ways—and God, in His mercy, turned away from judgment.

Jeremiah 18:7–8 echoes this truth:
"If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation repents of its evil, then I will relent..."

God is not eager to destroy; He is eager to save. His prophecies are not threats—they are wake-up calls.

A Parallel to the Last Days

As we near the return of Jesus, we find ourselves in a situation much like Nineveh. Prophecies in Daniel, Revelation, and the words of Jesus warn us of judgment, tribulation, and the shaking of heaven and earth. But just like in Jonah's day, the purpose of these warnings is not fear—it is faith.

2 Peter 3:9 tells us:
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise... He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

We are living in a time of divine delay—a space of mercy where our choices still matter. The judgment is coming, but it hasn’t yet. Why? Because God is giving us time to repent.

Our Choices Matter

Nineveh's repentance was not just lip service—it involved action. They fasted, mourned, and turned from their violence. God "saw their works." In the same way, the call to prepare for Christ’s return is not just about belief—it’s about transformation.

Will we respond like Nineveh, with humility and change? Or will we continue as if the warnings do not apply?

In the final moments of earth’s history, the difference between salvation and judgment won’t be God's willingness to save—He has already shown His mercy through the cross. The difference will be how we respond.

The message of Jonah 3:5–10 is that repentance delays judgment and invites grace. This is good news! No matter how dark the world becomes or how far we may feel from God, He is still calling us to turn to Him—and still willing to forgive.

Let’s not wait until it’s too late. Let’s take God’s warnings seriously, not with fear, but with faith. Today is the day of decision. Like Nineveh, we still have a chance to change our story.

Are you living in a way that reflects repentance and readiness? Will you choose to respond now, while mercy still speaks? God hasn’t changed His character—but He is willing to change the outcome based on our response. Choose today to turn to Him. The final chapter hasn’t been written yet.

More: Lesson 13 - Images of the End

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Judged Already: Rethinking the Investigative Judgment

 

"Judged Already: Rethinking the Investigative Judgment"

Text for Today:

“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
—Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV)

The Doctrine of the Investigative Judgment

Seventh-day Adventists hold a unique doctrine in Christian theology known as the Investigative Judgment. According to traditional Adventist teaching, this judgment began in 1844 based on the prophecy in Daniel 8:14: "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Interpreted through the historicist method and the day-year principle, this was applied to the heavenly sanctuary, and it was taught that Christ moved into the Most Holy Place in heaven to begin a pre-Advent judgment, investigating the lives of professed believers to determine their eternal destiny.

This doctrine was developed during the aftermath of the Great Disappointment of 1844, when early Adventists—expecting Christ to return physically—reinterpreted the prophecy after He did not appear.

How the Doctrine Has Evolved

In early Adventism, the Investigative Judgment was portrayed with almost legalistic imagery: books opened, names examined, sins weighed, and probation hanging in the balance. Over time, however, many Adventist scholars and pastors have softened the tone, shifting away from fear-based imagery to more grace-focused interpretations. Some now see it more as a vindication of God’s justice than as a rigid examination of the saved.

Still, the traditional version taught by Ellen G. White remains a cornerstone of classic Adventist theology, particularly in The Great Controversy and Early Writings.

What Scripture Says About Judgment

Let us now examine the Scriptural framework surrounding the idea of judgment, to see if the concept of an investigative judgment beginning in 1844 aligns with the Bible.

Judgment Occurred in the Past: The Flood and Sodom

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth… So the Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created.’”
—Genesis 6:5–7

“The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great… I will go down now and see…”
—Genesis 18:20–21

In both cases, we see God executing judgment immediately, without indication of a lengthy investigative phase. God's omniscience did not require a multi-century process to evaluate righteousness. He already knew the state of their hearts.

Jesus Knows His Sheep Right Now

“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”
—John 10:14

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me… and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
—John 10:27–28

Christ claims a present knowledge of who belongs to Him. There is no ambiguity. No need for investigative discovery. This calls into question a system where God must search the records to determine who is truly His.

Judgment Happens After Death

“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
—Hebrews 9:27

This verse suggests a post-mortem judgment, not one that occurs before the Second Coming. There is no mention of a heavenly process starting in a specific year. Each soul faces judgment after death, not as part of a cosmic investigation that spans centuries.

The Separation of the Sheep and the Goats

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory… He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.”
—Matthew 25:31–33

This scene of judgment happens at the Second Coming, not in 1844. The criteria for separation? Love in action:

“I was hungry and you gave Me food… I was a stranger and you took Me in.”
—Matthew 25:35

This is not a record-based investigation; it is based on visible fruit of the Spirit: mercy, compassion, and love. The judgment is public, direct, and immediate, not private and administrative.

Other Biblical Concerns with the Investigative Judgment

God Does Not Need Time to Learn

“Great is our Lord… His understanding is infinite.”
—Psalm 147:5

Why would an all-knowing God need 180+ years to determine who is saved? This implies a limitation in divine omniscience, inconsistent with Scripture.

Salvation is Secure in Christ

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”
—Romans 8:1

“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment.”
—John 5:24

The believer already has eternal life. There is no limbo period waiting on a heavenly verdict.

God Forgets What He Forgives

The gospel assures us not only of forgiveness, but of divine forgetfulness. When God forgives, He does not hold our sins in suspended judgment. He removes them entirely from the record.

“For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
—Jeremiah 31:34

This is not poetic metaphor—it is God’s declaration of His covenantal mercy. He does not save us and then keep our sins filed away for later review. The blood of Jesus cleanses fully and finally.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
—Psalm 103:12

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”
—Isaiah 1:18

These verses speak not of sins temporarily set aside, but of sins obliterated, never to be brought up again. A truly forgiven person is not under ongoing evaluation—they are free. The idea of an investigative judgment weighing forgiven sins against the believer’s record stands in tension with the overwhelming testimony of Scripture: in Christ, we are clean.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
—1 John 1:9

This is not a conditional promise pending future investigation—it is immediate, complete, and guaranteed by the character of God.

Replacing Fear with Faith

The Investigative Judgment, as traditionally taught, may have offered a sense of prophetic clarity to early Adventists. But Scripture invites us to a simpler, surer hope. Our salvation is not dependent on a record audit in heaven, but on a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

The true judgment will be righteous, public, and unambiguous, when Jesus returns in glory. Until then, we live not in fear of 1844’s shadows, but in the light of God’s grace.

Call to Decision

Today, do not wait for a judgment in a record book. Come boldly to Jesus.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
—Hebrews 4:16

If your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, it is not because of investigative scrutiny, but because of redemptive grace.