SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--2nd Quarter 2021--Covenant Law

[Wally]

Lesson 8 May 15-21

Covenant Law

Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon

[Richard Myers]

Lesson 8 May 15-21

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Exod. 19:6, Isa. 56:7, Heb. 2:9, Deut. 4:13, Deut. 10:13, Amos 3:3, Gen. 18:19.

Memory Text: “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.” Deuteronomy 7:9

One of the important phrases in Psalm 23 indicates where God desires to lead us. “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake,” David declares in verse 3 (emphasis supplied). Because of His own moral uprightness, God will never lead us astray. He will provide safe paths for our spiritual walk through life.

What are the safe “paths of righteousness”? A writer of another psalm answers this question through a prayer request: “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight” (Ps. 119:35, emphasis supplied). “All thy commandments are righteousness” (Ps. 119:172). God’s law is a safe, firm path through the treacherous swamp of human existence.

Amen!!

Our lesson this week centers on God’s law and its place in the Sinai covenant.

The Week at a Glance: What did Israel’s election mean? How does Israel’s election parallel our own? How important was the law in the covenant? Does the covenant come unconditionally? Why is obedience such an integral part of the covenant relationship?

Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 22.

[Richard Myers]

Sunday         May 16

The Election of Israel (Deut. 7:7)

Jewish tradition has taught that God made the covenant with Israel only because other nations rejected it first. Though there is no biblical evidence for that position, it does, however, help bring home the point that for whatever reasons the Lord chose the Hebrew nation, it was not because they were deserving of the high honor and privilege the Lord bestowed upon them. They had no merit of their own that would make them worthy of God’s love and His choice of them as His people. They were few in number, a group of enslaved tribes, and politically and militarily weak. Plus, in terms of culture and religion, they were mixed, bland, and without much influence. The basic cause, then, for Israel’s election lay in the mystery of God’s love and grace.

It is not a mystery. God chose the father of the nation, Abram.  And we know why He chose him, because He could trust him. He knew that Abram would offer his son for a sacrifice. Israel remained God's chosen nation until she was cut off 3 !/2 years after Christ was crucified. She was God's nation not because she did right, but because Israel had been entrusted with His sacred Oracles. She had the truth. Listen to the Words of Jesus when speaking to the woman at Jacob's well: “Believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.”And, this was just before Israel murdered the Son of God.

At the same time, however, we need to be careful as we look at this idea of election, because it is fraught with the potential for theological misunderstanding. What did God choose Israel for?

To be an example of His character to the nations of the world. And, to be the expositors of His truth. Solomon did a good job until he became an apostate.

Was it to be redeemed, while everyone else was chosen to be rejected and lost? Or were they chosen to be vehicles who would offer the world what they had been offered? How do the following verses help us to understand the answers to these questions?

Exod. 19:6

Isa. 56:7

Heb. 2:9

As Seventh-day Adventists, we like to view ourselves as the modern-day counterpart of Israel, called by the Lord, not to be the only ones redeemed but to proclaim the message of redemption, in the context of the three angels’ messages, to the world. In short, we believe we have something to say that no one else is saying. This is, basically, the situation with ancient Israel, as well. The purpose of Israel’s election was not to turn the Hebrew nation into some exclusive club, hoarding the promise of salvation and redemption for themselves. On the contrary, if we believe that Christ died for all humanity (Heb. 2:9), then the redemption the Lord offered Israel was offered to the whole world as well. Israel was supposed to be the vehicle by which this redemption was to be made known. Our church has been called to do the same thing.

Amen! But, it must be said that God wants living witnesses that testify to the power of His grace to transform sinners into saints. Why is it this is not made prominent? Because many doubt and some teach false gospels that deny His power transforms sinners into saints. Many deny a verse that says "Here are they that keep the commandments of God," and or this "Let him who is holy be holy still."  How many times have you heard from the pulpits that when converted we are filled with the Holy Spirit and manifest the fruits of the Spirit, not one missing?  How often do you hear that Jesus has not come because we have not done that which has been entrusted to us? Or, Jesus cannot come until He has a people who have stopped sinning?

God wants witnesses of His character. When we sin, we misrepresent His character. How does God look at a people who misrepresent His character and bring reproach upon Him, His Word, and His church?  Listen to the Prophet Ezekiel:

36:21   But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. 
 36:22   Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not [this] for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 
 36:23   And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 
 36:24   For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 
 36:25   Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 

God cut off the nation of Israel because they continued to misrepresent Him and murdered His innocent Son. God will not cut off modern day Israel. But, many in the church will be sifted out because they reject Him and His Word.

Look at your own role in the church. What can you do to help promote the work that we have been called to do? Remember, if you are not actively helping, more than likely you are, to some degree, standing in the way.

That's right. There is no middle ground. We either are bearing good fruit or bad fruit. You do not get both from the same tree according the Words of Jesus. You do not have to encourage a converted Christian to share the gospel, they live to do so. Those who are not filled with the Holy Spirit may be influenced to work, but their heart is not given to God so they are false messengers because they are on the other side.

[Richard Myers]

Monday          May 17

Ties That Bind

“And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone” (Deut. 4:13).

However much we have been stressing that the covenant is always a covenant of grace, that it is only the result of God’s bestowing unmerited favor upon those who enter into a saving relationship with Him, grace is not a license to disobey. On the contrary, covenant and law belong together; they are, in fact, inseparable.

The everlasting covenant and the new covenant write the law of love upon the hearts of all who love the Lord our God with the whole heart. The old covenant made at sinai was a covenant of law, not grace. It was simply "Obey and live." It was given to a people who had no understanding of a Savior. They needed to, like many today, understand they are condemned when breaking the law and need help from outside of themselves, from God. God provided for their education with the ceremonial law which also "law" given with the moral law. Both were to be perfectly obeyed under the Sinai "old" Covenant.

Look at the text quoted above. How tightly does it link the covenant and the law? How does it show how basic the law is to the covenant?

It is everything and the only thing, break the law and die. They were already condemned and they needed to see it, and seek a way out, just as we read in Romans seven when Saul came to understand he was a law breaker. When he discovered he was condemned, he did not know what to do. He could not keep the law until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. They he was truly converted and was empowered through God grace to keep the commandments and all else regarding the moral law.

When you think about what a covenant is, the concept of law as an integral part makes sense. If we understand the covenant as among other things, a relationship, then some sort of rules and boundaries need to be drawn. How long would a marriage or a friendship or a business partnership last if there were no boundaries or rules, either specifically expressed or tacitly understood? The husband decides to take a girlfriend or the friend decides to help himself to the other’s wallet, or one business partner without telling the other invites another person to join their venture. These acts would be a violation of rules, laws, and principles. How long would these relationships last under such lawless circumstances? That is why there has to be boundaries, lines drawn, and rules established. Only through these can the relationship be maintained.

And when the contract is broken because the law is violated, what happens to the church member? What if he continues to bread the contract? Here we need concise explanation because this is where Israel had been deceived, so deceived they did not know the Lamb had to die. They did not see themselves as sinners. So it is today in His church. Few understand a Laodicean is in a lost condition. Therefore they do not do as Jesus says in regards as to how to let Jesus into the heart. He stands at the door of the heart wanting in, but how few understand this.    Prayerfully read Rev. 3:14-22.

In fact, various expressions such as law (Ps. 78:10) statutes (Ps. 50:16), testimonies (Ps. 25:10), commandments (Ps. 103:18), and word of the Lord (Deut. 33:9) are found parallel to or in closest association with (if not having almost the same meaning as) the word covenant. Evidently “the words of this covenant” (Jer. 11:3, 6, 8 ) are the words of God's law, statutes, testimonies, and commandments.

The covenant of God with His people Israel contained various requirements that would be crucial for maintaining the special relationship He sought with His people. Is it any different today?

If grace is not the foundation of the covenant, then what do we have?

Think of someone you have a close relationship with. Now, imagine what would happen to that relationship if you didn’t feel bound by any rules, norms, or laws, but believed you had total freedom to do whatever you wanted. Even if you say that you love this person and that love alone will decide how you relate to him or her, why is there still a need for rules? Discuss.

What if a spouse committed adultery?  Would that break the covenant? Then what? Praise God that we are given a period of probation to learn of Him and our continual need of His grace in order to keep His commandments and thus not break the covenant we made when we were baptized. How do we judge character? What does perfection of Christian character mean to you? Is there such a thing? Then share with your Sabbath School class from Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy what it means to perfect Christian character and when does it come?  Remember as you study this subject that God wants from us the whole heart and He wants faithful witnesses who testify to His character.

[Richard Myers]

Tuesday        May 18

Law Within The Covenant (Deut. 10:12-13)

What are your first thoughts when you think of law? Police officers, traffic tickets, judges, and jail? Or do you think of restrictions, rules, authoritarian parents, and punishment? Or, perhaps, do you think of order, harmony, stability? Or maybe even … love?

God's law is a transcript of His character of love and justice. Where there is no law there is no love, joy, and peace. Look at Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York where they want to defund law enforcement.

The Hebrew word torah, translated “law” in our Bibles, means “teaching” or “instruction.” The term can be used to refer to all God’s instructions, whether moral, civil, social, or religious. It implies all the wise counsels God has graciously given His people, so they may experience an abundant life both physically and spiritually. No wonder the psalmist could call the man blessed whose “delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Ps. 1:2).

As we read the law or Torah — the instructions and teachings recorded in the books of Moses that became a part of Israel’s covenant — we are impressed with the wide range of instruction. The law touches upon every part of Israel’s lifestyle — agriculture, civil government, social relationships, and worship.

And the ceremonial law which all pointed to the grace of God through the tabernacle and  its services. There were three kinds of law given to Moses. The moral, ceremonial, and civil. There is a clear line between them. The moral laws are still binding, which include statutes and judgments.

Why do you suppose God provided so much instruction for Israel? (See Deut. 10:13.) In what ways were these instructions for their “good”?

We not only cannot do any good thing until converted, we also are often blind of the things we need to do.

The work of the “law” within the covenant was to provide guidelines to the new life of the human-covenant partner. The law introduces the member of the covenant to the will of God, whom one comes to know in the fullest sense through obedience by faith to His commandments and other expressions of His will.

The part played by the law within the living reality of the covenant relationship showed that Israel could not follow the ways of other nations. They could not live by natural law, human needs, desires, or even social, political, and economic necessities alone. They could continue as God’s holy nation, priestly kingdom, and special treasure only through uncompromising obedience to the revealed will of the covenant-making God in all areas of life.

And until they allowed God's grace into their hearts, they could not do any good thing.

Like ancient Israel, Seventh-day Adventists have received a wide range of counsels pertaining to every phase of Christian living through a modern manifestation of the prophetic gift. Why should we view these counsels as a gift from God rather than a detriment to independent thought and action? At the same time, what dangers do we face of turning that gift into something legalistic, as the Israelites did with their gifts? (See Rom. 9:32.)

It is very important for the lesson to explain the difference between keeping the commandments from the heart versus keeping them outwardly as the Jews did. What is legalism? It is not keeping the commandments and teaching others to do so. It is not teaching others that breaking a commandment is sin and it reveals a separation between God and man. It is thinking that one is keeping the law when in fact they are not. It is telling others they are sinners when in fact they are unrepentant sinners. It is important  not to go along with the predominant teaching in Christianity that teaching that the moral law is still binding and when broken  one does not have salvation, is legalism. It is not.

[Richard Myers]

Thursday ↥         May 20

If …

Look up the following verses. What is the one point they have in common, and what does it teach about the nature of the covenant?

Gen. 18:19
_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ ________

Gen. 26:4-5
_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ ________


Exod. 19:5
_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ ________


Lev. 26:3
_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ ________


God openly acknowledges Abraham’s faithful obedience to “my commandments, my statutes, and my laws” (Gen. 26:5). It is implied that God expected such a lifestyle from His human partner in the covenant. The full statement of the biblical covenant at Sinai makes it abundantly evident that conditions of obedience are one of the basic aspects of the covenant.

Exodus 19:5 made it clear, “if ye will obey … ” The conditional aspect of the covenant is undeniable; though bestowed by grace, though unearned, though a gift to them, the covenant promises were not unconditional. The people could reject the gift, deny the grace, and turn away from the promises. The covenant, as with salvation, never negates free will. The Lord does not force people into a saving relationship with Him; He doesn’t impose a covenant upon them. He freely offers it to everyone; everyone is invited to accept it. When he or she does, obligations follow, not as a means of earning the covenant blessing but as an outward manifestation of having received the covenant blessings. Israel should obey, not in order to earn the promises but that the promises could be fulfilled in her. Her obedience was an expression of what it is like to be blessed by the Lord. Obedience does not earn the blessings, in that God is obligated to bring them; obedience, instead, creates an environment where the blessing of faith can be made manifest.

“Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess” (Deut. 5:33). Is the Lord saying here to Israel that if they obey they will earn these blessings, that these blessings are what the people are owed? Or is He saying: If you obey, these blessings can result because obedience opens the way for Me to be able to bring the blessings upon you? What is the difference between the two ideas?

Friday ↥         May 21

Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Controversy,” pp. 607, 608 in The Desire of Ages; and “The Law and the Covenants,” pp. 363-373, in Patriarchs and Prophets.

How does Matthew 22:34-40 help us better understand 1. the place and meaning of God’s law within His covenant and 2. the concept that covenant is synonymous with relationship?

“There must first be love in the heart before a person can, in the strength and by the grace of Christ, begin to observe the precepts of God’s law (cf. Rom. 8:3-4). Obedience without love is as impossible as it is worthless. But where love is present a person will automatically set out to order his life in harmony with the will of God as expressed in His commandments.” — The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 484.

“In the precepts of His holy law, God has given a perfect rule of life; and He has declared that until the close of time this law, unchanged in a single jot or tittle, is to maintain its claim upon human beings. Christ came to magnify the law and make it honorable. He showed that it is based upon the broad foundation of love to God and love to man, and that obedience to its precepts comprises the whole duty of man. In His own life He gave an example of obedience to the law of God. In the Sermon on the Mount He showed how its requirements extend beyond the outward acts and take cognizance of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” — Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 505.

Discussion Questions:

    Why does the thread of love exert a stronger pull than the rope of fear to draw human beings to God?

    Why is the command to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37, NIV) the first and greatest commandment?

    Simone Weil once wrote that, “Order is the first need of all.” (Quoted in Russell Kirk, The Roots of American Order [Washington, D.C.: Regnery Gateway, 1992], p. 3). How do you understand her words in the context of the week’s lesson, particularly in relation to the idea of law?

Summary: God’s law was an integral part of the covenant. Yet, it was a true covenant of grace. Grace, however, never nullifies the need for law. On the contrary, law is a means by which grace is manifested and expressed in the life of those who receive it.

[Richard Myers]

Wednesday      May 19

The Stability of God’s Law

What truth about God does the presence of God’s law in the covenant relationship teach us about His essential nature? Mal. 3:6, James 1:17.

God’s law is an oral or written expression of His will (compare Ps. 40:8 ). Because it is a transcript of His character, its presence in the covenant assures us of the permanence and dependability of God. Although we always may not be able to discern the outworkings of His providence, we know He is trustworthy. His universe is under unvarying moral and physical laws. It is this fact that gives us true freedom and security.

The “assurance that God is reliable and dependable lies in the truth that He is a God of law. His will and His law are one. God says that right is right because it describes the best possible relationships. Therefore God’s law is never arbitrary or subject to whim and fancy. It is the most stable thing in the universe.” — Walter R. Beach, Dimensions in Salvation (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1963), p. 143.

If God’s law cannot save a person from sin, why did He make it a part of the covenant? (Hint: see Amos 3:3.)

God's everlasting covenant was a promise, a conditional promise to transform a sinner into a saint, one that keeps His commandments and reflect His righteous character. In other words, He has promised to write His law (His character) upon our hearts. The law cannot save, it is the law of love that He wants to give to us. But, in and of itself as it was in the Old Covenant made at Sinai, it cannot save, only condemn.

A relationship requires agreement and harmony. Because God is not only the Creator of the world but also its moral Governor, law is essential for the happiness of His created, intelligent beings to live in harmony with Him. His law, the expression of His will, is thus the constitution of His government. It is naturally the norm or obligation of the covenant arrangement and relationship. Its purpose is not to save, but to define our duty to God (commandments 1-4) and our duty to our fellow humans (commandments 5-10). In other words, it sets forth the manner of life that God designs for His covenant children to live, for their own happiness and well-being. It prevented Israel from substituting some other philosophy as a way of life. It was and is the purpose of the covenant relationship to bring the believer through God’s transforming grace into harmony with His will and character.

Look around. Can you not see the devastating effects of lawlessness? Even in your own life, can you not see some damage done by breaking God’s law? In what ways do these realities help to affirm the goodness of God’s law and why law should be a crucial part of our relationship with Him?

The law is necessary that we might see by breaking one part of it that we are condemned. Many do not see the damage done every time they break a law of God.

[Richard Myers]

Thursday ↥         May 20

If …

Look up the following verses. What is the one point they have in common, and what does it teach about the nature of the covenant?

Gen. 18:19
_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ ________

Gen. 26:4-5
_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ ________


Exod. 19:5
_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ ________


Lev. 26:3
_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ ________


God openly acknowledges Abraham’s faithful obedience to “my commandments, my statutes, and my laws” (Gen. 26:5). It is implied that God expected such a lifestyle from His human partner in the covenant. The full statement of the biblical covenant at Sinai makes it abundantly evident that conditions of obedience are one of the basic aspects of the covenant.

Exodus 19:5 made it clear, “if ye will obey … ” The conditional aspect of the covenant is undeniable; though bestowed by grace, though unearned, though a gift to them, the covenant promises were not unconditional. The people could reject the gift, deny the grace, and turn away from the promises. The covenant, as with salvation, never negates free will. The Lord does not force people into a saving relationship with Him; He doesn’t impose a covenant upon them. He freely offers it to everyone; everyone is invited to accept it. When he or she does, obligations follow, not as a means of earning the covenant blessing but as an outward manifestation of having received the covenant blessings. Israel should obey, not in order to earn the promises but that the promises could be fulfilled in her. Her obedience was an expression of what it is like to be blessed by the Lord. Obedience does not earn the blessings, in that God is obligated to bring them; obedience, instead, creates an environment where the blessing of faith can be made manifest.

“Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess” (Deut. 5:33). Is the Lord saying here to Israel that if they obey they will earn these blessings, that these blessings are what the people are owed? Or is He saying: If you obey, these blessings can result because obedience opens the way for Me to be able to bring the blessings upon you? What is the difference between the two ideas?

Friday ↥         May 21

Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Controversy,” pp. 607, 608 in The Desire of Ages; and “The Law and the Covenants,” pp. 363-373, in Patriarchs and Prophets.

How does Matthew 22:34-40 help us better understand 1. the place and meaning of God’s law within His covenant and 2. the concept that covenant is synonymous with relationship?

“There must first be love in the heart before a person can, in the strength and by the grace of Christ, begin to observe the precepts of God’s law (cf. Rom. 8:3-4). Obedience without love is as impossible as it is worthless. But where love is present a person will automatically set out to order his life in harmony with the will of God as expressed in His commandments.” — The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 484.

“In the precepts of His holy law, God has given a perfect rule of life; and He has declared that until the close of time this law, unchanged in a single jot or tittle, is to maintain its claim upon human beings. Christ came to magnify the law and make it honorable. He showed that it is based upon the broad foundation of love to God and love to man, and that obedience to its precepts comprises the whole duty of man. In His own life He gave an example of obedience to the law of God. In the Sermon on the Mount He showed how its requirements extend beyond the outward acts and take cognizance of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” — Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 505.

Discussion Questions:

    Why does the thread of love exert a stronger pull than the rope of fear to draw human beings to God?

    Why is the command to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37, NIV) the first and greatest commandment?

    Simone Weil once wrote that, “Order is the first need of all.” (Quoted in Russell Kirk, The Roots of American Order [Washington, D.C.: Regnery Gateway, 1992], p. 3). How do you understand her words in the context of the week’s lesson, particularly in relation to the idea of law?

Summary: God’s law was an integral part of the covenant. Yet, it was a true covenant of grace. Grace, however, never nullifies the need for law. On the contrary, law is a means by which grace is manifested and expressed in the life of those who receive it.