SDA Sabbath School Lesson 10--3rd Quarter 2022--Meekness in the Crucible

[Richard Myers]

Lesson 10             August 27-September 2

Meekness in the Crucible

Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon

Sabbath Afternoon

 
Read for This Week’s Study: Ezek. 24:15-27, Exod. 32:1-14, Matt. 5:43-48, 1 Pet. 2:18-25, Ps. 62:1-8.

Memory Text: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

We don’t hear the word meek used much, except maybe when reading about Moses or studying the Beatitudes. It’s not hard to figure out why, either. Meekness is defined as “enduring injury with patience and without resentment.” No wonder we don’t hear much about it; it’s hardly a trait well respected in culture today. Sometimes the Bible translates this word as “humble.” Again, humility isn’t a character trait seen as desirable by most cultures, either.

But meekness, enduring injury with patience and without resentment, is one of the most powerful characteristics of Jesus and His followers. And yet, it’s not an end in itself: meekness of spirit can be a powerful weapon in the hands of those who are in the midst of pain and suffering. Indeed, the crucible is a great place to learn meekness of heart, for through our own meekness and broken places we can be powerful witnesses for God.

The Week at a Glance: What is the relationship between suffering and meekness? How can we, in our own meekness and broken places, be a witness to others? How can meekness really be a strength, not a weakness, for the Christian?

Let's look at an example of meekness. Jesus is a wonderful example to study. Why is He such a good example? Because He is the creator of the world. He owns all of the gold, silver, and all the cattle on a thousand hills. Yet, He had no where to lay His head, by choice. This is humility, meekness. Suffering gives us an opportunity to glory in our tribulation and be a witness of the power of grace to transform sinners into saints.

Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 3.

[Richard Myers]

Sunday         August 28
Broken Bread and Poured-out Wine

Oswald Chambers has said that we are to become “broken bread and poured-out wine” for others. What do you think he means by this?

Jesus has said that we must drink His blood and eat His flesh. He is the Manna which came down from heaven.  Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeth out of the  mouth of God. What does He mean by bread? And what does wine represent in the Lord's Supper? He also said "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. The only way we can be transformed, have a hatred for sin and Satan, is that Jesus laid His life down for us. Does He require me to die for my friend? Are we willing to die for our friends, or do we value life too much to do so? Even though death sets us free from the evil in this world. Something to consider.

Bread and wine have a definite symbolic spiritual meaning.

All through the Bible there are examples of people who were “broken” to serve others. Moses was called to endure unending waves of gossip and criticism as he led people to the Promised Land. Joseph was called to a journey that involved betrayal and imprisonment as he was brought to a position of service in Egypt. In each case, God permitted the situations in order that His people’s lives could become theaters of His grace and care, not only for themselves but for the good of others, as well. God may use us in the same way. It is easy to feel angry or hurt in such situations. But as we noted yesterday, meekness is the God-given ability to endure such things “with patience and without resentment.”

Yes, God empowers us with patience when we surrender the whole heart to Him. He fills us with the Holy Spirit who brings with Him love, joy, peace that passeth all understanding, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance which  is self control. When go through great tribulation, if the Holy Spirit has possession of the heart, then we will become more patient. Praise God! In doing so we give honor and glory to our God.

Read Ezekiel 24:15-27.

24:15   Also the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
 24:16   Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. 
 24:17   Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not [thy] lips, and eat not the bread of men. 
 24:18   So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded. 
 24:19   And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these [things are] to us, that thou doest [so]? 
 24:20   Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
 24:21   Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword. 
 24:22   And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover [your] lips, nor eat the bread of men. 
 24:23   And your tires [shall be] upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another. 
 24:24   Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD. 
 24:25   Also, thou son of man, [shall it] not [be] in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters, 
 24:26   [That] he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause [thee] to hear [it] with [thine] ears? 
 24:27   In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD. 

What’s happening here? Why was Ezekiel put through this crucible?

In Ezekiel 24:24 God says, “Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD” (NIV). Through Ezekiel’s example, the people of Israel were going to be convicted of the truth about who God was, the Sovereign Lord — and they would see this truth as they experienced the fulfillment of the prophecy that Ezekiel’s life was symbolizing and the suffering that he had faced. Who knows how many people will see “the Sovereign LORD” through us in our own broken places, as well?

Sooner or later life itself breaks us all. What has been your experience with being broken? What lessons have you learned? How can your own broken soul be used by the Lord to help other people? 

Our testimony reveals the power of grace to transform sinners into saints. What is a saint? It is a repentant sinner who loves the Lord our God with all of the heart, mind, soul, and strength. How do we com to the point of full surrender of all we have and all we are? Give time for testimonies in your church.

[Richard Myers]

Monday          August 29
Interceding for Grace

Read Exodus 32:1-14.

 32:1   And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for [as for] this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 
 32:2   And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which [are] in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring [them] unto me. 
 32:3   And all the people brake off the golden earrings which [were] in their ears, and brought [them] unto Aaron. 
 32:4   And he received [them] at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 
 32:5   And when Aaron saw [it], he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow [is] a feast to the LORD. 
 32:6   And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. 
 32:7   And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted [themselves]: 
 32:8   They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 
 32:9   And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it [is] a stiffnecked people: 
 32:10   Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. 
 32:11   And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 
 32:12   Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. 
 32:13   Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit [it] for ever. 
 32:14   And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. 

What role do we find Moses playing here?

He was concerned for the glory of God since God had delivered them from Egyptian bondage. For what purpose? They why would God destroy them?

After the people began worshiping the golden calf, God decided they had gone too far and announced that He would destroy the people and make Moses a great nation. But rather than taking up God’s offer, Moses pleaded for God to show grace to His people, and God relented.

Exodus 32:1-14 raises two important issues. First, God’s offer to destroy the rebellious people and bless Moses was a test for him. God wanted Moses to demonstrate just how much compassion he felt for these desperately disobedient people. And Moses passed the test. Like Jesus, he pleaded for mercy for sinners. This reveals something very interesting: sometimes God may also allow us to face opposition; He might allow us to be in a crucible so that He, we, and the watching universe can see how much compassion we have for those who are wayward.

We need to read verses 1-14 again to see why Moses did not want God to destroy Israel. In these verses the reason if very clear, it was for God's glory.

32:11   And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 
 32:12   Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. 
 32:13   Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit [it] for ever. 

Then in verses  26-28  we read that Moses had those who were not on God's side killed. Mercy has its end.

32:26   Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who [is] on the LORD'S side? [let him come] unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. 
 32:27   And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, [and] go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. 
 32:28   And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. 

Then, Moses pleaded for mercy for the rest. Thus, there is a difference between those whose mercy has ended and those who have not hardened their hearts past being able to repent.

 32:32   Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. 
 32:33   And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. 

What reasons did Moses give for asking the Lord not to destroy Israel?

Second, this passage shows that opposition and disobedience is a call to reveal grace. Grace is needed when people least deserve it. But when they least deserve it is also the time that we feel the least like offering it. But when Moses’ sister Miriam was criticizing him, he cried out to the Lord to heal her from leprosy (Numbers 12). When God was angry with Korah and his followers and threatened to destroy them all, Moses fell on his face to plead for their lives. The next day, when Israel grumbled against Moses for the death of the rebels and God threatened to destroy them all again, Moses fell facedown and urged Aaron quickly to make atonement for them all (Numbers 16). In his own meekness, in his own selflessness in the midst of this crucible, Moses sought grace on behalf of those who certainly didn’t deserve it.

On some, not all. 3,000 he killed.

Think about the people around you who you think are the least deserving of grace. How can you, with meekness and selfless humility, be a revelation of God’s grace to them?

We cannot know the heart, thus we ought to look at all as being able to be saved. On the other hand many are called, but few choose to follow Jesus. We need to be able to hear that still small voice leading us as to what we say and what we do in ministering to others. We have no wisdom and before we stop to pick up a hitchhiker, we ought to seek wisdom from on high.

[Richard Myers]

Tuesday          August 30
Loving Those Who Hurt Us

Someone once said: “Loving our enemies, then, does not mean that we are supposed to love the dirt in which the pearl is buried; rather it means that we love the pearl which lies in the dust … . God does not love us because we are by nature lovable. But we become lovable because He loves us.”

When you look at your “enemies,” what do you normally see — the pearl or the dirt around it?

If we love the Lord our God with all of the heart, which all who are truly converted do, then we shall love our enemy also. But, that does not tell us what we are to do. We do not need to go into detail about murderers in the act of murder, as to what we ought to do. Moses killed 3,000. Explain to your church if you can, how that reveals love for the enemy. The point is, if someone offends you, how do you respond? If you love the Lord our God with all of the heart you will not be offended as was Moses when He struck the rock declaring he was the one fetching water for a wretched people. If God is offended as He often is, we may throw the tables of stone down as did Moses. Teach the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Read Matthew 5:43-48.

5:43   Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 
 5:44   But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 
 5:45   That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 
 5:46   For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 
 5:47   And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so? 
 5:48   Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. 

Jesus calls us to love and pray for our enemies. What example from nature does Jesus give us there that helps us understand why we should love our enemies? What’s the point He is teaching us?

When converted the Holy Spirit takes possess of the heart  which is then cleansed as white as snow. And, He brings with Him all of the fruits of the Spirit. One is love. In other words, we are filled with the ability to love those who despitefully use us. We are not offended for self. In verse 48 we read that we are to be perfect like God is in heaven. What does that mean to you? Do you refuse to believe it and teach otherwise? Or do we understand as in nature, we are to be perfect at each stage of our growth. Out motives will be pure and holy when we love the Lord our God with all of the heart, mind, soul, and strength. First the blade, perfect, then the ear, perfect, then the full corn in the ear, perfect. Perfect in the Bible meaning means the heart is pure and holy as are the motives. We may eat the wrong food, worship on the wrong day, and dress the wrong way, but if the heart it fully surrendered to God, then we do so in ignorance not rebellion.

In Matthew 5:45, Jesus uses the example of His Father in heaven to illustrate how we should treat those who hurt us, who perhaps put us in the worst kind of crucibles. Jesus says that His Father sends the blessing of rain to both the righteous and the unrighteous; if God gives even the unjust rain, how then should we treat them, as well?

Jesus isn’t trying to say that we should always have a warm, fuzzy feeling to everyone who causes us trouble, though this may also be possible. Fundamentally, love for our enemies is not meant to be a feeling we have for them but specific actions toward them that reveal care and consideration.

Jesus concludes this passage with a verse that often causes a lot of debate: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father  in heaven is perfect” Matt. 5:48. But the meaning is very clear in the context: Those people who want to be perfect as God is perfect must show love to their enemies as God shows love to His. To be perfect in God’s sight is to love the opposition; and to do this takes a meekness of heart that only God can give.

Keeping in mind our definition of meekness (“enduring injury with patience and without resentment”), list the changes you must make in order to allow the Lord to give you the kind of meekness of heart that will help you have the right attitude toward “enemies.”

There is only one change we can make and this is to love the Lord our God with all of the heart, then we can love our neighbor, and only then.
The question is then what must I do that I will love God with all of my heart. Share with your class what we all must do in order to love God supremely with all we are and all we have. This is the well kept secret.

[Richard Myers]

Wednesday         August 31
A Closed Mouth

The most powerful examples of meekness in the crucible come from Jesus. When He said to come and “learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29), He meant it in ways we probably can’t imagine.

Read 1 Peter 2:18-25. Peter is offering some surprising advice to slaves. He describes how Jesus responded to unjust and painful treatment and suggests to them that He has left them “an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21, NKJV). What principles of meekness and humility in the crucible can we learn from Jesus’ example, as expressed here by Peter?

It is terrible to watch someone else treat another unjustly. And it is extremely painful when we are at the receiving end of such treatment. Because we normally have a strong sense of justice, when injustice occurs our instincts are to “put things right” while carrying what we believe to be a righteous and just anger.

We ought to be offended when others are mistreated, but not when self is offended. Why? I gave the example of Moses throwing down the tables of stone, and the example of Moses striking the Rock and then taking the glory to himself and being angry with the people. Shares these examples with your class to help then understand what happens when we love God with all of the  heart and then when we do not because we are no longer connected with Him as was Moses when expressing anger and pride.

It is not easy to live like this. It is perhaps impossible unless we embrace one critical truth — that in all unjust situations, we must believe that our Father in heaven is in control and that He will act on our behalf when it is according to His will. This also means that we must be open to the possibility that like Jesus, we may not always be saved from injustice. But we must always remember that our Father in heaven is still with us and in charge.

It is impossible to love those who despitefully use us if we are not truly converted. By nature we are evil and at enmity with God. He has promised to give us a hatred for Satan and sin and to reconcile us to Himself. The promise has conditions. What are they?

Peter’s advice, modeled from Jesus’ life, is surprising because it seems to be that silence in the face of unjust suffering is a greater witness to the glory of God than “putting people right.” When questioned by Caiaphas and Pilate, Jesus could have said a lot of things to correct the situation and to justify Himself, but He didn’t. His silence was a testimony to His meekness.

But, when His Father was offended, what then?  Read the chapter Controversy and Woes on the Pharisees in Desire of Ages. God is love, but He does not set aside justice.

How do you deal with situations in which you have been treated unfairly? How can you better apply some of the principles looked at here today to your own life?

Be not offended when self is attacked. In and of ourselves we cannot help but be offended. What then must we do to not be offended, like Moses for 40 years.

[Richard Myers]

Thursday          September 1
Our Rock and Refuge

So often the most proud people, the most arrogant and pushy, are those who suffer from low self-esteem. Their arrogance and pride — and total lack of meekness or humility — exist as a cover, perhaps even unconsciously, for something lacking inside. What they need is something we all need: a sense of security, of worthiness, of acceptance, especially in times of distress and suffering. We can find that only through the Lord. In short, meekness and humility, far from being attributes of weakness, are often the most powerful manifestation of a soul firmly grounded on the Rock.

Amen! True humility demands death to self. That only comes from a full heart surrender to God. Self must die and die daily.

Read Psalm 62:1-8. What seems to be the background for this psalm? What points is David making? What spiritual principles can you learn from what he is saying? Most important, how can you learn to apply these principles to your own life?

To trust God will all we have and all we are. We must be truly converted.

“Without cause men will become our enemies. The motives of the people of God will be misinterpreted, not only by the world, but by their own brethren. The Lord’s servants will be put in hard places. A mountain will be made of a molehill to justify men in pursuing a selfish, unrighteous course … . By misrepresentation these men will be clothed in the dark vestments of dishonesty because circumstances beyond their control made their work perplexing. They will be pointed to as men that cannot be trusted. And this will be done by the members of the church. God’s servants must arm themselves with the mind of Christ. They must not expect to escape insult and misjudgment. They will be called enthusiasts and fanatics. But let them not become discouraged. God’s hands are on the wheel of His providence, guiding His work to the glory of His name. — Ellen G. White, The Upward Look, p. 177.

Amen! God never meant for this to be in His church, but it is. He is pouring clean water upon her and there will be revival and reformation. In the meantime expect to be persecuted when living and teaching the truth.

How immune are you to the reproaches and barbs of others? Most likely not that immune, right? How can you cleave to the Lord and anchor your sense of self-worth on the One who loves you so much that He died for your sins, and thus help protect yourself against the slights of others?

The answer is always the same. Read it in 2 Cor. 3:18. Even though it is there and presented throughout the Bible in many ways, it is a well kept secret. But, it need not be for you anymore. It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Jesus. Do not leave your Sabbath School class in the dark. This is your opportunity to be a blessing to your church.

[Richard Myers]

Friday          September 2

Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Importance of Seeking True Knowledge,” pp. 453, 454, in The Ministry of Healing; “The Sermon on the Mount,” pp. 298-314, in The Desire of Ages; “The Worker and His Qualifications,” p. 630, in Evangelism.

“The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ. If we possess the humility of our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are daily exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character. Lowliness of heart is the strength that gives victory to the followers of Christ; it is the token of their connection with the courts above.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 301.

Amen! What more needs be said!  You may obtain "perfection of character" that you may be a reflection of His character. Again, read 2 Cor. 3:18. What does it say about the character of those who behold the glory of God? Into what are we changed? share again with your class what it means to be converted.

Discussion Questions:

    How does humility allow us to “rise above” hurts and annoyances? What do you think is the most important characteristic of humility that allows us to do this?

Self is hidden in Christ Jesus when we love Him supremely.
 
    In your own particular culture, how are the characteristics of humility and meekness viewed? Are they respected, despised, or what? What kind of pressures do you face in your culture that work against your cultivating these characteristics?
   
     Are there any great examples of meekness and humility from people alive today? If so, who are they, how have they expressed these traits, and what can you learn from them?

They were alive, but just before having Muslim's cut their their throats because they refused to deny Jesus, they stood meekly quiet waiting their death. We see examples in our daily life, but not as often as we should. Why not?
   
     Why is it that we so often equate meekness and humility with weakness?

Because self is not dead in most in the world and in the church. Many are called but few choose to follow Jesus with the whole heart.
     
     We saw how David sought the Lord as a refuge. But how does that work? How is that refuge always manifested? In other words, how can we, as a church, be a refuge for those who need a refuge? What kind of refuge does your own local church provide? What can you do to help make it a place of refuge for those who need it?

There is only one way. How can one overcome self without Christ? It is impossible. Then what must we do in our churches? Invite and expert from the world to make a plan so the church can be humble? We can individually die to self, but how to make the church humble?  You can be an example by loving God supremely, and teaching the true gospel of grace that will then help others to make a whole heart surrender to Christ What is the well kept secret that we can share with our church? It answers the question as to what we can do to help our church be converted loving Christians.