Sunday School - July 5, 2009
On September 17, 1787 the United States Constitution was adopted and later ratified by all states. The original constitution was not deemed perfect but was accepted as a suitable foundation to build upon by way of amendments. It is believed by most, that the founding fathers would be astound by the lack of amendments to their original proposal; to date, the U.S. Constitution has been amended only twenty-seven times. The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, the bedrock foundation and source of all legal authority underlying the existence of our governing bodies. Such defines how we are governed and such provides order and rules by which we are to abide. Although, fallible men authored the U.S. Constitution, their authority was ordained of God (Romans 13:1-2).
1 Peter 2:13-14. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Unlike the U.S. Constitution or other governmental laws, God’s law requires no human amendments and usurps all secular laws. As Christians, our obedience must be first to God’s law, than to man’s law only as such supports and/or compliments, but not conflict or compromise the written laws of God. For if we obey man and man’s law that are inconsistent with God’s law, we please man and not live as servants of Christ (Galatians 1:10). Thus, we are to obey and follow man and man’s law as such follows Christ:
1 Corinthians 11:1. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Acts 5:29. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Those who walk in darkness may see a contradiction in Romans 13:1-2 and Acts 5:29, yet clarity is seen by those who walk in the light. For God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27); thus, as children of the light, let us be prudent and obey God’s law.
This week's lesson is from the book of Deuteronomy. For those who follow the International Sunday School Lesson Plan (aka: The Standard Sunday School Lesson), this Sunday's lesson (July 5, 2009) comes from Deuteronomy 5:1-9a, 11-13, 16-21.
The setting of this lesson is on the east side of the Jordan River at a time just prior to entering the promise land. The Israelites have journeyed forty-years in the desert, thus they are again reminded of their covenant relationship with God.
Moses called all Israel to hear, learn, keep and do that which God had commanded. For in hearing we receive, in learning we discern, in keeping we retain and in doing we apply and make complete our faith toward our Holy God. For it is only in doing are blessings and benefits reaped from a conditional promise.
Isaiah 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
The statutes and judgments spoken by Moses to the Israelite is the covenant God made with them at Mt. Horeb. This covenant was unique, in that, it was not given to Abraham, Isaac or Jacob, but given to Israel as their supreme law. The Lord spoke to them face to face, in the mount out of the midst of the fire, as Moses stood as mediator between them, because they feared God’s glory and did not go up to the mountain. Reverent fear in the presence of God reflects the acknowledgment of man’s sin in view of a sinless, righteous and most holy God.
Moses reminded the Israelites that God brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; for God was their savior in all that pertains to their temporal and eternal needs. Moses continued to state the commandments:
*Thou shalt have none other gods before me (Deuteronomy 5:7). God was not to be seen as a god among many gods, for there is no other god than god. The one and only God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has no equal and tolerates no rivals; and He will share His glory with no other.
*Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them (Deuteronomy 5:8-9). These items and likenesses represent tangible idols kept and worship by heathens as their gods. Such was the practice of Egyptians and the people currently in the promise land. God would not tolerate this, certainly not from the Israelites, who knew Him.
*Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain (Deuteronomy 5:11). To do such would devalue the holiness of a righteous God; for we are to show reverence for His name and place the utmost regard before we swear by in oath or use in a profane manner. To do so without prudence could bind us to an undesirable fate (Joshua 9:3-27, Judges 11:30-40) or cause us to err in contempt, either would render an unfavorable judgment.
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On September 17, 1787 the United States Constitution was adopted and later ratified by all states. The original constitution was not deemed perfect but was accepted as a suitable foundation to build upon by way of amendments. It is believed by most, that the founding fathers would be astound by the lack of amendments to their original proposal; to date, the U.S. Constitution has been amended only twenty-seven times. The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, the bedrock foundation and source of all legal authority underlying the existence of our governing bodies. Such defines how we are governed and such provides order and rules by which we are to abide. Although, fallible men authored the U.S. Constitution, their authority was ordained of God (Romans 13:1-2).
1 Peter 2:13-14. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Unlike the U.S. Constitution or other governmental laws, God’s law requires no human amendments and usurps all secular laws. As Christians, our obedience must be first to God’s law, than to man’s law only as such supports and/or compliments, but not conflict or compromise the written laws of God. For if we obey man and man’s law that are inconsistent with God’s law, we please man and not live as servants of Christ (Galatians 1:10). Thus, we are to obey and follow man and man’s law as such follows Christ:
1 Corinthians 11:1. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Acts 5:29. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Those who walk in darkness may see a contradiction in Romans 13:1-2 and Acts 5:29, yet clarity is seen by those who walk in the light. For God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27); thus, as children of the light, let us be prudent and obey God’s law.
This week's lesson is from the book of Deuteronomy. For those who follow the International Sunday School Lesson Plan (aka: The Standard Sunday School Lesson), this Sunday's lesson (July 5, 2009) comes from Deuteronomy 5:1-9a, 11-13, 16-21.
The setting of this lesson is on the east side of the Jordan River at a time just prior to entering the promise land. The Israelites have journeyed forty-years in the desert, thus they are again reminded of their covenant relationship with God.
Moses called all Israel to hear, learn, keep and do that which God had commanded. For in hearing we receive, in learning we discern, in keeping we retain and in doing we apply and make complete our faith toward our Holy God. For it is only in doing are blessings and benefits reaped from a conditional promise.
Isaiah 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
The statutes and judgments spoken by Moses to the Israelite is the covenant God made with them at Mt. Horeb. This covenant was unique, in that, it was not given to Abraham, Isaac or Jacob, but given to Israel as their supreme law. The Lord spoke to them face to face, in the mount out of the midst of the fire, as Moses stood as mediator between them, because they feared God’s glory and did not go up to the mountain. Reverent fear in the presence of God reflects the acknowledgment of man’s sin in view of a sinless, righteous and most holy God.
Moses reminded the Israelites that God brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; for God was their savior in all that pertains to their temporal and eternal needs. Moses continued to state the commandments:
*Thou shalt have none other gods before me (Deuteronomy 5:7). God was not to be seen as a god among many gods, for there is no other god than god. The one and only God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has no equal and tolerates no rivals; and He will share His glory with no other.
*Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them (Deuteronomy 5:8-9). These items and likenesses represent tangible idols kept and worship by heathens as their gods. Such was the practice of Egyptians and the people currently in the promise land. God would not tolerate this, certainly not from the Israelites, who knew Him.
*Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain (Deuteronomy 5:11). To do such would devalue the holiness of a righteous God; for we are to show reverence for His name and place the utmost regard before we swear by in oath or use in a profane manner. To do so without prudence could bind us to an undesirable fate (Joshua 9:3-27, Judges 11:30-40) or cause us to err in contempt, either would render an unfavorable judgment.
page 1 of 2