Sunday, October 27, 2013

On 11-3-13, Exodus 3:7-17 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as God Prepares for Deliverance

God Prepares for Deliverance
Exodus 3:7-17
International Sunday School Lesson
November 3, 2013



Commentary
By
Jed Greenough

If you had to, how would you tell someone who you are?  You would tell them your name.  But what does that tell them about you?  How would you go about doing that so that someone knew who you really are? 
That is a tough one because you have to come to know someone.  To really know who someone is takes time.  So when I see this scripture for today I notice how many words there are in giving Moses an answer to the question, “What is His name?”
Think about it this way.  Do you have someone in your life with who, they or you, can simply say when calling on the phone or when walking through a door, “It’s me!”? 
If you do, that person or you instantly know who is on the other end or in that space with you.  If you don’t have that connection with someone its meaningless.
Yes, this is a bit of an oversimplification with regard to God and He is anything but simple.  As we have come to understand His “name” we consider the factors of God.  He refers to Himself as I Am and we would say He is.  According to the NIV the Hebrew for His name can also be, “He will be”.  So God’s name is that He always has been, is, and will be.  I like the “heaviness” of all that when you consider His name and I find it fitting.
So did they, the people of Israel, know who God was?  My gut tells me that they were not on an “It’s me” basis.  Thus this explanation, “Say to the Israelites, The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.”  Genesis 3:15a
I am further convinced of this, that they didn’t know Him as “I Am” in their lives because He went on to tell Moses that this name was how He was “to be remembered from generation to generation.” Genesis 3:15b
I think it rather akin to Jacob last week as I professed my belief that though Jacob maybe knew about God because of Abraham his grandfather and Isaac his father he didn’t have a relationship with God and neither have I felt did the people of Israel have much of one.
I believe we see this in the behavior of the people of Israel from the moment they face the first peril at the crossing of the sea as Pharaoh pursued them to their full transformation into God’s people as time went by.  As time passed then they began to know who God was.
Can we claim to know who God is?  Do we have an, “It’s Me!” relationship with Him?  If not I guess we better get to work to know Him better.  Without knowing Him well enough how can we be very effective in the work of the gospel?

For Discussion:
1.       Discuss the figurative language found in verses 7-9 so it is understood that God wasn’t just now finally hearing the cries of the people or just now finally concerned.
2.       Discuss that God told Abram about this period of enslavement found in Genesis 15:13-14
3.       After reading the doubt Moses expresses about himself in 3:11, find and discuss three other verses where he continues to be hesitant.
4.       There are three words very closely related to “I Am” do not miss them.  They are “I will be” found in verse 12.  They are worthy of a concordance search to see when and how God uses them in the Bible from beginning to end.
5.       In verse 12 God is not just referring to Moses when He says “you will worship” but to the people of Israel.  Because they will find themselves there worshiping Him and not still in Egypt.
6.       Find and discuss when God first promised this land mentioned in verse 17.
7.       I think a great commentary/lesson/sermon on today’s scripture could be made by combining it with The Great Commission found in Matthew 28:16-20.  Discuss the parallels.
Upcoming Lessons

11-3-13     God Prepares for Deliverance Exodus 3:7-17
11-10-13    Beginning of Passover Exodus 12:1-14
11-17-13    Beginning of Freedom Exodus 14:13, 14, 21-30 or 14:21-30
11-24-13    Beginning of the Tabernacle Exodus 40:16-30, 34, 38
12-1-13     The Angel Foretells Jesus’ Birth Luke 1:26-40

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved

Sunday, October 20, 2013

On 10-27-13, Genesis 28:1a, 10-22 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as The Blessing Passes to Jacob

The Blessing Passes to Jacob
Genesis 28:1a, 10-22
International Sunday School Lesson
October 27, 2013



Commentary
By
Jed Greenough


All right let’s just get it over with, a stone for a pillow!  Yep, that’s Jacob.  There I go superficially making assumptions again about these major characters of the Bible but I don’t feel that I am teaching an absolute, which is something I usually try to avoid, but rather in this case an opinion so I don’t feel too much trepidation in making my next statement.
I don’t feel that Jacob was very complex but rather a simple or base man.  Yes, there was his request of Esau’s birthright in exchange for some stew (Genesis 25) which certainly establishes him as an opportunist if nothing more.  There was the playing along with his mother’s scheme to take Esau’s blessing (Genesis 27).  Look ahead in Genesis and I believe you’ll see more examples.  But most importantly in my opinion, despite all Jacob must have heard about his dad and granddad and the most magnificent experiences they had in their receiving their promises and communications from God, Jacob had yet to have a relationship with God himself!
So from today’s scripture there are many things that you and I and Jacob and God all get from this that is shared with us today. 
First is that we can inherit some things but a relationship with God is not one of them.
Another thing that I am drawing an assumption about based on this and other evidence in the Bible, even though this example comes from a dream, is that the activity of angels is an ongoing, ever present, continuous task that they are engaged in here among us.  This format isn’t one where I will do all the groundwork citing examples of their activity but check it out and you will see that they are protecting, engaging, battling.  You might not know it but you could be entertaining one when you are taking care of a stranger (Hebrews 13:2).  All these examples are Biblical and therefore proven and I think comforting but not to be made more of than what it is as they are servants of God and the goal is still God’s glory not theirs.
Finally, I am confident we can also see that God wanted this relationship with Jacob and also demonstrates that He wants to be worshiped. 
I find it encouraging whenever I read these examples and I read of the love that God had for these examples in the Bible such as Jacob.  Why, because I know that I am more like those such as Jacob than I am other more inspiring characters of the Bible.  I might have used a woolen bag or something fashioned from an animal’s hide for my pillow but I can be pretty simple too.  In the end though I know God is patient, puts up with a lot of stupid activity but still forgives me and wants me to worship Him still.

For Discussion:
1.       If you explore commentary on the stone pillow you will see all the hoops people attempt to jump through to explain it away due to its seeming absurdity from using symbolism to original language meanings.  There was one stone; it was used as a pillow.  This one stone he had placed under his head was set up as a pillar.  Discuss if you wish but don’t get lost in it!
2.       Discuss examples of angelic activity in the Bible
3.       Discuss examples of angelic activity among us now
4.       Now discuss how too much attention or glory is given to angels
5.       Discuss whether you believe Jacob had a relationship at this point with God
6.       Discuss the role of parents but how one cannot truly inherit a relationship with God
7.       Discuss why the Lord needed to appear to Jacob
8.       Discuss Jacob saying, “If God will be with me…then the Lord will be my God.”

Upcoming Lessons

10-27-13    The Blessing Passes to Jacob Genesis 28:1a, 10-22
11-3-13     God Prepares for Deliverance Exodus 3:7-17
11-10-13    Beginning of Passover Exodus 12:1-14
11-17-13    Beginning of Freedom Exodus 14:13, 14, 21-30 or 14:21-30
11-24-13    Beginning of the Tabernacle Exodus 40:16-30, 34, 38


Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved

Sunday, October 13, 2013

On 10-20-13, Genesis 21:12-14, 17-21; 26:2-5, 12, 13 or Genesis 21:13-14, 17-21; 26:2-5, 12-13 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Blessings for Ishmael and Isaac or A Blessing for Ishmael and Isaac

Blessings for Ishmael and Isaac or A Blessing for Ishmael and Isaac
Genesis 21:12-14, 17-21; 26:2-5, 12, 13 or Genesis 21:13-14, 17-21; 26:2-5, 12-13
International Sunday School Lesson
October 20, 2013



Commentary
By
Jed Greenough

Some of us reading the titles given to the scripture for today might say, “I’ll take Isaac’s blessing over Ishmael’s any day.”  I think the thought is one that many have in their daily lives as well.
Have you ever wanted to trade lives with someone you know or have heard about?  I think it better, probably, if we could try and do some walking in their moccasins, as they say, before we made that determination.  But I’d also say most have wanted to escape a certain job, living environment or stress.  I think the majority though, come to realize how it is all relative to your situation; I’m sure after all that Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have their stress too.  And who hasn’t heard of the lottery winners who end up having to move, divorced or penniless?
Why do you think God allows some to amass so much and some so little including Christians?
In today’s scripture were the blessings that Isaac received all because of His father’s faith and because of the promise made to Abraham that would come through Isaac?  It might well be that given God’s plan and its timetable that growth in numbers from people to resources was a necessary thing.
God knows that some can handle wealth but for most as Jesus said, “…it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”  This remarkable analogy was of course in reference to the seemingly otherwise righteous but wealthy young man who wanted to have eternal life but was unwillingly to sell his possessions and follow Jesus and so bring it about.  Matthew 19
I believe that in most cases God provides for us as Christians just what we need.  I have often been amazed at the ways that God has provided for me and mine.  I’d like you to stop for a moment and consider some of the remarkable ways that God has blessed you sometimes unexpectedly. 
A recent example in my life concerned one of my boys.  We recently took our son to college and of course we were concerned as most parents are at this event. 
You, I am sure, are well aware of all the pitfalls there are in store for college freshmen as were my wife and I so we had much advice to offer him.  The first thing that I did was visit the local sister church to ours in that town and talk with the pastor about what they had in place.  Fortunately it was an extremely strong college program between Sunday morning and Sunday night events.
My next step was to tell my son to get involved.  Sure with that church and with Campus Crusade for Christ but with good people and right away.
Well, the blessings from God were like abundant rain showers on my son with the students that he brought into his life, from the guy across the hall who did the same card tricks, to the small core of four who eat at the same time, that make sure the others are doing their work before fun begins, to the fact that almost everyone on his floor attends that same church and a Bible Study in the dorm.  He was blessed with early success and excitement in all his classes and the list goes on.  It is hard to impress upon you with these words how God guided my son’s life in what isn’t a Christian college but he and his mother and I can see it and like Isaac we feel blessed a hundredfold.
I think my son may have been blessed at the Christian college he and we wanted him to attend but quite frankly we would have been forcing the issue.  God directed him through his final year in High School and this college was amazingly the only one that had the perfect program.
With this then I see how when we force our own way.  When we aren’t in step with the path God would have us walk on we probably aren’t feeling too blessed.  Would Abraham have been so blessed if He had not had his faith?  Would Isaac?  I think we all know the answer.

For Discussion:
1.       Discuss Abraham sending Hagar and Ishmael off into the desert with some food and water
2.       Discuss Hagar getting a wife for Ishmael from Egypt
3.       Discuss verse 5 in light of the benefits to Abraham’s descendants
4.       Discuss Isaac’s wealth
5.       Discuss the issue of wealth
6.       Discuss Christians who are wealthy in a monetary sense
7.       Discuss what you think God could be protecting you from by His not giving you more than you can handle

Upcoming Lessons

10-20-13    Blessings for Ishmael and Isaac or A Blessing for Ishmael and Isaac Genesis 21:12-14, 17-21; 26:2-5, 12, 13 or 21:13-14, 17-21; 26:2-5, 12-13
10-27-13    The Blessing Passes to Jacob Genesis 28:1a, 10-22
11-3-13     God Prepares for Deliverance Exodus 3:7-17
11-10-13    Beginning of Passover Exodus 12:1-14
11-17-13    Beginning of Freedom Exodus 14:13, 14, 21-30 or 14:21-30

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved

Sunday, October 6, 2013

On 10-13-13, Genesis 17:15-17; 18:9-15; 21:1-7 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as A Promise to Sarah

A Promise to Sarah
Genesis 17:15-17; 18:9-15; 21:1-7
International Sunday School Lesson
October 13, 2013



Commentary
By
Jed Greenough


I wondered how many of you are students preparing for class and how many are teachers doing likewise.  If you visit me weekly here do my comments sometimes disappoint you and you can’t help but judge me?
I have never reused the same commentary from the past when I could have but if I did would you think ill of me?  Or what if I took a week off once and awhile?  Would you care about that?
Those who take their preparations seriously might read a lesser commentary or one they disagree with vehemently or find the blog hasn’t been updated for a couple weeks and decide “phooey on this guy!” But what would they really know about me and the causes?  Nothing.
If I thought I had done my best or I was taking a break or I had a family emergency you wouldn’t know any of that because that isn’t what I write about.
Many times we do that judging automatically or quickly of people.  I must admit I’ve never been a fan of Sarah, judging her in many ways too harshly and too quickly.  Oh, my, but what have I based it upon?  God felt it important to share certain things about Sarah but not all things.
Is it fair to blame an ancient woman for laughing at what was heard today no matter who uttered the words?  Picture the oldest woman you know and imagine that it was she who would soon bear a child.
We also know from previous studies through the years the chaos that was created with help from Sarah that concerned Hagar and Ishmael that is still playing out today.
But the Bible and therefore God doesn’t judge Sarah in the same manner as we might if He did we would read about her in the way we read about Esau and we don’t.  The last words we read of her are found in the New Testament in Hebrews 11:11 and 1 Peter 3:6 with positive comments about her faith and obedience.
Luke 16:15 tells us that we justify ourselves in the eyes of others but God knows our hearts.  We do not know when a man or woman is trying their hardest but don’t hit the mark or they didn’t put forth the effort that they should have, only God knows.
As with most things the best thing we can do is pray.  Pray for our ability to do the best we can to bring God the glory.  Whether that be for our own acts or in our prayers on the behalf of others in how they perform.
I pray for you as students and teachers and I hope that you will pray for me and others who are a part of your worship and study practices.


For Discussion:
1.       Discuss your thoughts about the actions of Sarah you know from the Bible.  Have they changed?
2.       Discuss what is said about Abraham laughing versus Sarah.
3.       Are we adding words to the scripture that deal with Sarah that aren’t really there?
4.       What would it be like to know the consequences of our individual decisions thousands of years later such as Abraham’s and Sarah’s?
5.       Discuss the joy of Sarah.
6.       Discuss how we judge based on what is really superficial information.

Upcoming Lessons

10-20-13    Blessings for Ishmael and Isaac or A Blessing for Ishmael and Isaac Genesis 21:12-14, 17-21; 26-2-5, 12, 13 or 21:13-14, 17-21; 26:2-5, 12-13
10-27-13    The Blessing Passes to Jacob Genesis 28:1a, 10-22
11-3-13     God Prepares for Deliverance Exodus 3:7-17
11-10-13    Beginning of Passover Exodus 12:1-14


Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved