On 8-2-15, Isaiah 59:15b-21 or 15-21 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Our Redeemer Comes or A Redeemer in Zion

Our Redeemer Comes

 or 

A Redeemer in Zion

Isaiah 59:15b-21 or 15-21

August 2, 2015

Commentary 

by

Jed Greenough

Have you ever been forced into action?  For example, were you suddenly put into a position where you had to save someone from drowning or choking.  Maybe you were in the military or law enforcement and situations were such that you had to act.

We have more incidental things in our life that bring a reaction out of us because we are parents or neighbors or Christians.  We just do them because you don’t wait for someone else to do what needs to be done.

When we read of God in today’s scripture it kind of reads like man could have done something but we know when we read Romans 3:10 “There is no one righteous, not even one.”  

Certainly not by God’s standards and so “His own arm worked salvation for Him and His own righteousness sustained Him.”  Only He could “put on the garments of vengeance”.

We do things because of who we are and we see them through to the best of our ability and when God is doing it that is as thorough as it is going to get!

So when we read “He will repay wrath to His enemies and retribution to His foes;” you can bet that the action taken will be complete.  And it isn’t just retribution that will be complete but also His plan of redemption

Do not see this scripture as a return to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile and a temporary squelching of foes.  Rather we should see this scripture as referring to Christ. 

Paul speaks of this scripture in Romans 11:25-32 which gives us clarity on the subject. 

Understanding that and having Christ and Israel in sight we can understand the big picture of God’s plan for ALL of us.

For Discussion:

1. This is a perfect example of how God who never changes is the same God in the Old Testament as the one in the New Testament.

2. Discuss the beauty of God’s word.

3. Discuss God’s plan.

4. Read Romans 9-11.

5. Discuss from verse 15, “whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.”

6. Discuss His coming “like a pent up flood”.

7. Discuss the relationship of righteousness and salvation.

Upcoming Lessons

August 9      A Choice to be Just     Jeremiah 7:1-15

August 16    A Call for Repentance     Ezekiel 18:1-13, 31-32 or 30-32

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

On 7-26-15, Micah 7:14-20 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as God Shows Clemency or God’s Matchless Mercy

God Shows Clemency

 or 

God’s Matchless Mercy

Micah 7:14-20

July 26, 2015

Commentary 

by

Jed Greenough

I hope that many of you will learn a lot about the mercy of God this week I really do.  I feel God’s mercy and His patience in my life continually and I am glad that I have not taken it totally for granted although I must, I’m sure, to some extent, because in the end I am I must admit an unworthy creature.

This week however I am being drawn back to last week where I stressed the need for substance over symbolism and truly walking the walk and not just talking the talk.

When I read today’s scripture I realize that like last week used hyperbole to show how meaningless mere acts were to God (remember the use of the word thousands and the sacrifice of a first born child) we seem to see the same thing this week.

Nations (people of all types) are ashamed, they lose all their power, their hands go to their mouths, they lick the dust and crawl on the ground.  All this to show how truly magnanimous God can be.

I think that this has been shown out by the many people who have heard the gospel message and God’s gift of grace and come to faith. For some however this has not worked, why?

Could it be due to the example of many who have claimed this act of mercy and who are so called Christians that do not seem so different to non Christians who view them?

How affective would they be if they did merely what God wants?  Again from last week walk the walk of Micah 6:8, “He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  

I dare say if we were better at doing that then truly people would react as the nations mentioned in today’s scripture and that is no hyperbole!

For Discussion:

1. Discuss our examples to non believers
2. Discuss when people have responded positively to your example
3. Discuss when you’ve failed as an example
4. Discuss God’s mercy
5. Discuss in particular God’s “delight to show mercy”
6. Discuss verse 17’s “they will turn in fear to the Lord”

Upcoming Lessons

August 2     Our Redeemer Comes or A Redeemer in Zion     Isaiah 59:15b-21 or 15-21

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

On 7-19-15, Micah 6:3-8 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Justice, Love and Humility or What the Lord Requires

Justice, Love and Humility

 or 

What the Lord Requires

Micah 6:3-8

July 19, 2015

Commentary 

by

Jed Greenough

While in Micah recently we have looked at Israel, our leaders, our church and ourselves.  We have pointed out the scriptures that were given to us and realized that these things can serve as examples and indeed warnings to us.

This week is not complicated as we continue.  We can see that a case was being laid out then almost as if in a court room and again we can carry this over to today.

God reminds us when we think we are burdened such as is mentioned in verse 3 and 4 that we too are not burdened when you see that like Israel was redeemed from slavery we are redeemed from the slavery of sin.

He wanted Israel to remember this redemption as we should.  In remembrance did He want them to exalt Him?  Did He want them to bring Him “burnt offerings, with calves a year old?”  Did He want “thousands of rams,” or “ten thousand rivers of oil”?  How about a first born child?

These were acts and to prove that they were merely so He used the exaggeration of the thousands and the offering of a child.

God is not pleased with acts no matter how many are done when they are merely symbolism over substance.  This holds true whether it is burnt offerings or attendance and participation at church.

What also holds true is what He does want and this can be found in today’s verse 8, “He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  

And that is substance over symbolism, living the life we profess, walking the walk and not just talking the talk.

For Discussion:

1. Read all of James
2. Discuss the trap of thinking our acts are sufficient
3. Discuss the the true desire that we can have to do things and the difference that exists when it is substantive 
4. Discuss examples from life of acting justly
5. Discuss examples from life of showing mercy
6. Discuss walking humbly with God

Upcoming Lessons

July 26     God Shows Clemency or God’s Matchless Mercy     Micah 7:14-20

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

On 7-12-15, Micah 3:5-12 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as No Tolerance for Corrupt Leaders and Prophets or No Tolerance for Corrupt Officials

No Tolerance for Corrupt Leaders and Prophets 

or 

No Tolerance for Corrupt Officials

Micah 3:5-12

July 12, 2015

Commentary 

by

Jed Greenough

Continuing under the idea that we should be looking inward at ourselves instead of what Israel was encountering in the days of Micah should remain a sobering thought.  When you read today’s Micah 3 you may instantly have moments of familiarity.  If not count your blessings because these same leaders exist today in our church as they did in Israel.

These kinds of scriptures should impress those who teach (lead) and you who inspire to teach (lead).

As you prepare this week I hope the following will give you much to discuss with some being personal.  If not personal then your church and you are so blessed you have to know, consider and react to the fact that others are not.

1. Discuss why the messages delivered are often of a personal nature for the deliverer.  Keep that in mind when you look at verse 5.  The message is mild when they feel assuaged and the opposite when things don’t go there way.
2. What are the different ways that leaders could “wage war” against their people?
3. What are some ways that some leaders expect to be fed?
4. Discuss how things can seem to go swimmingly for certain leaders and then things go “dark for them” as mentioned in verse 6.
5. Discuss some famous examples of disgrace as mentioned in verse 7.
6. How could a church save a leader from themselves?
7. How can we be like Micah in verse 8.
8. Share examples of “Micahs” from today.
9. When you read verse 9 of leaders “who despise justice and distort all that is right” how do you think things can get so bad?
10. No one likes to think of our church having anyone in authority who could do as verse 11’s leaders did to “judge for a bribe”, “teach for a price” but to not admit it is to deny human nature.  People today still think “Is not the Lord among us?  No disaster will come upon us.”
11. Can a leader come back from this?
12. Verse 12 shows just like all of Israel paid the consequences and was our example so too will the whole church pay the price.

Upcoming Lessons

July 19     Justice, Love and Humility or What the Lord Requires     Micah 6:3-8

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