Sunday School - July 12, 2009

Sunday School - July 12, 2009

It has been said that "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana – circa 1905). For that which is gained by history serves as a foundation for future growth; thus to disregard history, one has no foundational base to build upon. Such would be to build a wagon not knowing the design of a simple wheel; attempting to read a book without remembering the basic sounds of alphabets; or trying to please a holy God, not remembering the hearing or reading of His holy word.

1 Corinthians 10:11. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

When we forget that which occurred in history, we also loose knowledge of both cause and effect or if such was either good or bad; thus when we repeat that which we have forgotten, we may condemn ourselves again to the same undesirable fate. This again proves that to disregard history, one may build again another foundation, a foundation that may reap dire consequences:

Galatians 2:18. For if I build again the things which I destroyed (or forgotten), I make myself a transgressor.

As Christians, we must never forget our history, for in history resides the establishment of our faith. It is written that our faith is our foundation (Romans 1:17 / Hebrews 11:6) and on faith, all good things are added:

2 Peter 1:5-8. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This week's lesson is again 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 12, 2009) comes from Deuteronomy 16:1-8.

Moses again brings to remembrance the miraculous act of God, the deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. Such would be honored and observed in the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread. This was one of three annual feasts, which required the attendance of all Jewish males. The other two feasts were Pentecost (also called Harvest and Weeks and First fruits) and Tabernacles (also called Ingathering and Booths). These feasts are to be held only at a place designated by God.

Moses reminds the Israelites of their responsibility to keep the Passover Feast when they enter the land of promise. This feast is to be done in the month of Abib (latter March and early April) and to begin the evening of the 14th day of the month. The evening symbolizes the fact that the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt by night (Deut. 16:1). To keep such a miraculous act in the minds of Israel was to remind them of their savior, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

God also required a sacrifice of flock and herd at the Passover Feast. To Israel, such would symbolize the blood sacrifice, which their forefathers provided in Egypt as protection as God smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt (Exodus 12:12). The Feast of Passover also coincides with the death of Jesus at Calvary. Thus we can clearly see how the perfect and unblemished animal sacrifice at the Passover Feast points to the Perfect human sacrifice which was realize in Christ Jesus. Here we see both the shadow (picture) and Christ; for all ceremonies, feasts and animal sacrifices are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ (Colossians 2:17).

The Israelites were not to eat any leavened bread during the Passover Feast. Leaven symbolizes a negative influence, which counters that which is good. Left unchecked over time, this little influence would become a dominant influence. The same is a man who yields to an occasional participation of a minor discretion that later becomes a sin of practice. Leaven it the temptation that challenges us to battle, a battle we do best not to enter but to flee. We are wise to heed the warning given by Apostle Paul:

1 Corinthians 10:12. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

No meat from the Passover Feast was to be leftover in the morning and that which was not consumed was to be burned up. This would go against the tendency of man, but would lend more to a dependency on God to provide. It is to God we should look for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). If in God, we seek our needs on a daily basis, we should desire less to hoard for ourselves, but look more to the needs of others.

Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The Israelites were not allowed to have the Passover Feast at a location not assigned by God. This location would symbolize a place of God’s presence; such would be where the tabernacle or temple would reside. As Christian, we live beyond the times of shadows, pictures and types; we serve the living God through our given savior Jesus Christ. In us, resides the spirit of God and where we are, His spirit abides also. Such was made known by Him who resides in us:

John 4:21-24. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, 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. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

If you are not a typical Sunday School attendee, Go and surprise the teacher. If your Church does not follow the Standard Sunday School Lesson and you are not aware of the topic of discussion, take on the attitude of "positive anticipation". I am sure you will like it; there is nothing like reading and discussing God's Word.

FYI: Sunday School is not just for Kids, it is also for the Humble (those who seek to know and remember) at heart.

Good Day and God Bless
 
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