by Deborah Onovae | Jun 29, 2021 | Bible Study
3rd Quarter: REST IN CHRIST
Lesson 1 Living in a 24-7 Society
Tuesday: Defining Rest in the Old Testament
Text: [[2Sa 7:12]] BSB
_And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom._
Message
The concept of rest, for some strange reason appears to be offensive to some today. In the corporate world, to rest is almost synonymous to being lazy. It’s misconstrued that you can’t stop working and be successful. In the religious context, some Christians aren’t much comfortable with the same idea because it comes with the natural thought that one is pointing to the Sabbath (Saturday), which they are to observe. Though this is an important rest instituted by God, the old testament presents the idea of rest in a more broader range.
The OT defines or uses the term to describe several aspects of human existence. At the end of the creation week, God instituted _shabbat_, which means “to cease work, to rest, to take a holiday,” this is the verb form of the noun “Sabbath.” In Exodus 5:5, the same verb is varied to denote “making someone rest” from their work. In the Sabbath law, the term used is _nuakh_ (Exod. 20:11, Deut. 5:14) which means “rest” or figuratively “settled,” as used in Job 3:13. Another variation of the term is _”shaqat”_, which means to “be at rest, grant relief, be quiet.” The verb _”shakab”_ means “to lie down, sleep.” This is use in the Bible to describe the rest that God’s people find in death (this in no way teaches consciousness after death).
The OT uses different Hebrew words to describe rest that captures not just one traditional idea. According to the OT, there are rests that were required not because one is tired but because you are done (to cease), there are those that come naturally because you have peace of mind (to be at rest even while working), there are those that describe a state of being, and there are those that are necessary because of exhaustion (rejuvenation). All these are important and help us to have a broader view of the concept. This sets the tone for this quarter’s lesson. We’re not to limit ourselves to one type of rest, but to explore all the avenues which God has given for us to REST IN HIM.
*Reflection*
Death is certainly an enemy and will one day be abolished. And however much we mourn and miss our dead, why is it comforting to know that, at least for now, they are at rest?
by Deborah Onovae | Jun 28, 2021 | Bible Study
3rd Quarter: REST IN CHRIST
Lesson 1 *Living in a 24-7 Society*
Monday: Running on Empty
Text: [[Jer 45:3]] BSB
_You have said, ‘Woe is me, because the LORD has added sorrow to my pain! I am worn out with groaning and have found no rest.’”_
*Message*
The world has become a really busy place, and it appears if one stops moving, he’ll become extinct. Humans have become destructive and so we often have to do more to fix what we spoilt. This leaves us restless, sometimes by the close of day, super exhausted. Added to all these is the emotional trauma we go through, which sometimes we can’t even attribute to anything particular. Have you ever worked yourself out, felt so emotionally down, and yet cannot sleep? This is unfortunately the situation of many today, but there’s a message for us.
Just before the destruction of Jerusalem, this was the state of many residents, including Baruch – Jeremiah’s scribe. What many cause such a noble man to sink deep into such emotional stress? The whole nation was to be destroyed, and he was much concerned about it. But more to it, because of his relationship with the prophet Jeremiah, he had put himself into trouble. Now Jeremiah’s enemies had become his own. He was hated and pursued to be killed too (36:26). He felt his live and everything were in danger. He became restless, emotionally down, and exclaimed, the Lord has added sorrow to him.
These were legitimate claims, given the circumstances. But God was ready to strengthen him. He was given assurance that though things will fall apart, he should be calm because his life will be spared. *Even to us today, most times we get carried away by the happenings around us so much that we get anxious. The Lord speaks directly to you too. Be calm and know that he is God! He’ll preserve and keep you. Only trust him*
*Reflection*
_Though a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you. (Psa 91:7)_ How can we find consolation in promises such as these in this troublous world?
by Deborah Onovae | May 26, 2021 | Bible Study
2nd Quarter: The Promise: God’s Everlasting Covenant
Lesson 9 : Covenant Sign
Tuesday: Covenant Sign
Text: [[Exo 31:16,17]] BSB
The Israelites must observe the Sabbath, celebrating it as a lasting covenant for the generations to come. It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”
Message
The Sabbath was a great memorial for Israel for several reasons. Before Sinai, God used the Sabbath (which they knew already) as a test of their obedience and faithfulness. Their failure left them with a great lesson of how particular God is about his laws. From Sinai and beyond, the Sabbath became the covenant sign between God and Israel. Remember that at Sinai, God made a covenant with Israel to be their God. Also, it was through the covenant that He promised redemption.
In the Bible, the Sabbath as a “sign” functioned as an outward mark or object or condition intended to convey a distinctive message. Nothing in the sign itself particularly linked it to the covenant. The Sabbath was a covenant sign “between me and you throughout your generations” (Exod. 31:13). In Ezekiel, He reminded them that *the Sabbath was a sign that He was their God, and that He sanctifies them* (20:12,20). These 2 relations were established within the covenant. Notice that the Sabbath wasn’t the covenant, it was a sign – an expression of who/what God is to them.
Israel saw in the Sabbath a foretaste of salvation in the Messiah. Because we understand redemption as coming only from grace, and because we understand the covenant to be a covenant of grace, the link between the Sabbath, redemption, and the covenant is made clear (see Deut. 5:13–15). Thus, contrary to common opinion, the Sabbath is a sign of God’s saving grace; it’s not a sign of salvation by works. The Sabbath isn’t kept to be saved, it’s kept as a sign that we have salvation only through God’s grace. This message must be evident in our Sabbath observance.
Reflection
How do you understand what it means to “rest” on the Sabbath? How do you rest on the Sabbath? What do you do differently on that day that makes it a “sign”? Could someone who knows you look at your life and see that the Sabbath really is a special day for you?
by Deborah Onovae | Apr 25, 2021 | Bible Study
2nd Quarter: The Promise: God’s Everlasting Covenant
Lesson 5 *Children of the Promise*
Sunday: Thy Shield
*Text: [[Gen 15:1]] BSB*
_After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward”
Message
Last week we saw how God introduced himself to Abram whenever He approached him. The covenant relationship with Abram wasn’t a casual, distant one. God sought to be, and actually became intimate with Abram through the covenant. Aside being an eternal and all-powerful God, he was a personal God to Abram. *How’s your relationship with God like? Does God see you as one who has opened up for a relationship, or He’s still struggling to get your attention?* This week, we’ll continue with God’s covenant relationship with Abram, and how it affects us.
Sometimes when we talk about Abraham’s walk with God, few spend time to think how long it took for the promise to be fulfilled. Years after the promise, there was no child for Abram. His hopes were gone, and he thought his servant was going to inherit everything. At the time he was about giving up, God came to him and strengthened him saying “do not fear… I am your shield” Abram felt his defenses had fallen, and nothing to rely on, but God came in a personal way again introducing himself as _his shield_. *God being his shield didn’t mean all was well physically, in fact, that was the toughest part of his life. How then should we understand this concept?*
“Christ has not a casual interest in us but an interest stronger than a mother for her child… Our Saviour has purchased us by human suffering and sorrow, by insult, reproach, abuse, mockery, rejection and death. He is watching over you, trembling child of God. He will make you secure under His protection… Our weakness in human nature will not bar our access to the heavenly Father, for He [Christ] died to make intercession for us.”
Reflection
We have great comfort from the life of Abram. How are we to understand the pains we go through today though we’re faithful to God, having in mind that God is a personal shield to every child of His?
by Deborah Onovae | Apr 20, 2021 | Bible Study
2nd Quarter: The Promise: God’s Everlasting Covenant
Lesson 4 *An Everlasting Covenant*
Monday: ’El-Shaddai
Text: [[Gen 17:1]] KJV
_And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect._
Message
It’s unfortunate that we don’t understand God’s dealings with us the way he wants us to, and this is a major reason why we become too anxious about this life. God wants us to see, know, and relate him on a personal level. But we often see him as a distant God. This is how he reveals himself to us too. For Abram, when He established the *everlasting covenant* with him, he made himself known as the *Eternal one* Do you see the connection? How he wanted Abram to understand the covenant was linked with who he was. But something interesting happened years later.
Several years after the covenant, Abram had not gotten any child with Sarai, rather, Ishmael had been born to him. But God’s covenant wasn’t through Ishmael. Abram was running out of time. At age 99, it appeared nothing would work again, and probably, the covenant wasn’t going to work. At that point, the LORD appeared again to him, but this time, *not just as Yahweh, but as El Shaddai* What’s the significance? *El Shaddai means God Almighty. So at the time Abram thinks it’s over, God says, I’m the Almighty God, just focus (see 17:1)*
Abram needed reassurance, and God did exactly that. His self-existence wouldn’t mean much to Abram as the knowledge that He is the all powerful God. This was a great consolation. *Even today, God wants to relate to us on such a personal level. In our sickness he wants us to know him as Jehovah Raphah, when we feel rejected and alone, He’s Jehovah Jireh, in our sorrows, He’s our comforter.*
Reflection
Some have argument that names doesn’t really matter. But think about this. How much comfort and hope would you have if the Lord’s name was “The Frail God” or “The Weak God”? What personal consolation can you find in the Name, El Shaddai?
by Deborah Onovae | Apr 18, 2021 | Bible Study
2nd Quarter: The Promise: God’s Everlasting Covenant
Lesson 4 *An Everlasting Covenant*
Sunday: Yahweh and the Abrahamic Covenant
Text: [[Gen 15:7]] BSB
_The LORD also told him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.”_
Message
We read from scripture how God was saddened by the increasing sin of men. Often we picture an angry God looking upon sinful men and waiting for an opportunity to destroy them. But far from this. On the contrary, he was pained, looking for an opportunity to save them rather. This was the condition after the flood, when sin began to increase again. He needed to commit himself that whatever happens, he will not destroy everyone. He took another step that was to assure humanity that his love will never change, but that we can trust him to save us.
To this end, God chose Abram to make a covenant with him and his posterity that was to assure him of his ever presence. We will look at the details of this everlasting covenant this week. First, we have to observe an interesting part of the covenant. When God appeared to initiate this covenant, He introduced himself to Abram as “The LORD”. This name means “the Eternal One,” “the Self-Existing One,” “the Self-Sufficient One,” or “the One who lives eternally.” For inhabitants of the ancient near East, names meant a lot to them. It depicted the persons character, so for God to introduce himself this way to Abram was for a purpose.
Keep in mind God was going to establish an everlasting covenant, and so he needed to show he is unlike any other god. He is one that was there before the beginning, and will be there after the end. By understanding this, Abram could trust that whatever covenant he makes is within scope. Again, God has several names (and attributes), but in this covenant, he introduces himself to Abram with his personal name. This shows a level of intimacy He wanted to build with Abram.
Reflection
God himself explains his name as ‘I Am Who I Am’. This shows God’s unconditioned existence, and rule over past, present, and future. When you think of or hear the name LORD (Yahweh), what traits or characteristics automatically come to mind? What can it teach you today?
