The Biblical Path of Life

Author: mjross

  • A Heart of Unbelief

    “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
    James 1:8

    The Gospel Message of Jesus is available to anyone who will receive it. However, one must not only believe that message, it then must be received into one’s heart and life by faith. “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2). When one does not believe, it does not profit them. See why not: “Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief” (Hebrews 4:6). We can read in the next verse that there is a cry for one not to harden their heart (so that faith can enter in). See how this is described: “12. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-13). One who rejects the Gospel message of Jesus has departed from the living God in unbelief. There is no hope for such a one. Remember, in the Old Testament God’s people were to obey and follow God, waiting for Jesus to come.

    One cannot help but remember back to the Bible and a very real example of one without faith. His name was Saul, the first king of Israel. He was physically, everything a people could want in a king. He was good-looking, and he stood head and shoulders taller than anyone else did. However, what kind of a man was Saul really?

    In the administration of his kingdom, we find out that Saul demanded obedience to his command. He even promised death to anyone who defied his command. In one instance, it turned out to be his son, Jonathan, who had unwillingly disobeyed his father’s command. When the king was prepared to kill his son, the people stepped in and saved his life. Shortly thereafter, God required King Saul’s obedience in a matter. But when Saul disobeyed God, God did not demand his death. God is forgiving and although there was discipline for disobedience, God gave him a second chance.

    God told Saul to go and utterly destroy Amalek and everything they had (for they were God’s enemies). He was even to kill the king. Saul gathered the people and went to Amalek. They took the city. “But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly” (1 Samuel 15:9). Saul did not obey God’s command. God declared that Saul had turned back from following Him, and not performed His commandments. When confronted with the truth of the matter, Saul lied. Read his response when questioned by Samuel, God’s prophet. “20. And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal” (1 Samuel 15:20-21). Did you notice that King Saul blamed the people for his disobedience? Because of his disobedience to God this time, God removed the kingdom from Saul and his family. Samuel told him that because he had rejected the word of the Lord, God had also rejected him from being king.

    It was not until the punishment had been uttered that Saul admitted his fault. “And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice” (1 Samuel 15:24). Samuel completed the job that Saul was to supposed do. Samuel killed the king of the Amalekites.

    Shortly after that, God chose a man after His own heart, David. Saul spent the rest of his kingdom not trying to please God, but trying to destroy David. This caused his kingdom to become one mainly of defeat. We do not hear of him seeking after God until right before he died in his last battle. When the Philistine army gathered together against Israel again, Saul gathered all of Israel together. He was afraid. Saul wanted a word from God, but he did not receive one: for God did not answer him (see 1 Samuel 28:6). Saul then searched and found a woman who had a “familiar spirit” (means a necromancer or sorcerer; a witch). Saul disguised himself, went by night, and found her. He sought the world’s ways of seeking answers instead of waiting upon God.

    We can understand that the main problem of Saul was that he had no spiritual foundation on which to build a godly life. Sure, he was God’s chosen man to be king of His people, but Saul never sought God or His wisdom with all of his heart. When David came into Saul’s life, many of Saul’s insufficiencies (his lack of faith and obedience to God) revealed themselves. Saul openly became a double-minded man. He was a soldier pursuing David as if he were Saul’s enemy one day, yet the next he would acknowledge that God was with David. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). We can recognize that Saul had no faith.

    Are you one with no faith, like Saul who departed from the living God in unbelief?

    Or,

    Have you received the Gospel Message of Jesus, by faith, into your heart and life?

    How to be Saved

  • The Biblical Path of Life

    “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

    Do you read the Bible?  Do you understand what you read when you do take time to read it?

    The Bible is the Word of God. It has been preserved for us to read, but very few people read and understand what the Bible has to say to us today. According to most statistics, young people are growing up and leaving the church and faith in God by the droves. The main reason can be found in the lack of knowledge and understanding of what one believes about God and why. Not many people take time to gain the information only found in the Bible that one needs to live in today’s world.

    Growing up in a Christian home is no guarantee that one understands the Bible, or knows how to live a Christian life. Being saved as a young child, I learned many Bible “stories,” but it wasn’t until later that I began to understand how all of these stories fit together. When I saw a timeline throughout Bible history, it helped me begin to understand how all of those “stories” were connected together. I also began to understand that Jesus was planned from the beginning of time to redeem mankind because of sin. I wanted to know and understand more of the Bible, so I began to study.

    The most important thing about studying the Bible should be to learn the basics of the Bible and how it should be applied to Christians’ lives. A good Bible study needs to be more than a compilation of “stories” we have always heard. The word “story” even brings to the hearers’ mind that they are make-believe. Many people do not even understand that the Bible is not just a compilation of popular Bible “stories” or favorite Bible passages. The Bible is not full of “stories” but actual events in real people’s lives. Children, as well as adults, need to understand that each of these events all fit together as part of a bigger picture – much like pieces of a puzzle. Not only do these events interlock, but they also have a purpose: to reveal Jesus and why He came.

    It is very important to read God’s Word and be in a good Bible study where you can learn more about Jesus. One important goal each Christian should have is to know and understand more about the Bible. The more you learn about the Bible, the more you begin to understand that it is so much more than just a collection of events in people’s lives that lived long ago. In the Bible Study called The Biblical Path of Life, you can search and find out why the people who lived in the Old Testament times wanted to obey God. You can learn how they knew He would one day send Jesus. It is there one can see what happened to His people when they obeyed God’s Word, and even what happened when they forgot God’s Word. As you read the New Testament, you begin to recognize when people began to understand that Jesus was the One who was to come (the one promised in the Old Testament). These events will be an encouragement to you, for it is then that one can understand God is with those who love Him, seek to please Him, and that God takes care of His people. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). It is then that one begins to understand how to live a Christian life pleasing to God in the world today. The Bible means nothing to us if we do not apply the principles within to our lives to become more like Christ.

    All people, especially children, are capable of learning so much more. The Biblical Path of Life is one such study meant to simplify the understanding of the Bible making it relevant to a Christian’s life — young or old — by comparing Scripture to Scripture. Christians should understand just how important their Bible is and become familiar with it. Everyone should understand the importance of reading God’s Word!

    Even beginning readers should be encouraged to read their Bible. At first, even the youngest readers will be hesitant to read. Nevertheless, with a little encouragement and help, they can become excited about reading their Bible. No one is too young (or old) to begin to love the Word of God or to learn the principles found within God’s Word!

    In order to encourage people to know more of the Bible, I have posted blogs to motivate people to dig a little deeper into their Bible’s and study. Feedspot has recognized www.biblicalpath.com as one of the top 100 Bible Study Blogs. My hope is that by being listed here, many more people will be encouraged to read and understand what God’s Word has for people who are searching in these days.

    Do you take time to read your Bible, discovering God’s plan in these days?

    How to be Saved

  • Lesson 13: Jesus in the Old Testament Why Israel Needed Jesus

    Key Verse

    Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 

    —2 Timothy 3:5

    Key Verse Thought: Read today’s key verse. You may understand it better with the following definitions:

    • form: the process or activity of forming or shaping; specifically in reference to the Law as the source of knowledge and truth. This refers to the godliness, which is only a form and an external appearance.  Such godliness is a sham and devoid of any real power to break the power of sin. 
    • power: true nature of something as opposed to just talking about something.

    From this verse, we can understand that just because someone acts like they are “godly” does not actually make them godly if they do not have Jesus in their heart. For someone to act “godly” and not have Jesus, is someone who has denied the power (true nature of something) of Jesus in one’s life.  It may look and sound real, but it is not. We read in our key verse that we are to “turn away” from someone, or even things, like that.

    Emphasis: We are to know that it does not matter what anyone thinks, only what God’s Word says: Jesus was the one promised from the beginning of time — the only one who could restore our relationship with God.

    Lesson Summary: We have been studying the history of the Northern Kingdom, Israel. We found they never had a good king. Each king followed in the steps of King Jeroboam I, for we read the kings “took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin” (2 Kings 10:31). Because each king led the nation to continue in the worship of idols (remember the golden calves at Dan and Bethel), the nation never was what God intended it to be. We also studied the prophets Amos and Hosea as they warned Israel to seek God and correct their worship.

    In this lesson, we will see why Israel needed Jesus. As we have learned, Israel had the form of worship (a religion) without the power (true nature) of that worship of God (remember today’s memory verse). They still performed sacrifices, but they were to idols — not to God. Those sacrifices were to remind them of their sin, and that God would send One to remove that sin. Without the correct worship, they would never seek for their Messiah (which was Jesus).  

    We will remember many times God promised for their Messiah (which was Jesus) to come, if only the people had remembered to watch for Him. We will then look at the revealing of Jesus as the Promised One who would take away man’s sin. Even in Jesus’ day, the people misunderstood who he was, so Jesus told them to remember the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah was a witness to a lost city, Nineveh, Jesus was a witness to an evil generation.

    Y2Q1 – Lesson 13 Questions

    Y2Q1 – Lesson 13 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this to children, see a craft idea:

    We cut out this shape of a heart, glued Hebrews 10:16 inside, and folded the heart closed to picture hiding “God’s Word” in one’s heart.

  • Obey, or Run Away

    “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”
    Psalm119:105

    Have you ever recognized God speaking to you through His Word? Did you understand there was something He wanted you to do? Have you ever chosen to do what you want to do instead of following the plan God has for your life? God’s Word is to be a light for your path giving you direction. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm119:105). 

    One cannot help but remember back to a man in the Bible who chose to do what he wanted to do over what God wanted him to do. He was told by God to do a job. However, instead of obeying God, he ran the other direction. This man’s name was Jonah. He was a prophet of the Lord.

    God told Jonah, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me” (Jonah 1:2). Instead of obeying God, read what Jonah did. He went, found a ship, bought a ticket, boarded the ship, and went to sleep. No problems! Everything is lovely! He must be in God’s will for everything to have worked out so well! However, see what God’s Word tells us: “But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD” (Jonah 1:3). He thought he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord – all because he did not want to do what God wanted him to do. One important thing to consider: can anyone hide from God? “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” (Psalm 139:7). The following verses (in Psalm 139:8-12) declare there is no place one can hide from God. Nevertheless, Jonah was so comfortable in his position of flight from God that he went to sleep in the belly of the ship.

    Jonah was still asleep when a great storm arose that terrified even the seasoned mariners that were in charge of the ship. They were afraid the ship would be broken. “Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep” (Jonah 1:5).

    Jonah knew the storm had come because of him. Jonah had not implemented what he knew: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm119:105). Jonah was supposed to follow the path God’s Words had given to him. Jonah knew what God had told him to do. Instead, he went the opposite direction, ending up on a ship in the midst of a terrible storm. Jonah told the men to throw him overboard, and the storm would cease. “15. So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. 16. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows” (Jonah 1:15-16).

    God knew what they would do. See what He had already done. “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17). 

    What did Jonah do once he was imprisoned in the belly of the fish? “Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly” (Jonah 2:1). Jonah understood. It was his fault that he was there. Jonah cried out to God to help him. “When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple” (Jonah 2:7). Jonah recognized his failings, promising to do what he was supposed to do. “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). Once he repented, “And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land” (Jonah 2:10).

    Jonah went to Nineveh. He warned the people. Everyone from the king down repented and turned to God. Because of Jonah’s warning, the whole city was saved. However, Jonah will forever be known as a reluctant prophet who was swallowed by a great fish for disobeying God.

    Are you willing to disobey God’s plan for your life, running away ending up ineffectual, until you recognize God and repent?

    Or will you choose to make God’s Word a lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path?

  • Lesson 12: Obadiah: Edomites’ Destruction Foretold

    As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

    —Romans 9:13

    Key Verse Thought: Before beginning today’s lesson, consider today’s key verse. It is important to remember that this is God speaking. We must remember that God hates sin and wickedness. See what we read about Jesus, God’s Son: “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity …” (Hebrews 1:9). See that in this verse righteousness means “disposition or conduct in common life — i.e.: just, uprightness, good character, virtue” and iniquity means “sin, unrighteousness, lawlessness.” If you are teaching a class, ask your students if they remember the twins Jacob and Esau from the Bible. Remember that Esau rejected what was right. As we look at this Bible Lesson, we will better understand why God hated Esau. We will see how Esau, and his descendants, had rejected God and the things of God. For that (and because of his hatred toward Jacob and his descendants) God promised destruction to that people.

    Emphasis: First, we are to make sure we have chosen a life pleasing to God (have Jesus in our heart). Afterward, we should learn to live as an ambassador in this world, knowing we represent Jesus to the lost.

    Lesson Summary: Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. It is considered one of the older books of prophecy. No one is quite sure when it was written. There are no clues within the book to help us place it in history as many other books of prophecy have. However, we do know that it is a book of warning. It warns us of what will happen to those who are against God’s people. It was written as a warning to those who persecuted the Israelites.

    God called Obadiah as an ambassador (a messenger representing God) to warn Edom of their pending doom. First, though, we will remember who the people of Edom were. They were descendants of Esau. Remember that he was the twin brother of Jacob. We will recall the events that transpired, causing them to become enemies, and will consider a few times that Israel had conflict with the Edomites. They were also a vocal adversary when Israel was threatened. They took pleasure in the troubles of Israel. Because of that, God would deal with them. We will read that another reason they would be destroyed was because of their pride; God would bring them down.

    Finally, we will read of the judgments that would fall upon Edom; and the recompense God would pay His people, the Israelites.

    Y2Q1 – Lesson 12 Questions

    Y2Q1 – Lesson 12 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are doing this with children, the following is a craft idea to go with this lesson:

    We made a book of Obadiah. Because it is the shortest book of the Bible, we glued a copy of the entire book of Obadiah inside of folded black construction paper (to look like a Bible).

  • Lesson 11: Nahum: Nineveh’s Destruction Foretold

    Key Verse

    Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves … Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

    —Romans 12:19

    Key Verse Thought: After reading the key verse, understand that vengeance means “to execute justice; penal retribution; execution of right.” Think about a time that you have known someone who may have wanted to get back at someone for something that was done to them. We often call this revenge — or getting even. After learning of Israel’s captivity by Assyria last week, do you think the Israelites wanted to take revenge? They had been taken from the land God had promised them — by their enemy! As we read our memory verse today, we must remember that it is not our place to get back at anyone. God has reserved that right for Himself. He will repay — He said so!

    Emphasis: We are to know that God is a stronghold for those who trust in Him — and to live with that in mind!

    Lesson Summary: We have been studying and learning about the history of Israel, God’s chosen people. Remember that this was only ten of the twelve tribes, the Northern Kingdom. We read how after many warnings, God’s people were carried captive out of the land God had promised to them. They were carried into an enemy land and scattered (see 2 Kings 17:6). After reading of the prophets’ many cries for Israel to repent and turn back to God, we learned of God’s discipline that fell upon Israel for disregarding that call to repentance. As we enter into our study of Nahum today, we should remember back for a minute to Jonah. God sent Jonah to warn Nineveh of destruction for their wickedness. “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me” (Jonah 1:2). In addition, he told them, “… Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4b). We also learned of the repentance that city showed. “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them” (Jonah 3:5). Because of that repentance, God spared the city. “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not” (Jonah 3:10).

    The book of Nahum takes place over 100 years after Jonah. Nineveh was the world’s greatest city at this time in history. Although the nation repented in Jonah’s time, they had reverted back to their sin, falling even deeper. See what we will learn. “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked …” (Nahum 1:3a). (Another verse to consider is Psalm 9:17: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”)  Today we will read the words Nahum preached against the nation of Assyria — the same nation that carried God’s people, Israel, away from their homeland.

    The book of Nahum takes place about the time of 2 Kings 21. Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, was utterly destroyed around 612 B.C.

    Y2Q1 – Lesson 11 Questions

    Y2Q1 – Lesson 11 Children’s Worksheets

    If you teach this lesson to children, see the following for a craft idea:

    We decorated a frame with the verse Nahum 1:7 inside of it.

  • Humbled Before God

    “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
    2 Timothy 3:5

    Jesus told a parable in the book of Luke. Read why He told this parable to the people. “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others” (Luke 19:9). We can understand that Jesus was dealing with people who thought they were righteous and others were not. Thinking one is righteous, when they really are not, would be a very scary place in which to be. Jesus wanted them to understand righteousness.

    Jesus told the parable of two men who went up into the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee (a very religious person – a religious leader) and the other a publican (a tax collector). Read what Jesus said about the Pharisee: “11. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess” (Luke 18:11-12). Now read what Jesus said about the publican: “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).

    Compare the two. The Pharisee was proud of all of his good deeds and thought he was fine in his religion. The publican on the other hand, humbled himself and asked God to forgive him – for he knew he was a sinner.

    What did Jesus say about the two men? He began by telling of the publican. “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

    Read what Jesus had previously said to the Pharisees: “14. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15. And he [Jesus] said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:14-15). They did not understand that God looks upon the heart.

    See the following verses:

    • Understand the wicked: “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts” (Psalm 10:4).
    • Understand the religious: “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26).
    • How is one justified? “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians 2:16).
    • Can “good works” make anyone righteous? “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5).
    • What does this help us understand? “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Romans 11:6).
    • How can one be righteous in God’s eyes? “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
    • Understanding all of the above, what is a Christian to do when faced with one who thinks he is righteous? “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:5).

    The Pharisee (who had a “form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”) will one day be abased. The publican, who humbled his heart, will one day be exalted. 

    Have you exalted yourself, or have you humbled your heart before God?

    How to be Saved

  • Lesson 10: 2 Kings 15:14-31; and 16-17 Shallum — Hoshea

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

    Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

    —1 Corinthians 10:12

    Key Verse Thought: Read the key verse. Can you think of a time when you have bragged about doing something, only to mess up the next time you tried to do it? Sometimes we think too highly of ourselves. It is then that we should watch out — because we are probably about to fall flat on our face. We claim that keeps us humble, but it is a Biblical principle. God wants us to be humble — not proud. When we get too proud, He will remind us just who we are, His servants here on this earth. In our lesson today, see what happens to the nation that forsakes God.

    Emphasis: In today’s lesson, we will learn to recognize the progression of sin, and not allow it to destroy our life.

    Lesson Summary: In today’s lesson, we will end our study of Israel’s history. We have learned that God is merciful — He does not want any to perish. We have read the prophets words of warning as to what would happen if they did not seek God, repent, and turn back to Him. We even read an invitation extended by God at the end of Hosea that we studied in our last lesson. Nevertheless, as we will learn today, Israel did not heed the warnings they were given. They did not respond to God’s call for repentance. Instead, the kings continue to be wicked and continually “… did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin” (2 Kings 15:18). These wicked kings led the people to sin against God.

    Israel never had a good king. Keeping that in mind, we will learn about the last four kings of Israel:  Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, and Hoshea.

    Take note of the listing of things we find in 2 Kings 17. This list tells of what Israel was guilty of in their sin, their idolatry, and the refusal to turn back to God. Especially notice the turning place that led to the rejection of God’s Word. Be sure that you recognize the parallel of the nation Israel’s refusal to obey God’s Word, and the fact that most people today know the right thing to do after hearing God’s Word, yet people often choose to do wrong instead.

    As we study this lesson, realize that God did not allow His people to be taken into captivity without first telling them how they had failed Him. After many attempts to draw Israel back to Himself, God had no choice but to discipline His people.

    Y2Q1 – Lesson 10 Questions

    Y2Q1 – Lesson 10 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this to children, see the idea for a craft to go with the lesson:

    We made a journal to remember the importance of God’s Word, our daily bread. We added sticker scriptures and wrote a few inside.

  • Lesson 9: Hosea: God’s Enduring Love

    As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
    —Romans 9:25

    Key Verse Thought: After reading the key verse, understand that Osee in today’s memory verse is “Hosea.” As we will learn in our lesson today, God revealed to Hosea that one day the Gentiles would be included as His people. Understand that Gentiles are any peoples who are not Jews (Israelites.) This verse is in reference to Hosea 2:23: “And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.” Today, we can be the beloved of God. The word beloved in this verse means “to love or delight in.”

    Emphasis: In today’s lesson, we are to recognize the call of the Lord and respond. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

    Lesson Summary: In today’s lesson as we study the book of Hosea, we will learn that he suffered personal tragedy that God paralleled to Israel’s sin against God. But even with the great tragedy in his own life, we find that he understood God’s message to Israel — and he was willing to preach that truth.

    The book of Hosea begins with “The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea … in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel” (Hosea 1:1). We will find that God gave Hosea a very unusual command — to go and take a wife of the land, knowing she would be unfaithful to him. The wife he took and the relationship (including his children) that ensued was a perfect picture of the relationship that Israel had become to God — unfaithful at best. Hosea’s wife, Gomer, bore three children. The first was definitely Hosea’s child. We are not sure if the second child born to Gomer belonged to Hosea. The third child born was definitely not Hosea’s son. This was to be a picture of the gradual desertion of God’s people from the God who had chosen and set them apart as His own.

    When Hosea understood that Israel had turned from God, he cried for the people to return to the Lord. Hosea’s life was a message for God’s people. In that message was a revealing of the nation’s sin. It continued with a promise of punishment of that sin. However, God never left His people without hope. If they would only seek God, and reject the idolatrous practices they had established, God would return to them. Once it is revealed that Israel will not return, Hosea tells of the judgment that will fall. Nevertheless, God did not leave His people without one final invitation to return to Him. It was man’s choice whether to receive correction, or reject God’s Word.

    Y2Q1 – Lesson 9 Questions

    Y2Q1 – Lesson 9 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are doing these lessons with children and would like a craft idea, see the following:

    We decorated a frame and included the verse from Hosea 1:1a, and Hosea 14:1a.

  • Do You Love the Wages of Unrighteousness?

    “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
    Matthew 6:21

    Have you ever encountered one called a Christian, who chooses the ways and riches of this present world instead of walking a Christ-like life? This brings to mind a very real man named Balaam from the book of Numbers in the Old Testament.

    Balak, king of Moab, (along with all of the Moabites) were afraid of the Israelites, God’s people. Balak sent for Balaam. He wanted Balaam to curse God’s people. Balak had heard that whomever Balaam cursed was cursed, and whomever he blessed was blessed. Balak sent money with men to give Balaam as payment to come to him and curse the Israelites. God spoke to Balaam and told him not to go with the men and not to curse God’s people, for they were a blessed people. Balaam told the princes of Balak to go home. God would not allow him to go with them.

    Balak sent more men to tell him not to let anything keep him from coming to him – even giving promises of great honor. “And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more” (Numbers 22:18). Yet Balaam told the men to stay the night, and wait to see what God would tell him that night. “And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do” (Numbers 22:20).

    God had already told Balaam not to go. God’s people were only to be blessed, for they were a blessed people. Yet when Balaam was offered honor, a house full of silver and gold, he told the men to wait. Why is that? Do you think he was hoping God would let him go so he could have all of that honor and gold? That night, God told him to go. Do you think that maybe this could have been a test to see what was in Balaam’s heart? Balaam went. “And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him …” (Numbers 22:22a). Balaam heard what God said, but he was not listening to what God had told him. God was angry with him for going.

    Balaam rode his donkey, heading to see Balak, king of Moab. The donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, but Balaam did not. The donkey understood that he was not to continue forward. Balaam was angry at his donkey, and began to hit the donkey when it sat down (Numbers 22:23). The donkey was trying to save his master’s life. God opened the mouth of that donkey, and he spoke to Balaam. And Balaam answered the donkey. He told the donkey that if he had a sword in his hand, he would kill him. “Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face” (Numbers 22:31). The angel told Balaam that if it hadn’t been for the donkey, he would have been killed. Why? “…behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me” (Numbers 22: 32b). Balaam was not supposed to go to speak with King Balak. The angel of the Lord told Balaam to go on to see King Balak, but only speak the words God gave him to speak. Balaam went, told King Balak God’s Words, and blessed God’s people.

    If the events ended here, it might have seemed good. Nevertheless, at some point, Balaam gave King Balak counsel of the way to cause the Israelites to trespass against the Lord (Numbers 31:16). Balaam had not obeyed God. He was to have only spoken the words God gave him to King Balak. He chose to do disobey God, apparently greedy for reward and wages.

    Read the insight about the life of Balaam in the New Testament: “15. Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16. But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17. … to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness … 19. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” (2 Peter 2:15-19). He loved the wages of unrighteousness, and people like him allure through the lusts of the flesh, wantonness, promising liberty, but they are servants of corruption. They end up in bondage. 

    Another insight we read in the New Testament about Balaam: “10. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots” (Jude 1:10-12). It declares that Balaam was in error and went after reward. His end was described as “twice dead, plucked up by the roots.”

    Would you want to be remembered as one who loved the wages of unrighteousness, ending up twice dead?

    How to be Saved