Bible Commentary Genesis 4

4. Offering Must Be Sprinkled With Blood—In every offering to God we are to acknowledge the one great Gift; that alone can make our service acceptable to him. When Abel offered the firstling of the flock, he acknowledged God, not only as the Giver of his temporal blessings, but also as the Giver of the Saviour. Abel’s gift was the very choicest he could bring; for it was the Lord’s specified claim. But Cain brought only of the fruit of the ground, and his offering was not accepted by the Lord. It did not express faith in Christ. All our offerings must be sprinkled with the blood of the atonement. As the purchased possession of the Son of God, we are to give the Lord our own individual lives (The Review and Herald, November 24, 1896).{1BC 1086.6}

(Genesis 2:17). Substitute Accepted for Time Being—Fallen man, because of his guilt, could no longer come directly before God with his supplications; for his transgression of the divine law had placed an impassable barrier between the holy God and the transgressor. But a plan was devised that the sentence of death should rest upon a substitute. In the plan of redemption there must be the shedding of blood, for death must come in consequence of man’s sin. The beasts for sacrificial offerings were to prefigure Christ. In the slain victim, man was to see the fulfillment for the time being of God’s word, “Ye shall surely die” (Redemption; or the Temptation of Christ, 19).{1BC 1086.7}

6. God Marks Every Action—The Lord saw the wrath of Cain, He saw the falling of his countenance. Thus is revealed how closely the Lord marks every action, all the intents and purposes, yes, even the expression of the countenance. This, though man may say nothing, expresses his refusal to do the way and will of God.... Well might the question be asked you of the Lord, when you cannot follow the impulse of your own rebellious heart, and are restrained from doing your own unrighteous, unsanctified will, “Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?” Such exhibitions reveal that because they cannot do after Satan’s arts and devices they are provoked, and can only manifest a spirit similar to that of Cain (Manuscript 77, 1897).{1BC 1086.8}

8. Contention Must Come—There could be no harmony between the two brothers, and contention must come. Abel could not concede to Cain without being guilty of disobedience to the special commands of God (Letter 16, 1897). {1BC 1086.9}

Cain Filled With Doubt and Madness—Satan is the parent of unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion. He filled Cain with doubt and with madness against his innocent brother and against God, because his sacrifice was refused and Abel’s accepted. And he slew his brother in his insane madness (The Review and Herald, March 3, 1874).{1BC 1087.1}

15. Mark of Cain—God has given to every man his work; and if any one turns from the work that God has given him, to do the work of Satan, to defile his own body or lead another into sin, that man’s work is cursed, and the brand of Cain is placed upon him. The ruin of his victim will cry unto God, as did the blood of Abel (The Review and Herald, March 6, 1894).{1BC 1087.2}

Any man, be he minister or layman, who seeks to compel or control the reason of any other man, becomes an agent of Satan, to do his work, and in the sight of the heavenly universe he bears the mark of Cain (Manuscript 29, 1911).{1BC 1087.3}

posted from Bloggeroid

Rejoicing in the Lord

The children of God are called upon to represent Christ and to show the goodness and mercy of the Lord. As Jesus has shown us the true character of the Father, so we are to show Christ to a world that does not know His kind love. Jesus prayed to His Father, “I sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world.” “I in them and you in me, ... in order that the world may know that you sent me.” John 17:18, 23.

The apostle Paul wrote to the disciples of Jesus, “You yourselves are the letter we have, ... for everyone to know and read.” 2 Corinthians 3:2. All Christ’s children are like letters to the world. If we are Christ’s followers, He sends us as a letter to our family. He sends us to the village and to the street where we live.

Jesus, living in us, wants to speak to the hearts of those who do not know Him. Perhaps [116] they do not read the Bible or hear the voice that speaks to them in its pages. They do not see the love of God through His works. But if we truly represent Jesus, people may be led through us to see Him. They may understand something of His goodness and be won to love and serve Him.

Christians are light bearers along the way to heaven. They are to give to the world the light that shines upon them from Christ. Their lives and characters will show others what Christ is like and what it means to serve Him.

When we represent Christ, we show to others that it is a pleasure to work for Him. Christians know that this is really true. Christians who complain and are unhappy give others a wrong idea of God and the Christian life. They make people think that God is not pleased to have His children happy. This is too bad, for they are telling something about their heavenly Father that is not true.

Satan is pleased when he can lead the children of God into doubt and unhappiness. He delights to see us mistrust God. He wants us to doubt God’s willingness and power to save us. He loves to have us feel that God will lead us into harm.

Satan wants us to feel that the Lord does not have pity for us. But he is not telling the truth. He fills our minds with false ideas about God. He tries to make us think about these wrong ideas [117] instead of God’s goodness. He wants us to distrust God and complain about the way He leads us.

Satan tries to make the Christian life seem dark and unhappy. He wants it to appear hard and unpleasant; and some Christians may, by the way they act, make people think that serving God is hard. This makes it seem that they agree with Satan.

Many people, walking along the path of life, think and talk about their mistakes. They talk about how they have failed, and their hearts are filled with sorrow. A woman who had been doing this wrote to me while I was in Europe. She was very unhappy and asked me for some words of hope. The night after I read her letter I dreamed I was in a garden. The one who seemed to be the owner of the garden was leading me along its paths.

I was gathering the flowers and enjoying their sweet smell. Then this woman, who had been walking by my side, called me to look at the ugly thorns that were in her way. There she was, sadly crying. She was not walking in the path or following the guide, but she was walking among the thorns.

“Oh,” she cried, “what a pity that this beautiful garden is spoiled with thorns.”

Then the guide said, “Let the thorns alone, for they will only wound you. Gather the roses, the lilies, and the pinks.” [118]

We should think of the good times in our lives. Have we had precious hours when our hearts were filled with joy as the Spirit of God spoke to us? When we look back over our lives, do we see many pleasant times? Are God’s promises like the sweet flowers growing beside our path? Can we let their beauty and sweetness fill our hearts with joy?

Thorns will only wound us and make us sad. If we gather thorns and give them to other people, we are turning from God’s goodness. We are keeping people around us from walking in the path of life.

We should not try to remember all the unpleasant things that have happened to us in the past. We should not talk of our sins and sorrow over them. We would soon be overcome and feel that we had no hope. A person without hope sees only darkness. He is shutting out the light of God from himself, and throwing a shadow across the path of others.

We may thank God for the bright pictures He presents to us. Let us bring together God’s wonderful promises so that we may look at them often. The Son of God left His Father’s throne and covered His divine nature with human flesh. He became a man so that He could save people from the power of Satan. He won the battle with evil for us and opened heaven to show us its glory. [119]

Let us study how people are lifted from the pit of sin. Let us learn how they are again brought close to God. Picture in your mind how we, through faith in our Redeemer, are clothed with Christ’s righteousness. We are lifted by faith to His throne. God wants us to think about all these things.

We do not honor God and we sadden His Holy Spirit when we seem to doubt God’s love and His promises. How would a mother feel if her children were always talking against her? How would she feel if they acted as though she wanted them to suffer? Her whole life’s work has been to bring comfort to them. It would break her heart if they doubted her love. How would parents feel if they were treated in this way by their children?

What can our heavenly Father think of us if we do not trust His love? This love has led Him to give His own Son that we might have life. The apostle wrote, “He gave us his Son—will he not also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32. And yet how many people by their acts, if not by their words, turn from His love. They say, “The Lord does not mean this for me. Perhaps He loves others, but He does not love me.”

These thoughts are harmful, for every word of doubt invites Satan to tempt us. Our own doubts are strengthened, and we turn the holy [120] angels away from us. We should not speak a word of doubt when Satan tempts us. If we choose to open the door to him, our minds will be filled with doubts and questions. Speaking in a doubting way is not only bad for us, but it plants a seed that will grow and bear fruit in the lives of others. It may be impossible to stop the influence of our words.

We ourselves may be able to turn away from the time of doubting and from Satan’s leading. But others who have heard and believed us may not be able to forget our words. How important it is that we speak only those things that will give spiritual strength and life!

Angels are listening to hear what kind of report we are giving to the world about our heavenly Master. Let our thoughts and words be of Him who stands before His Father. When we take the hand of a friend, let praise to God be on our lips and in our hearts. This will turn our friend’s thoughts to Jesus.

Everyone has trials, sorrows, and temptations. We must not tell our troubles to people, but take everything to God in prayer. We should make it a rule never to speak a word of doubt. We can do much to brighten the lives of others. Our words of hope and holy cheer will make them stronger.

Satan is tempting many brave people to do [121] wrong. They are almost ready to faint in the battle with self and the powers of evil. We should not make it harder for such people. We may cheer them with brave, hopeful words that will help them along the way. Thus Christ’s light shines from us. “We do not live for ourselves only.” Romans 14:7. We may be helping others by our words and acts without knowing it. Or we may be causing people to lose hope and to turn away from Christ and the truth.

Many people have a wrong idea of the life and character of Christ. They do not think that He was friendly and happy. They think He was cold, severe, and without joy. They let this idea of Christ darken their lives.

It is often said that Jesus shed tears but never smiled. Our Saviour was indeed a Man of sorrows. He knew what sadness was, for He opened His heart to all the sorrows of the people. His life was shadowed with pain and cares, but His spirit was never broken. His face wore a look of peace and joy. Happiness flowed from His heart. Wherever He went He brought rest and peace, joy and gladness.

Our Saviour was deeply thoughtful but never gloomy. The lives of those who follow Him will be like His. Christ’s followers know they have a great work to do for Him. They will not be foolish, rough, and loud. They will not repeat coarse [122] jokes. The faith of Jesus will give them a peace that will flow like a river. His peace will make the light of joy shine. It will bring true happiness, cheer, and smiles. Christ did not come to be waited on. He came to help people. When His love is in our heart, we will follow His example.

If we keep thinking of the unkind and unfair acts of other people, we will not be able to love them as Christ loves us. But if we think of Christ’s wonderful love and pity for us, this same spirit will flow out to others. We should love and respect one another even though we cannot help seeing their faults. We should be humble and not trust ourselves. If we are patient with the faults of others, we will become less selfish, and more kindhearted and generous.

David wrote, “Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and be safe.” Psalm 37:3.

“Trust in the Lord.” Each day has its cares and problems. When we meet our friends we are ready to talk about our troubles. We talk and worry because we are afraid hard times will come. A person might think that we had no pitying, loving Saviour waiting to hear our prayers. We do not speak as if He is ready to help us in every time of need.

Some people are always afraid and expecting trouble. Every day God’s love is around them, but they do not see His blessings. Their minds are [123] filled with fear of something unpleasant which might come, or they worry about some real, small problem that they have. Worry keeps them from seeing many things for which they could be thankful. Problems should make them turn to God, who is their Helper. Instead, they allow hard experiences to separate them from Him.

Should we doubt God? Should we distrust Him? Jesus is our friend. All heaven is interested in what happens to us. We should not let our daily worries make us afraid. If we do, we shall always have something to make us unhappy. Worry does not help us bear our trials.

We may be worried about our business. The future looks darker and darker. We are afraid we shall lose what we have. But we must not give up hope. We may lay all our cares upon God. We may ask Him to show us how to care for our business so that we will not suffer loss. Then we must do all we can to bring about the best results. Jesus has promised His help, but He expects us to do what we can. When we have done all we can with God’s help, we may accept the results cheerfully.

God does not want His people to be weighed down with care. But our Lord does not try to mislead us. He does not say to us, “Do not fear; there are no dangers in your path.” He knows there are problems and dangers, and He tells us so. He does not say He will take His people out [124] of this world of sin and evil, but He points us to a never-failing place of safety.

Jesus’ prayer for His disciples was “I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but I do ask you to keep them safe from the Evil One.” John 17:15. Jesus said, “The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world.” John 16:33.

In His sermon on the mount, Christ taught His disciples precious lessons about their need to trust in God. These lessons were also to help all of God’s children. They have come down to our time to bring us help and comfort.

The Saviour spoke of the birds of the air. He said that the birds sing their songs of praise without worrying about their needs. “They do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them.” The Saviour asked, “Aren’t you worth much more than birds?” Matthew 6:26.

The great Father opens His hands and gives enough for the needs of all His creatures. The birds of the air are always in His thoughts. He does not drop food into their bills, but He provides for all their needs. They must gather the grain He has scattered for them. They must find what they need to build their nests and feed their young.

The birds sing as they hunt for their food. They sing because our “Father in heaven takes [125] care of them.” Are not we who are able to worship God of more value than the birds of the air? Will not our Creator, the One who keeps us alive, also care for us? He who made us will give us everything we need if we trust Him.

Christ spoke of the flowers of the field. The heavenly Father made the beautiful flowers to show His love for His earthly children. Christ said, “Look how the wild flowers grow!” The simple beauty of these wildflowers was more attractive than the splendid robes of King Solomon. The most beautiful clothes that people can make cannot compare with the grace and shining beauty of the flowers of God’s creation.

Jesus said, “It is God who clothes the wild grass—grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won’t he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have!” Matthew 6:30.

God, the divine Artist, gives the simple flowers their many colors. Some of these flowers live for only a day, yet He makes them beautiful and perfect. How much greater care will He have for people He has created in His own likeness! Christ gave us this lesson to teach us not to worry. We are not to doubt or lose our faith.

The Lord wants all His sons and daughters to be happy and to have peace. He wants them to trust and obey. Jesus said, “Peace is what I leave [126] with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 14:27; 15:11.

Happiness that is gotten from being selfish soon passes away. This happiness leaves a person lonely and filled with sorrow. But there is real, lasting joy in the service of God. Christians have a Guide to lead them. They need not be sad over things they have done. They may miss some pleasures in this world, but they can be happy as they think of the joys they will have in heaven.

Even in this world Christians have the joy of knowing they can walk and talk with Christ. They may have the light of His love and the comfort of knowing that He is with them. Every step in life may bring them closer to Jesus and make them know more of His love. Every step may bring them nearer to the blessed home of peace.

Then let us hold to our faith in God. Let us have a hope that is stronger than ever. “The Lord has helped us all the way” (1 Samuel 7:12), and He will help us to the end.

Let us remember what the Lord has done to comfort us and to save us from Satan, our enemy. Let us keep fresh in our minds all the tender mercies God has shown us. Think of the tears He has wiped away, and the pain He has helped [127] us bear. He has taken away our fears and worries, and has given us everything we need. These blessings from God should make us strong to bear the trials during the rest of our life journey.

We cannot help thinking about the trials and tests we will face before the end of the world. But we can look back as well as forward and say, “The Lord has helped us all the way.” “As your days, so shall your strength be.” Deuteronomy 33:25, RSV. The trials will not be greater than the strength God will give us. So let us take up our work where we find it, believing we will be strong enough to meet whatever comes.

Someday the gates of heaven will be thrown open to welcome God’s children. From the lips of the King of glory will fall a blessing like rich music: “Come, you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world.” Matthew 25:34.

The redeemed will be welcomed to the home that Jesus is preparing for them. In heaven there will be no wicked people. The friends of the redeemed will be people who have overcome Satan through divine grace and have formed perfect characters. Every desire to sin will have been taken away by the blood of Christ. The redeemed will shine with Christ’s glory, which is much brighter than the sun. And what is more, the [128] beauty of His character will also shine out through them. They will stand without fault before God and will have the same blessings as the angels.

A beautiful heavenly home is ready for the redeemed. “Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life?” Matthew 16:26. A person may be poor now, but in the gift of eternal life he owns greater wealth than the world can ever give. A person redeemed by Jesus, made clean from all sin, and serving God is of more value than the whole world. There is joy in heaven before God over every person that is redeemed. This joy makes the heavenly angels sing holy songs of victory.”

All excerpts from

Step to Jesus
by Ellen G. White
http://sharinghope.com/?shared=110

posted from Bloggeroid

Genesis 2:2,3

God saw that a Sabbath was essential for man, even in Paradise. He needed to lay aside his own interests and pursuits for one day of the seven, that he might more fully contemplate the works of God and meditate upon His power and goodness. He needed a Sabbath to remind him more vividly of God and to awaken gratitude because all that he enjoyed and possessed came from the beneficent hand of the Creator. {PP 48}

posted from Bloggeroid

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease.

““He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease”

This chapter is based on John 3:22-36.

If John the Baptist had announced himself as the Messiah and raised a revolt against Rome, priests and people would have flocked to support him. Satan stood ready to urge on him everything that appeals to the ambition of the world’s conquerors. But he had firmly refused the splendid bribe. The attention fixed upon him he directed to Another.

Now he saw the tide of popularity turning away from himself to the Savior. Day by day the crowds around him lessened as the people flocked to hear Jesus. The number of Christ’s disciples increased daily.

But the disciples of John looked with jealousy on Jesus’ growing popularity. They stood ready to criticize His work, and it was not long before they found opportunity. A question arose between John’s disciples and the Jews about whether baptism cleansed the person from sin. They argued that the baptism of Jesus differed essentially from John’s. Soon they were disputing with Christ’s disciples over what form of words was proper to use at baptism, and finally about their right to baptize at all. The disciples of John came to him with their complaints, saying, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”

Satan used these words to bring temptation on John. If John had expressed disappointment at being surpassed, he would have sown seeds of strife, encouraged envy and jealousy, and seriously slowed the gospel’s progress.

By nature John had the faults and weaknesses common to humanity, but the touch of divine love had transformed him. He lived in an atmosphere uncontaminated with selfishness and ambition. He revealed no sympathy with his disciples’ dissatisfaction but showed how gladly he welcomed the One for whom he had prepared the way.

He said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice.” John represented himself as the friend who acted as [76] a messenger between the engaged parties, preparing the way for the marriage. When the bridegroom had received his bride, the mission of the friend was completed. He rejoiced in the happiness of the couple whose union he had promoted. In the same way, it was John’s joy to witness the success of the Savior’s work. He said, “Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of selfdenial. He had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, so that everyone might turn their eyes to the Light of life.

John’s soul was emptied of self but was filled with the light of God. John said, “He who comes from above is above all. ... For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.” Christ could say, “I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” John 5:30.

It is the same way with the followers of Christ. We can receive Heaven’s light only as we are willing to be emptied of self and consent to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. God gives the Holy Spirit beyond measure to all who do this.

The success of Christ’s work, which the Baptist had received with joy, was reported also to the authorities at Jerusalem. The priests and rabbis had been jealous of John’s influence as they saw the people leaving the synagogues and flocking to the wilderness. But here was One who had even greater power to attract the crowds. Those leaders in Israel were not willing to say with John, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Christ’s Example of Avoiding Misunderstanding
Jesus knew that the storm was building that would sweep away one of the greatest prophets ever given to the world. Wanting to avoid all occasion for conflict, He quietly left for Galilee. We also, while remaining loyal to the truth, should try to avoid everything that may lead to misunderstanding. Whenever circumstances threaten to cause division, we should follow the example of Jesus and of John the Baptist.

God had called John to lead out as a reformer. But his work was not sufficient to lay the foundation of the Christian church. Another work had to be done, which his testimony could not accomplish. His disciples did not understand this. When they saw Christ coming in to take the work, they were jealous.

The same dangers still exist. God calls someone to do a certain work, and when he has carried it as far as he is qualified, the Lord brings in others to carry it further. But many feel that the success of the work depends on the first laborer. Jealousy comes in, and the work of God is marred. The one wrongly honored is tempted to cherish self-confidence. The people rely on the human instrument for guidance and are led away from God.

Happy are those who are willing for self to be humbled, who can say with John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” [77]”

All excerpts from

Humble Hero
by Ellen G. White
http://sharinghope.com/?shared=111

Jesus Rescues the Sabbath

“Jesus Rescues the Sabbath

The Sabbath was made holy at Creation. As something God planned for mankind, it had its origin when “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” Job 38:7. Earth was in harmony with heaven. “God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good”; and He rested in the joy of His completed work. Genesis 1:31.

Because He had rested on the Sabbath, “God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it” (Genesis 2:3)—set it apart for a holy use. It was a memorial of the work of Creation, and as such, it is a sign of God’s power and love.

The Son of God created all things. “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:3. And since the Sabbath is a memorial of the work of Creation, it is an example of the love and power of Christ.

The Sabbath brings us into fellowship with the Creator. In the song of the bird, the sighing of the trees, and the music of the sea, we may still hear the voice of the One who talked with Adam in Eden. And as we see His power in nature, we find comfort, for the Word that created all things is also the One who speaks life to the soul. He “who commanded light to shine out of darkness ... has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6.

“Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:22. This is the message written in nature, which the Sabbath is designed to keep in memory. When the Lord told Israel to hallow His Sabbaths, He said, “They will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.” Ezekiel 20:20.

The people of Israel knew about the Sabbath before they came to Sinai. On the way there, they kept the Sabbath. When some profaned it, the Lord reproved them, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?” Exodus 16:28.

The Sabbath was not just for Israel, but for the world. Like the other commands of the Decalogue, it is a permanent obligation. Christ says concerning that law, “Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law.” Matthew 5:18. As long as the heavens and the earth endure, the Sabbath will continue as a sign of the Creator’s power. And when Eden will bloom on [126] earth again, everyone will honor God’s holy rest day. “‘From one Sabbath to another’” the inhabitants of the glorified new earth will go up “‘to worship before Me, says the Lord.’” Isaiah 66:23.

The Sign of True Conversion
But in order to keep the Sabbath holy, men and women must themselves be holy. Through faith they must receive the righteousness of Christ. When God gave the command to Israel, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8), the Lord also said to them, “You shall be holy men to Me.” Exodus 22:31.

As the Jews departed from God and failed to make the righteousness of Christ their own by faith, the Sabbath lost its significance to them. Satan worked to corrupt the Sabbath, because it is the sign of the power of Christ. The Jewish leaders surrounded God’s rest day with heavy requirements. In the days of Christ, Sabbath observance reflected the character of selfish and arbitrary people rather than the character of the loving heavenly Father. The rabbis virtually represented God as giving laws impossible to obey. They led the people to look on God as a tyrant and to think that the Sabbath made a person hardhearted and cruel. It was the work of Christ to clear away these misconceptions. Jesus did not follow the rabbis’ requirements but went straight forward, keeping the Sabbath according to the law of God.

A Sabbath Lesson
One Sabbath, as the Savior and His disciples passed through a field of ripening grain, the disciples began to gather the heads of grain and to eat the kernels after rubbing them in their hands. On any other day, this would have drawn no comment, for a person passing through a field, an orchard, or a vineyard was free to gather what he wanted to eat. See Deuteronomy 23:24, 25. But many believed that to do this on the Sabbath would profane the holy day. Gathering the grain was a kind of reaping, and rubbing it in the hands a kind of threshing.

The spies immediately complained to Jesus, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” Mark 2:24.

When accused of Sabbath breaking at Bethesda, Jesus defended Himself by affirming His Sonship to God, declaring that He worked in harmony with the Father. Now that the disciples were attacked, He mentioned Old Testament examples of things people did on the Sabbath when they were in the service of God.

The Savior’s answer to His accusers contained an implied rebuke for their ignorance of the Sacred Writings: “Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, ... which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?” “And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.’” “Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? But I say to you that in this place [127] there is One greater than the temple.” “The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Luke 6:3, 4; Mark 2:27; Matthew 12:5, 6, 8.

If it was right for David to satisfy his hunger by eating the bread set apart for a holy use, then it was right for the disciples to pluck grain on the Sabbath. Again, the priests in the temple had more work to do on the Sabbath than on other days. The same labor in secular business would be sinful, but they were performing rites that pointed to the redeeming power of Christ, and their labor was in harmony with the Sabbath.

The purpose of God’s work in this world is to redeem mankind. So whatever is necessary to do on the Sabbath to accomplish this work is in harmony with the Sabbath law. Jesus then finished His argument by declaring Himself the “Lord of the Sabbath”—One above all questions and all law. This infinite Judge acquitted the disciples of blame, appealing to the very laws they were accused of violating.

Jesus declared that in their blindness, His enemies had mistaken the purpose of the Sabbath. He said, “If you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.” Matthew 12:7. Their heartless rites could not make up for the lack of the integrity and tender love that characterize the true worshiper of God.

Jesus Deliberately Heals on the Sabbath
In themselves, sacrifices were of no value. They were a means, not an end. Their purpose was to direct people to the Savior, to bring them into harmony with God. The service of love is what God values. Without this, mere ceremony is an offense to Him. It is the same with the Sabbath. When the mind is absorbed with tiresome rites, the purpose of the Sabbath is defeated. Just observing it outwardly is a mockery.

In the synagogue on another Sabbath, Jesus saw a man who had a withered hand. The Pharisees watched, eager to see what He would do. The Savior did not hesitate to break down the wall of traditional requirements that barricaded the Sabbath.

Jesus told the suffering man to step forward and asked, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” Mark 3:4. It was a common saying among the Jews that failure to do good when one had opportunity was to do evil; to neglect to save life was to kill. So Jesus met the rabbis on their own ground. “But they kept silent. So when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.” Verses 4, 5.

When He was asked, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Jesus answered, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Matthew 12:10-12. [128]

Greater Care Shown Animals
The spies did not dare to answer Christ. They knew He had spoken the truth. Rather than violate traditions, they would allow a man to suffer, while they would relieve a work animal because neglecting it would bring loss to the owner. They showed greater care for the animals than for human beings. This illustrates how all false religions work. They originate in our human desire to exalt ourselves above God, but they result in degrading us below the animals. Every false religion teaches its followers to be careless of human needs, sufferings, and rights. The gospel places a high value on humanity as the purchase of Christ’s blood, and it teaches us to regard human wants and distress with tenderness. See Isaiah 13:12.

The Pharisees were hunting Jesus’ life with bitter hatred, while He was saving life and bringing happiness to large numbers of people. Was it better to kill on the Sabbath, as they were planning to do, than to heal the suffering ones, as He had done?

In healing the withered hand, Jesus condemned the custom of the Jews and left the fourth commandment standing as God had given it. “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath,” He declared. By sweeping away senseless restrictions, Christ honored the Sabbath, while those who complained about Him were dishonoring God’s holy day.

Those who hold that Christ abolished the law teach that He broke the Sabbath and justified His disciples in doing the same. In this way, they are taking the same position as did the disapproving Jews. In doing so, they contradict Christ Himself, who declared, “I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” John 15:10. Neither the Savior nor His followers broke the Sabbath. Looking at a nation of witnesses who were trying to find some way to condemn Him, He could say unchallenged, “Which of you convicts Me of sin?” John 8:46.

“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath,” Jesus said. God gave the Ten Commandments, including the Sabbath, to His people as a blessing. See Deuteronomy 6:24. Of all who keep “from defiling the Sabbath,” the Lord declares, “Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer.” Isaiah 56:6, 7.

“The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” For “all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:3. Since Christ made everything, He made the Sabbath. He is the One who set it apart as a memorial of Creation. It points to Him as both Creator and Sanctifier. It declares that He who created all things is the Head of the church and that by His power we are reconciled to God. He said, “I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them,” or makes them holy. Ezekiel 20:12. The Sabbath is a sign of Christ’s power to make us holy. And He has given it to all whom He makes holy, as a sign of His sanctifying power.

To all who receive the Sabbath as a sign of Christ’s creative and [129]

redeeming power, it will be a delight. See Isaiah 58:13, 14. Seeing Christ in it, they delight themselves in Him. While it reminds us of the lost peace of Eden, it also tells us of peace restored through the Savior. And every object in nature repeats His invitation, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. [130]”

All excerpts from

Humble Hero
by Ellen G. White
http://sharinghope.com/?shared=111

Satan is Not Dead

Satan Is Not Dead, October 30

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil. John 17:15.

Satan is not dead or palsied, and he prepares minds by degrees to become imbued with his spirit, and to work after the same manner as he works against those who bear responsibilities in the work of God for these last days. In the future Satan’s last exploits will be carried out with more power than ever before. He has learned much, and he is full of scientific scheming to make of no effect the work that is under the supervision of the One who came to the Isle of Patmos to educate John, and to give him instruction to be given to the churches....

Every ingenious device will be used, every possible method taken advantage of, to lead men to live a lie, that the truth shall not stand as God designed it to stand, to prepare a people, through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, to stand firm as a rock to principle....

There are those who do not humble their hearts before God, and who will not walk uprightly. They hide their true purposes, and keep in fellowship with the fallen angel, who loveth and maketh a lie. The enemy puts his spirit upon the men whom he can use to deceive those who are partially in the dark....

“Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered” (Isaiah 29:9, 10). A spiritual drunkenness is upon many who suppose they are the people who shall be exalted. Their religious faith is just as is represented in this scripture. Under its influence, they cannot walk straight.... They are scientific schemers, and those who could and should have helped, because of a clear spiritual eyesight, are themselves deceived, and are sustaining an evil work.

The developments of these last days will soon become decided. When these spiritualistic deceptions are revealed to be what they really are—the secret workings of evil spirits—those who have acted a part in them will become as men who have lost their minds.—Letter 311, October 30, 1905, to Brethren Daniells and Prescott and their associates.


http://bibletools.info/2Chronicles_7:14

Maranatha 238

Sanctification is for Sabbathkeepers, August 18

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.... The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work. Exodus 20:8-10.

God has declared in His Word that the seventh day is a sign between Him and His chosen people—a sign of their loyalty....

The seventh day is God’s chosen day. He has not left this matter to be remodeled by priest or ruler. It is of too great importance to be left to human judgment. God saw that men would study their own convenience, and choose a day best suited to their inclinations, a day bearing no divine authority; and He has stated plainly that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord.

Every man in God’s world is under the laws of His government. God has placed the Sabbath in the bosom of the Decalogue, and has made it the criterion of obedience. Through it we may learn of His power, as displayed in His works and His Word....

Men could not place themselves more decidedly in opposition to God’s work and to His law than by upholding a day that is without one evidence of sanctity, and professing to worship Him on that day. Those who have corrupted the law by substituting a false sabbath for the holy Sabbath of God, and who compel the observance of this false sabbath, exalt themselves above God, and honor the spurious above the genuine.

Sanctification is claimed by professed Christians who ignore God’s holy rest day for a spurious sabbath. But God declares that the sanctification coming from Him is bestowed on those only who honor Him by obeying His commands. The sanctification claimed by those who continue in transgression is a spurious sanctification. Thus the religious world is deceived by the enemy of God and man....

Men have sought out many inventions. They have taken a common day, upon which God has placed no sanctity, and have clothed it with sacred prerogatives. They have declared it to be a holy day, but this does not give it a vestige of sanctity. They dishonor God by accepting human institutions and presenting to the world as the Christian Sabbath a day which has no “Thus saith the Lord” for its authority.


http://bibletools.info/Ezekiel_20:20

WATENDAKAZI PAMOJA NA MUNGU.

Fungi kuu: Mithali 3:9,10/11:24 & Isa 32:8  Hekima ya Mungu imeonyeshwa katika mpango wa wokovu, sheria ya kutenda na wajibu, inafanya kazi kwa ukarimu katika sehemu zake zote, kubarikiwa maradufu. Anayetoa kwa wahitaji anawabariki wengine na kujibarikia mwenyewe katika mibaraka ya hali ya juu.               


UTUKUFU WA INJILI:                       Ili yakwamba mwanadamu asipoteze mibaraka ya matokeo ya ukarimu, Mwokozi wetu alianzisha mpango wa kumhesabu kama mtendakazi wake. Mungu angaliweza kuendesha kusudi lake la kuwaokoa wenye dhambi pasipo msaada wa mwanadamu; lakini alifahamu kwamba mwanadamu asingefurahi kukosa na sehemu ya kufanya katika kazi hii kubwa. Kwa mnyororo wa mambo ambayo yangevuta mapenzi take alitoa kwa mwanadamu njia zilizobora za kustawisha ukarimu, na kumfanya awe na tabia ya utoaji kwa kuwasaidia masikini na kwa kuendesha mbele kazi yake.  Ni utukufu wa injili ulioanzishwa juu ya Kanuni ya kulirudisha taifa  lililoanguka katika mfano wa Mungu kwa njia ya utoaji wa ukarimu. Kazi hii ilianza katika makao ya mbinguni. Kule mbinguni  Mungu alitoa kwa mwanadamu upendo ulio wazi wazi (Yohana 3:16). Moyo wa ukarimu ni moyo wa mbinguni. Dhabihu ya upendo wa Kristo ilionyeshwa msalabani. Ili mwanadamu spate kuokolewa, alitoa yote aliyokuwa nayo, na ndipo akajitoa mwenyewe.           

MIBARAKA YA UWAKILI:                   Katika agizo kwa wanafunzi wake,  "Enendeni ulimwenguni mwote mkaihubiri injili kwa kila kiumbe,"   Kristo aliwapa kazi ya kueneza ujuzi wa neema yake,. Maadamu wengine wakienda kuhubiri, huwaita wengine kufanya wajibu wao kwa kutoa sadaka ambayo itasaidia kuendesha kazi yake  duniani.  Kila kitu chema kiliwekwa hapa duniani na mkono wa ukarimu wa Mungu kama kielelezo cha upendo wake kwa mwanadamu. Masikini ni wake na kazi ya injili ni yake. Fedha na dhahabu ni Mali ya Mungu, na angaliweza kuzileta kutoka mbinguni kama angalitaka. Lakini badala yake alimfanya mwanadamu kuwa wakili wake kwa kumkabidhi fedha, sio kukusanya, lakini kuzitumia kwa kuwasaidia wengine. Kwa hiyo amemweka mwanadamu kuwa njia ambayo atagawanyia mibaraka yake duniani.                                  Upendo  uliofunuliwa Kalwari ungalionyeshwa na kuimarishwa kwa kuenezwa miongoni mwa makanisa yetu.                        Kutana kando ya msalaba wa Kalwari katika kujikana nafsi na kwa kujinyima. Mungu atakubariki ukitimiza wajibu wako. Unapokaribia kiti cha neema unapojiona kwamba umeunganishwa kwa kiti cha enzi mnyororo uliotoka  mbinguni mpaka duniani, kuwatoa watu kutoka katika shimo la dhambi, ndipo moyo wako utakuwa na upendo kwa ndugu na Dada zako ambao hawana Mungu wala tumaini katika ulimwengu.(9T 253-256).

Christ Before Coming to Earth

“Christ Before Coming to Earth

From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was One with the Father; He was the image of God, the expression of His glory. To show this glory, to reveal the light of God’s love, Jesus came to our sin-darkened earth. Isaiah prophesied of Him, “They shall call His name Immanuel, ... God with us.” Matthew 1:23; cf. Isaiah 7:14.

Jesus was “the Word of God”—God’s thought made audible. God gave this revelation not just for His earthborn children. Our little world is the lesson book of the universe. Both the redeemed and the unfallen beings will find their true knowledge and their joy in the cross of Christ. They will see that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love. They will see that for earth and heaven, the law of life is the law of selfrenouncing love. The love that “does not seek its own” has its source in the heart of God and is shown in Jesus, the meek and lowly One.

In the beginning, Christ laid the foundations of the earth. His hand hung the worlds in space and fashioned the flowers of the field. He filled the earth with beauty and the air with song. See Psalm 65:6; 95:5. He wrote the message of the Father’s love on everything.

Now sin has marred God’s perfect work, yet that handwriting remains. Except for the selfish human heart, nothing lives just for itself. Every tree and shrub and leaf pours forth oxygen, without which neither people nor animals could live; and people and animals, in turn, support the life of tree and shrub and leaf. The ocean receives streams from every land, but it takes only to give back. The mists rising from it fall in showers to water the earth, so that plants may grow and bud. The angels of glory find their joy in giving. They bring light from above, moving upon the human spirit to bring the lost into fellowship with Christ.

But turning from all lesser examples, we see God in Jesus. We find that it is the glory of God to give. “I do not seek My own glory,” said Christ, but the glory of Him who sent Me. John 8:50; 7:18. Christ received from God, but He took to give. Through the Son, the Father’s life flows out to all. Through the Son, it returns in joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. In this way, through Christ the circle of blessing is complete.

In Heaven This Law Was Broken!
Sin began in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, wanted to be first [8] in heaven. He tried to draw heavenly beings away from their Creator and win honor to himself. Putting his own evil characteristics on the Creator, he led angels to doubt the word of God and distrust His goodness. Satan led them to look on Him as severe and unforgiving. In this way, he deceived angels. In the same way, he deceived the human race, and the night of misery settled down on the world.

The earth was dark through misunderstanding of God. To bring the world back to God, Satan’s deceptive power must be broken. God could not do this by force. He wants only the service of love, and love cannot be won by force or authority. Only love awakens love. To know God is to love Him. We must see His character in contrast to Satan’s. Only one Being could do this work. Only He who knew the height and depth of God’s love could make it known.

The plan for our redemption was not formulated after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of “the mystery that was kept secret for long ages.” Romans 16:25, NRSV. It was an unfolding of the principles that have been the foundation of God’s throne from eternity. God foresaw sin’s existence and made provision to meet the terrible emergency. He pledged to give His only-begotten Son, “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Lucifer had said, “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; ... I will be like the Most High.” But Christ, “though he was in the form of God, ... emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.” Isaiah 14:13, 14; Philippians 2:6, 7, NRSV.

A Voluntary Sacrifice
Jesus could have kept the glory of heaven. But He chose to step down from the throne of the universe in order to bring life to the dying.

Nearly two thousand years ago, a voice was heard in heaven,

“A body You have prepared for Me. ...
‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’”
Hebrews 10:5-7
Christ was about to visit our world, to become flesh and blood. If He had appeared with the glory that was His before the world was created, we could not have endured the light of His presence. In order that we could behold it and not be destroyed, He shrouded His glory and veiled His divinity with humanity.

Types and symbols had foreshadowed this great purpose. The burning bush, in which Christ appeared to Moses, revealed God. This lowly shrub, that seemed to have no attractions, enshrined the Infinite. God shrouded His glory so that Moses could look on it and live. Similarly, in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, God’s glory was veiled so that finite human beings could look at it. So Christ was to come “in the likeness of men.” He was the incarnate God, but His glory was veiled so that He could draw near to sorrowful, tempted men and women. [9]

Through Israel’s long wandering in the desert, the sanctuary was with them as the symbol of God’s presence. See Exodus 25:8. Likewise, Christ pitched His tent by the side of our tents so that He could make us familiar with His divine character and life. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14.

Since Jesus came to live with us, every son and daughter of Adam may understand that our Creator is the Friend of sinners. In every divine attraction in the Savior’s life on earth, we see “God with us.”

Satan represents God’s law of love as a law of selfishness. He declares that it is impossible for us to obey its requirements. He blames the Creator for the fall of our first parents, leading people to look upon God as the author of sin, suffering, and death. Jesus was to unmask this deception. As one of us, He was to give an example of obedience. For this, He took upon Himself our nature and passed through our experiences. “In all things He had to be made like His brethren.” Hebrews 2:17. If we had to bear anything that Jesus did not endure, then on this point Satan would claim that the power of God was not enough for us. Therefore, Jesus was “in all points tempted as we are.” Hebrews 4:15. He endured every trial that we may face. And He exercised no power in His own behalf that is not freely offered to us. As a human being, He met temptation and overcame it in the strength that God gave Him. He made plain the character of God’s law, and His life testifies that it is possible for us also to obey the law of God.

By His humanity, Christ touched humanity; by His divinity, He takes hold of the throne of God. As Son of man, He gave us an example of obedience; as Son of God, He gives us power to obey. To us He says, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28:18. “God with us” is the guarantee of our deliverance from sin, the assurance of power to obey the law of heaven.

Christ revealed a character that is the opposite of Satan’s. “Being found in human form, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8, NRSV. Christ took the form of a servant and offered the sacrifice, with Himself as the Priest and Himself as the Victim. “He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him.” Isaiah 53:5.

Treated As We Deserve
Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death that was ours, that we might receive the life that was His. “By His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

Satan determined to bring eternal separation between God and man; but in taking our nature, the Savior united Himself to humanity by a tie that will never be broken. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” John 3:16. He gave Him, not [10] only to die as our Sacrifice; He gave Him to become one of the human family, to keep His human nature forever.

“Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.” God has adopted human nature in the person of His Son and has carried it to the highest heaven. The “Son of man” shall be called, “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6), italics added. He who is “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,” is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. Hebrews 7:26; 2:11. Heaven is enshrined in humanity, and humanity is enclosed in the embrace of Infinite Love.

God’s lifting up of His redeemed people will be an eternal testimony to His mercy. “In the ages to come,” He will “show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” in order that “the manifold wisdom of God” may be made known to “the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 2:7; 3:10.

Through Christ’s work, the government of God stands justified. The All-powerful One is revealed as the God of love. Christ has refuted Satan’s charges and unmasked his character. Sin can never again enter the universe. Through eternal ages all are secure from apostasy. By love’s selfsacrifice, Jesus has linked earth and heaven to the Creator in an unbreakable union.

Where sin increased, God’s grace increased much more. The earth, the very field Satan claims as his, will be honored above all other worlds in the universe. Here, where the King of glory lived and suffered and died, here the dwelling place of God will be with humanity, and “God Himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelation 21:3. Through endless ages the redeemed will praise Him for His unspeakable gift—Immanuel, “God with us.” [11]”

All excerpts from

Humble Hero
by Ellen G. White
http://sharinghope.com/?shared=111

Bible Commentary matthew 2

Bible Commentary Matthew 2
2. Attention Focused on Birth of Jesus—The Lord moved upon the wise men to go in search of Jesus, and He directed their course by a star. This star, leaving them when near Jerusalem, led them to make inquiries in Judah; for they thought it was not possible for the chief priests and scribes to be ignorant of this great event. The coming of the wise men made the whole nation acquainted with the object of their journey, and directed their attention to the important events which were transpiring (The Spirit of Prophecy 2:26). – {5BC 1077.1}

16-18. Faithfulness Would Have Rendered Wrath Harmless—All this terrible calamity was suffered of God, to humble the pride of the Jewish nation. Their crimes and wickedness had been so great that the Lord permitted the wicked Herod to thus punish them. Had they been less boastful and ambitious, their lives pure, their habits simple and sincere, God would have preserved them from being thus humiliated and afflicted by their enemies. God would, in a signal manner, have made the wrath of the king harmless to His people, had they been faithful and perfect before Him. But He could not especially work for them, for their works were abhorred by Him (The Spirit of Prophecy 2:28). – {5BC 1077.2}