Sabbath School Summary
Abraham’s Seed
Lesson 6
Memory Text: 1 Peter 2:9
1 Peter 2:9, NIV: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” … You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.
Introduction
In a small town, the clock in the jeweler’s window stopped one day at a quarter to nine. Many of the citizens had been depending on this clock to know the time. On this particular morning, business men and women glanced in the window and noticed it was only fifteen minutes to nine; children on their way to school were surprised to find they still had plenty of time to loiter. Many persons were late that morning because one small clock in the jeweler’s window had stopped.”—C. L. Paddock, God’s Minutes (Nashville, TN: Southern Publishing Association, 1965), p. 244, adapted
Israel, however, stopped in a sense like the clock in the jeweler’s window. Yet, it was not a total failure; for then, as today, God has His faithful remnant. Our study this week focuses on the identity and role of God’s true Israel in every age, including our own.
SABBATH: Israel was honored by God to be guardians of His law. He loaded them with benefits & made them a “light to the nations” (Ezek. 5:5). Israel was a “spiritual clock” to people that stopped. Their story can be likened to a clock in a town that stopped. Students & marketers all depended on it. One day, it stopped at 8:45 AM deluding all to think they had plenty time. Yet, in Israel, God had a faithful remnant.
SUNDAY: The holy oracles of God was committed to Israel for them to spread it to the whole world. God made them “special” (“seguallah”; means valued property or peculiar treasure) unto Him when they’d done nothing to merit it (Deut. 7:6). God’s election of Israel was His act of grace alone. Israel possessed no great culture or prestige. Israel was composed of a small group. God’s love found Israel (Ezek. 16:8).
MONDAY: A dear promise of a land was given to Abraham, was passed on to Isaac & Jacob, & this promise was repeated at the deathbed of Joseph (Gen. 35:12; 50:24; 15:13, 16). Yet, it was during the days of Moses & Joshua that Israel began to catch a glimpse of the promise (Deut. 1:8). God presented before Israel blessings & curses (Deut. 28:1, 15). They were to obey (Gal. 6:8; Rom. 6:21; Lev. 26:27-33).
TUESDAY: Israel promised God that “all that you’ve said we’ll do.” “Yet, they obeyed not” (Jer. 11:8). God’s covenant comes with blessings & curses. Noah had to obey God to escape destruction. Israel allowed other nations to dim their light (Gen. 6:5). Their history is filled with a pattern of apostasy . Under the rule of David & Solomon, the apostasy was controlled. God wants us to be faithful (Jer. 3:1, 20).
WEDNESDAY: In every age, God has always had faithful remnants. While many in Israel kept God out of their minds, there were those who remained true to Him (Isa. 4:3, Mic. 4:6, 7, Zeph. 3:12, 13). “Among the weeds, a few flowers still grew.” The remnants were to God a lovely bouquet. They declared the glory of God & worshiped Him (Isa. 66:19, Zech. 14:16). Keep your election pure (2 Pet. 1:10, 1 Kings 19:14-18).
THURSDAY: From time past, God has desired to create a unified body of people to share the gospel. Both Jews & Gentiles (“spiritual Israel”) are jewels of God whom He hopes to use to reach the lost in this world (Gal. 3:26-29). In God, there is no distinction of race, caste, or status. Christ broke the wall of partition down (Rom. 4:16, 17). We need to have faith in Him to be heirs of the promises (PP, p. 170, Dan. 7:27).
FRIDAY: “God is no respecter of persons”. In Him, all are of one family by creation & redemption. The ministry of Christ did away with any form of segregation. All have free access to God through Christ. “His love is so broad, so deep, so full, it penetrates everywhere.” The love of Christ lifts a soul out of the deceptions of Satan & lead them to God (read 1 Pet. 2:9; Exod. 19:6; Isa. 43:20). God really loves you!
—Ellen G. White, “The Vineyard of the Lord,” pp. 15-22; “Hope for the Heathen,” pp. 367-378; and “The House of Israel,” pp. 703-721, in Prophets and Kings.
Keywords
Israel- God strategically placed Israel between 3 continents (Africa, Europe, Asia) to witness Him to the world.
PP- Patriarchs and Prophets
Captions
SUNDAY- “Above All People . . .”
MONDAY- Land Deal (Gen. 35:12).
TUESDAY- Israel And The Covenant
WEDNESDAY- The Remnant
THURSDAY- Spiritual Israel
Discussion Questions
📌 In ancient Israel, the priests made animal sacrifices that pointed to the Messiah. As members of a royal priesthood, what types of “sacrifices” are church members to make? (See 1 Pet. 2:5.)
📌 God separated Israel from the world so it could be a holy nation. It also was to share salvation truths with the world. The same is true for the church today. How is it possible to be separate from the world while at the same time to be in a position to share the gospel with the world? How do Israel’s experience and Jesus’ example help us to answer this question?
📌 God always maintained a remnant within ancient Israel. Consider Elijah and the remnant that existed during his time (1 Kings 19; note especially verse 18). Why is it often easier to be true to God in the midst of worldly people than in the midst of backsliding members of one’s own church family?
Entire Lesson Summary
God’s true Israel (whether before or after the Cross) is the Israel of faith, persons who live in a spiritual, covenant relationship with Him. Such people function as His representatives, holding out to the world the gospel of His saving grace.
For May 1-7. Happy Sabbath.
By Elder Dr MASIMBA Mavaza
Comments
About Author
