The Power of God

Background Scripture: Exodus 4, 11, 12
Lesson Scripture: Exodus 4:22-23; 11:1-10; 12:29-30

Introduction

Many people seldom read in the books of the law from the Old Testament. They reason that these writings are ancient, they touch on minute details of the life and worship of the Jews that are no longer relevant, and have been superseded by the New Testament. While all this may be true, we believe the Old Testament holds much that is inspiring and helpful for our lives as Christians, because it deals with the human condition and God’s miraculous providence.

This quarterly contains lessons from Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Written by Moses, these books describe God’s deliverance and His desire to lead the Israelite nation. Since God never changes, we learn how He deals with His children in good times and bad. Because we also are on a pilgrimage, we should be instructed by the example of those who have gone before.

One writer has described the Old Testament as “the Bible Jesus read.” 1 Jesus often quoted from the Law and the prophets to prove He was the Messiah, and He countered Satan’s temptations with Old Testament scriptures. We are very privileged to have the New Testament today, but let us not neglect the treasures from the Old.

The Old Testament records many wonderful accounts of God’s great power. The physical happenings of yesteryear parallel their spiritual fulfillment in the gospel era and are illustrated by details such as manna from heaven, the Year of Jubilee, and other events in Israel’s wanderings.

This quarter contains our annual Easter lesson. The Passion Week is widely observed by Christians today, culminating in Easter Sunday. May our observance be heartfelt and sincere as we remember how Christ delivered us spiritually from the bondage of Egypt.

The book of Deuteronomy is especially pertinent for us, since it is Moses’s recounting of God’s covenant with His people. The blessings for faithfulness as well as the curses for disobedience are all part of God’s law of sowing and reaping. Are we teaching this principle to our children, as God so clearly exhorted Moses to do?

Finally, two lessons from the book of Job conclude our studies. The advantages of affliction and truly “seeing” God are explored. May Job be an example and encouragement to us, and let us, like Job, be faithful in prosperity or adversity.

1 Philip D. Yancey, The Bible Jesus Read, Zondervan, 1999

Preschool: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

Primary: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

Junior: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

Intermediate: I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. Ecclesiastes 3:14

The Power of God

Lesson 1

March 3, 2019

Background Scripture: Exodus 4, 11, 12

Lesson Scripture: Exodus 4:22-23; 11:1-10; 12:29-30

Introduction

In our lesson today, God demonstrates His unlimited power as He releases the children of Israel from their bondage in Egypt. From the call of Moses to the Passover night, Jehovah directs the deliverance with a mighty hand. We see His mercy and compassion as He responds to the cry of His children who are suffering under cruel taskmasters. In remembering and fulfilling His covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God reveals His unchanging fidelity. We also see God’s absolute intolerance of sin. His judgment of Pharaoh and the Egyptians portrays a God who is not to be trifled with. May this lesson give us a clear vision of our sovereign God who is mighty to save, able to keep, and righteous in judgment.

Key Verse

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him (Eccles. 3:14).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

After the death of Joseph, the children of Israel living in Egypt increased dramatically in might and number. Eventually a new king arose who “knew not Joseph” (Exod. 1:8). Though the Bible speaks little of this time, the power of God was at work fulfilling His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The patriarchs’ posterity was becoming a mighty nation.

The Israelites posed a growing threat to the new king. Egypt was a progressive nation, and Pharaoh decreed to crush the Hebrew menace by forcing them into slave labor to toil under the rod of brutal taskmasters. Egypt, once their shelter, became a place of merciless bondage. However, the more they were afflicted, the more they multiplied. God saw the persecution of His people and heard their cry. His plan for their deliverance would not be thwarted.

Moses rose to prominence by the power of God as an instrument to spoil Egypt and deliver Israel. At eighty years of age he undertook one of the most monumental tasks performed by man. However, the success of this mission came not by human strength but by the power of the great “I Am.”

From the beginning, Pharaoh proved to be a proud and selfish king. In his first encounter with Moses he asked, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go” (Exod. 5:2). This sentiment was repeated time and again as Pharaoh’s heart remained hard. While Pharaoh would not budge for man, in time the finger of God swept him away like chaff.

The first nine plagues cast on Egypt progressively revealed God’s power. Their intensity, as well as their onset and ending at the command of Moses and Aaron, confirmed that the plagues were not mere happenstance of nature. These calamities struck at the very core of Egyptian life and culture. What the people drank, their food sources, their physical comfort and health, their safety, and their very lives, were all under God’s control. After the third plague, the Lord further displayed His power by sheltering His chosen ones from harm while the Egyptians suffered.

The final plague resulted in the release of the Israelites. Pharaoh’s night of judgment arrived, vindicating God’s Word. Egypt would be decimated, its gods proven helpless, and all the firstborn would die. It is indeed a fearful thing for transgressors to fall into the hands of the living God.

Practical Truths for Today

We serve a God unlimited in power, unmatched in majesty, perfect in love, holy, just, and righteous. No words come close to describing His attributes and being. Our finite minds grasp for understanding, but His ways are past finding out. We toil fruitlessly to perceive One who is self-existent with no beginning and no end. He simply is as He stated, “I am who I Am” (Exod. 3:14). Yet this incomprehensible Being takes a personal interest in us, yearning that our never-dying souls will unite with Him eternally.

When contemplating the power of the Almighty, do I feel guilty or peaceful? Do thoughts of God produce reverential awe or uneasy apprehension? Can I yield my past, present, and future to Him and find complete security? Am I persuaded that God can save, keep, and satisfy my soul? Am I convinced that He will not overlook sin?

Pharaoh’s conflict with God mirrors the classic struggle of man’s selfish will at variance with the Lord. Pharaoh wanted to maintain control. His proud stubbornness caused others to suffer. He made promises under pressure but later broke them. He said, “I have sinned,” and asked for prayers but did not soften his heart. Freeing the Israelites proved too large a sacrifice to make.

Our struggle to submit to God’s will can be similar. We may secretly desire control of our life and destiny. When considering our earthly accumulations, possessions, and leisure activities, do we say, “Yes, Lord, Thy will be done,” but our hearts remain unchanged? Do others such as our spouse, children, or friends suffer under our unwillingness to humble ourselves? When reproved by concerned brethren, are we quick to make insincere commitments? Is modesty in every area of life too great a sacrifice to make? God has the power to give us victory and joy in Christian living if we let Him!

We live in a world with a widespread disregard for God. He is ignored, considered archaic, even disbelieved. His Word no longer holds authority. Let us beware lest this concept of a diminished God erode our faith and cloud our vision. God will receive His due honor and glory regardless of man’s unbelief. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Rom. 14:11).

God is the absolute authority. We are the clay He wants to form into a fit vessel for His purposes. He provides a safe path for young people to navigate in the confusing years of youth. He supplies grace to build strong homes and marriages. Power for growth in virtue and holiness is His to give. He dispenses gifts to man and requires faithful stewardship.

Living in submission to God’s plan is possible as we are empowered by His Holy Spirit. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit is our direct link to the Almighty. Through Him we receive power to love and to pray as we ought, to bear Christlike fruit, and to witness. He comforts, corrects, and reveals God’s truth. The Holy Spirit in our lives is God’s affirmation of sonship. On the day of judgment, those without the Spirit will hear, “I know you not whence ye are; depart from me” (Luke 13:27).

Jesus’ death to satisfy the curse of sin and His resurrection to ensure eternal life are the ultimate manifestations of God’s power to us. By providing the perfect sacrifice, God sees us as sinless when we accept His plan. When we stumble and err, the Bible teaches that we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. If we confess our sins, He has promised to forgive.

Finally, God alone, as Creator and absolute Keeper of life, holds the power to execute judgment upon all unrighteousness. Those refusing His plan of salvation will reap a just recompense of eternal death. “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds” (Rom. 2:4-6).

Surely God deserves our deepest love, devotion, and submission. As Christians, we need not fear His awesome power; rather, we appreciate the eternal salvation it provides. He loves us beyond comprehension, understands our feeling and emotions, and can heal our deepest wounds. The blackest sin does not exceed His power to cleanse, and the most wretched sinner is not beyond His reach. However, those who choose to despise or ignore God’s saving grace, extended through Jesus Christ, will be justly barred from the bliss of heaven. “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness” (Rom. 11:22).

Questions

1. Do we hear less in our day of God’s judgment and wrath? Is this good?
2. How can we develop a deeper reverential awe and respect for God?
3. How is God’s power displayed in His church? In the world?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).