Preschool
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6).
God Blesses Obedience
Memory Verses
Primary
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).
Junior
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).
Background Scripture: Nehemiah 8-10
Lesson Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 6, 8, 13-18
Introduction
Christian obedience is not merely adhering to a set of rules and traditions. Instead, it is a cheerful dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ. We have received much teaching and knowledge of the Word of God, but are we obeying it? Obedience is not usually easy to the flesh, but that is where the blessing lies. We might think there are things that are not important, but there are promises of blessings if we commit ourselves to wholehearted obedience.
Some may feel justified because they are church attendees, they listen to sermons, and perhaps have something to say about the Bible and their faith, even though some of their daily conduct remains unaffected by their profession. James 1:22 says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
Talk is cheap. To make a commitment in words is rather easy, but it is quite another matter to accomplish the words of one’s talk. Honesty and sincerity are key ingredients of heartfelt and consistent obedience. James 1:25 says, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
Key Verse
And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams (1 Sam. 15:22).
Lesson Scripture
Nehemiah 8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.
2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
13 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
14 And they found written in the law which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.
18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.
Studying the Lesson
The key verse and its background account contain a fundamental point regarding obedience. Sacrifices may be a part of obedience, but self-justification and human reasoning will never substitute for it.
There are at least ten places recorded in the Bible where obedience takes precedence over sacrifice: Psalm 40:6-8; Psalm 51:16-17; Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 1:11-17; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 12:7; Mark 12:33; and Hebrews 10:8-9.
The lesson text took place after a band of Jews had returned from being in bondage in a foreign land, where they had been in slavery as a result of their deliberate and stiff-necked disobediences. This was the third occasion that some of them were returning from captivity to Jerusalem. Now they were endeavoring to rebuild the city, this time under the leadership of Nehemiah. Ezra was their religious leader, and Nehemiah was their political leader. Ezra was likely much older than Nehemiah.
Upon their return to Jerusalem, the people desired that Ezra, who was a scribe as well as a priest, would read to them out of the Law of God. The book of the law as they knew it was most likely the first five books of the Bible. When Ezra read, the people listened attentively; they stood up in respect to the occasion. Those responsible read distinctly, explained the meaning, and helped them to understand. As the people recognized their disobedience, they openly wept upon realizing how far they had drifted away from God’s laws. Then they responded in obedience to what they had heard, and there was great gladness and rejoicing among them.
Paying attention to preaching and teaching from the Bible is still of great value and should bring joy and positive effects. “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” (1 Pet. 3:12-13).
The seven-day Festival of Booths was to remind the people of their deliverance from bondage in Egypt and their years of wandering in the wilderness, and the fact that God would take care of them in the future if they would follow in obedience. Even today, obedience has a general promise of provision, protection, and blessing.
Following the lesson text, verses 19-25 of chapter 9 explain that in spite of all the people’s repeated disobediences, God still had deep compassion and tender mercy for them. Fortunately, that same compassion and mercy are still available for us today.
Practical Truths for Today
This lesson exposes the blessed side of the law of sowing and reaping. We usually receive blessings from the Lord and from the people around us if we are committed to living a sincere, Christian life. This applies in a wide variety of ways.
It is true there are times and situations when Christians suffer for their allegiance to the Lord, but as a rule, there will be blessings for being obedient to what we understand to be the will of the Lord.
Following is a suggested list of considerations that normally result in God’s blessings. Please be willing and free to share your thoughts or experiences in class.
Personal obedience to Bible commands, the Holy Spirit, and God-given convictions: what to do or not to do, or what to say or not to say.
Willing compliance to guidelines, encouragements, or reproofs via the church brotherhood.
Husbands following God-given directives for family order.
Wives accepting the biblical leadership of their husbands.
Parents who nurture and train their children by godly principles.
Children and youth who willingly submit to their parents’ guidance will find a specific promise in Ephesians 6:1.
Families living together in peace, harmony, and godly order. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren [family] to dwell together in unity!” (Ps. 133:1).
Obedience to civil law and secular authority. “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Rom. 13:4).
Cheerfully paying one’s taxes in a timely manner will have a positive effect in more than one way.
Adhering to Christian principles in your business and finances.
Accepting the rules of practice at your place of employment. “Servants [employees], be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully” (1 Pet. 2:18-19).
Practicing the second mile injunction (Matt. 5:41).
Students obeying the rules at their school in classtime and on the playground.
Youth cheerfully abiding by the youth group guidelines. This one has the possibility of lifelong blessings in a variety of ways. What might they all be?
Questions
- Can you share a personal illustration concerning any of the items in the preceding list?
- Do we, like the Israelites, also miss blessings because of being stiff-necked in our opinions concerning what we think is right or acceptable?
- Is being stiffnecked a bigger problem for youth than it is for older folks?
Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).