NBC Sunday School Manual For December 5, 2021 : Topic – JUSTICE AND OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW

By | December 5, 2021

NBC Sunday School Manual For December 5, 2021 : Topic – JUSTICE AND OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW

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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

Sunday, December 05, 2021

TOPIC: JUSTICE AND OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW

Background Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 5; 10; 27; 28:1-2

Lesson Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 5:1b-3; 10-12-13; 27:1-10

Golden Text: And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’S commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? Deuteronomy 10:12-13

By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:

Discuss the importance of justice and explore God’s commandments;

State the blessings God has promised as benefits of obedience;

Commit themselves to obeying God and His commandments always.

Introduction

Rules and commandments are like instructions, policies, regulations or guiding principles. Usually, they are made to guide people so that they can learn to live and do what is right. Rules can be made by government, families, institutions, business organisations and even in some relationships. They are written not just to beautify the walls where they are hung; but to be in the hearts and minds of the people so that they can live by it. A young lady shared an interesting experience with me some time ago, she said her first day in the university was frightening because of the different inscriptions on billboards at strategic locations within the campus. At the main entrance, the inscription was: “You are welcome to this campus; watchout! Indecent dressing is not allowed”. At the entrance of the hostel, the inscription was: “Zip up. Keep your virginity. It is a virtue”. At the entrance of the lecture hall, the inscription was: “Do not be involved in examination malpractice” and at the administrative block, the inscription was: “Do not take or give bribe.” However, she later realised that the rules were made to guide the students so that they will maintain disciplined lifestyle and not go astray. When the children of Israel left Egypt, God was concerned about their well being so that they will inhabit the Promised Land, which He has given to them. The book of Deuteronomy has a long list of God’s commandments to the people of Israel through Moses. God wanted the people of Israel to do justice and show complete obedience to His commandments so that they will enter and possess the land, which He has sworn to give them. Today’s lesson focuses on God’s call to the people of Israel to administer justice and show total obedience to the commandments.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A Moses Summons the People Deuteronomy 5:1-3

In the previous chapter, Moses recalled the great events of Israel’s history, which shows the uniqueness of God and of the laws He has given to guide them in their relationship with Him and one another. He urged them to be obedient to the laws and teach them to their children. In compliance with God’s instruction, Moses gathered all the Israelites together and said, “Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.” (v. I). This was the same instruction he gave in chapter 4 verse I. In verse 2, Moses went down the memory lane. He reminded them of the covenant God made with them at Mount Sinai and not their forefathers but even those who were still living. God said to them, “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of nations you will be a treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,” (Exodus 19:5). This covenant between God and the people of Israel is the offshoot of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants.

“Repetition” they say “strengthens the memory.” The laws and decrees God gave to the people of Israel was to be their guiding principle in their relationship with Him and others and so, it was repeatedly rehearsed. According to the passage, three major things the people were expected to do about the laws are:

-▪︎To listen to all the laws. It
implies that they were expected to pay close attention to the laws so that they will hear and obey.

-▪︎To learn them or to study in order to be acquainted with it.
-▪︎To make sure they obey the laws without excuse. -▪︎These sets of commands were addressed to the generation of Israelites born during the forty years in the wilderness. The instruction became important because the preceding generation was disobedient thus many of them died on the way to the Promised Land. Therefore, the people were admonished to listen, learn and obey the commandments. These instructions are also applicable to contemporary believers. It is a reminder of the necessity of listening and paying close attention to the commands of God and ensuring we obey them as God’s people, especially in this corrupt generation when
people no longer have regard for the Word of God.

Discussion Time 1

1. Discuss the possibility of obeying all the laws and decrees of God.

2. Why was the instruction to obey God’s command repeated by Moses to the people of Israel and what
does it teach about the laws of God?

B. God’s Requirement Emphasised Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Moses’ address to the people of Israel was comprehensive. In these two verses, he carefully highlighted God’s requirement from them as His people. He began with a question in verse 12. He said, “And now, 0 Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you…?” The answer to the question of God’s requirement, according to Moses is analysed below:

-▪︎To fear the Lord your God: We should note that to fear God, as used in the passage, is not necessarily to be frightened or scared but to have reverence for God for who He is.

-▪︎To walk in all His ways: Walking in God’s ways is the same as doing His acceptable will and to depend on Him without assuming we know

anything. To love Him: To love God is simply to obey and do His will. To serve God wholeheartedly: This is to show strong devotion or dedication to God and to kingdom work. God’s requirement to observe His laws and decrees is a call to be blessed. This is further emphasised in Moses’ last statement. He said, for your own good?” It implies that when the people obey the commands to reverence God, do His will, love Him and be dedicated to His service, they will be blessed in the Promised Land. God is faithful to His words. He is not or man and so, He will not fail to reword those who obey His commands. The question of what God requires of His people (v. 12) is also asked by Prophet Micah (Micah 6:6-8). However, in both cases, the answer is not just a list of ritual observances, but a sincere love for God, the practice of justice and total obedience to the laws. The unfortunate thing is that despite the repeated warnings and reminders, the people of Israel were not consistent in their relationship with God. Their obedience wos not complete. Thus, many of them died in the wilderness and could not enjoy the blessings God promised them (Deuteronomy 11:8-17). Moses ended his address by exhorting the people to love and serve God with all their hearts and to obey all His laws.

Discussion Time 2

1. Why did Moses stress the need for the people to obey God’s laws and decrees?

2. Discuss what it means to fear God.

C. The Command to Build an Altar as a Memorial Deuteronomy 27:1-10

Chapters 27 and 28 consist of instructions about things the people should do when they enter the Promised Land. Moses and the elders of Israel encouraged the people to obey all the laws that have been given to them. They were also instructed to set up large stones coated with plaster and to write all the laws and teachings they have received on them. It should be erected on Mount Ebal, immediately they enter the Promised Land. Specifically, they were instructed to build an altar from uncut stones and offer sacrifices that are to be burnt. The command is to be followed by people in order to sacrifice and eat their fellowship offerings and show gratitude to God in the presence of the Lord their God (7). Every Word of God’s law should be written clearly on the stones. Moses and the priests who are also Levites addressed the people with a command to, “Be silent, O Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the LORD your God. Obey the LORD your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today.” (v. 9).

The command for the people to build an altar unto the Lord was the climax of the occasion. The agreement between God and the people was celebrated by a grand ceremony, similar to an ancient peace treaty when both parties are involved in the process, enumerating the terms of agreement. The ceremony was concluded with the consequences of keeping or rejecting the terms of the finalised agreement, blessings and curses. It should be noted that the fellowship sacrifices were the type in which only part of the animal was burnt on the altar and the rest will be eaten by the worshippers. However, the command to write the laws on stones was carried out by Joshua (8:30-32). The altar, which was built, was a memorial as it was the practice of some Old Testament people to
remember a particular event.

Discussion Time 3

l. The people were encouraged to write all the words of the law on the stone. What is the importance of documentation?

2. The whole episode ended with a strong command to the people to obey the Lord their God. What lessons can we learn from this?

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity

Write a few warning statements on a cardboard like: “Do Not Touch the Walls” or “Do not Park Here” and discuss possible repercussion when people disobey the commands. Compare them with God’s command to the people of Israel in Deuteronomy 10 verse 12-13.
Sing a song that encourages obedience to God.

Take Home

▪︎ Obeying God’s commandments is rewarding.
▪︎ God’s standard about obeying His Word does not change
▪︎ Christians should be ready to do the right thing, even when it seems difficult.
▪︎ Disobedience to God’s commands attracts punishment.
▪︎ Believers should be ready to serve God, fear Him and walk in His ways

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