NBC Sunday School Manual For January 16, 2022 : Topic – THE LAWS OF JUSTICE AND MERCY
Read previous NBC Sunday Manuals here
NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Sunday, January 16, 2022
TOIPC: THE LAWS OF JUSTICE AND MERCY
Background Scripture reading: Exodus 23:1-12
Lesson Scripture reading: Exodus 23:1-12
Golden Text: “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a Iawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, and do not show favouritism to a poor man in his Iawsuit. Exodus 23:2-3
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
l. Explain some of the Warnings God gave to the people of Israel;
2. State reasons people pervert justice in our contemporary time;
3. Aspire to be impartial in showing justice and mercy.
Introduction
The relevance of an old saying, “The judiciary is the hope of the common man” was the subject of discussion between two men (a politician and a newspaper vendor). While the vendor argued with instances that there is high level of oppression, corruption and perversion of justice in Nigeria, the politician simply presented his case with emphasis on exceptional cases. God set out law and standards for His people. These laws are to govern their relationship with Him and their fellow humankind. In Exodus chapter 23, the laws consist of His warning against the perversion of justice, the rightful celebration of the Sabbath and the three annual festivals including His promise of victory over their enemies. The warnings and commandments point to God’s concern for the weak and helpless (slaves, orphans, widows and foreigners). The society we live in is characterised by all kinds of vices. Little or no attention is given to God’s commandments and warning against oppression, bribery, unfairness, favouritism, etc. The poor, widows and orphans are oppressed and cheated. Unfortunately, they cannot go to court because they do not have the where withal to engage the service of a legal practitioner. Even those who do so do not get fair judgment. Judges are blinded by financial gains, popularity and possibly the authority they have while in power. Today’s lesson emphasises God’s standard of fairness and justice among His people, Israel and by extension, all Christians.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED
A. God’s Command to Practise Justice: Exodus 23:1-9
God did not leave the Israelites unguided right from the time they left the land of Egypt. In Exodus Chapter 20, He gave the Ten Commandments to them through Moses so that their relationship with Him and with one another will be cordial. The first few verses of chapters 23 states clearly the commands, which are in form of warnings and encouragement and how they should be practised. God said:
I. Do not spread false reports or give false witness to favour a guilty person.
ll. Do not follow the majority in doing wrong or in their attempt to give evidence that could pervert justice.
Ill. Do not show favouritism against a poor person in a lawsuit.
IV.Practise good works when you see your enemy’s animal straying, be sure to return it to its owner, instead of just walking away.
V. Do not deny a poor person justice during a lawsuit.
VI. Do not bear false accusation against anyone, thereby putting the innocent person to death. God promised to condemn anyone who does such wicked thing to his fellow human.
VII. Do not accept bribe because it blinds and twists the words of the righteous.
VIII. Do not oppress a foreigner.
After all, they know how it hurts because they were once foreigners in Egypt and how they were oppressed by their slave masters. Indeed, these rules listed above are laws of justice and mercy, which God expected the people of Israel to practice, especially in their relationship with one another. Apparently, the laws stated above are examples of ways the ninth commandment can be violated. God stressed the importance of fairness and charitable treatment to the vulnerable among them. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus teaches that we should practise justice and show mercy by loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. Unfortunately, today, some people conspire to treat others unjustly. They oppress the vulnerable and deny them justice in the law court. Even some Christians give and accept bribe, despite the consequences. More importantly, the Israelites were expected to deal justly with those who were not descendants of Abraham but lived among them (the aliens). Although it is a hard teaching but believers, especially those who face persecution, should endeavour to obey God and practise sacrificial love towards everyone, even their enemies. This is one of the ways to prove that we are Jesus‘ disciples.
Discussion Time
1. Discuss the importance of rules for interpersonal relationships.
2. What are the dangers of following the crowd to commit evil?
B. The Command to Rest Exodus 23:10-12
The people of Israel had no reason to continue to sin and forget God because His commandments to them were all-inclusive. Apart from the command to practise justice and fairness, God was also concerned about the need for them to observe the seventh year and the Sabbath. Specifically, He gave two commands they were commanded to:
l. Cultivate their fields and harvest the crops in six successive years. On the seventh year, the land should be left to rest (to fallow) without harvesting anything that grows on it. In other words, no harvest should be made on the seventh year, so that the poor and the wild animals may have food to eat. They were admonished to do some with their vineyards and olive trees.
2. Work six days in a week. The reason for the command is to allow their animals, slaves and foreigners whom they have hired to work for them have some rest.
The passage emphasises the importance of the fourth commandment of keeping both the Sabbath day and year holy. The commandment is still relevant to believers, especially as it has to do with rest from constant labour. Jesus made it clear in the gospel of Mark that the purpose of the Sabbath was not to put a burden on people but to relieve them of constant work (Mark 2:27). Of course, there are consequences when we fail to rest because our physical bodies will be affected. The story of creation reminds us that God rested on the seventh day after He created everything, even though He was not physically tired because He is God.He setit aside as a special day (Genesis 2:1-3). Similarly, Jesus occasionally left the crowd to a lonely place in order to commune with His Father and to rest.The standard has been set, so Christians should endeavour to set aside time tor est from active work.When this is done, they will be refreshed and empowered for greater assignments.
Discussion Time
1. In what ways are Christians breaking the rule of keeping the Sabbath in our contemporary time?
2. Discuss the best ways to actually rest.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity
Prayerfully plan a programme that can help those in need in your neighbourhood.
Take Home
Write down three lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson
Prayer
1. Pray for the grace to obey God and practise sacrificial love towards everyone, even your enemies.
2. Pray that the Lord will help you to always observe rest, as He has instructed.
Commitment
Based on today’s lesson, make a commitment to always uphold the laws of justice and mercy in a relationship with others.