Lesson 118 - Junior

Memory Verse

"The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey" (Joshua 24:24).

Notes

Brought to Memory

On Mount Sinai God had given laws which were called statutes and judgments. He told the Children of Israel to remember especially that day when He had spoken in the midst of a thick cloud ([EXO:19:9]). They had heard the thunderings and had seen lightnings as God gave the Law. They had trembled as fire came down upon the mountain when God spoke ([EXO:19:16-20]). They heard His voice as He spoke to Moses ([EXO:19:9]). On that day when God showed them His glory and greatness the Children of Israel had promised to do "all that the LORD hath spoken" ([EXO:19:8]). God had told them not to forget these things.

Many times people like to remind God of His promise. Moses did, at the time that God spoke judgment be-cause the Children of Israel had made a golden calf to worship ([EXO:32:13]). Sometimes God finds it necessary to remind people of their promises to Him. When a person breaks his covenant or agreement with God, then God cannot keep His part of the agreement. It is a good thing to remember the day when God spoke to us, lest we forget the promises we made to Him.

All the Law

God did more than urge the Children of Israel to obey: He required obedience from them. He warned them to give attention to His Word that they might live. They were to keep all the laws if they expected to go in and possess the Land of Canaan. The Children of Israel had to keep the Laws as well as know it. How important it is today to study God's Word that we will know what is His law! One must know God's law before he can keep it.

The Children of Israel were warned to add nothing to God's Law neither to take anything from it. At one time some of them had added the worship of Baal-peor. Those who were guilty were slain ([NUM:25:5]), while those who kept close to the Lord lived.

We, today, are expected to keep all the will of God. "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:5, 6). "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13). In the last chapter of the Book of Revelation are these words of warning: "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the ho-ly city, and from the things which are written in this book."

A Great and Wise Nation

The Children of Israel were told to be very careful and strict in observing all the laws. Then the other nations would have respect for them. They would consider the Children of Israel as a wise and understanding people. They would know that God was near the Children of Israel to guide them, fight for them, and answer their prayers. No other nation would be so great, so wise, or so righteous. All these things were promised if they kept God's laws.

Many people seek for the wisdom of the world and greatness for themselves. Some spend much time and money to gain worldly knowledge and fame, only to find they are no greater in God's sight. One of the wisest men, Solomon, asked God to give him an understanding heart that he could properly judge the Children of Israel ([1KG:3:9]). Solomon did not ask for wisdom for his own gain. He wanted an understanding heart that God would receive honour and glory through his judgments. God was pleased with Solomon's prayer. He gave Solomon wisdom as well as riches and honour. Long life was also promised if Solomon obeyed God's commandments. ([1KG:3:13-14]).

Many times a person must make a choice or decision. To keep from making a mistake, we ask God to give us wisdom and show us what to do. The Bible tells us that one is to ask for wisdom if he does not know what to do. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).

Teaching of the Children

The children were to be trained to know God's law and to fear Him. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10). "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding" (Job 28:28). God required the children as well as the men and women to be obedient to His laws. The fathers and mothers were told to teach the children not only God's laws but also the many things that He had done for them. These things were not hidden lest they would slip from their hearts. They were declared unto the children, that from them would come praises of the Lord, and His strength, and the wonderful works that He had done ([PS:78:4]). "That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments" (Psalm 78:7).

God wants the children as well as the men and women today to obey His Word. If we remember the great things that He does for us, we shall praise Him and trust Him.

"Trust and obey, For there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey."

A Christian is happy and makes others happy by telling them about God's great love which will deliver them from sin and lead them to Heaven.

No Other God

God told the Children of Israel to remember how much He had done for them. Because God loved them ([DEU:7:8]), they had been delivered from Egypt by His mighty arm through miracles and wonders. No other nation had been delivered by such signs. No other nation had seen His greatness and glory. The Children of Israel had heard His voice and lived. "He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them" (Psalm 147:19, 20). All this was evidence that God was with the Children of Israel and that they had power with Him. By these things the Children of Israel -" men, women, and children as well as their neighbours and enemies -" would know that the Lord is God; there is none else besides Him.

Questions

1. Who delivered the Children of Israel from Egypt?

2. What did God give them on Mount Sinai?

3. Why were the Children of Israel wiser than other nations?

4. Why were they told to teach God's law to the children?

5. What was required of the Children of Israel that they would be brought into the Promised Land?

6. Why did the other nations fear God's people?

7. How did they know that there is none else but God?

8. Why do we obey God's Word?