Lesson 3* July 9-15
Justice and Mercy in the Old Testament: Part 1
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Exod. 22:21-23, 23:2-9, Amos 8:4-7, Isa. 1:13-17, 58:1-14, Acts 20:35.
Memory Text: “He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow”(Psalm 146:7-9, NIV).
Years ago, on a cold day in New York City, a 10-year-old boy, barefoot and shivering, peered in the window of a shoe store. A woman came to the boy and asked why he was looking so earnestly in the window; he said that he was asking God to give him a pair of shoes. The woman took him by the hand into the store. She asked the clerk to bring six pairs of socks; she also requested a basin of water and a towel. Taking the lad to the back of the store, she removed her gloves, washed his feet, and dried them with the towel. The clerk returned with the socks. The woman placed a pair on the boy’s feet and then bought him a pair of shoes. She patted his head and asked him if he felt more comfortable now. As she turned to go, the astonished lad took her hand and tearfully asked, “Are you God’s wife?”.
That little boy spoke more truth than he realized. God’s church is His bride, His wife. His character is expressed in the memory verse. As transformed members of His church, we must reflect that character. If we are truly His, we will passionately care about and provide for the poor and the powerless.
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 16.
SundayJuly 10
Mercy and Justice: Earmarks of God’s People
Even in early Israel, social justice was very much a part of God’s laws and His ideal for His people. Social justice is God’s original intention for human society: a world in which basic needs are met, people flourish, and peace reigns.
Read the following verses and summarize what they say about mercy and justice, or what is sometimes called “social justice.” Exod. 22:21-23, 23:2-9, Lev. 19:10, Prov. 14:31, 29:7.
Mercy and justice are also highlighted in the Sabbath laws given to ancient Israel. God outlined three types of Sabbaths.
How is the idea of mercy and justice reflected in each of these Sabbaths? Exod. 20:8-10; 23:10-11; Lev. 25:8-55.
- Instructions in keeping the seventh-day Sabbath included providing equal opportunity for everyone to rest, including servants, animals, and foreigners.
- Every seven years, the Sabbath year was a time for canceling debts, for showing concern for the poor, and for freeing slaves. God instructed His people to include the animals in the benefits of the Sabbath year (see Lev. 25:6-7).
- The year of jubilee came on the fiftieth year, after seven Sabbath years. Property that was sold was restored to the original owner; debts were forgiven; and prisoners and slaves were set free. Jubilee was an equalizer of society, a reboot to give everyone an opportunity to begin anew. It was a “safeguard . . . against the extremes of either wealth or want.” - Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 185.
Here, in the very fabric of Hebrew society, we can see how justice and mercy worked together in favor of the less fortunate in society.
MondayJuly 11
Universal Concerns
Read Genesis 2:1-3. What does this tell us about the universality of the Sabbath?
If we truly observe the Sabbath, we will not remain satisfied with only our own rest (Exod. 23:12), redemption (Deut. 5:12-15), and ultimate restoration in the new earth (Isa. 66:22-23). Indeed, the seventh-day Sabbath tells us that God is the Creator and Rest Provider of all who live on this earth. The universality of the Sabbath rest implies a commonality among all of us, rich or poor. The common Fatherhood of God means a common equality and concern among human beings.
Also, as we saw yesterday, the concern for social justice extends from weekly Sabbaths to sabbatical years and to the year of jubilee. The principles behind the three Sabbaths portrayed in Leviticus 23:1-44 and 25:1-55 extend to Christians as well. The seventh-day Sabbath will forever point back to Creation, as well as forward to the Cross and new earth. It will strengthen our relationship with our compassionate Creator and Savior, thus bringing us closer to the ones He deeply loves-people who have deep needs, who are poor or suffering.
Please note, however, that the Sabbath year and the year of jubilee illustrate eternal principles, but this doesn’t mean that we are to literally observe these festivals now. We aren’t. Unlike the seventh-day Sabbath, which was instituted at the Creation in a pre-Fall world, these are among the ceremonial Sabbaths that were a “shadow of things to come” (Col. 2:16-17), pointing forward to the ministry and sacrifice of Jesus and then ending with His death on the cross. Instead, these ceremonial Sabbaths point to a principle in regard to how we should treat others, especially those in need. As a redeemed people, Israel had an obligation to be a light to the world, showing forth God’s mercy to others with no partiality. With thanksgiving they were to represent God’s character to those who didn’t know Him.
Read Amos 8:4-7. What was going on here, and how can we make sure that we, in our dealings with others, aren’t guilty of doing the same thing? What significance, too, do you find, given the context, in the words “ 'Surely I will never forget any of their works’ ”?
TuesdayJuly 12
Prophetic Voice: Part 1
“ 'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy’ ” (Prov. 31:8-9, NIV).
How do we take the principles here and apply them for today?
So far this week we have noted that God wants His people to express His characteristics of mercy and justice as part of the ideal behavior of His people. The Hebrew prophets often spoke up on behalf of the needy, calling God’s people to repentance for misrepresenting His concern for the marginalized and oppressed. In fact, God equates selfless redemptive behavior with true worship.
Read Isaiah 1:13-17. What does this pronouncement say about God’s definition of true worship? How can we take what is said here, in this immediate context, and apply it to ourselves today? That is, what should these verses say to us now?
Though, of course, many of the Old Testament prophets pointed to future events beyond their lifetimes, they also heavily focused on spiritual and moral reform and unselfish service in the present. The prophetic voice of God’s servants rang loudest when His people made extravagant efforts to worship but did not reflect God’s compassion for the suffering of those around them. One can’t imagine a worse witness than those who are too busy “worshiping” God that they don’t have time to help those in need. Might not a form of “worship” be revealed by those who are serving the Lord by ministering to the needs of others?
WednesdayJuly 13
Prophetic Voice: Part 2
Isaiah 58:1-14 provides a special prophetic message of rebuke and hope for God’s people in Isaiah’s time and for us today.
After an announcement that He is upset with His people (see Isa. 58:1), what is God’s description of those He is addressing? Read Isaiah 58:2.
Though we don’t know the exact “tone of voice” expressed here, it is clear that the Lord is condemning their outward shows of piety and faith because He knows how false it all is. The NIV translates it like this: “ 'For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God’ ” (Isa. 58:2, NIV).
Read Isaiah 58:3-14. What else is the Lord saying to these people about what’s wrong with their religious forms (in this case fasting)? What’s the bigger issue here?
Notice something crucial here: so often worship can be self-centered: Lord, do this for me and do that for me. And, of course, there’s a time and place for seeking the Lord for our own personal needs. But what the Lord is saying here is that true worship will include reaching out to “the hungry,” to “the afflicted,” and to the “poor.” But the amazing thing is that this ministry to others blesses not only the recipients of the help but those giving the help. Read what the texts say about what happens to those who reach out and help those who are in need. In ministering to others, in giving to others, we get blessed ourselves. Who hasn’t, at some point, experienced to some degree the reality of these promises from God? Who hasn’t seen what joy and satisfaction and hope come to those who help others who can’t help themselves? It’s hard to imagine a better way to reflect the character of Christ to the world.
Read Acts 20:35. How have you experienced the reality of these words in your own ministry to others?
ThursdayJuly 14
A Force for Good
Having the truth, however wonderful, is not enough. In Isaiah 58:1-14, God’s people were passionate about their religious forms and practices and yet weak in applying their faith in a practical manner. God is calling His church today to be a force for good, echoing the call of the Old Testament prophets to demonstrate the truth about His character.
Read the following texts. How can we, as a local church and as a world church, seek to do what we have been called by God to do in this area?
Ps. 82:3Isa. 1:17
One urban church is in a community plagued by gun violence. In 2011 the clear prophetic voice of its pastor rang out during an urban ministry congress in a large city. Here are sample thoughts from his speech: “Christians must stop the death march!” Referring to the biblical story of when Jesus stopped the funeral train for the widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7:11-17), he explained how the church could not sit idly by while street violence escalated in their community. He asked his audience, “Are we simply a church that stands up to do eulogies?” Instead, we need to ask ourselves if we are a church that works to relieve suffering.
This church is also very active in community development. For seven years the church choir went to the streets of their community. They sang, passed out flyers, and offered the services of the church to those who had needs. From this contact with their community, the church helped their neighborhood in numerous ways that greatly benefited those in need. Through various and numerous programs the church made a big difference in the community.
This church is just one example of the many ways that we, as a church body, can be a ministering and healing force in our communities.
FridayJuly 15
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Law Given to Israel,” pp. 307-314; “God’s Care for the Poor,” pp. 530-536, inPatriarchs and Prophets.
The concepts of justice and mercy are seen all through the Old Testament. Look at, for instance, Deuteronomy 24:10-22. Look at the specific instructions given in these cases. We can see, so clearly, the Lord’s concern for the poor, for the workers, for those in debt. This concern is expressed, not merely in abstract and lofty language about care for the less fortunate; instead, at least here, it is also expressed in concrete and practical instructions on what to do and what not to do in specific instances, such as with someone in debt or with a poor worker. These concepts were too important to be left totally to one’s own personal notions of what justice and benevolence were. Notice, too, how the Lord referred them back to where they had once been, to when they certainly were among the less fortunate. “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this” (Deut. 24:22, NIV). As Christians, we must, regardless of our financial situation, always remember the grace and unmerited favor God has bestowed upon us. Thus, we need, out of the richness and fullness of what we have in Christ (Eph. 3:19, Col. 2:10), to be ready to serve and help those who need our service and help.
Discussion Questions:
- How does the fourth commandment’s saying that servants should rest on the Sabbath help reveal the idea of the equality of all humanity before the Lord? How, too, should that help us to understand in general how we should justly treat those who work for us, or those who are under, to some degree, our control? Also, how does the universality of what Christ did on the cross reveal even much more greatly the equality of all human beings before God?
- “When the mind of Christ becomes our mind, and His works our works, we shall be able to keep the fast described by the prophet Isaiah: 'Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens?’ [Isa. 58:6]. Find out what the poor and suffering are in need of, and then, in love and tenderness, help them to courage and hope and confidence by sharing with them the good things that God has given you.” - Ellen G. White, in Pacific Union Recorder, July 21, 1904. How do we do this-that is, how do we share what we have been given in Christ but do so in tangible ways that can truly help those in need?
Dismissed But Determined: Part 3
by Isaiah Malek Garang, South Sudan
The night before my baptism I had a dream. I saw myself standing on an Earth that was clean and bright. I looked up and saw a ladder reaching from the ground to the sky. People were running from all directions and climbing the ladder. They were singing, ”We can never stop following Jesus, for we are marching to heaven.” The ladder was full of people singing this song. Then I watched myself climb the ladder. I awoke suddenly and sat up, wondering if I was still alive. Then I knelt to thank God for the wonderful lesson and courage He had given me.
I was baptized in a river near the pastor’s home. Shortly afterward, I was invited to work as a volunteer with Global Mission. I enjoyed this work for three months, but I realized that I needed to return to my wife and the small congregations I had left behind. I told my team leader of my decision and expressed my hope that God would bring these new believers into the church as He had me.
I returned home and visited the eight groups that were meeting in my former pastoral district. They had continued worshiping on Sabbath and were eager to hear what I’d learned during my absence. Most of them accepted the Adventist message and were baptized. My wife was one of the first to be baptized. How thrilled I am to have her stand by me in this new ministry. Even the priest who was dismissed with me so many months earlier took his stand and asked to join the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
As a result of my being dismissed from my former church, today we have about 355 members in 13 Adventist churches, companies, and groups in my region of South Sudan. I minister to the very people I had ministered to as a priest in my former church.
Our work is not easy. Some of our churches have been torn down during the night, with only piles of materials left in their place. But even these setbacks have been a blessing, as we simply rebuild and invite the destroyers to join us for worship. It is difficult to make inroads in new areas, but we work hard, and God is blessing.
Thank you for partnering with us in southern Sudan to finish the work God has for us here.
Isaiah Malek Garang now serves in the Greater Equatoria Field as an associate secretary of the Ministerial Association, and as associate director in the Family Ministries and Sabbath School and Personal Ministries departments.
Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org
