NIV Lesson 07-05-2009 (Accepting God's Rules)

8/14/2019 NIV Lesson 07-05-2009 (Accepting God's Rules)

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Call Sealed with PromiseUnit 2: Called to Be God's People

(Lessons 5-8)

ACCEPTING GOD'S RULES------_. __. . . . ~ . . . . ~ ----

NTRODUCTION DEVOTIONAL READING:MATTHEW 22:34-40KEEPING THE RULES

Have you ever received a speeding ticket? It's irritating. I could justifY my- BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE:DEUTERONOMY 5:1-27lf very easily, for I ha d been following a slow-moving car for about 3 miles.

he speed limit was 55 mph; the other car was doing 50 mph, and I couldn't PRINTED TEXT:DEUTERONOMY 5:1-9a, 11-13,ss. Finally, I saw my opportunity to pass and did so. Then I saw the flash16-21g lights of the town police. At first I was puzzled, bu t then I realized he was

ter me, no t the slow driver!He said I was doing 65 mp h in a 55 mp h zone. "But officer, I had to reach

at speed to get around this slow driver," who was still slow-poking his way I

own the road. "Sir, I thought I was being safe by getting around the car as : LESSON AIMSuickly as I could so that I could get back on the right side of the road." His 1. Recite the Ten Com-sponse? "You really were doing over 65, bu t I'll write the ticket for only 10 mandmentsfrom memmy.p h over the limit, which will cost you $175." Did I think I deserved the 2. Explain the relationshipcket? Nooooo! Did I learn my lesson about the law? Yes: break the law and : between the Ten Command-ay the consequences. Obey the law and everyone is safer. : ments and the new covenant

God gave hundreds of rules of conduct to Israel. The most familiar expres- . in Jesus.on o f these is the Ten Commandments. Paul stresses that today we are not 3. Identify one of the Tender law, but under grace (Romans 6: 14). This does not mean that rules : Commandments that heconduct are thrown out the window--quite the contrary. The church has or she has the most trouble en given rules in a new format byJesus (see Matthew 22:34-40). Com- , keeping and make a plan forandments that are expressions of the nature of God are unchanging since change.od himself does not change (Malachi 3:6). We ignore the Old Testamentigin of such commands at our peril.

LESSON BACKGROUND

The book of Deuteronomy is a covenant renewal treaty, delivered byoses in a series of speeches (Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43; 4:44-28:68; etc.).

he recipients were the Israelites of a new generation who were about tonter the promised land. Moses was about to die on Mount Nebo, located inoab (Deuteronomy 34). Deuteronomy 5-11 is the high point of the book.ere the Ten Commandments are recounted (Deuteronomy 5; compare Exo-us 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 4:13; 10:4). This is followed by an exposition

how to love and obey the one true God (Deuteronomy 6-11).There are different ways to categorize the laws in the Bible. On e help

l way is to distinguish between laws that are conditional and those thate unconditional. The first kind has a conditional clause (beginning with KEY VERSEf" or "when," either expressed or implied), followed by a declarative Hear, 0 Israel, the decreesdgment (beginning with "then," either expressed or implied; examples: and laws I declare in yourxodus 21:28; 22:26, 27). Unconditional laws are what we have with the hearing today. Learn themn Commandments. They are foundation principles for Israel's covenant and be sure to follow them.lationship. -Deuteronomy 5:1


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I U L Y 5 ~ 200_9 _

LESSON 5 NOTES

WHAT Do You THINK?Why does hearing often

not result in obeying? How dowe counteract this tendency?

[Make sure to look atJames 1:22 as you frame youranswer.}

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

Monday, June 2 9 - A

Covenant bySacrifice (Psalm50: 1-6)

Tuesday, June 3 0Listening to the Prophet (Acts3:17-25)

Wednesday, July 1 -A Covenant of Obedience(Psalm 132:11-18)

Thursday, July 2 -Mediator ofa BetterCovenant (Hebrews 8:6-12)

Friday, July 3 - ACovenant of Mercy (Romans11 :25-32)

Saturday, July 4 - TheGreatest Commandment(Matthew 22:34-40)

Sunday,July 5-GodMakes a Covenant(Deuteronomy5:1-9, 11-13,16-21)

_ 428 - - - " A - " - ' C ~ C E P T I ~ . . G . . .

The setting for today's lesson is "in the valley near Beth Peor east of theJordan, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites" (Deuteronomy 4:46). Theyear is about 1406 BC

I. COVENANT RECALLED (DEUTERONOMY 5:1-6)A. SUMMONS (v. 1)1. Moses summoned all Israel and said:

Hear, 0 Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn themand be sure to follow them.

All Israel must hear and obey these laws. No one is exempt, because allare part of the covenant community. Hear, 0 Israel is a special phrase in Deuteronomy (compare Deuteronomy 4:1; 6:3, 4; 9:1; 20:3; 27:9). "To hear"includes the idea of obedience. Moses emphasizes obedience by using the additional words learn them and be sure to follow them.

B. HISTORY (v. 2)2. The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

Horeb refers at least to Mount Sinai (Exodus 3:1; 33:6; Deuteronomy 1:6;

etc.) and perhaps some of the surrounding area. The covenant that God madewith his people there is recorded in Exodus 19 an d following. But as Mosesspeaks now, the 40 years of wilderness wanderings are at an end (Deuteronomy 1:3). Thus, this is Moses' exhortation to a new generation.

CC&RsMany people now live in communities governed by CC&Rs---eovenants, con

ditions, and restrictions. CC&Rs cover issues involving setbacks, lot lines, easements, fees for road and commons areas, pets, landscaping, fencing, placementof basketball goals, and even allowable paint colors.

What would make a person agree to the stringent stipulations of CC&Rs? Theanswer is that the restrictions provide a means of maintaining property values andthe quality of life for the residents. They maintain a consistent, predictable ambiance in the neighborhood.

The covenant that God announced at Horeb had the intended purpose of helping Israel maintain a proper spiritual ambiance within their newly fonning nation.If Israel would keep the covenant, spiritual decline would not take place. The Israelites would find their lives blessed. The new covenant we have through Christwill accomplish this too, but only if we keep it. like Israel, we have to honor thecovenant to enjoy its blessings. - C R. B.

: C. AUDIENCE (w. 3, 4)3. It was not with our fathers that the LORD made this covenant, but with us,with all of us who are alive here today.

The phrase It was not with ourfathers that the Lord made this covenant hasdrawn more than one interpretation. I t is possible that our fathers refers to thepatriarchs (forefathers) Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-long dead by Moses' day(see Deuteronomy 1:8; 4:31,37; 7:8, 12; 8:18; 9:5). If that is the case, then

: a contrast is being made between the promise of land and blessing to the patriarchs and the Sinai covenant for the nation of Israel.

Another suggestion is that our fathers refers to those immediate ancestorswho died during the 40 years of wilderness wanderings. Under this idea, God

! had tried to include them in the covenant, bu t they rejected the covenant


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E S S O N ~ 5__ 429 ----J1;LY_5->-_2_QO_9_ecause of rebellion (Deuteronomy 1:26-46). Either way, we do not want to WHAT Do You THINK?ose sight of the fact that Moses is emphasizing the relevance of the Sinai cov How can we talk to Godnant for the generation standing before him. and know that he is listen-. The LORD spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain. ing? How can we make sure

The event this verse refers to is found in Exodus 19: 16-25. At first glance, we hear what God is sayinghe verse before us seems like a contradiction to what actually happened, for to us? How do we counteracthe people themselves never really talked with Yahweh face to face. But verse 5 inteiference in each directionnext) clears up the matter ofcommunication?

D. MEDIATOR (v. 5). (At that time I stood between the LORD and you to declare to you the word ofhe LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.)

And he said:This restates the mediating position of Moses. Indeed, the people ha d

een afraid of the fire (see Exodus 19: 16-19), an d they ha d trembled. On themountain, Moses ha d represented Israel before God (Deuteronomy 5:23-31).

is in that sense that the people ha d talked with the Lord face to face.

. BASIS (v. 6). . . . "I am the LORD your God, who broughtyou out of Egypt, out of the landf slavery.

The nation ofIsrael certainly didn't bring itself out of Egypt! It was nonether than the Lord your God wh o did that. This is impor tant to stress at thisoint in light of what immediately follows: a restating of the Ten Command

ments. The Lord 's deliverance is a vital part of the basis for obedience to him.

I. LAWS REPEATED (DEUTERONOMY 5:7-9A, 11-13, 16-21)A. No OTHER GODS (v. 7)

"You shall have no other gods before me.This is an exclusive statement, since the people are commanded to ex

lude other gods from thoughts, actions, and worship. The pluralistic societye live in today doesn't like such statements. But it is just as valid today as it

was in Moses' day. WHAT Do You THINK?The fertility gods of Canaan will be a great temptation to Israel, as time will What are some "other

ell. Yet it is Yahweh wh o has "married" Israel (compare Ezekiel 16:8). This gods" that exist in society ovenant relationship is to be exclusive, as the marriage of one ma n an d on e today? in our own lives? How oman should be. This ideal is foundational to all the other rules of God. I t do we counteract these?uts very much against the cultural practices of Israel's day.

B. No IMAGES (w. 8, 9a), 9a. "Youshall not make for yourself an idol in the fonn ofanything ineaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bowown to them or worship them."

This, the Second Commandment, is a summary of what has already beenehearsed in the historical prologue of Deuteronomy. There Moses warns theeople against the idolatrous worship that is so prevalent in Egypt an d Caaan (see 4:9-24). The prohibition we see here includes attempts to present

Yahweh God in the form ofanything created.At some point in life, everyone becomes curious about what God "looks

ke." The answer is that the Creator doesn't look like anything that he has


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created. Cartoons often portray God as a kindly, white-haired old man.Such depictions violate this commandment.

C. No MISUSE OF THE NAME (v. 11)11. "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD willnot hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

This commandment is usually thought of in the context of the use of God's name in cursing. But the implications are much deeper in the original

historical and cultural context. The Law of Moses forbids using God's name

Visual for Lessons 5 &: for personal gain in terms of magical arts or divination (see Numbers 22-24).12. Be sure to have this vi To swear an oath by God's name is no t forbidden in and of itself (see Deutersual displayed as you beginthe Into the Word segmenton page 433.

onomy 6:13; 10:20), bu t the Israelites must not make false oaths in Yahweh'sname (see Leviticus 19:12). Today, we are sadly aware o f cases where televangelists have traded on the name of God to enrich themselves. This is a violation of this commandment. The ancient Hebrews became fearful to the pointthat they used the designation Adonai ("Lord") as a substitute for Yahweh's

I name, thinking that this would avoid the misuse of God's name. This prac tice did not solve the problem.

D. KEEP THE SABBATH D A Y HOLY (w. 12, 13)12, 13. "Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God hascommandedyou. Six days you shall labor and do all your work."

The word Sabbath means "ceasing." The Sabbath day has to be observedon the seventh day of every week in imitation of God's ceasing his labors

J from creating (see Exodus 20:11). While Exodus says to remember this dayfor reasons tied to God's original work in creation, Deuteronomy adds theidea of keeping the Sabbath because of the deliverance of Israel from slavery.This is creation in terms of forming the people of God (Deuteronomy 5: 15,no t in today's text). These two reasons complement one another and give fullforce to the importance of using one day a week for worship and rest. Thiscommandment puts the brakes on unending economic competition (com

WHAT Do You THINK? pare Nehemiah 13: 15-22). Observing this day of rest will provide neededrespite to people, beasts, and equipment.In what ways have you ap-

Some modem businesses run by Christians practice this rule by not open-plied to your life the Old Tes- ing for business on Sunday, the Christian worship day. A day of rest is still atament principle of regular,

good idea, bu t to insist that Sunday is a kind of "Christian Sabbath" for allscheduled periods of rest?believers would violate freedom in Christ (Romans 14:5; Colossians 2: 16).

Before moving on, we should observe that nine of the Ten Commandments always apply because they are based on the unchanging nature ofGod. One of the Ten Commandments-the one we are looking at here-isbased on the work of God. In the New Testament era, our focus is on God'swork of a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 17; Galatians 6: 15). ThusSabbath-keeping is no t in force for us. Ou r concern is no t primarily with theseventh day of the week, bu t with the first (Acts 20:7); this is the Lord's Day(Revelation 1: 10).

E. HONOR PARENTS (v. 16)16. "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has com-manded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in theland the LORD your God is giving you.


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SSON 5 431 JULY 5,2009

This commandment is vital to the continuity of the covenant. Children arehonor parents by heeding their teaching and looking after them in old age.

he apostle Paul notes that this is the first commandment that has a promiseached to i t - the promise that you may live long (see Ephesians 6:2). So imrtant is this rule to the social, economic, and spiritual strength of Israeliteciety that rebellious children in ancient Israel are to be put to death (seeeuteronomy 21: 18-21)! Today, we should take seriously our obligation to

ke care of aging parents (Mark 7:9-13; 1 Timothy 5:4). Practice of this rulell strengthen the fabric of the family, society, and the church.

Do N O T MURDER (v. 17). "You shall not murder.This prohibition is based on the fact that we are created in God's image

ee Genesis 1:26,27; 9:6). Murder is considered to be a capital crime incient Israel, meaning that it is punishable by death (see Exodus 21: 12;viticus 24:17; Numbers 35:30,31). Manslaughter has its own law (Deuteromy 19:4-6). Some students believe that support for capital punishmentay be found in the New Testament in Acts 25: 11 and Romans 13:4.

Do N O T COMMIT ADULTERY (v. 18). "You shall not commit adultery.Adultery is sexual relations between two adults where at least one is mard to someone else. Adultery strikes at the heart of the covenant relationip between man and wife, and it is considered a great sin in Israel. Sinceultery is so disruptive to the foundation of family, it is considered a capitalime (Leviticus 20: 10; Deuteronomy 22:23-27). The seriousness of adulteryseen in how this word is used figuratively to describe Israel's unfaithfulnessGod 0eremiah 3:6-9; Ezekiel 23). The prohibition against adultery contins in the New Testament (compare Matthew 5:27-30). The sad commentary

modem Western society is how often this rule is violated. The evil conseences have a ripple effect, as we know.

Do N O T STEAL (v. 19). "You shall not steal.Land and property in ancient Israel are to be considered God-given. Toal is to violate the owner as well as God who grants the property. Even

ngs are prohibited from misappropriating personal property (1 Kings 21). Ifmeone is caught stealing, restitution and a severe penalty are to be exactedee Exodus 22:1-13). Once again, the fabric of society rests on this rule.day, there seems to be no end to the imagination of those who steal. The

oblem involves not just property and possessions, but identities as well.entity theft can ruin reputations, credit ratings, etc.

Do N O T GIVE FALSE TESTIMONY (v. 20). "You shall not give false testimony againstyour neighbor.All societies must depend on the truthfulness of testimony for justice to bene in the courtroom. A p e ~ u r e r (one who lies under oath) is to suffer thenishment of the crime involved (see Deuteronomy 19: 16-21). At least twotnesses are required to establish the truth (19: 15). When justice is perrted in the courtroom, the result is a corrupt society.

WHAT Do You THINK?What are some practical

. ways we can honor our parents? How does (or should)the way we honor our parentschange as the years pass?

How TO SA Y ITAbraham. AY-bmh-ham.Adonai (Hebrew). Ad-owe-

NYE.

Amorites. AM-uh-rites.Beth Peor. Beth PEA-or.

Canaan. KAY-nun.Isaac. EYE-zuh..Jacob ..JAY-hub..Jericho ..JAIR-ih-co.Moab. MO-ab.Moses. MO-zes or MO-zez.Nebo. NEE-bo.patriarchs. PAY-tree-arhs.Sihon. SIGH-hun.

! Yahweh (Hebrew). YAH-weh.


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IULY 5, 2009 _ 432 ACCEPTING GOD'S RULES

PR4.YER

Father, may our look toIsrael's past help guide ourChlistian future. May yourTen Commandments teachus most ofall about you. InChlist's name. Amen.

i J Do NO T COVET (v. 21)21. "You shall not covetyour neighbor's wife. You shall not set your desire onyour neighbor's house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or don-key, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. "

Coveting is the unnatural and excessive desire for something. We couldsay that the Tenth Commandment treats the real cause for the violation ofall God's rules. By coveting another man's wife, King David illustrates how

that one sin can lead to adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11, 12). Althoughnot discussed in this commandment, it is even possible to covet one's ownpossessions; byJesus' day this led some people to dishonor their parents viathe Corban procedure, a way of skirring the Fifth Commandment (see Mark7:8-13).

We are to be content with what we have (Luke 3: 14; 1 Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 13:5). Covetousness is a sin of the mind that will lead to sins of the fleshif left unchecked.

INTENTThe latter portion of the Ten Commandments deals with human rel2.tionships.

We are all aware of how the Jews by Jesus' time had devised all sorts of ways to

violate the spirit of God's instructions while still seeming to keep the letter of thelaw (Matthew 23). It is easy enough to condemn those who did so, although thesame thing happens today, sometimes in very innovativeways.

Consider stealing for instance. One of the ways to appear to do good for ourneighbors is to donate a used vehicle to charity. In one such case, a 1990 Mercury was donated to charity, and its owner claimed its value was $2,915 for thetax write-off. The car brought $30 at auction. By the time the auctioneer was paidand other costs were taken care of, the charity actually lost $130! The U.S. government's GeneralAccountingOffice has discoverednumerous cases in which owners valued their cars at many times over the auction price.

This was an attempt to defraud the government via an u ~ i u s t i f i e d deduction

(compare Matthew22:21;

Romans 13:7).

We maytry

to rationalize our behaviorjust as theJews in ancient times did. But Godknows the motives of the heart.-c . R. B.

CONCLUSION

Any society that adheres to the principles of the Ten Commandments willexperience stability in various ways. Christians believe that these rules camefrom God himself to the people of God. Christ said, "Do not think that I havecome to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish thembut to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17). We must not substitute human traditions for God's good commands (Mark 7:8,9).

The aposde Paul stresses that we are under the system of grace, not the

system oflaw, for salvation (Romans 6: 14). But Paul also applies the FifthCommandment to all Christian parents and children (Ephesians 6:2, 3). Heproclaims boldly in Romans 13: 10 that "love is the fulfillment of the law";this statement follows his quotation of four of the Ten Commandments inRomans 13:9. Paul advises in Romans 7:7 that the law has made us knowledgeable about sin; as an example, he quotes the Tenth Commandment.Thus the Ten Commandments are by no means obsolete!

God has entered into a new covenant with his people through JesusChrist. Since Christ is the "end" (culmination) of the law (Romans 10:4), wenow continue the new covenant relationship with God by keeping the law


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LESSON 5

of Christ. This is a committed love for God and our neighbor (see Galatians6:2). By living in the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians fulfill the "righteousrequirements of the law"; the Ten Commandments help us not to "live according to the sinful nature" (Romans 8:4).

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER

Obeying God's rulespleases him.

Discovery LearningThe following is an alternative lesson plan emphasizing learning activities.Classes desiring such student involvement will find these suggestions helpful. At the

bach of this booh are reproducible student pages to further enhance activity learning.

INTO THE LESSON

Say, "Fireworks are used in celebrations, just asthey were used this week in the lJ.s. IndependenceDay observances. However, there are rules one mustfollow in using fireworks. What are some of those

rules?" Jot responses on the board. Then ask, "Whatare some possible consequences of breaking thoserules?" Write these responses on the board as well.

Make the transition to Bible study by saying,"Rules are made for our protection and for thegood of society. I t was God's concern for the wellbeing of his people that he issued the most famousset of rules in history."

Alternative introduction: Arrange chairs in closerows to simulate a bus. As students are seated, askthem to imagine they are riding in a bus traveling to

visit the state capital. However, the bus must passthrough a dangerous part of the city. Ask, "What aresome terrible things that might happen on this tour?"

Write answers on the board. Ask what law orrule has been made to help protect us from eachof the dangers mentioned. Make the transition toBible study by stating, "Laws or rules are usuallymade for our protection and security. A concern forprotection and security prompted God to issue themost famous set of laws recorded in history."

INTO THE WORDRead Deuteronomy 5: 1-6 aloud. Give a very

brief lecture from the Lesson Background that explains why the Ten Commandments were beingrepeated at that particular point in history.

Divide the class into 6 study teams of 2 to 4people each. For Teams #1 through #5, make thefollowing Scripture assignments: Team # 1, verses7-9a; Team #2, verses 11-13; Team #3 , verses 16,17; Team #4, verses 18, 19; and Team #5 , verses

20, 21. Give each team a photocopy of the page ofthe lesson commentary that applies to their verses.Note: for smaller classes, use fewer teams and assign more than two commandments to each.

Write on the board (or list on handouts) the fol

lowing tasks: 1. Read the Scriptures assigned andthe lesson commentary on those verses. 2. Explainand clarify the commandments for the class. 3.Give examples of how the commandments you arestudying may be broken in 2009.4. Rememberingthat rules are usually made for personal and societal benefit, explain how the commandments youare studying bless God's people in today's world.

As the teacher, make personal notes about theresponses to the third task. You will need thesenotes later in the lesson.

Give Team #6 a photocopy of the Conclusionin the commentary along with the following assignment: Your task is to read the printed text andthe copy of the lesson conclusion from the lessoncommentary. Be ready to explain briefly the relationship between the Ten Commandments and the newcovenant inJesus. As Teams #1 through #5 maketheir reports, write the commandments on the boardusing abbreviated headings similarto those used inthe lesson commentary outline (example: "HonorParents"). Then allow Team #6 to make its report.

INTO LIFEMem011zation Activity:Say, "Many believers

cannot list more than about five of the Ten Com:-mandments. We would like to do better! The firstfour commandments address our relationship withGod. The last six focus on our relationship witheach other."

Read through the list together as you refer tothe headings you wrote on the board. As you

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NIV Lesson 07-05-2009 (Accepting God's Rules)