Series: Knowing God by Name: The Power of God’s Names
Big Idea
The past several weeks, we have learned about the names of God through the experiences of Abraham, but this week, Pastor Mickles introduced us to Abraham’s descendants – The Children of Israel. God raised up Moses to lead them out of Egyptian slavery into their long-awaited Promised Land. Exodus 14 close with this summary of events: “Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord…” God had delivered His people and destroyed His enemies. However, Exodus 15:22 tells us that “Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.” They did not know it, but God was setting the stage to introduce Israel to a new name.
After three days in the wilderness with no water, “they came to Marah” (Exodus 15:23), a small water basin about 8 feet in diameter and only 2 feet in depth. The waters were so mineral-rich, it went from just being salty to being bitter. The people’s initial response was to complain. Their frustration showed up in mumbling their bitterness and resentment for God under their breath. This was a demonstration of their lack of trust in God. Moses, on the other hand, cried out to God, and God responded with a cure. God’s cure was two-fold: He would heal them emotional by giving His commandments, and their obedience to His commandments would lead to their physical healing (Exodus 15:26). To demonstrate this, God had Moses to throw a tree into the waters, and “the waters became sweet” (Exodus 15:25). God announces a new name for Himself – I, the Lord, am your Healer (Jehovah Rapha).
Discussion Questions
Have you ever found yourself in a frustrating situation? Did you complain? Why?
Recall the last time you cried out to God for direction. Did He give you direction? Instruction? A promise? How did things work out?
Prayer Focus
I bow before you today, O Lord, to acknowledge that You are the Lord who heals me. Heal me today – body, soul, and spirit. Make whatever is bitter in my life sweet by the finished work of Calvary’s tree. Transform my life to the end that you will be glorified in me.
Next Steps
We can find a reason to complain about anything. Take this challenge – every time you’re tempted to complain, turn your complaint into a prayer request. 1 Peter 5:7 says that you should be “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” If it’s enough to complain about, it’s enough to cry out to God about.
Want to Get Ahead?
Read and meditate on Exodus 17:8-16 in your devotional time this week.
Unit Theme: God Requires Justice Print Text: Malachi 2:1-9; 3:5, 6 Key Verse: Micah 2:2
Big Idea
Just as Nehemiah is the last of the historic writers, Malachi is the last of the prophetic writers. He is the last messenger of God until the coming of the Messiah. It is the connecting link between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment. The book can be seen as a miniature summary of the entire Old Testament, covering the five key truths: 1) the selection of Israel by God, 2) the transgression of Israel against God, 3) the manifestation of the Messiah, 4) the tribulation upon the nations, and 5) the purification of Israel at last.
This section of Malachi discusses the priesthood and its sin. They were taking the high calling God had given to them for granted and consequently carried out their temple service with contempt. Malachi 2:8 summarizes: “you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble…you have corrupted the covenant of Levi”. The prophet calls for their repentance and warns them of a curse on their blessings. Another way of saying this is that God rewards our obedience with blessings, but there are consequences for our disobedience. These consequences are designed to correct our behavior. Malachi lists four distinguishing marks of those who are true to their calling: 1) a proper relationship with God (reverence), 2) a personal commitment to the truth of God’s Word, 3) a pursuit of godly character, and 4) the preservation of knowledge (Malachi 2:5-7).
The good news of the lesson is that an opportunity to correct their course was available to these erring priests. This is a day of grace and mercy, and God has allowed us an opportunity to repent and return to Him. God does not change because He cannot change, and His faithfulness to His Word is why His people have not been destroyed.
Discussion Questions
Has ministry every seemed like a burden to you? What led to this feeling? How did you deal with it?
Prayer Focus
Father, keep us from handling sacred duties in such a way that we lose sight of You. Empower our church to remember our covenant with You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Next Steps
Malachi 3:6 introduces the doctrine of the immutability of God. This doctrine reminds us that God cannot change, for better or for worse. His attributes always remain consistent. This week, consider the attributes of God and how they have been made known to you. Take some to time to thank God for His consistency. Name each attribute (love, mercy, grace, faithfulness, etc.), and recall specific occurrences.
Want to Get Ahead?
Read and meditate on Isaiah 42:1-9 in your devotional time this week.
Series: Knowing God by Name: The Power of God’s Names
Big Idea
This week, Pastor Mickles introduced us to several names of God while discussing Abraham’s final test of faith. Abraham has been walking with God, now, for over half a century, and he’s learned a lot about God through His names. He has met El Elyon – the God Most High,El Shaddai, the God Almighty, and in Genesis 21, he met El Olam, the Everlasting God. Hagar has even met El Roi, the God who sees. And now God wants to introduce Abraham to Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide.
To introduce him to this name of God, Abraham’s faith was put to the test. It was almost as if God asked him, “If you could trust Me with your past, why won’t you trust Me with your future?” Abraham took Isaac, the son of promise, up Mt. Moriah to offer him to God as a burnt offering. However God showed up at the place of sacrifice to let Abraham know that He’d been at work in his past. God had already arranged for a ram to be caught in the thicket for Abraham’s sacrifice. God also let Abraham know that He was at work in his present by commending Abraham for his obedience, and that He was at work in his future by reminding Abraham of the many promises that were his because of his covenant relationship with God.
This entire narrative is a preview of coming attractions. Abraham was to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, the sacrifice for sin, on Mt. Moriah. Mt. Moriah would eventually become the site for Jerusalem. It is there that God would offer His Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for sin upon the cross of Calvary. For Abraham, God provided a ram, but for you and I, He provided Jesus, the Lamb of God slain for our sins.
Discussion Questions
Have you God ever asked you for something that you loved? Did you struggle with surrendering it to Him? Did you give it to Him in the end? Why? Why not?
Can you remember a time when walking by faith required extreme obedience? What did it cost? Was there a reward on the other side of your obedience? Did the reward make it worth it.
Prayer Focus
Lord, thank You for all that You provide for me. Thank you for all your blessings – for looking beyond my faults, seeing my needs, forgiving me, showing me brand new mercies, being faithful to Your Word, leading and guiding me each and every day.
Next Steps
God is always providing for us, often in ways we don’t even realize. This week, make a conscious effort to acknowledge His daily provision, and intentionally live in gratitude.
Want to Get Ahead?
Read and meditate on Exodus 17:8-16 in your devotional time this week.
Unit Theme: God Requires Justice Print Text: Micah 3:1-3, 9-12; 6:6-8 Key Verse: Micah 6:8
Big Idea
Micah was the “commoner” of the prophets who championed those who were wronged politically and religiously. He was from a small village about 20-25 miles southwest of Jerusalem, and for 42 years, he ministered in the city of Jerusalem under three kings – Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. While Hosea was preaching in the Northern Kingdom and Isaiah was preaching in the Southern Kingdom, Micah is the only prophet with a message for both kingdoms. Micah pulled no punches when he preached because he had been sent by God to call His people to practical righteousness. Micah lived to see one his prophecies come to pass in the fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria, but it would take over 100 years for the Southern Kingdom to fall at the hands of Babylon. In Jeremiah 26:18, the ministry of Micah is used to confirm the prophecy of Jeremiah.
One of the special features of Micah is the use of a special literary form called “the divine covenant lawsuit”, which has all of the elements of a legal proceeding. The charge against the people of God in this section is that the leaders (the politicians, the priests, and the prophets) had betrayed the trust of the people and were actively seeking to oppress those of the lower class. Micah illustrates this betrayal with a shepherd who attacks his sheep rather than protects them. To make matters worse, these leaders were using their theology to justify their political behavior. They held to a doctrine known as “the inviolability of Zion”, which held that Jerusalem was unable to be destroyed because the earthly throne of God was located in the temple there. However, the coming destruction of Jerusalem could be traced to their inequity as leaders. When the opportunity for their defense finally comes, these wicked leaders attempt to buy their way out of God’s judgment. Still Micah responds that doing penance does not replace genuine repentance.
Discussion Questions
Are there any similarities between this ancient text and our contemporary times? Are there any similarities between the unjust leaders of Micah’s day and our day? How will this inform your prayers?
Prayer Focus
Lord, have mercy upon those who love what is evil and hate what is good. Turn our hearts toward justice and mercy. Help us to walk before You with genuine faith and humility. Give us the courage to stand with the oppressed and to lend our voices to those who cannot speak for themselves.
Next Steps
Micah 6:8 (NCV) says “The Lord…has told you what He wants from you: to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God.” These are not individual activities to pursue, but a formula for living out practical righteousness. This week, make a conscious effort to randomly be kind to someone who cannot repay you. Don’t tell anyone about it…but God.
Want to Get Ahead?
Read and meditate on Malachi 2:1-9; 3:5-6 in your devotional time this week.
