5. Extreme Heat - July 23-29
Sabbath afternoon
Prayer Thought
"But to-day mercy pleads with the sinner. 'As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?' The voice that speaks to the impenitent to-day is the voice of Him who in heart-anguish exclaimed as He beheld the city of His love: 'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her own brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate!' In Jerusalem, Jesus beheld a symbol of the world that had rejected and despised His grace. He was weeping, O stubborn heart, for you! Even when Jesus' tears were shed upon the mount, Jerusalem might yet have repented, and escaped her doom. For a little space the Gift of heaven still waited her acceptance. So, O heart, to you Christ is still speaking in accents of love: 'Behold I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.' 'Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.'" MB 217.1, {1TG47: 12.2}
Memory Text
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10
Please visit this link for the Memory Verses Songs {click or copy-paste to your browser} https://youtu.be/seV6Fv7sxDY
This week's SS Lesson will dive into the reality of fiery trials which is a part of life as crucibles molding a holy and sanctified being serving the Lord. By looking at the examples of those who had been tested, we will glean principles on how to face extreme heat of trials and difficulties. It also includes the successes of God’s people as they face crucibles and become victorious in their spiritual journey.
A Vow unto the Lord your God
"'And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of lsrael, saying, This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded. If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.' (Num. 30:1, 2.) 'Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?' (Eccl. 5:6.) 'I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings; I will pay thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.' (Ps. 66:13, 14). 'It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.' (Prov. 20:25). 'When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it; for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a free-will offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.' (Deut. 23:21-23).
"'Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God; let all that be round about Him bring presents unto Him that ought to be feared.' (Ps. 76:11). 'But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the Lord is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even His meat, is contemptible. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord. But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing; for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and My name is dreadful among the heathen.' (Mal. 1:12-14.)"--"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 4, pp. 467-471.
Outline of the Study
Subjected to extreme heat
Sunday: The Crucible of Abraham {Abraham in the Crucible} Genesis 22; John 8:56
Monday: The Crucible of Israel {Wayward Israel} Hos. 2:1-12, 14-23
Tuesday: The Crucible of Job {Surviving Through Worship} Job 1:6-2:10
Surviving the extreme heat
Wednesday: Comfort {Surviving Through Hope} 2Cor. 1:3-11; 11:23-29;' Heb. 4:15
Thursday: The presence of God {Extreme Heat} 1Cor. 4:5; 13:12; Isa 43:1-7; Ps. 103:13, 14; Matt. 28:20; 1Cor. 10:13; 1Pet 1:7
Friday: The Further Study and Meditation
Subjected to extreme heat
Sunday: The Crucible of Abraham {Abraham in the Crucible} Genesis 22; John 8:56
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only [son] Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. (Genesis 22:2)
Abraham Clung to the Promise of a Son
In a vision of the night, in his home in Beersheba, when he was one hundred and twenty years old, Abraham received the startling command, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” His son, his only son, the son of promise, to be sacrificed. There was no more sleep for Abraham that night. . . . God had promised him that his name was to be perpetuated in Isaac, but here was a severe trial of his faith. Abraham had clung to the promise of a son from his own wife Sarah, and God had fulfilled His promise. . . . He left Ishmael out of the question, saying, “Thine only son, Isaac.”. . . {CTr 83.2}
Certified Obedience to God
Abraham certified his obedience to God when, with Isaac by his side, he journeyed on his way in response to the command, "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering . . ." (Genesis 22:2). Job was permitted to suffer; he was severely tempted; but he would not speak one word against God. During Christ's life on earth the scribes and Pharisees, instigated by Satan, tempted Him in every possible way. But He never allowed these temptations to lead Him from the path of obedience. . . . {HP 251.4}
Supreme Test of Faith
Abraham did not disbelieve God and hesitate, but early in the morning he took two of his servants and Isaac, his son, and the wood for the burnt offering, and went unto the place of which God had told him. . . . Abraham did not suffer paternal feelings to control him and lead him to rebel against God. The command of God was calculated to stir the depths of his soul. "Take now thy son." Then, as though to probe the heart a little deeper, He added, "Thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest"; that is, the only son of promise, "and offer him." ... {RC 325.3}
Three days this father traveled with his son, having sufficient time to reason and doubt God if he was disposed to doubt. But he did not distrust God.... {RC 325.4}
Abraham believed that Isaac was the son of promise. He also believed that God meant just what He said when He bade him to go offer him as a burnt offering. He ... believed that God who had in His providence given Sarah a son in her old age, and who had required him to take that son's life, could also ... bring up Isaac from the dead. {RC 325.5}
Consider the Following
If we didn’t know the end of this story, it may seem that God’s request is irrational and capricious (Genesis 22:2).
The Bible clearly states that this was a test from God (Hebrews 11:17). Was Abraham supposed to prove something? Or was it a demonstration for the heavenly beings? Or was God just trying to teach Abraham a lesson?
Certainly, Abraham knew God’s voice and obeyed Him by faith. He learnt more about His love and salvation (Genesis 22:1, 3, 5; Hebrews 11:19; John 8:56).
Zeal for the Advancement of God's Kingdom
All our activities, all our business arrangements, should be in perfect accord with the Lord's commands. The laws of God's kingdom must be obeyed by the subjects of that kingdom. Our zeal for the advancement of God's kingdom is to mark us as faithful subjects of the cross of Christ. God can trust as His representatives those who implicitly obey Him. [Colossians 1:14-23, quoted.] {20MR 26.5}
This is a representation of the work that God expects to see accomplished as the result of all missionary effort. "According to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you," Paul continues, "to fulfil the word of God." [Colossians 1:26-29, quoted.] {20MR 26.6}
I call upon the workers in every line of God's cause to ask themselves if they are meeting these specifications. We may show much activity, but it will be of no avail unless our forces are wisely directed to the accomplishment of successful results. {20MR 26.7}
Monday: The Crucible of Israel {Wayward Israel} Hos. 2:1-12, 14-23
The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, [departing] from the LORD. (Hosea 1:2)
A Visionary Family - the Wayward Church
We immediately see that this wife and these children symbolize God's people departing from Him, and that such a wicked act, He calls whoredom.
Hos. 2:1 -- "Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah."
Here we see that the names of the two children of chapter 1 are again mentioned, but the first two letters of each name have been dropped:
Lo-ruhamah has become Ruhamah, and Lo-Ammi has become Ammi. Now the fact that these are the brother and sister of Jezreel, bears out the truth that the one whom the Lord commands to speak to them, is Jezreel, the first-born of the three. He is to deliver the message to his brethren, Ammi and Ruhamah. {2TG6: 17.5}
Now, what is it all about? -- It is not too difficult to see. The one to whom God speaks, Jezreel, represents a prophet. His brother and sister, Ammi and Ruhamah, can only represent the church membership, both male and female. In actuality Jezreel must deliver God's message to them. And here is the message: {2TG6: 18.1}
Hos. 2:2 -- The fact that God Himself calls the prophet Hosea's visionary wife His own wife, reveals that she represents the church, that Hosea represents God, and that while Jezreel represents the mouthpiece of God, Ammi and Ruhamah represent the church membership. In childhood (Hosea 1), they represent the Old Testament church, the Hebrews, but in their youth, having their names altered, (Hosea 2), they represent the New Testament church, the Christians. {2TG6: 18.2}
Now that the laity, at the command of God are through a prophet to plead with the church, therefore, the reformation here called forth is sponsored by Inspiration and carried out by the laity. It is the long expected revival and reformation to the Laodiceans, and hence a layman's movement called forth by the revived Spirit of Prophecy. From this prophecy, you see, the Denomination is by God Himself charged with "whoredom," with having illicit connections with the world. This lewdness she must give up if she is to obtain favor with God. {2TG6: 18.3}
These are not man's words, you understand, but God's. And should we not be grateful that He is doing everything He can to save us? The church must repent, says the Lord: {2TG6: 19.1}
Hos. 2:3 -- The Denomination often boasts of gain in membership (children), but God charges that those whom she brings in are illegitimate children! And how could it be otherwise if the church herself is corrupted with the world? What else could her converts be? What would free them from the worldly influences, if she (the ministry), is herself tainted with the practices of the world? Indeed her converts cannot be lawful children. {2TG6: 19.2}
Hos. 2:5 -- The church has gone after the world because she mistakenly thinks that her support comes from worldlings, from her "lovers." {2TG6: 19.3}
Hos. 2:6 -- Here we see that the church proposes, but that God disposes; her plans do not work out as expected -- she loses her way as does a ship without chart or compass drifting at sea. {2TG6: 20.1}
Hos. 2:7 -- Again we see that trials and adverse circumstances are for our good, for thus is the church brought to her right senses. {2TG6: 20.2}
Hos. 2:8-12 -- From these verses we see that it was just such a departure from God that caused the church in her early Christian era to lose her path and all her possessions, including her feast days, her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts. {2TG6: 20.3}
This is exactly what happened when the "Dark Ages" of religion began. The Pagans in whose clutches the church fell were no more to blame for the church's going into darkness than were the Chaldeans of destroying Judah and her temple. The real blame falls on the church herself. And this should be a lasting lesson to each of us, that we should never again have illicit connection with the world, should never depart from the Lord. {2TG6: 21.1}
Consider the Following
The kingdom of Israel had left God and were worshipping other gods. Thus, God allowed them to go through several trials:
(1) Hosea 2:3. He sent them drought
(2) Hosea 2:5-6. He surrounded them with “thorns,” hardships
(3) Hosea 2:9. He took away the grain, wool, and linen that they offered to the Baals
(4) Hosea 2:11. If they didn’t change, He would stop any reason for joy
God’s intention with them is the same as today. He wants us to acknowledge that He loves us and blesses us, and that we can be joyful only if we stay by His side.
For deeper study on this subject please copy-paste to your browser or click this link to navigate into the study:
Meat In Due Season - 7. Old and New Testament Church History Depicted by One Family (google.com)
Tuesday: The Crucible of Job {Surviving Through Worship} Job 1:6-2:10
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. (Job 1:20-21)
The World is the Scene of Trials, Griefs and Sorrows
This world is the scene of our trials, our griefs, our sorrows. We are here to bear the test of God. The fire of the furnace is to kindle till our dross is consumed and we come forth as gold purified in the furnace of affliction. . . . Light will come out of this darkness which to you at times seems incomprehensible. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). Let this be the language of your heart. The cloud of mercy is hovering over your head even in the darkest hour. God's benefits to us are as numerous as the drops of rain falling from the clouds upon the parched earth to water and refresh it. The mercy of God is over you. {HP 272.3}
The Hand of Faith Lays Hold Upon the Hand of Infinite Power
"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Romans 8:11). O how precious are these words to every bereaved soul! Christ is our Guide and Comforter, who comforts us in all our tribulations. When He gives us a bitter draught to drink, He also holds a cup of blessing to our lips. He fills the heart with submission, with joy and peace in believing, and enables us to say submissively, Not my will, but Thy will, O Lord, be done. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). With this submission hope is resurrected, and the hand of faith lays hold upon the hand of infinite power. "He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Romans 8:11). {2SM 270.3}
Those who Believe in Jesus, Their Life is Hid With Christ in God
The very bodies that are sown in corruption will be raised in incorruption. That which is sown in dishonor will be raised in glory; sown in weakness, it will be raised in power; sown a natural body, it will be raised a spiritual body. The mortal bodies are quickened by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. {2SM 270.4}
Christ claims all those as His who have believed in His name. The vitalizing power of the Spirit of Christ dwelling in the mortal body binds every believing soul to Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Jesus are sacred to His heart; for their life is hid with Christ in God. The command will come from the Life-giver, "Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead" (Isaiah 26:19). {2SM 271.1}
Consider the Following
By calling Satan’s attention to Job, God triggered and allowed a series of disastrous events (Job 1:8-12).
Why did God trigger such suffering? Is He being fair by allowing Satan to cause so much evil? Is this a unique case, or could God do the same to us?
We may respond to a situation like this in two ways: becoming bitter and rejecting God, or strongly clinging to Him. Job’s response was worship. How did he worship (Job 1:20-21)?
(1) “Naked I came … and naked shall I return”: He accepted that he wasn’t entitled to anything
(2) “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away”: He acknowledged that God was in control of his life
(3) “Blessed be the name of the Lord”: He reinforced his faith with God’s righteousness
Stand Fast in His Strength, There is Rest for the Weary
The Lord loves you, my dear brother. He loves you. "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed" (Isaiah 54:10). "All things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28). Could your eyes be opened, you would see your heavenly Father bending over you in love and could you hear His voice, it would be in tones of compassion to you who are prostrate with suffering and affliction. Stand fast in His strength; there is rest for you, the weary.--Letter 71, Dec. 5, 1878, to J. N. Andrews. {TDG 348.4}
Surviving the extreme heat
Wednesday: Comfort {Surviving Through Hope} 2Cor. 1:3-11; 11:23-29;' Heb. 4:15
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Corinthians 1:4)
Assurance of Union With Christ
How precious in time of need is the assurance of union with Jesus! ... We can say. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation?"--No, for this makes us feel that Christ alone is our refuge, and we flee to Him for shelter. "Or distress?"--No, for He is our consolation. "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort: who comforteth us in all our tribulation. . . ." 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4. {OHC 320.2}
Consolation and Salvation Aboundeth and is Effectual as Our Hope Steadfast
But now one cause of anxiety was removed. At the tidings of the acceptance of his letter to the Corinthians, Paul broke forth into words of rejoicing: "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation." {AA 325.2}
Clung Closer to God's Protecting Love
Those who have borne the greatest sorrows are frequently the ones who carry the greatest comfort to others, bringing sunshine wherever they go. Such ones have been chastened and sweetened by their afflictions; they did not lose confidence in God when trouble assailed them, but clung closer to His protecting love. Such ones are living proof of the tender care of God, who makes the darkness as well as the light and chastens us for our good. Christ is the light of the world; in Him is no darkness. Precious light! Let us live in that light! Bid adieu to sadness and repining. Rejoice in the Lord always. {AG 122.3}
Consider the Following
Paul faced many harsh situations with the certainty that God could deliver him (2 Corinthians 1:10), and that the Church would be praying for him (2 Corinthians 1:11).
He was sure that suffering helped him to trust himself less and trust God more (2 Corinthians 1:9).
He felt comforted by God in those trials. He knew that would help us to comfort others in their tribulations (2 Corinthians 1:4).
Thursday: The Presence of God {Extreme Heat} 1Cor. 4:5; 13:12; Isa 43:1-7; Ps. 103:13, 14; Matt. 28:20; 1Cor. 10:13; 1Pet 1:7
When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isaiah 43:2)
Determined Not to Know Anything... Save Christ, and Him Crucified
As Paul searched the Scriptures, he learned that throughout the ages "not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29. And so, viewing the wisdom of the world in the light of the cross, Paul "determined not to know anything, . . . save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2. {AA 127.2}
Sanctified Life Becomes Consecrated Channels Through Whom He can Work
"This is the will of God" concerning you, "even your sanctification." 1 Thessalonians 4:3.
The greatest praise that men can bring to God is to become consecrated channels through whom He can work. Time is rapidly passing into eternity. Let us not keep back from God that which is His own. Let us not refuse Him that which, though it cannot be given with merit, cannot be denied without ruin. He asks for a whole heart; give it to Him; it is His, both by creation and by redemption. He asks for your intellect; give it to Him; it is His. He asks for your money; give it to Him; it is His. "Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price." 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. God requires the homage of a sanctified soul, which has prepared itself, by the exercise of the faith that works by love, to serve Him. He holds up before us the highest ideal, even perfection. He asks us to be absolutely and completely for Him in this world as He is for us in the presence of God. {AA 566.1}
How to Be Kept From Straying
I speak to our people. If you draw close to Jesus and seek to adorn your profession by a well-ordered life and godly conversation, your feet will be kept from straying into forbidden paths. If you will only watch, continually watch unto prayer, if you will do everything as if you were in the immediate presence of God, you will be saved from yielding to temptation and may hope to be kept pure, spotless, and undefiled till the last. If you hold the beginning of your confidence firm unto the end, your ways will be established in God; and what grace has begun, glory will crown in the kingdom of our God. The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. If Christ be within us, we shall crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts. {AH 338.2}
Consider the Following
The fact that God exposes us to extreme heat may move us to doubt His fair and loving character. We must not doubt God’s motivation (even if we don’t understand it), love (Psalm 103:13), protection, and care (1 Corinthians 10:13).
No matter the trials we face, He has promised: “I will be with you” (Isaiah 43:2).
In summary:
Why does God expose us to extreme heat?
God doesn’t want to destroy us, but to refine us from our sin
He doesn’t want us to suffer, but to grow and to become purer
He will never leave us, but He will take care of us
Friday: The Further Study and Meditation
Those who hold fast their faith unto the end will come forth from the furnace of trial as fine gold seven times purified. . . . When in trouble, remember that faith tried in the furnace of affliction is more precious than gold tried with fire. . . . {CTr 199.4}
Only those who practice holiness in this life will see the King in His beauty. Put away all vain, trifling talk, and everything of a frivolous and sensational nature. Do not engross your mind with thoughts of worldly entertainments and pleasures. Engage in the work of saving your soul. If you should lose your soul, it would have been better for you never to have been born. But you need not lose your soul. You may use every moment of this God-given life to His name’s glory. Strengthen yourself to resist the powers of darkness, that they shall not obtain a victory over you.—Manuscript 110, 1901 (Sermons and Talks, vol. 2, pp. 174-176). {CTr 199.6}
Questions to Ponder
1. Why is there a need for extreme heat to see Jesus in faith and misunderstood His plan to know Him and be in love with Him?
2. What are the reasons why God demanded Abraham to offer his son while He knew everything and all things are possible to Him?
3. What role do Ruhamah and Ammi have for their mother (the Ministry)? And who tells them what to do?
4. In Tuesday's lesson, what's the purpose of God's permission for Satan to tempt Job? And how does Job respond?
5. To what extent does God allow suffering to strike where it becomes a ministry in disguise? How can we perceive it?
6. What lesson does God's judgment through water and fire implicates and how does He assure His people of deliverance?
7. Based on the passage above {CTr 199.6}, What responsibility does God bestow on everyone to do in facing extreme heat of trials and sufferings?
From the Pen of Inspiration
“Those who have borne the greatest sorrows are frequently the ones who carry the greatest comfort to others, bringing sunshine wherever they go. Such ones have been chastened and sweetened by their afflictions; they did not lose confidence in God when trouble assailed them, but clung closer to His protecting love. Such ones are living proof of the tender care of God.” E. G. W. (God’s Amazing Grace, April 24)
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