Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary

SS25-Q1-L1-God’s Love Freely

December 28-January 3, 2024

Sabbath Afternoon–December 28, 2024

Scripture Reading for the Week:

Exod. 33:15-22; Hosea 14:1-4; Rev. 4:11; John 17:24; Matt. 22:1-14; John 10:17, 18.

Thought for Meditation

All who enter the City of God will enter through the strait gate--by agonizing effort; for "there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth." Revelation 21:27. But none who have fallen need give up to despair. Aged men, once honored of God, may have defiled their souls, sacrificing virtue on the altar of lust; but if they repent, forsake sin, and turn to God, there is still hope for them. He who declares, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life," also gives the invitation, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Revelation 2:10; Isaiah 55:7. God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. "I will heal their backsliding," He declares; "I will love them freely." Hosea 14:4. {PK 84.1}

Memory Verse

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. {Hosea 14:4}

a 14:4}

"This week's Sabbath School lesson will deepen our appreciation of God’s unconditional love as revealed in the Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy. This study seeks to encourage a response to God's love through a life of faith, surrender, and service.

Outline of the Study

God’s Unconditional Love: Can God’s Love be Measured?

Sunday-December 29, 2024

God wants everyone to be saved - Beyond What is Expected

Exodus 33:15-22

Monday-December 30, 2024

Urequited Love - A Complete Surrender

Hos. 1:2; Hosea 14:1-4

Does God need to show and receive love?

Tuesday-December 31, 2024

Love Freely Given - God Loves Freely

Acts 17:25 ; Revelation 4:11 ; Psalm 33:6 ; John 17:24 ; Heb. 1:3.

Wednesday-January 1, 2024

To love without expecting a response - Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen

Matthew 22:1-14.

Can we reject God's love?

Thursday-January 2, 2025

Our choice - Crucified for Us

Matt. 22:3 ; Matt. 23:37 ; John 10:17, 18 ; Galatians 2:20 ; Romans 16:25.

Friday-January 3, 2024

Insights and Further Study

From the Pen of Inspiration

Points to Ponder Upon

God’s Unconditional Love: Can God’s Love be Measured?

Sunday-December 29, 2024

God wants everyone to be saved - Beyond What is Expected

Scripture Focus: Exodus 33:15-22

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. {Exo. 33:19}

Insights from Ellen G. White:

"God is love." This divine attribute is the foundation of His dealings with humanity.

The word of God reveals His character. He Himself has declared His infinite love and pity. When Moses prayed, "Show me Thy glory," the Lord answered, "I will make all My goodness pass before thee." Exodus 33:18, 19. This is His glory. The Lord passed before Moses, and proclaimed, "The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin." Exodus 34:6, 7. He is "slow to anger, and of great kindness," "because He delighteth in mercy." Jonah 4:2; Micah 7:18. (Steps to Christ, p. 10)

The revelation of God’s glory to Moses on Mount Sinai underscores His mercy and compassion.

God’s glory, His character, reveals His commitment to redeeming humanity.
The Exodus account illustrates God’s willingness to manifest His presence to those who seek Him.

Consider the Following

❖ Beyond what is expected.

— Read out of context, some Bible verses can give us the impression that God's love is capricious, that He loves only when He feels like doing so (Ex. 33:19).

— But let’s look at the whole story. God has brought Israel out of Egypt with great miracles. He has spoken to them personally from Sinai and asked them to make Him their only God. A few days later they build themselves a golden calf and say, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt!” (Ex. 32:8). God tells Moses what the people deserve: death (Ex. 32:9-10).

— Moses pleads for mercy that the people do not deserve (Ex. 32:11–13, 30–33). In this context, God assures Moses that he “desires” to have mercy on Israel (Ex. 33:19). God’s love does not follow the logic of cause and effect. His love is immeasurable; it is constant and inexhaustible. He freely bestows grace, mercy, and compassion even on those who are unworthy of it.

Monday-December 30, 2024

Urequited Love - A Complete Surrender

Scripture Focus: Hos. 1:2; Hosea 14:1-4

“…the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20b)

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}

1. Here we see that Hosea’s wife and children were visionary. This analogy was used by God to portray His people, Judah and Israel in an idolatrous state. 1Cor. 6:16; 2Cor. 6:14

2. God would not literally have His prophet marry harlots. See Lev. 21:7, 14

For a deeper study, please visit these sites:

Meat In Due Season - 7. Old and New Testament Church History Depicted by One Family

Present Truth Lessons 2020 - Lesson 19: From Children to Mother

Insights from Ellen G. White:

"The heart of infinite love yearns after those who feel powerless to break from the snare of the enemy."

Yet his condition is not hopeless. God does not control our minds without our consent; but every man is free to choose what power he will have to rule over him. None have fallen so low, none are so vile, but that they may find deliverance in Christ. The demoniac, in place of prayer, could utter only the words of Satan; yet the heart's unspoken appeal was heard. No cry from a soul in need, though it fail of utterance in words, will be unheeded. Those who consent to enter into covenant with God are not left to the power of Satan or to the infirmity of their own nature. "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? . . . Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children." Isaiah 49:24, 25. Marvelous will be the transformation wrought in him who by faith opens the door of the heart to the Saviour. {MH 93.1-3} (The Ministry of Healing, p. 93)

Hosea’s prophetic message emphasizes God’s readiness to restore His people despite their unfaithfulness.

God’s plea to Israel reflects His ongoing desire for a covenant relationship with His people.
The complete surrender of Israel’s heart is central to experiencing the fullness of His blessings.

Consider the Following

A complete surrender.

— On the Cross – the ultimate demonstration of God’s love – we see that Christ gave himself for us of his own free will and initiative. No one took his life, but he offered it voluntarily, following the Plan of Redemption agreed upon in Heaven before the foundation of the world (Jn. 10:17-18; 1P. 1:18-20).

— How far can our love go? To the point of giving our life for someone we love, and ardently wish to keep living?

Would we do it for a complete stranger, or for someone who hates us?

— God loved us when we wanted nothing to do with Him, and He still loves those who hate Him (Rom. 5:6-8).

Does God need to show and receive love?

Tuesday-December 31, 2024

Love Freely Given - God Loves Freely

Scripture Focus: Acts 17:25 ; Revelation 4:11 ; Psalm 33:6 ; John 17:24 ; Heb. 1:3.

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4)

Insights from Ellen G. White:

"Love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened."

The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. That the gloomy shadows might be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God, Satan's deceptive power was to be broken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God's government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one Being in all the universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world's dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, "with healing in His wings." Malachi 4:2. {DA 22.1} (The Desire of Ages, p. 22)

God’s acts of creation and redemption are expressions of His selfless love.

God’s love is independent of human response; He loves because it is His nature to do so.
His desire for relationship with humanity is driven by His character of self-giving love.

Consider the Following

❖ God loves freely.

— The story of Hosea shows us what God's love is like. Despite his wife's infidelity, Hosea forgave her time and time again, and continued to love her.

— Hosea represents God, and his unfaithful wife represents God’s people. Despite our continued sin and estrangement from God, He continues to love us “freely” (Hos. 14:4). What does that expression mean?

— The Hebrew word, nedabah , describes that which is offered voluntarily (such as voluntary offerings).

— God bestows his love, even though he receives nothing in return. What a contrast to our selfish nature! What will be your response to this voluntary and selfless love?

Wednesday-January 1, 2024

To love without expecting a response - Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen

Scripture Focus: Matthew 22:1-14.

“I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it” (Psalm 50:11-12)

Insights from Ellen G. White:

"The gospel invitation is not to be treated lightly or with indifference."
In both parables the feast is provided with guests, but the second shows that there is a preparation to be made by all who attend the feast. Those who neglect this preparation are cast out. "The king came in to see the guests," and "saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment; and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." {COL 308.1} (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 308)
God’s grace extends to all, yet the decision to accept it rests with each individual.

The parable of the wedding feast illustrates God’s relentless pursuit of His people despite their frequent rejection.
Few are chosen because only a few fully commit to the invitation.

Consider the Following

To love without expecting a response.

— Did God need to create this world to be loved, honored and worshiped?

— God needs nothing from us (Acts 17:25; Ps. 50:11-12). In fact, how many of us even recognize that everything we have, including our very lives, is a gift from God? How many of us today praise and thank Him for it?

— Divine love existed eternally before the creation of the universe (John 17:24). Consequently, the creation of the world was not a necessity for the existence of God's love. On the contrary, Creation was a voluntary divine activity that resulted from the freedom of His eternal and overflowing love.

— God is love, and He loves without expecting a response. He loves those who respond to His love, and those who reject it. He loves so much that He has done everything possible so that His Creation, His children, can share with Him a life of eternal happiness.

Can we reject God's love?

Thursday-January 2, 2025

Our choice - Crucified for Us

Scripture Focus: Matt. 22:3 ; Matt. 23:37 ; John 10:17, 18 ; Galatians 2:20 ; Romans 16:25.

“For many are invited, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14)

Insights from Ellen G. White:

"It is the love of God that constrains us."

Supreme love for God and unselfish love for one another--this is the best gift that our heavenly Father can bestow. This love is not an impulse, but a divine principle, a permanent power. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it. Only in the heart where Jesus reigns is it found. "We love Him, because He first loved us." In the heart renewed by divine grace, love is the ruling principle of action. It modifies the character, governs the impulses, controls the passions, and ennobles the affections. This love, cherished in the soul, sweetens the life and sheds a refining influence on all around. {AA 551.2} (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 551)

Christ’s sacrifice demonstrates the lengths God will go to win our hearts.

God’s love can be rejected, but He continually reaches out to humanity.
The power of choice highlights the importance of personal accountability in salvation.

Consider the Following

Our choice.

— A king prepares his son's wedding, but the guests reject the invitation. Others are invited and accept, but even among these there are those who do not follow protocol and are expelled (Mt. 22:1-13).

— Jesus' application of this parable has led some to believe that God chooses in advance who will be saved and who will not (Mt. 22:14). This would imply that God bestows his love on some, but withholds it from others.

— The original text emphasizes the invitation and not the election: “Many are INVITED, and few ACCEPT THE INVITATION .”

— God has chosen all of us because He loves us all

(Jn. 3:16). It is not God's choice, but our response to His invitation, that determines our destiny.

Friday-January 3, 2024

Insights and Further Study

Satan deceives many with the plausible theory that since God’s love for His people is so great, He will excuse sin in them; that while the threatenings of God’s Word are to serve a certain purpose in His moral government, they are never to be literally fulfilled. But in His dealings with His creatures, God has maintained the principles of righteousness by revealing sin in its true character—by demonstrating that its sure result is misery and death. The unconditional pardon of sin never has been and never will be. Such pardon would show the abandonment of the principles of righteousness that are the very foundation of the government of God. . . . {CTr 139.4}

From the Pen of Inspiration

“The world had lost the original pattern of goodness, and had sunk into universal apostasy and moral corruption; and the life of Jesus was one of laborious, self-denying effort to bring man back to his first estate by imbuing him with the spirit of divine benevolence and unselfish love. While in the world, he was not of the world. It was a continual pain to him to be brought in contact with the enmity, depravity, and impurity which Satan had brought in; but he had a work to do to bring man into harmony with the divine plan, and earth in connection with Heaven, and he counted no sacrifice too great for the accomplishment of the object.” EGW (Testimonies for the Church, volume 5, page 177)

Reflection Questions:

How does the manifestation of God’s glory inspire trust in His love?
In what ways can we reflect God’s love to others?
What does it mean to surrender completely to God?
How do we respond to God’s persistent call to return to Him?
How does understanding God’s self-sufficient love impact our view of Him?
In what ways can we reflect God’s love to the world?
How do we balance God’s call with our response?
What can we learn about God’s patience and persistence?
What does rejecting God’s love look like in practical terms?
How can we ensure that we remain responsive to God’s love?

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