Sunday
September 18
1. A LESSON FROM ISRAEL IN THE WILDERNESS
a. In connection with building the tabernacle, what two names should we always bear in mind? Hebrews 3:1, 2; 1 Corinthians 10:1–4; Acts 7:44.
“Moses was the prophet by whom God communicated to the church in the wilderness; but great as was Moses, a greater than he is the Son of God, who builded the house.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 927.
b. How did the invisible Leader of Israel enshroud His presence? Nehemiah 9:12.
“The presence of Jesus Christ, enshrouded in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, followed this people [Israel] in their wilderness wandering. The Angel of the covenant came in the name of God, as the invisible leader of Israel. The Son of God over His own house is higher than Moses, higher than the highest angel.”—Ibid., pp. 927, 928.
Monday
September 19
2. TWO FAITHFUL BUILDERS
a. How does the Bible emphasize the faithfulness of Moses? Numbers 12:7; Hebrews 3:5.
“Success in this life, success in gaining the future life, depends upon a faithful, conscientious attention to the little things. Perfection is seen in the least, no less than in the greatest, of the works of God. The hand that hung the worlds in space is the hand that wrought with delicate skill the lilies of the field. And as God is perfect in His sphere, so we are to be perfect in ours. The symmetrical structure of a strong, beautiful character is built up by individual acts of duty. And faithfulness should characterize our life in the least as well as in the greatest of its details. Integrity in little things, the performance of little acts of fidelity and little deeds of kindness, will gladden the path of life; and when our work on earth is ended, it will be found that every one of the little duties faithfully performed has exerted an influence for good—an influence that can never perish.”—Patriarch and Prophets, p. 574.
b. Explain how the children of Israel and Moses completed the building of the house (the tabernacle) in the wilderness. Exodus 39:43; 40:33–35.
“A period of about half a year was occupied in the building of the tabernacle. When it was completed, Moses examined all the work of the builders, comparing it with the pattern shown him in the mount and the directions he had received from God. ‘As the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them’ (Exodus 39:43). With eager interest the multitudes of Israel crowded around to look upon the sacred structure. While they were contemplating the scene with reverent satisfaction, the pillar of cloud floated over the sanctuary and, descending, enveloped it.”—Ibid., p. 349.
c. While Jesus was on earth, how did He emphasize His faithfulness in doing the work that was entrusted to Him? John 5:19, 36; 17:4.
Tuesday
September 20
3. THE TABERNACLE—A TYPE OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
a. How are we to build on the only sure foundation? Isaiah 28:16; Luke 6:47, 48; 11:28.
“We build on Christ by obeying His word. It is not he who merely enjoys righteousness, that is righteous, but he who does righteousness. Holiness is not rapture; it is the result of surrendering all to God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father. When the children of Israel were encamped on the borders of the Promised Land, it was not enough for them to have a knowledge of Canaan, or to sing the songs of Canaan. This alone would not bring them into possession of the vineyards and olive groves of the goodly land. They could make it theirs in truth only by occupation, by complying with the conditions, by exercising living faith in God, by appropriating His promises to themselves, while they obeyed His instruction.
“Religion consists in doing the words of Christ; not doing to earn God’s favor, but because, all undeserving, we have received the gift of His love. Christ places the salvation of man, not upon profession merely, but upon faith that is made manifest in works of righteousness. Doing, not saying merely, is expected of the followers of Christ. It is through action that character is built. ‘As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God’ (Romans 8:14). Not those whose hearts are touched by the Spirit, not those who now and then yield to its power, but they that are led by the Spirit, are the sons of God.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pp. 149, 150.
b. Why has Christ built up a spiritual tabernacle in this world? Acts 15:16; Ephesians 2:19–22; 1 Peter 2:5, 9.
“The Jewish tabernacle was a type of the Christian church. . . . The church on earth, composed of those who are faithful and loyal to God, is the ‘true tabernacle,’ whereof the Redeemer is the minister. . . .
“This tabernacle is Christ’s body, and from north, south, east, and west He gathers those who shall help to compose it. . . . A holy tabernacle is built up of those who receive Christ as their personal Saviour. . . . Christ is the minister of the true tabernacle, the high priest of all who believe in Him as a personal Saviour.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 931.
Wednesday
September 21
4. AN EXHORTATION TO FAITHFULNESS
a. How does the Master Builder exhort us to take a warning from the disobedient Jews? Hebrews 3:7, 8. How does this exhortation go hand in hand with the apostle’s admonition in 2 Corinthians 13:5, 6, especially when we are sharing the truth with others?
“To know oneself is great knowledge. True self-knowledge leads to a humility that will open the way for the Lord to develop the mind and mold and discipline the character. No teacher can do acceptable work who does not bear in mind his own deficiencies and does not put aside all plans that would weaken spiritual life. When teachers are willing to lay aside that which is unessential for the life eternal, then it can be said that they are working out their own salvation with fear and trembling, and that they are building wisely for eternity.”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 419.
b. What does the Lord expect from us today? John 12:35, 36; 1 Thessalonians 5:4–8.
“The Lord works in cooperation with the will and action of the human agent. It is the privilege and duty of every man to take God at His word, to believe in Jesus as his personal Saviour, and to respond eagerly, immediately, to the gracious propositions which He makes. He is to study to believe and obey the divine instruction in the Scriptures. He is to base his faith not on feeling but upon the evidence and the Word of God.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 928.
“There is a feverish love of pleasure at this time, a fearful increase of licentiousness, a contempt for all authority. Not only worldlings but professed Christians also are governed by inclination rather than duty. The words of Christ are sounding down through the ages, ‘Watch and pray’ (Matthew 26:41). . . . [1 Thessalonians 5:4, 6 quoted.] The signs of the times are pointing us to the near approach of our Lord. Is it indeed true that the end of this world’s history is near? that Christ is at the door? Are we preparing for the great judgment scene?”—The Review and Herald, December 20, 1881.
Thursday
September 22
5. A SERIOUS WARNING
a. When and why did the Jewish temple and its services lose significance? Matthew 23:38.
“Christ was the foundation and life of the temple. Its services were typical of the sacrifice of the Son of God. The priesthood was established to represent the mediatorial character and work of Christ. The entire plan of sacrificial worship was a foreshadowing of the Saviour’s death to redeem the world. There would be no efficacy in these offerings when the great event toward which they had pointed for ages was consummated.
“Since the whole ritual economy was symbolical of Christ, it had no value apart from Him. When the Jews sealed their rejection of Christ by delivering Him to death, they rejected all that gave significance to the temple and its services. Its sacredness had departed. It was doomed to destruction. From that day sacrificial offerings and the service connected with them were meaningless. Like the offering of Cain, they did not express faith in the Saviour. In putting Christ to death, the Jews virtually destroyed their temple.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 165.
b. What warning should we take from the default of the Jews? Psalm 81:11–13; 1 Peter 2:6–8.
“Be careful lest self-sufficiency come in, and you work in your own strength, rather than in the spirit and strength of your Master.” —Ibid., p. 493.
Friday
September 23
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How does the Bible emphasize the faithfulness of Moses?
2. How did Jesus testify of His faithfulness in doing God’s work?
3. Upon what does success in this life and gaining eternity depend?
4. Why did Christ establish a holy priesthood and a spiritual tabernacle in the “wilderness” of this world?
5. What admonition, if heeded, helps us avoid the default of the Jews?