Sunday
July 3
1. A GREAT BLESSING—WHERE?
a. What value did Jesus place on God’s Word as found in the Old Testament? Luke 11:28; 24:25–27. Why? Matthew 4:4.
“In His teachings while personally among men Jesus directed the minds of the people to the Old Testament. He said to the Jews, ‘Ye search the Scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of Me’ (John 5:39, RV). At this time the books of the Old Testament were the only part of the Bible in existence.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 367.
b. What rebuke, directed to the Jews, applies also to any professed Christian who chooses to despise or ignore the Old Testament writings? Mark 12:24; Luke 16:31; John 5:38–40, 45–47.
“The Jews had the Scriptures in their possession, and supposed that in their mere outward knowledge of the word they had eternal life. But Jesus said, ‘Ye have not His word abiding in you’ (John 5:38). Having rejected Christ in His word, they rejected Him in person. . . .
“The Jewish leaders had studied the teachings of the prophets concerning the kingdom of the Messiah; but they had done this, not with a sincere desire to know the truth, but with the purpose of finding evidence to sustain their ambitious hopes.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 212.
Monday
July 4
2. THE WORDS SPOKEN BY THE PROPHETS
a. What did God say, through Moses, about the coming of Jesus, the promised Saviour? Deuteronomy 18:15–19.
“Moses, near the close of his work as a leader and teacher of Israel, plainly prophesied of the Messiah to come. ‘The Lord thy God,’ he declared to the assembled hosts of Israel, ‘will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken.’ And Moses assured the Israelites that God Himself had revealed this to him while in Mount Horeb . . . [Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 quoted].”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 222.
b. How did Peter and Paul emphasize the importance of studying the writings of the Old Testament prophets? Acts 3:22–24; 2 Peter 3:2; Ephesians 2:20.
c. What is necessary to rightly understand the Scriptures? John 16:13.
“The only way in which we can gain a more perfect apprehension of truth is by keeping the heart tender and subdued by the Spirit of Christ. The soul must be cleansed from vanity and pride, and vacated of all that has held it in possession, and Christ must be enthroned within.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 494.
“We should reverence God’s Word. For the printed volume we should show respect, never putting it to common uses, or handling it carelessly. And never should Scripture be quoted in a jest, or paraphrased to point a witty saying.”—Education, p. 244.
“Scripture must be compared with scripture. There must be careful research and prayerful reflection. . . .
“Never should the Bible be studied without prayer. Before opening its pages we should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and it will be given. . . . Jesus will see us . . . in the secret places of prayer if we will seek Him for light that we may know what is truth.”—Steps to Christ, pp. 90, 91.
Tuesday
July 5
3. LISTEN TO HIM
a. Why does Christ give understanding regarding the Old Testament writings? Luke 24:27, 44, 45.
“Often as [Jesus] had presented the Old Testament Scriptures, and showed their application to Himself and His work of atonement, [the disciples] had been awakened by His Spirit, and lifted into a heavenly atmosphere. Of the spiritual truths spoken by the prophets they had a clearer understanding than had the original writers themselves. Hereafter they would read the Old Testament Scriptures, not as the doctrines of the scribes and Pharisees, not as the utterances of wise men who were dead, but as a new revelation from God.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 494.
b. Since when has Christ been speaking to humanity? Acts 3:20, 21; 1 Peter 1:10, 11. From where is He currently speaking—and why would we be wise to heed to His voice? Hebrews 12:25, 26.
“Are there not many, even religious leaders, who are hardening their hearts against the Holy Spirit, making it impossible for them to recognize the voice of God? Are they not rejecting the word of God?”—Ibid., p. 213.
c. Jesus Christ is the Word of God as mentioned in John 1:1 and Revelation 19:13. What will happen to those who refuse to listen and surrender to His will? Acts 3:23; Hebrews 2:2, 3.
“God says, ‘My son, give me thy heart.’ Will you refuse Him that which you cannot give with merit because it is His already—that which you cannot refuse without ruin to your own soul? He asks your heart; give it to Him, it is His own. He asks your intellect; give it to Him, it is His own, lent you in trust. He asks your money; it is His own, give it to Him. ‘Ye are not your own; ye are bought with a price.’
“The Lord Jesus claims your service. He loves you. If you doubt His love, look to Calvary. The light reflected from the cross shows you the magnitude of that love which no tongue can tell. ‘He that keepeth my commandments, he it is that loveth me.’ We are to become acquainted by diligent study with the commandments of God; and then show that we are His obedient sons and daughters.”—The Youth’s Instructor, January 5, 1887.
Wednesday
July 6
4. CHRIST REVEALED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
a. Through what symbols and by what names was Jesus revealed in Old Testament times? Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 23:6; Haggai 2:7.
• The seed of Abraham: Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16.
• Jacob’s ladder: Genesis 28:12; John 1:51.
• The true paschal Lamb: Exodus 12:3, 11, 46; John 19:36; 1 Corinthians 5:7.
• The uplifted serpent: Numbers 21:4–9; John 3:14.
• The Rock: Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:8; 1 Corinthians 10:1–4.
• The Bread of Life: John 6:31–35.
• The Star: Numbers 24:17; Matthew 2:1, 2.
• The Chief Cornerstone: Psalm 118:22; Matthew 21:42–44; Ephesians 2:20
b. Who was the last prophet to prophesy about the promised Messiah? Matthew 3:1, 11, 12; 11:13; Luke 16:16. What declaration of John pointed to the ultimate fulfillment of all the prophecies about the coming Saviour? John 1:29.
“With awe and wonder the people looked upon the One just declared to be the Son of God. They had been deeply moved by the words of John. He had spoken to them in the name of God. They had listened to him day after day as he reproved their sins, and daily the conviction that he was sent of Heaven had strengthened. But who was this One greater than John the Baptist? In His dress and bearing there was nothing that betokened rank. He was apparently a simple personage, clad like themselves in the humble garments of the poor. . . .
“Jesus came in poverty and humiliation, that He might be our example as well as our Redeemer. If He had appeared with kingly pomp, how could He have taught humility? how could He have presented such cutting truths as in the Sermon on the Mount? Where would have been the hope of the lowly in life had Jesus come to dwell as a king among men?”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 137, 138.
Thursday
July 7
5. TWO SCHOOLMASTERS
a. Besides the Ten Commandments, written by Christ (Exodus 24:12) and put into the ark (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 10:5), the Jews had also legislation (ceremonial, civil, and health laws) given through Moses and placed beside the ark (Deuteronomy 31:26). What was the purpose of the law of sacrifices (Leviticus 7:37; Hebrews 10:1, 6, 8, 11)? Galatians 3:21–24. Why did it end at the cross? Hebrews 10:12–14.
“Christ was the foundation of the whole Jewish economy. The death of Abel was in consequence of Cain’s refusing to accept God’s plan in the school of obedience, to be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, typified by the sacrificial offerings pointing to Christ. . . . This whole ceremony was prepared by God, and Christ became the foundation of the whole system. This is the beginning of its work as the schoolmaster to bring sinful human agents to a consideration of Christ.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 233.
b. How does the moral law of God (the Ten Commandments) still act as a schoolmaster to bring sinners to Christ? Galatians 3:24.
Editorial Note: “Christ is the end [Greek telos: purpose, object, aim: Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible] of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:4). Compare other verses where the Greek word telos is translated “end,” such as 1 Timothy 1:5; James 5:11; 1 Peter 1:9.
“What law is the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ? I answer: Both the ceremonial and the moral code of ten commandments. . . .
“The [moral] law reveals sin to us, and causes us to feel our need of Christ and to flee unto Him.”—Ibid., pp. 233, 234.
Friday
July 8
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What did Christ declare about the Old Testament writings?
2. Guided by God’s Spirit, what will be our attitude toward His Word?
3. In what sense does Christ speak in both Old and New Testaments?
4. In what ways was Christ revealed in Old Testament times?
5. Explain the concept of the schoolmaster.