Preview: This is the thirteenth part in a thirteen-part series of lessons on this subject.
Scripture Reading: Exodus 14:13-31.
Memory Verse: Exodus 15:19.
1. Discuss how God delivered His chosen people and executed judgment on their enemies in the foregoing Scriptures.
2. How long did it take Israel to forget the greatness of God? Exodus 16:1-3 & Exodus 17:1-3.
Note: We soon forget the many blessings of God when we fail to be thankful. To avoid this ungrateful trap, we are instructed, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18.
3. How patient and longsuffering was God with this ungrateful nation? Exodus 16:11-15 & Exodus 17:4-7.
4. How did God say He would guide and protect His people? Exodus 23:20-23.
5. What was the one thing God would not tolerate from Israel? Exodus 23:24-27, Exodus 23:31-33.
Note: Jehovah had tolerated Israel’s complaining and lack of thankfulness, but He refused to share His glory with any other deity. This is true today; we cannot serve two masters and be in fellowship with Him.
6. What sign did He give to Israel that He was the only true God? Exodus 31:13-18.
Note: Those two tables of stone contained ten royal Commandments, but the Sabbath Law declared to the whole world that this was an everlasting covenant between the God of creation (the only true God) and His people forever. Do we believe that God never changes?
7. How did Israel show their lack of faith in God so soon after their deliverance from Egypt? Numbers 13:1-3, Numbers 13:17-21, Numbers 13:32-33.
8. Was God ready at this point to destroy this unruly branch and start over with Moses’ descendants? Numbers 14:1-12.
Note: Jehovah was so sick and tired of Israel’s lack of faith and gratitude that He would have cut them off forever, but Moses pleaded for their lives, and God heard his plea. (Read Numbers 14:13-19, Numbers 14:28-33.)
9. Was this God’s Church in the wilderness? Acts 7:37-39.
10. Was the same Gospel that the Church has today preached to Israel in the wilderness? Hebrews 3:14-19 & Hebrews 4:1-3.
Note: Many believe that God’s plan failed with Israel and He established a New Assembly (or Church) on different laws and a different Gospel. That is not true. God does not change. He asked Israel to trust and obey Him. That is still the message to His people today. We must abide in the vine to be holy. In future lessons, we will compare the Church in the wilderness to the Church today. We will see how the Gentiles became attached to the righteous vine, and if God has one plan of salvation for the Jew and another for the Gentiles. A natural follow-up to this series of lessons is the series: Our Jewish Roots. This is a thirteen-part series of lessons exploring Israel as a nation and Christ’s roll in our salvation.
Other Lessons* in this series:
Abiding in the Vine - God's Purpose for Man: Part 1 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - God's Plan for Righteous Fellowship: Part 2 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - How God Preserved A Righteous Seed: Part 3 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - How God Preserved A Righteous Seed: Part 4 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - How God Preserved A Righteous Seed: Part 5 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - God Prunes the Branches: Part 6 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - The Supreme Test of Faith: Part 7 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - God Chooses A Righteous Seed: Part 8 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - Jacob the Righteous Branch: Part 9 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - The Blessing Continues Through Jacob's Sons: Part 10 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - How God Preserves His People & Fulfills A Promise: Part 11 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - The Exodus Continues As Promised: Part 12 of 13
Abiding in the Vine- A Righteous Nation Is On the Way: Part 13 of 13
*Lessons in a series may not necessarily be in the same category.