Sunday School Lesson
December 5
Lesson 1 (KJV)
Justice and Obedience
Devotional Reading: Deuteronomy 5:1–3; 10:12–13; 28:1–2
Background Scripture: Deuteronomy 5; 10; 27; 28:1–2
Deuteronomy 5:1b–3
1. Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
2. The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
3. The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
Deuteronomy 10:12–13
12. And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
13. To keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
Deuteronomy 27:1–10
1. And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.
2. And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:
3. And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee.
4. Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.
5. And there shalt thou build an altar unto the Lord thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.
6. Thou shalt build the altar of the Lord thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord thy God:
7. And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the Lord thy God.
8. And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.
9. And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God.
10. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
Key Text
Now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?—Deuteronomy 10:12–13
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Summarize God’s requirements of the Old Testament covenant people.
2. Explain the connection between those requirements and the concept of justice.
3. Make a plan to be more consistent in one area of his or her Christian walk.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
A. Lessons from a Kite’s Flight
B. Lesson Context: Deuteronomy
C. Lesson Context: Covenant
I. Binding Covenant (Deuteronomy 5:1b–3)
A. Its Principles (v. 1b)
B. Its Parties (vv. 2–3)
II. Basic Duties (Deuteronomy 10:12–13)
A. Crucial Question (v. 12a)
B. Clear Answer (vv. 12b–13)
Lean on Me
III. Broader Instructions (Deuteronomy 27:1–10)
A. Recording the Law (vv. 1–4)
B. Raising the Altar (vv. 5–8)
Knowing Before Doing
C. Reminding the People (vv. 9–10)
Conclusion
A. That One Thing
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
| Canaan | Kay-nun. |
| Decalogue | Dek-uh-log. |
| Ebal | Ee-bull. |
| Gerizim | Gair-ih-zeem or Guh-rye-zim. |
| Horeb | Ho-reb. |
| Jordan | Jor-dun. |
| Sinai | Sigh-nye or Sigh-nay-eye. |
Introduction
A. Lessons from a Kite’s Flight
A certain fable depicts the story of a kite and its owner. The kite enjoyed being taken outside and flying high above the ground. But the kite could go only as far and high as the length of its string. One day the kite began to complain about its lack of freedom: “It isn’t fair for me to be held back by my owner’s string. If only I could break loose from him, I could go wherever I wanted.”
Soon after, the kite’s wish came true when the string broke. For a few moments, the kite relished its newfound freedom. But a sudden strong gust of wind came along, and the kite soon found itself unable to control its flight. Before long, the wind swept the kite into a tangle of tree branches. The briefly free kite now hung captive. The freedom the kite longed for was its eventual ruin.
God’s requirements are for our benefit. Any perceived restrictions on our freedoms are in our best interest. He intends that we accept His will as our own so that we might become a blessing for the world. This week’s lesson highlights several times when the people of God are reminded of those edicts as they are called to create a just society in witness to the just God they served.
B. Lesson Context: Deuteronomy
The word Deuteronomy means “second law.” That is an appropriate title as this book is the second instance of the giving of God’s law to Israel—the first time being to the generation of the exodus from Egypt.
Israel’s long journey to the promised land of Canaan had come to its climax as the people arrived east of the Jordan River (Deuteronomy 1:1). The previous generation of Israel, prevented from entering the promised land, had perished in the wilderness because of unbelief (1:35, 37). Deuteronomy details Moses’ expounding on God’s law to Israel (1:5) and his farewell address to a new generation on the verge of entering the promised land.
One way Deuteronomy can be studied is on the basis of Moses’ four major addresses. The first reviews the ways God worked in and provided for Israel throughout the desert wanderings. The review culminated in a reminder that Israel was a people set apart, called to live in obedience to God (Deuteronomy 4:1–4).
The second address reviewed God’s law for Israel and provided moral boundaries for living in the promised land (Deuteronomy 4:44–26:19).
Moses’ third address explored the demands of covenant life and the dangers of disobedience. It culminated in a call for Israel to commit to following God and His laws (Deuteronomy 30:11–20).
In what became the final scene of Moses’ life, his fourth address presented Joshua as the new leader for Israel (Deuteronomy 31:1–8). This address served as that man’s commissioning as the people entered the promised land (32:48–52).
C. Lesson Context: Covenant
God desired that Israel be known as a people well acquainted with His righteous standards. He expressed that desire in terms of a covenant. The covenant served as the formal agreement between God and His people, describing how Israel was to live as a holy people and how God committed to making Israel His people.
Covenants were not unique to ancient Israel. Other ancient Near Eastern cultures used similar legal agreements, often made between a more powerful kingdom and a lesser kingdom. These agreements often included a historical narrative (detailing the history between the parties), stipulations for the submission of the lesser party, and curses or blessings for the disregard or obedience of the previously mentioned stipulations. For pagan cultures of antiquity, covenants provided legal precedent for how parties were to relate to one another, especially if a power differential was present.
Throughout Israel’s history, God made several covenants with His people. Each detailed a different aspect of His commitment to and His expectations for the Israelites (see Genesis 9:8–17; 15:1–21; 2 Samuel 7:8–16; Jeremiah 31:31–34). This week’s Scripture texts describe how Israel was to commemorate and commit to the covenant God made with them at Sinai (Exodus 19:3–8; 20:1–17; 24:3–8).
I. Binding Covenant
(Deuteronomy 5:1b–3)
This passage serves as the introduction to the heart of Israel’s relationship with God: the Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue.
A. Its Principles (v. 1b)
1b. Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
Throughout Deuteronomy, the command to hear draws the focus of Israel (see Deuteronomy 6:3–4; 9:1; 20:3). But the command is more than a call to hear; it challenges the audience to live in obedience to that which is heard (compare James 1:22). God’s statutes and judgments are what Israel is called to hear and, therefore, obey.
Obedience begins by hearing and continues through proper action. To learn them, and keep, and do God’s laws communicates that Israel must accept God’s commands, mediated through Moses, and make certain that those commands direct their behavior. Otherwise, true hearing had not occurred. The people needed to listen to Moses to learn what God had to say (Deuteronomy 34:10–12). The command to hear was especially important, given that the Lord made himself heard but not seen at Horeb (4:12, 15).
| What Do You Think? How can we ensure that our obedience to the Lord doesn’t turn into legalism? Digging Deeper In addition to Luke 11:37–54, what passages help you most in this regard? |
B. Its Parties (vv. 2–3)
2. The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
Moses reminded Israel of where they had received God’s law. Elsewhere, Scripture uses the names Horeb and Mount Sinai interchangeably as the designation of this location (see Exodus 19:18; Deuteronomy 1:6; 4:10; 1 Kings 8:9; 2 Chronicles 5:10; Psalm 106:19).
Now, a generation later, Moses recalled that moment when God made a covenant with Israel. This covenant reminded Israel of God’s great acts of salvation and called Israel to live as God’s people in light of that reality (see Lesson Context: Covenant).
| What Do You Think? How would you explain to someone the difference between the modern use of the word covenant (as in “community covenants”) and how that word is used in the text? Digging Deeper Why is it important not to read the ancient word through the lens of the modern meaning? |
3. The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
This covenant was not merely an event for Israel’s previous generations (see Exodus 20:1–21); its stipulations also applied to their current and future generations. A communal component to God’s commands transcends generations. All Israel was bound by the covenant, even those not yet alive when it was given. Moses invited hearers to draw on collective memory and live as a people unified by the covenant.
II. Basic Duties
(Deuteronomy 10:12–13)
Preceding this passage, Moses again received the Ten Commandments and placed them in the ark of the covenant (Deuteronomy 10:1–5).
A. Crucial Question (v. 12a)
12a. And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee.
Having confronted the people with their record of idolatry and rebellion (Deuteronomy 9:7–24), Moses set before them a rhetorical question that forced self-reflection to determine how best to live as people of God.
Centuries later, the prophet Micah would ask the same question of Israel. Both Micah and Moses were concerned with following God’s law and ways. For Micah, following God’s law meant “to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God” (Micah 6:8). While Moses had a different focus (see commentary on Deuteronomy 10:12b–13, below), their respective answers were complementary, not contradictory. Following God’s law implied a desire for justice and mercy.
B. Clear Answer (vv. 12b–13)
12b. But to fear the Lord thy God.
The Lord’s requirements of His people are remarkably simple. To fear the Lord meant to possess a reverential respect for Him. Fearing God was at the heart of the covenant as God reminded Israel, “Thou shalt have none other gods before me” (Deuteronomy 5:7; see also 5:29; 6:13, 24; 8:6; 13:4).
12c. To walk in all his ways.
To walk in God’s ways translates the fear of the Lord into righteous conduct that honors His authority and His commands (Deuteronomy 5:33).
12d. And to love him.
Previously, Moses had expressed the centrality of love for the Lord, challenging Israel to “love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). One way for Israel to show this all-encompassing love was to abide by God’s law (11:1).
12e. And to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Love makes it a joy to serve the Lord with the totality of one’s being. For ancient Israelites, the heart was regarded as the location of an individual’s volition, while the soul implied the root of life. Serving God required the whole self and necesitated the total allegiance of God’s people.
| What Do You Think? Which imperative of fear, walk, love, and serve will you focus on improving the most in the week ahead? Digging Deeper Who can be a mentor for you in this regard? |
13. To keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
Moses concludes by stressing the importance of obedience to the Lord. His commandments and statutes did not exist to frustrate God’s people. Instead, they were graciously given to His people for their good. God promised to bless His people as long as they obeyed His commands (Deuteronomy 11:27).
Lean on Me
In the mid-1960s, Bill Withers found himself working in a California manufacturing plant. Between shifts, Bill learned to play the guitar and began writing music. He found success as an artist and signed with a major record company. “Lean on Me,” one of his well-known songs, reminds us of the need to recognize our interdependence.
Skeptics may accuse Christians of using God as a crutch. Yes, we are to lean on Him, but we also get to walk with Him, love Him, and honor Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.
How do you view the laws God gave to Israel? Do you see His instructions as loving commands, or harsh demands? Do you view His commands as a crutch, or an invitation to a deeper life? Perhaps another look at John 14:15 is in order.
—D. F.
III. Broader Instructions
(Deuteronomy 27:1–10)
Following the exposition of God’s commands, Deuteronomy 27 describes instructions for a yet-to-occur covenant renewal ceremony.
A. Recording the Law (vv. 1–4)
1. And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.
Moses would not be alive when the people of Israel entered the promised land (Deuteronomy 31:2; 34:1–5). Therefore, this address sets the stage for him to transfer his leadership responsibilities. Israel would soon enter the promised land under Joshua’s direction (31:23; 34:9; Joshua 1:1–2).
Moses reminded the people of the necessity of keeping God’s commandments (see commentary on Deuteronomy 27:9–10, below). The commands were binding not only in the immediate moment but also as Israel possessed the land.
2–3. And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister: and thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee.
Moses described a yet-to-occur ceremony in which Israel would commemorate its covenant with God. After Israel shall pass over Jordan unto the land, they were to remember God’s covenant and renew their obligation to obey His commands. While it’s possible the ceremony happened on the exact day they crossed the river (see Joshua 4), more likely Moses was referring to a general time afterward.
The practice of using stones to record words of law was a popularized by ancient Egyptians. Whereas other cultures would carve the words of their laws into wood, Egyptians would paint the words of the law onto whitewashed stones.
To write every line of the law in this manner would constitute a project too large to be practical. One possibility is that the Ten Commandments, which provided a kind of “constitution” for Israel, were written on the stones. Others note that perhaps the law’s blessings and curses were written, reminding Israel of the consequences of obedience and disobedience (Deuteronomy 27:15–28:68).
Previously, the Lord thy God had promised to Moses that He would “bring [Israel] … unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). Now Israel would see the fulfillment of this promise.
4. Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.
With one exception, this verse repeats much of the information found previously. That exception is the inclusion of the location where this ceremony is to occur, mount Ebal. This mountain, located west of the Jordan River and north of Jerusalem, is mentioned in tandem with another nearby mountain, Mount Gerizim (Deuteronomy 11:29; 27:12–13; Joshua 8:33).
Later, Moses instructed that 6 of the 12 tribes of Israel were to stand on Mount Gerizim and proclaim the covenant blessings (Deuteronomy 27:12), while the other 6 tribes were to stand on Mount Ebal and announce the curses of covenant disobedience (27:13). The valley between these two mountains provided a natural amphitheater to highlight the voices. The ceremony took place under the direction of Joshua (Joshua 8:30–33).
B. Raising the Altar (vv. 5–8)
5. And there shalt thou build an altar unto the Lord thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.
Israel was to build an altar made of stones for the worship of God. Previously, God told Israel that any tool used on an altar would cause the altar to be “polluted” (Exodus 20:25). The prohibition of using an iron tool may be linked to the pagan religious practices of neighboring peoples, such as the Canaanites. Israel’s altar was to be wholly different from altars to false gods.
6. Thou shalt build the altar of the Lord thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord thy God.
As no iron tool could be used on the stones of the altar, they were whole and uncut (see Joshua 8:31). Upon this altar the Israelites presented their burnt offerings to the Lord thy God. During these offerings, an entire animal was burned on the altar, symbolizing the complete surrender of the worshipper to God (Leviticus 1:1–17).
7. And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the Lord thy God.
Peace offerings burned only a portion of the sacrificial animal; remaining portions were to be used by the worshippers in what amounted to a fellowship-with-God meal (Leviticus 3:1–17). This provided a time for Israel to rejoice before the Lord as the meal reminded them of God’s presence and faithfulness (see Exodus 20:24). These acts of worship were to be acts of celebration!
| What Do You Think? What greater personal attention do you need to give to the idea of rejoicing in God? Digging Deeper What are various ways to do so? Give biblical examples of such variety. |
8. And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.
The previous instructions are repeated, thereby stressing the importance of the words of this law (see commentary on Deuteronomy 27:3).
The Hebrew phrase translated very plainly describes the act of engraving words on a stone (see Habakkuk 2:2). This act was to be completed with intentionality and purpose, not haphazardly.
Knowing Before Doing
Have you ever heard the saying “Pale ink is better than the most retentive memory”? Every Friday I examine my calendar, look at the coming week, and create a to-do list. Additional tasks may arise, but my to-do list keeps me on task. The ink of my to-do list focuses my memory.
God instructed kings, prophets, disciples, and apostles to put His truth into writing. The Law of Moses, David’s psalms, John’s eyewitness testimony, and Paul’s letters detail God’s revelation for our lives. As people of God, we are called to live in accordance with His instruction. But we can’t live those instructions until we know them. Here’s a one-question test in that regard: Considering Jesus’ statement “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15), how do you honor the two He called most important (see Matthew 22:37–40)?
—D. F.
C. Reminding the People (vv. 9–10)
9. And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God.
Moses’ exhortation to take heed focuses the attention of the audience and draws them into a position of silent worship before God (compare Nehemiah 8:11; Zephaniah 1:7; Zechariah 2:13).
Those gathered before Moses were a generation removed from those who had experienced personally the establishment of God’s covenant. As such, this new generation needed to recognize the holiness of this day and affirm their commitment to be God’s covenant people.
| What Do You Think? What can you do to overcome a tendency to talk too much and listen too little? Digging Deeper What biblical examples can you give of this kind of tendency? |
10. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
As a covenant people, Israel was held to certain standards of obedience: his commandments and his statues. The Israelites’ obedience did not cause them to be the people of God. Instead, their obedience was to be grounded in the fact that they were in covenant with God (Deuteronomy 8:1–6).
Conclusion
A. That One Thing
Few are experts in corn cultivation. However, this is exactly the one thing for which Orville Redenbacher (1907–1995) was known. By the mid-twentieth century, he had perfected techniques that paved the way for mass consumption of popcorn. His name and likeness were associated with popcorn snacks. A 1987 commercial for his brand described the focus of his work: “Do one thing, and do it better than anyone.”
The “one thing” for Israel was to be their obedience to God and His law. This was how they were to live according to the covenant. Moses recognized this requirement, and it’s the main reason imperatives like obey, keep, serve, and do are found throughout this week’s Scripture text. A people obedient to the commands of God would have a proper understanding of justice and just living (see Leviticus 19:15–16; Deuteronomy 16:20; Isaiah 1:17).
It was one thing for Israel to write God’s laws on stones; it was quite another thing to practice faithful obedience to those laws. May we write God’s laws on our hearts and practice faithful obedience in all areas of our lives (2 Corinthians 3:3).
B. Prayer
Father, may we recognize that the challenge placed before the ancient Israelites is the challenge placed before us today. May we be more than hearers of Your Word; may we resolve to be doers as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Obedience to God must remain our top priority.
KID’S CORNER
Translations Offer Interpretations
December 5, 2021
Matthew 5:21-32
Matthew 5: 21-32
(Matthew 5:21) “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used an example to illustrate what He meant in Matthew 5:20 — “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” In Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17, God commanded, “You shall not murder.” The punishment for murder was execution. In addition, the murderer will face the judgment of God. In Deuteronomy 8:19, God warned. “If you do forget the LORD your God and follow other gods to serve and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD is destroying before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.” God forbid murder, but God permitted capital punishment and killing in a just war, for in the Old Testament He commanded both at times. The religious leaders that eventually plotted Jesus’ murder and used the Romans to crucify Him had a form of outward righteousness, but they were inwardly evil. Though they may have escaped judgment in this life, they were liable to face the judgment of God. Our righteousness as Christians must exceed their form of righteousness, and the Holy Spirit within Christians enables them to obey God with all the glory going to Jesus.
(Matthew 5:22) “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
God is not only concerned about our outward actions. God looks upon a person’s heart and considers their intentions, motivations, thoughts, and words that show a lack of love for God and others. Anger or jealousy can lead to insulting someone and even murder. Anger and jealousy eventually led the religious leaders to plot Jesus’ murder. Insulting someone can even lead to a person being judged in a court of law. Calling someone a fool can harm them emotionally and mentally and can even lead others to mistreat them too. Feelings of anger, envy, unforgiveness, and resentment can make a person miserable on the inside. Whether or not they express their harmful feelings in actions or words, their demeanor can make those around them unhappy. Though we might not act upon our sinful thoughts, if they are not repented of, Jesus warned that all these thoughts can result in deserving hell. Jesus warned His followers to give careful attention to their thought-life and their words as well as their actions. Unjustified anger, insulting words, bullying, and name-calling are not expressions of love for others.
(Matthew 5:23) “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
This verse refers to a person who is justified or right in having something against you because you have done something wrong against them. Perhaps you have committed one of the sins described in Matthew 5:22. Perhaps you have stolen from someone in violation of the civil and moral law of God. If so, giving a gift at the altar can be no substitute for trying to make things right as soon as possible with the person that you have sinned against. This verse does not teach that before you offer your gift at the altar you must make things right with a person who is or has been treating you with contempt like someone described in verse 22—for this reconciliation may be impossible to achieve and your offerings are materially important for the work of God on earth and spiritually important to you.
(Matthew 5:24) leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
You can go to someone that you have offended and offer an apology and try to make things right, but this does not mean that they will accept your efforts to make amends or forgive you. Having made the effort at reconciliation with them, you can go back to the altar and give your gift. We should not think that we can substitute going to church services or giving offerings at church for loving our neighbor and trying to do what is loving and right to all people, especially those we have sinned against.
(Matthew 5:25) “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
This verse continues to emphasize that you have harmed someone. Possibly, you may have done something against someone that could land you in court or in prison. It is better to try to solve problems before they get to the point of going to court; this is especially so for a follower of Jesus Christ who wants to love God and others and show forth Christian love. There can be civil consequences for breaking civil laws that will be enforced whether a person offers gifts to God or not. A gift to God will not bribe God to act unjustly or keep you from suffering a just punishment as a consequence of your sins.
(Matthew 5:26) “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.
In Jesus’ day, and at other times in history, a debtor could be placed in prison until he paid his debts (see Jesus’ parable in Matthew 18:23-35). In some cases, this meant that his family would need to work off his debt to get him released from prison. According to laws in the Old Testament, a thief would be ordered to make restitution, and as punishment he would be required to pay back more than he stole (see Exodus 22:1-4). Jesus indicated that the civil law would be enforced against a lawbreaker, and his religious performance would not set aside the enforcement of a civil penalty. The practice of religious rituals will not protect the sinner.
(Matthew 5:27) “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’;
From the example of the scribes and Pharisees, we know that many in Jesus’ day were more concerned with keeping their traditions and ceremonies to gain favor with God than in keeping the moral law of God. The Ten Commandments teach “You shall not commit adultery,” one of the moral laws of God. A case in point was their plot to murder Jesus during Passover but their refusal to enter Pilate’s court because that would make them ritually unclean during Passover celebration. Jesus’ teaching shows that breaking the moral law of God is sin, and breaking the moral law is a matter of our heart and not just our outward actions.
(Matthew 5:28) but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
People naturally feel an attraction toward some people, which is not a sin. However, because of this natural attraction, a person can be tempted by their emotional and physical nature (the flesh) to speculate about and begin to imagine over a period of time what they might like to do with that person that would be sinful for both of them, if acted upon. The name for this type of imagining and willful speculation the Bible calls “lust,” which we must turn our minds from doing as quickly as possible, because if we do not a natural attraction can soon become an act of sin, adultery, in a person’s heart. Lust can also lead to sinful outward behavior often described in the Book of Proverbs, which, as the Proverbs describe, can lead to death.
(Matthew 5:29) “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Jesus sometimes used hyperbole, the making of exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally, to get people’s attention to make an important point. Jesus did not intend for a person to literally remove an eye or a hand to keep from committing a sin. We have just learned from Jesus that we can sin in our minds. However, if something we possess, or would like to possess, is influencing us to sin in our minds and hearts, then we need to get rid of that influence so it will no longer have power over us. The sin in the heart can lead to committing sin with our whole body, and to an actual physical slavery to sin (or addiction) that we do not have the power to break by ourselves. It may even mean we need to move far away from someone or something while we battle the temptations that come into our minds. With the help of Jesus, by going to Jesus for help, we can receive the power to overcome our sins and temptations that can lead us into hell.
(Matthew 5:30) “If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
The eye gives us the ability to see into the world. Through the gate of the eye, we can begin to commit all types of sin in our hearts and minds. If that begins to happen, we need to shut our eyes and our minds to those parts of the world that are leading us into sin. Mental sins can lead us into physical sins. For example, a person might covet something or someone that is forbidden, and after speculating more about possessing it or them, they may steal the thing or person they want (steal a person from their husband or wife, for example). It is better to stop mental sins before the person’s mind leads them into physical sins. It is better to repent and bow morally and spiritually before Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and ask Him for help to stop mental and physical sins than go into hell as a slave of sin and Satan.
(Matthew 5:31) “It was said, ‘WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE’;
In Mark 10:4, the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” In Matthew 19:8, Jesus explained why Moses gave this command: “It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so” (See also, Mark 10:5). Hard-heartedness and other sins can lead to divorce. In Mark 10:6-9, Jesus gave God’s reason from the creation of men and women why divorce should not be permitted — “But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
(Matthew 5:32) but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
The scribes and Pharisees taught that a man could divorce his wife for any reason if he was displeased with her in any way. Jesus taught that easy divorce was wrong, and the only justifiable reason for a man to divorce his wife was unchastity, a sin which if his wife repented could be forgiven so the marriage could be saved by a man who was not hard-hearted (and vice versa). The act of a man against a chaste wife does not cause her to commit adultery; rather, in Jesus’ day a divorced woman was sometimes shunned and unable to find work, so she would sometimes commit adultery to keep from starving to death. Divorce could put a woman in this horrible situation with horrible choices to make. If a man and woman plotted a divorce so the man could marry the divorced woman (and vice versa), this might be acceptable according to tradition, but Jesus called this adultery. Obviously, the church has struggled with the question of divorce and remarriage for many years. Historically, some churches have agreed that if a man or woman committed adultery against their wife or husband and a divorce resulted, then the divorce was biblical, and the church would record that the person sinned against was free to remarry without committing adultery. Others have added the sin of abandonment, which would allow the person abandoned to remarry without committing adultery. The Bible does not teach that adultery or divorce are unforgivable sins; rather, marriage and the family are such important institutions ordained by God (also representing the relationship that Christians have with Jesus Christ and within the Church) that adultery and divorce are serious problems and sins.
Translations Offer Interpretations
December 5, 2021
Matthew 5:21-32
“But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matthew 5:22).
By comparing different Bible translations, we can better understand Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Regarding “angry,” the King James Version reads, “angry with his brother without a cause.” Because of bad behavior, the KJV rightly recognizes the Biblical truth that God’s children can sometimes become angry with one another “with cause.” In Ephesians 4:26, Paul recognized what some call “justifiable anger” or “anger with cause” and wrote, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” We will suffer physically, mentally, and spiritually if we feed the fires of anger or resentment after dark; furthermore, our anger may motivate us to act unjustly and become liable to judgment. In Matthew 5:22, the KJV retains the Greek word “Raca,” which the New Revised Standard Version translates as “insult.” Not knowing the exact meaning of “Raca,” some have suggested that in Jesus’ day it was a disgusting guttural sound made against someone to their face to express contempt for them. The New American Standard Bible translates “Raca” to mean, “You goodfor-nothing,” an obvious insult! People could face serious charges in court for saying “Raca” to ridicule someone. Every translation I saw agrees that believers should never say “You fool” to someone no matter how foolishly they believe or behave. The Proverbs include many sayings about “fools;” for example, consider Proverbs 29:11, “A fool gives full vent to anger, but the wise quietly holds it back.”
Thinking Further
Translations Offer Interpretations
December 5, 2021
Matthew 5:21-32
Name ______________________________________
1. How might our culture (or our churches) be different if more people practiced Jesus’ teachings to His followers in Matthew 5:21-32?
2. What can anger lead to? Look closely at Matthew 5:22.
3. Are we supposed to try to make peace with everyone who unjustly holds something against us before we go to worship God? What did Jesus mean by Matthew 5:23-24?
4. How would you help someone who read Matthew 5:29-30, and then thought that Jesus meant for habitual sinners to mutilate or dismember themselves?
5. How can Mark 10:4 and Mark 10:11-12 help you understand Matthew 5:31- 32?
Discussion and Thinking Further
1. How might our culture (or our churches) be different if more people practiced Jesus’ teachings to His followers in Matthew 5:21-32? People would love one another from their hearts, and many countries and their leaders would have friendly relationships. The kingdoms of this world would become more like the kingdom of God, where people truly do the will of God because they love God and others. There would be far less sin.
2. What can anger lead to? Look closely at Matthew 5:22.
Anger can destroy a person inside if they do not follow the Bible’s teachings. Anger can lead to increasingly worse behavior, and increasingly worse consequences that can make a difference in this life and throughout eternity.
3. Are we supposed to try to make peace with everyone who unjustly holds something against us before we go to worship God? What did Jesus mean by Matthew 5:23-24?
No, because that may be impossible. But, if someone legitimately has something against us, we need to make the effort to make things right with them if possible. In Romans 12:18, Paul gave a good explanation for this verse, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” We are not supposed to think that following a religious ritual or weekly worship can take the place of living the way God wants us to with others.
4. How would you help someone who read Matthew 5:29-30, and then thought that Jesus meant for habitual sinners to mutilate or dismember themselves?
Try to tell them that Jesus was not being literal but using hyperbole. Jesus’ teaching reveals how people can still sin in their minds even when they do not have the ability or opportunity to commit sin physically. A person without a hand or an eye can still sin in their mind. Jesus was making this strong and startling statement to convince people about the importance of turning from sin and not doing things that can tempt people to sin. It is better to stop sinning and tempting yourself to sin than spend eternity regretting your separation from our Holy, Loving God and Savior.
5. How can Mark 10:4 and Mark 10:11-12 help you understand Matthew 5:31-32?
God gave this command through Moses because people tend to be hardhearted instead of loving. When a man or woman divorces their wife or husband, they are committing adultery against their wife or husband, especially if they are doing so to marry someone else. In Jesus’ day, a divorced woman could easily starve to death and might not overcome the temptation to become adulterous to stay alive physically.
Word Search
Translations Offer Interpretations
December 5, 2021
Matthew 5:21-32
Name ______________________________________
E M H W Y R F M G N F Y Q I C
H Q C O A N W Z B P U T K Y N
N S B T G Q N O G K E I L F W
F Y L J O M I E M U X T U A P
B A S R P L N W P J E S G D L
T N E M G D U J T A Y A T U R
I S W B F J B N M I D H K L E
T V J C M U R D E R Z C I T S
E C R O V I D G V I J N Y E U
S U S E J F O B F Y E U T R C
O X J W Z I E C R L A L E Y C
D U E K F R D G B G U R T S A
H T V O S E N A M S I L L E H
J G O U D A I W N L H F K W M
D L X K N L Z I K V M E T Y G
Murder
Liable
Judgment
Angry
Insult
Fool
Fire
Hell
Gift
Altar
Accuser
Penny
Adultery
Divorce
Unchastity
True and False Test
Translations Offer Interpretations
December 5, 2021
Matthew 5:21-32
Circle the true or false answers. Correct the false statements by restating them.
1. Jesus said it was okay to practice committing a sin in your mind, if you do not actually do it with your body. True or False
2. People who say and do very harmful things to others become liable to the fire of hell. True or False
3. If you give a big enough offering to your church or favorite charity, it does not matter what harm you do to others. True or False
4. We should try to reconcile with those we have harmed. True or False
5. To get the best deal, we should always prefer going to court or asking a judge to solve our problems with someone. True or False
6. Because God loves them, Christians can commit fraud and steal from someone and never go to court or to prison. True or False
7. We should always use pennies to pay our fines. True or False
8. It is possible to commit adultery in your heart. True or False
9. True Christians usually have only one eye and one hand. True or False
10. Jesus expressed concerns about our outward way of living and our inward way of living using our hearts and minds. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the Sermon on the Mount, and the many things that can be learned from the truths contained within its message. Thank You that You are the Messiah of Israel, Who will one day be crowned as their King – and thank You that You came as my Saviour – to pay the price for my sin, and broke the power of sin and death within. Thank You for the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, and that by Your grace my heart has been made new. May I live a life that honours Your name and walk in spirit and truth all the days of my life – for Jesus name sake, AMEN.