Session 1 – Week 4 – Day 4
Reading: Genesis 22:13-18
What is the context of the incident?
Abraham has gone up to the mountain top to sacrifice his only son because the Lord God has instructed him to do so. Once he gets up there, he is prepared to sacrifice his only son the Lord when an angel of the Lord stops him. He finds a goat that he can offer to the Lord as sacrifice instead.
Why was the name appropriate?
Name: YHWH-Yireh (Yahweh-Yireh) — “The Lord will provide”
The Lord provided for Abraham what he thought he was going to have to do. He provided for Israel all of the years before Christ’s arrival and the Lord provides for us exactly what we need to do His will today.
Is obedience important in the account? In what way?
If Abraham was not obedient to the instructions of the Lord, the covenant established by the Lord would not have happened. Abraham’s obedience was an essential element. His obedience allowed the Lord to provide for him and to establish a covenant with Abraham.
Summarize what the incident teaches of God’s character and the way he showed his nature to humankind before we had the example of Jesus.
Abraham’s faith and obedience was tested. The Lord wanted to make sure that he was ready for what He had in mind for him. Once Abraham demonstrated his obedience to the Lord, God blessed Him greatly. Not only did He bless him, He blessed His offspring. God promised something to Abraham and He kept His promise.
Reading: Exodus 15:23-27
What is the context of the incident?
Moses is leading the Israelites away from Egypt and into the promised land of the Lord. They have stopped at a location where they cannot find anything to drink. Moses calls out to the Lord and He provides for all of the Israelites.
Why was the name appropriate?
Name: YHWH-Rapha” — “The Lord that heals”
God protected the Israelites from their surroundings and the journey. He healed them from their situation and their oppression. God closed the wounds that were open for the Israelites beforehand.
Is obedience important in the account? In what way?
God’s gift (healing) was conditional on their obedience. He tells them that if they listen to His voice, do that which is right in His eyes, listen to His commandments and keep all of His laws, then and only then will He keep diseases away from them. Their obedience, or lack thereof, will determine the gifts showered upon them by the Lord.
Summarize what the incident teaches of God’s character and the way he showed his nature to humankind before we had the example of Jesus.
God loves His people. He always provided for them — time and time again. This time, they needed water to drink and He provided for them. He then made them a promise — a promise that is contingent upon them obeying His command. He demands obedience in return for blessings and gifts.
Reading: Exodus 17:8-15
What is the context of the incident?
The Israelites are fighting against Amalek. Joshua went and fought while Moses stood on a hill top. When Moses raised the staff of the Lord, the Israelites would prevail. However, whenever he lowered the staff, Amalek would prevail.
Why was the name appropriate?
Name: YHWH-Niss”i (Yahweh-Nissi) — “The Lord our Banner”
God is the reason we are able to do anything good. He is our banner and our heart’s desire. We can only accomplish the things we hope to accomplish through Him.
Is obedience important in the account? In what way?
Whenever Moses lowered the staff, the Israelites would begin to lose the battle. Obedience was required from Moses or else they would not survive. Likewise, our obedience is required in order to realize the true blessings the Lord will give to us.
Summarize what the incident teaches of God’s character and the way he showed his nature to humankind before we had the example of Jesus.
God wanted the Israelites to realize that they were insignificant in this battle against Amalek. Only when they were obedient to His instructions could they win. It was only because He allowed it that they were able to defeat Amalek. He could have done it with an army of 100 or an army of 100,000.
Reading: Judges 6:19-24
What is the context of the incident?
The angel of the Lord just visited Gideon; however, He has not revealed Himself to Gideon yet in the story. Once Gideon is obedient to the instructions of the angel, He reveals Himself to Gideon. Gideon fears for his life since he has now seen the Lord face to face. However, the Lord offers him peace and protection.
Why was the name appropriate?
Name: YHWH-Shalom — “The Lord our Peace”
God blesses us with peace in our lives. He keeps us safe from tribulations and evil all of the time. He allows us to realize the greatness of His protection and solace.
Is obedience important in the account? In what way?
Gideon’s obedience was the reason the Lord revealed Himself and then blessed Gideon. His obedience became the very thing that allowed the Lord to reveal His nature and His message to Gideon.
Summarize what the incident teaches of God’s character and the way he showed his nature to humankind before we had the example of Jesus.
God loves His people. He will bless those who are obedient and trust in Him. Gideon did not realize that it was the Lord but showed the angel love and hospitality. This is what we are instructed to do with others in our life.
Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
What is the context of the incident?
Jeremiah is speaking on behalf of the Lord to all of the people. At this point, he is explaining the role of the shepherd and the expectation that the Lord has of the shepherd. He then moves in to prophesy regarding the coming of Jesus Christ, the perfect shepherd.
Why was the name appropriate?
Name: YHWH-Tsidkenu — “The Lord our Righteousness”
God is perfect. He is righteous and we are not. He knows the right thing to do in every situation and does it. Even if we know the right thing, we don’t always do it. God loves His children and is going to send His Son to earth to demonstrate to fallen man righteousness.
Is obedience important in the account? In what way?
Obedience to Christ is the key message here. As the flock of Christ, if we do not follow Him, we will be lost all of the days of our life. Christ is righteousness. We are lawlessness. If we love another and tend to others as if they were our own children, our obedience will be recognized by the Lord.
Summarize what the incident teaches of God’s character and the way he showed his nature to humankind before we had the example of Jesus.
God loves His people. He wants to gather them together and protect them. In order to provide a way for them to be with Him one day, He knew that it would require His own son’s perfect blood to pay for our sins. He wants us to love one another and provide for each other, just as Christ modeled for us. By doing this, we are following His commands.
Reading: Ezekiel 48:15-35
What is the context of the incident?
The Lord is providing instructions to the tribes of Israel on how they should divide the lands that He has given to them. He has given them precise measurements and precise locations so that they know exactly what to do. He makes sure that they know that He will continue to be with them through all of this.
Why was the name appropriate?
Name: YHWH-Shammah — “The Lord is present”
The Lord is always there. He is always with us — He never leaves. He cares so much about us that He never wants to leave our side. Unfortunately, we don’t have that same mindset. We stray from the Lord and put our focus on earthly priorities, or false idols.
Is obedience important in the account? In what way?
By following His precise instructions, His will would be complete. He knew that the people could live there in harmony forever if only they would follow His instructions. Unfortunately, that is simply not something man is capable of doing most of the time.
Summarize what the incident teaches of God’s character and the way he showed his nature to humankind before we had the example of Jesus.
God had a very precise plan for everyone of us. He wants us to simply listen and obey. Our obedience will always bring about blessings from the Lord. When we do not listen, that is when we will find ourselves in greater struggles.