1. LESSONS FROM HISTORY
a. What is the major reason that we need to study history, especially sacred history? Ecclesiastes 3:15.
“The work of God in the earth presents, from age to age, a striking similarity in every great reformation or religious movement. The principles of God’s dealing with men are ever the same. The important movements of the present have their parallel in those of the past, and the experience of the church in former ages has lessons of great value for our own time.”—The Great Controversy, p. 343.
b. Since the study of history extends to us the hope of the gospel (Romans 15:4), what does this hope offer to the sin-sick soul? Romans 1:16; Luke 19:10.
“Every part of the Bible is given by inspiration of God and is profitable. The Old Testament no less than the New should receive attention. As we study the Old Testament we shall find living springs bubbling up where the careless reader discerns only a desert.”—Education, p. 191.
2. THE PERFECTION OF CREATION
a. What type of character did the first man and woman possess when they came fresh from the hands of their Creator? Genesis 1:31; Ecclesiastes 7:29.
“Man was to bear God’s image, both in outward resemblance and in character. Christ alone is ‘the express image’ (Hebrews 1:3) of the Father; but man was formed in the likeness of God. His nature was in harmony with the will of God. His mind was capable of comprehending divine things. His affections were pure; his appetites and passions were under the control of reason. He was holy and happy in bearing the image of God and in perfect obedience to His will.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 45.
b. What was required in order for the human race to remain in this perfect state and to live forever? Genesis 2:16, 17 (margin).
“Christ does not lessen the claims of the law. In unmistakable language He presents obedience to it as the condition of eternal life—the same condition that was required of Adam before his fall. The Lord expects no less of the soul now than He expected of man in Paradise, perfect obedience, unblemished righteousness. The requirement under the covenant of grace is just as broad as the requirement made in Eden—harmony with God’s law, which is holy, just, and good.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 391.
c. Since man failed/sinned (Genesis 3), what were the consequences not only for our first parents, but for the entire race? Romans 5:12; 6:23.
“In obedience to God’s law, man is surrounded as with a hedge and kept from the evil. He who breaks down this divinely erected barrier at one point has destroyed its power to protect him; for he has opened a way by which the enemy can enter to waste and ruin.
“By venturing to disregard the will of God upon one point, our first parents opened the floodgates of woe upon the world. And every individual who follows their example will reap a similar result. The love of God underlies every precept of His law, and he who departs from the commandment is working his own unhappiness and ruin.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 52.
3. SIN DEFINED
a. How do we know that Adam’s transgression included violation of the law of God? Romans 7:7; compare Exodus 20:17; 1 John 3:4.
“Many who teach that the law of God is not binding upon man, urge that it is impossible for him to obey its precepts. But if this were true, why did Adam suffer the penalty of transgression? The sin of our first parents brought guilt and sorrow upon the world, and had it not been for the goodness and mercy of God, would have plunged the race into hopeless despair. Let none deceive themselves. ‘The wages of sin is death.’ Romans 6:23. The law of God can no more be transgressed with impunity now than when sentence was pronounced upon the father of mankind.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 61.
“Without the law, men have no just conception of the purity and holiness of God or of their own guilt and uncleanness. They have no true conviction of sin and feel no need of repentance. Not seeing their lost condition as violators of God’s law, they do not realize their need of the atoning blood of Christ. The hope of salvation is accepted without a radical change of heart or reformation of life. Thus superficial conversions abound, and multitudes are joined to the church who have never been united to Christ.”—The Great Controversy, p. 468.
b. When we read these texts, how does the Bible show that Jesus actually came to save us from the transgression of the law? Matthew 1:21.
“Jesus died to save His people from their sins, and redemption in Christ means to cease the transgression of the law of God and to be free from every sin; no heart that is stirred with enmity against the law of God is in harmony with Christ, who suffered on Calvary to vindicate and exalt the law before the universe.”—Faith and Works, p. 95.
“We have a wonderful friend in Jesus, who came to save His people from the transgression of the law. What is sin? The only definition of sin is that it is the transgression of the law. Then here is Jesus Christ, who comes right in and imparts His righteousness to us; we cannot overcome in our own strength, but by faith in Him. If you will believe on Jesus Christ, you will have Him today. You must believe that He is your Saviour now, and that He imputes to you His righteousness because He has died, and because He has been obedient unto every requirement of that transgressed law of God. If you do this, you will have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Adam and Eve lost Eden because they transgressed that law, but you will lose heaven if you transgress it.”—The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 128.
4. THE FATHER OF THE FAITHFUL
a. Why is the Old Testament patriarch Abraham known as the father of the faithful? Galatians 3:6–9.
“Abraham’s test was the most severe that could come to a human being. Had he failed under it, he would never have been registered as the father of the faithful. Had he deviated from God’s command, the world would have lost an inspiring example of unquestioning faith and obedience. The lesson was given to shine down through the ages, that we may learn that there is nothing too precious to be given to God. It is when we look upon every gift as the Lord’s, to be used in His service, that we secure the heavenly benediction. Give back to God your intrusted possession, and more will be intrusted to you. Keep your possessions to yourself, and you will receive no reward in this life, and will lose the reward of the life to come.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1094.
“The spot on which the temple was built had long been regarded as a consecrated place. It was here that Abraham, the father of the faithful, had revealed his willingness to sacrifice his only son in obedience to the command of Jehovah. Here God had renewed with Abraham the covenant of blessing, which included the glorious Messianic promise to the human race of deliverance through the sacrifice of the Son of the Most High.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 37.
b. How does the promise of the seed show the preaching of the gospel even in the time of Abraham? Genesis 22:15–18; Galatians 3:16.
“This same covenant was renewed to Abraham in the promise, ‘In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.’ Genesis 22:18. This promise pointed to Christ. So Abraham understood it (see Galatians 3:8, 16), and he trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. It was this faith that was accounted unto him for righteousness. The covenant with Abraham also maintained the authority of God’s law.”— Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 370.
c. Why was Abraham singled out as a recipient of the gospel, and many others in his time were not? Genesis 26:5; James 2:19–24.
“Abraham believed God. How do we know that he believed? His works testified to the character of his faith, and his faith was accounted to him for righteousness.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 936.
5. THE LAW IN THE REST OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
a. What other examples do we have that the law existed before God literally spoke it on Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 5:22–26)? Exodus 15:26; 16:28.
“Every week during their long sojourn in the wilderness the Israelites witnessed a threefold miracle, designed to impress their minds with the sacredness of the Sabbath: a double quantity of manna fell on the sixth day, none on the seventh, and the portion needed for the Sabbath was preserved sweet and pure, when if any were kept over at any other time it became unfit for use.
“In the circumstances connected with the giving of the manna, we have conclusive evidence that the Sabbath was not instituted, as many claim, when the law was given at Sinai. Before the Israelites came to Sinai they understood the Sabbath to be obligatory upon them. In being obliged to gather every Friday a double portion of manna in preparation for the Sabbath, when none would fall, the sacred nature of the day of rest was continually impressed upon them. And when some of the people went out on the Sabbath to gather manna, the Lord asked, ‘How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws?’ ”—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 296, 297. [Emphasis by author.]
b. What did God intend for Israel to do with the spoken and written moral law of Ten Commandments? Deuteronomy 6:1–9.
c. How do we know that the Lord maintained this position all the way through the end of the Old Testament? Malachi 4:4; 3:6.
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How are the principles of Bible history applicable to our own time?
2. What requirement since Eden shows that God does not change?
3. What is the purpose of Jesus coming to this world in reference to the sin problem?
4. How was the faith of Abraham shown by his deeds?
5. What should our relationship be with the law of God?