by Rick Marin | Aug 17, 2019 | Helping the Needy
How did Mary, the mother of Jesus, describe his mission?
(Isa. 42:1-7; 53:3-6; 61:1-2;
Matt. 21:12-16; Luke 1:46-55; 4:16-22; 7:19-23 Heb. 2:9-18; 5:7-9) Blog Aug 11-17, 2019
Prepared by
Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO
Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Human beings were created to work. Our work became more difficult when sin entered. Since then
no fruit is produced, either of the womb or of the soil, without diligent human effort and the resistance of nature. God has made ample provision
for all our needs so that out of our abundance we may supply the needs of
others.
Throughout the Old Testament God emphasized his desire that the poor, the
unfortunate, and the stranger be cared for and that he despised the worship of
those who neglected to do this
Predicted (Dan. 9:24; Isa.
42:1-7; 53:3-6; 61:1-2; Luke 1:46-55)
1. In Isaiah 61 what activities does the prophet
say the Messiah will perform? Messiah will preach good tidings, help the
discouraged, & free prisoners.
2. What kind of approach does Isaiah 42 say the
Messiah will take in his activities? Messiah will not be loud, boisterous, or
rough in his dealing with people, rather he will be gentle & kind.
3. What divine blessing do both Isaiah 42 and 61
mention that Messiah will have? Messiah will be blessed with the Holy Spirit.
4. In Isaiah 53 what experiences does the
prophet say the Messiah will undergo? Messiah will be rejected, live a life of
sorrow, & be wounded for our sins.
5. How did Mary, the mother of Jesus, describe
his mission? Mary said that her Son was to uplift those of low estate, give
good things to those who hunger, & bring mercy to Israel.
6. How did Gabriel express the activities of the
Messiah to Daniel? Gabriel told him that Messiah would bring in everlasting
righteous & be killed for the sake of others.
Performed
(Matt. 21:12-16; Mark 1:34-39; Luke 4:16-22; 7:19-23)
7. In his first public sermon what prophecy did
Jesus say he had come to fulfill? The prophecy of Isaiah 61:1-2.
8. When responding to the doubts of John the
Baptist what did Jesus show that his ministry included? It included giving sight
to the blind, healing all manner of diseases, giving hearing to the deaf,
raising the dead, & preaching the Gospel to the poor.
9. According to Mark 1, when Peter sought Jesus
to heal more people what does Jesus’ response tell us about his primary mission?
That preaching the Gospel for the salvation of the lost was his primary mission.
10. For whom did Jesus make room when he cast
the sellers and money changers out of the temple? For the blind, the lame,
& the children.
Exchanged (Matt. 8:20; 2
Cor. 5:21; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 2:9-18; 5:7-9; 1 John 2:1-2)
12. What position in humanity did Jesus take
when he came to earth? That of a servant.
13. What did Jesus experience in the process of
perfecting his human character? Suffering, rejection, poverty, & tears.
14. What does Matthew 8:20 tell us about Jesus’
poverty? That he was homeless.
15. What ability did Jesus gain through his
suffering? That of being able to encourage tempted & suffering human beings
– becoming their intercessory priest.
16. To what extent did Jesus’ mistreatment
arrive? Not only was he rejected, he was falsely accused in court, beaten &
taunted unjustly, criminally condemned by his own people, & crucified by
the Romans.
17. From the texts mentioned above may we
conclude that Jesus personally was a poor, homeless, outcast on earth? We most
certainly may.
18. For what reason did Jesus have to suffer and
die? Jesus had to suffer & die not for his own sins but for ours &
those of the whole world in order that we might be freed from the torment of
hell & enjoy eternal life with him – he experienced hell for every human
being for that is the wage of sin.
by Rick Marin | Aug 10, 2019 | Helping the Needy
When true worship decreases what usually increases?
(Deut. 10:17-21; Psa. 115:1-8; 146:5-10; Isa. 1:10-17; 58:1-14;
Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8; Mark 12:38-40) Blog 04-10 Aug, 2019
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present
Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Human beings were created to work. Our work became more difficult when sin entered. Since then
no fruit is produced, either of the womb or of the soil, without diligent human effort and the resistance of nature. God has made ample provision
for all our needs so that out of our abundance we may supply the needs of
others.
When he delivered his people from Egyptian slavery he gave them instructions on
how to love others and himself including a Sabbath rest with a special blessing
for the poor, the unfortunate, the stranger, and all humanity. Psalms and
Proverbs tell us that God helps the poor and the needy and we honor him by
doing the same. God’s true prophets confronted rulers, judges and pastors when
they neglected or mistreated the poor, needy, fatherless, or widows.
What, Why, and How (1
Chron. 16:8-10, 23-30; Psa. 146:5-10; Eph. 5:19-20; Deut. 10:17-21)
1. What is worship? Worship means to give worth
or value to something or someone.
2. Why does2 Kings 17:36-38 say we should
worship God? Because he has delivered us.
3. Why does Revelation 14:7 say we should
worship God? Because he created us.
4. What does Deuteronomy 26:10 say should be
part of our worship to God? Bringing offerings.
5. What does 1 Chronicles 16:8-10 include in
true worship? Giving God thanks, making known his deeds, singing psalms unto
him, talking of all his wondrous works, glorying in his holy character, &
generally rejoicing in the LORD.
6. What does Psalm 95:6 say should be part of
our worship to God? Prayer.
7. What does Jeremiah 7:2 say should be part of
our worship to God? Scripture reading.
8. What does Matthew 4:10 say should be part of
our worship to God? Service to him.
9. If true worship includes service to God what
does Deuteronomy 10:17-21 say that includes? Service to God includes treating
others without prejudice, being fair to everyone, and helping the fatherless,
widow & strangers in providing them food & clothing – this is obeying
the Ten Commandments.
10. If God gives us an example of true service
in Psalm 146:5-10, what things should we be doing to give God worth? We worship
God (give God value) by being truthful, acting in behalf of the oppressed,
giving food to the hungry, freeing prisoners, opening blind eyes, encouraging
the depressed, and by helping strangers, the fatherless, & widows.
Displeasing
Worship (Psa. 115:1-7; Amos 5:21-24; Matt. 23:23; Mark
12:38-40; John 4:23-24)
11. In Isaiah 1:10-17 and Amos 5:21-24 what made
the sacrifices, songs, incense, and prayers of his people disgusting to God? The
fact that his people were being unfair in judgment, were not relieving the
oppressed, didn’t work to aide strangers, & didn’t plead for the widows.
12. In
Isaiah 58:1-12 what were God’s people doing that did not please him? They were
fasting for show & thinking about themselves instead of about God in their
worship.
13. In
Isaiah 58:6-12 what form of self-denial does God prefer over fasting? That his
people would deny themselves by spending time helping others – delivering
people from sinful habits, helping the oppressed, feeding the hungry, taking
the poor into their homes, & providing clothing for those in need.
14. What
are the characteristics of the kind of gods most people prefer according to
Psalm 115:1-7 and why do people like that kind of gods? They don’t speak to you
of your sin, they don’t see your
behavior, they don’t hear what you say, they don’t smell your uncleanness, they
can’t discipline nor save with their hands, & they can’t walk into your
life. People like gods like that because they can live as they please without
interruptions.
15.The absence of either of what two aspects of
worship that Jesus emphasized to the woman at the well brings grief rather than
joy to the heart of God? The aspects of spirit & of truth (form).
16. Where does the New Testament quote from
Psalm 40:6-8 and what is it saying? In Hebrews 10:5-10 and it is saying that
even the God-ordained forms of Old Covenant worship are not as an important
form of worship as is doing God’s will as expressed in the Ten Commandments
17. When true worship decreases what usually
increases? External forms, ceremonies, & talk.
by Rick Marin | Aug 3, 2019 | Helping the Needy
What kind of prophet does Micah say the people like?
(Isa.
1:15-23; 3:13-15; 5:7-8; Amos 3:9-11; 5:10-15; 8:4-6; Mic. 2:11; 3:8-12; 6:8;
Eze. 34:1-17) Blog July 28-Aug. 3, 2019
Prepared by
Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO
Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Human beings were created to work. Our work became more difficult when sin entered. Since then
no fruit is produced, either of the womb or of the soil, without diligent human effort and the resistance of nature. God has made ample provision
for all our needs so that out of our abundance we may supply the needs of
others.
When he delivered his people from Egyptian slavery he gave them instructions on
how to love others and himself including a Sabbath rest with a special blessing
for the poor, the unfortunate, the stranger, and all humanity. Psalms and
Proverbs tell us that God helps the poor and the needy and we honor him by
doing the same. This is the message of Micah6:8 also.
The Prophets Speak (Isaiah 1:15-23;
3:13-15; 5:7-8; Amos 3:9-11; 5:10-15; 8:4-6)
1. When Isaiah speaks for God in chapter one
what does he warn will happen as a result of mistreating the oppressed, the fatherless,
and the widows? That God will not hear their prayers.
2. To whom does Isaiah especially give his
warnings in chapter one? To the rulers of God’s people.
3. According to Isaiah 3:13-15 for what does God
say he will judge the rulers of his people? For living off the labor of the
poor & pushing them down while improving their own situation.
4. According to Isaiah 5:7-8 what were the rich
doing while oppressing the poor? Adding house to house & field to field.
5. According to Amos 3:9-11 what activities of
Samaria did God despise? Riots, oppression, & hoarding loot.
6. According to Amos 5:10-15 how do most people
regard those who speaks against oppression? They hate them.
7. If we will hate evil and love goodness and
establish justice in our courts, what does Amos say God might do? He might be
gracious unto the remnant of his people.
8. What sales techniques of the greedy does Amos
describe in chapter 8? Those of falsifying their scales, selling inferior
merchandise, & boosting their prices.
Another kind of Spokesman (Micah
2:11; 3:8-12)
9. What kind of prophet does Micah say the
people like? The kind that advocates lose living & gluttony.
10. What does Micah 3:8 say that true prophets
declare? The sins of God’s people.
11.For what reason does Micah say the judges
judge? For reward.
12. For what reason does Micah say the priests
teach? For salary.
13. For what reason does Micah say the prophets
inquire of God? For money.
Another Form of Oppression
(Eze. 34:1-17)
14. When thinking of the poor, the needy, the
outcasts, and the prisoners how broad should be our scope? We should include
not only those physically so but also the poor in spirit, those needing to hear
the Gospel, those excluded from church fellowship, & those imprisoned by
evil habits.
15. In Ezekiel 34 who is God accusing of mistreating
his people? Their pastors.
16. What is God’s first accusation against the pastors
of his people? That they don’t feed the flock.
17. What is God’s second accusation against the
pastors of his people? That they don’t strengthen the weak.
18. What is God’s third accusation against the
pastors of his people? That they don’t heal the sick.
19. What is God’s fourth accusation against the
pastors of his people? That they don’t bind up broken limbs.
20. What is God’s fifth accusation against the
pastors of his people? That they don’t bring back stolen members of God’s
flock.
21. What is God’s sixth accusation against the
pastors of his people? That they don’t seek the lost.
22. What is God’s seventh accusation against the
pastors of his people? That they have ruled over God’s flock with force &
cruelty.
23. With pastors like these what happens to the
flock of God? They are scattered without a shepherd.
24. Where does Jesus make similar accusations
against the religious leaders of his day? In Matthew 23.
25. According to Ezekiel 34:17 how does God plan
to remedy the hypocritical pastors of his flock? By a judgment which separates
the true from the false.
by Rick Marin | Jul 27, 2019 | Helping the Needy
Is God’s judgment a good thing or a bad thing?
(Psalms 9:1-20; 37:1-3, 14-28; 82:1-8; 146:5-9; Prov. 10:4; 13:23;
30:7-9) Blog Jul.
21-27, 2019
Prepared by
Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO
Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Human beings were created to work. Our work became more difficult when sin entered. Since then
no fruit is produced, either of the womb or of the soil, without diligent human effort and the resistance of nature. God has made ample provision
for all our needs so that out of our abundance we may supply the needs of
others.
When he delivered his people from Egyptian slavery he gave them instructions on
how to love others and himself. He gave them his Sabbaths as a sign of his love
in creating them and in redeeming them. This gift was to be a special blessing
for the poor, the unfortunate, the stranger, and all humanity.
Good Judges (Psalms
9:1-20; 82:1-8)
1. In Psalm 9:1-5 why is David so happy? Because
God on his throne has defended David’s rights against those that oppressed him.
2. For what does David say in verse 7 that God
has prepared his throne? He says God has prepared his throne for judgment.
3. Is God’s judgment a good thing or a bad thing?
God’s judgment brings good things to those who deserve them & bad things to
those who deserve evil.
4. According to Psalm 9:8 when will God’s
judgment take place? At some future time.
5. In verse 9 what does David say that God is
for the oppressed? A refuge in times of trouble.
6. Whom is God addressing in Psalm 82? Human
judges.
7. What does God ask the judges to do in Psalm
82? To defend the poor, the fatherless, the afflicted, & the needy giving
them justice & delivering them from their oppressors.
8. Of what does God accuse the human judges he
addresses in Psalm 82? Of judging unjustly, of showing partiality, of lack of
knowledge & understanding, and of having twisted minds.
9. To whom does the Psalmist appeal for a just
verdict in Psalm 82? To God to whom this earth will eventually return.
God’s Provision (Psalms
37:1-3, 14-28; 146:5-9)
10. To what kind of people does Psalm 37:1-3 promise
provision? To those who trust in the Lord & do good.
11. According to Psalm 37:14 what kind of people
oppress the poor, the needy, and the upright? The wicked.
12. Why does David say in Psalm 37 that the
little that the righteous have is better than the riches of many wicked? Because
the wicked will come to their end but the Lord will uphold the righteous even
in times of famine & give them an inheritance with eternal life.
13. What contrast does David make in Psalm 37:21?
That the wicked borrow & don’t pay back but the righteous shew mercy by
giving (& lending [verse 26]) to others.
14. In Psalm 37 what does David say he has never
seen? That he has never seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging
bread.
15. In Psalm 146 what kind of people does the
Psalmist say that God helps? The oppressed, the hungry, the prisoners, the blind,
the discouraged, the righteous, the strangers, the fatherless, & the widows.
In Debt and out (Prov.
10:4; 13:23, 25; 19:15, 17; 30:7-9)
16. What do the verses listed above say brings
poverty
? Idleness, poor judgment, & sin.
17. According to Proverbs 14:31how can we honor
God? By having mercy on the poor.
18. Is Proverbs 15:15-16 saying the same thing
as Philippians 4:11, 1 Timothy 6:8, and Hebrews 13:5? I believe it is.
19. When Agur in Proverbs 30:8-9 asks God not to
make him rich what does he fear? That riches will so absorb his interests that
he will forget God.
20. When Agur in Proverbs 30:8-9 asks God not to
make him poor what does he fear? That poverty will push him to steal in order
to provide his needs.
by Rick Marin | Jul 20, 2019 | Helping the Needy
Does God provide for those who choose to cease their daily labor in order to keep his Sabbath holy?
(Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 16:11-31; 20:8-11; Mark 2:27-28) Blog July 14-20, 2019
Prepared by
Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO
Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: When human beings were created they were given responsibilities. When sin entered, that
plan was not altered but the responsibilities were made more difficult. Since
then no fruit is produced, either of the womb or of the soil, without diligent human effort and the resistance of nature. God has made ample provision
for all our needs so that out of our abundance we may supply the needs of
others.
When calling his people out of Egyptian slavery he provided their needs and
gave them his commandments as instructions on how to love others and himself.
He also gave them “judgments” that protected the unfortunate and provided for
their needs.
Inaugurated in Eden (Genesis 2:1-3; Mark 2:27-28)
1. When was the seventh-day Sabbath inaugurated?
The weekly Sabbath was inaugurated in Eden when God finished his six days of
creation.
2. How did God set the Sabbath day apart as a
special day? He rested from all his work on that day, he blessed that day,
& he sanctified it (set it apart for holy use).
3. Did God make the Sabbath as a blessing for
himself? No, Jesus said both he and his Father work on that day of the week.
4. If the Sabbath was not made for God, for whom
then was it made? The Sabbath was made for us humans.
Demonstrated
in
the Wilderness (Exodus 16:11-31; )
5. What evidence does Moses give that the weekly
Sabbath was part of God’s commandment before the children of Israel came to
Mount Sinai? He recorded God as saying that it was part of his commandments in
Exodus 16:28?
6. What illustration did God give the children
of Israel of the sacredness of the seventh-day Sabbath prior to Sinai? He gave
them manna six days a week with a double portion on Friday & none on
Saturday?
7. How long did the weekly manna cycle continue
for the children of Israel? For forty years until they reached the promised
land?
8. What should we learn from God’s provision of
the manna for his people? That God always provides for his own people & he
means for them to share with their neighbors so that none lacks.
Legislated at Sinai (Exodus
20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15; Rom. 5:12-14; Heb. 4:4)
9. We learned last week that Jesus summarized
the Ten Commandments as “Love for God and love for our fellow men” so was the
giving of the Law on Mount Sinai a new expression of God’s will? No it was not,
for Adam, Eve, Cain, & Able and their descendants all knew what sin was
& that knowledge comes only through the Law (Rom. 3:20) which God would
have made clear to them.
10. How is it that a weekly Sabbath rest
expresses true worship and love towards God? It provides a rest from labor as a
reminder of who is our Creator that
rested on that day which is why we
worship him – spending time together is an expression of love & the Sabbath
is God’s love-gift to us in which he comes to us with special blessings – in it
we have time to observe his creation & contemplate his Word of love to us
& to express our love to him. All of these constitute true worship.
11. How does the Sabbath Commandment show God’s
care and concern for the underprivileged and lower classes? It does this by
including children, servants, strangers, & even work animals.
12. When the Ten Commandments are repeated in
Deuteronomy chapter five what other reason besides creation is given for
celebrating the seventh-day Sabbath? The salvation that God has wrought for his
people, demonstrated also in Christ’s rest in the tomb over the Sabbath hours.
Exemplified
in the Life of Jesus (Matt. 12:9-13;
Mark 1:21-26; 2:23-28; 3:1-6; John 9:1-38)
13. In Matthew 12 what did Jesus try to teach
the people attending church? That the Sabbath was made for humanity’s benefit
as a day for releasing heavy burdens & setting people free.
14. In Mark 1 what did Jesus try to teach the
people attending church? That the Sabbath is when God especially works to
deliver people from Satan’s control.
15. In Mark 2 (& Matt. 12:1-8) what did
Jesus try to teach the Pharisees? That the Sabbath was not made to deprive
humans of their needs but rather a day to shew mercy to others.
16. In Mark 3 what did Jesus try to teach the
people attending church? That the Sabbath was a salvation day & not a day
restricting doing good for others.
17. In John 9 how did Jesus reveal the purpose
of the Sabbath? He showed that the Sabbath hours are given to us when free from
weekly work we may have our vision of heavenly things improved so that our
faith may grow & we may worship God.
18. Into what had the Pharisees turned the
weekly Sabbath? Into a day of heavy burdens & accusations of the needy
rather than into a day of rejoicing in God’s goodness, creation, & merciful
salvation.
Projected into years (Leviticus
25:1-7; Deut. 5:12-15; Rom. 5:12-14; Heb. 4:4)
19. Following the pattern of a weekly Sabbath
what kind of Sabbath did God introduce for the land? A yearly Sabbath so that
every seventh year the land could rest.
20. What should we learn from God’s repeated
interest in rest? That rest is a gift from God, a ceasing from seeking our
physical needs while providing for our spiritual needs & for the needs of
others.
21. Does God provide for those who choose to cease their daily labor in order to keep his Sabbath holy? He most certainly does.
by Rick Marin | Jul 13, 2019 | Helping the Needy
In the “judgments” given to Israel how did God show his compassion for servants?
(Exodus
20-23) Blog July. 7-13,
2019
Prepared by
Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO
Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In the first four chapters of Genesis Moses shows how
God’s original purpose for humanity included responsibilities and service
for others. When sin entered, that plan was not altered but the
responsibilities and work were made more difficult. Since the fall no fruit,
either of the womb or of the soil, is produced without diligent human effort and the
resistance of nature. God has made ample provision for all our needs so that out of
our abundance we may supply the needs of others.
The Exodus (Gen. 12:2-3; Ex. 3:7, 16-17, 21-22; 6:7;
19:4-6)
1. What was God’s
relationship to the children of Israel? He was their God & they were his
chosen people – his bride.
2. For what reason did God
choose a particular people group to be his chosen nation? Because he wanted to
demonstrate the principles of his kingdom through them & bring blessings to
the rest of the world through them.
3. When the children of
Israel were slaves in Egypt what moved God to plan their deliverance? The cries
of his people for help.
4. What method did God use
for the deliverance of his people from Egyptian slavery? He chose a meek, yet
faithful, leader to confront Pharaoh with signs & wonders that showed God’s
superiority to the gods of Egypt.
5. When delivering his
people from slavery how did God meet their financial needs? By causing the
Egyptians to load them down with gold, silver, & jewelry.
6. Having delivered his
people from slavery what need of his people did God next attempt to supply? The
need to remove slavery from their hearts – to give them true freedom.
The
Law (Exodus 20:1-26; Matt. 22:37-40; Rom. 7:7)
7. What two things did God provide in order to
remove slavery from his people’s hearts? The law (Ten Commandments) & the
Gospel (a sacrifice & altar).
8. How did Jesus express the two basic parts of
the Ten Commandments? The first as love to God, the second as love to others.
9. Which commandments teach love towards God
which is true worship? The first four — which teach loyalty, specificity,
reverence, & holiness.
10. In the last six commandments which teach us
love towards others what underlying
principle is expressed there that affects our actions in each of the others? The
principle of covetousness (selfishness) which underlies each of the other five.
11. If selfishness
pollutes all our obedience what hope do we have of pleasing God? Our only hope
is in the mercy of God & in the Lamb of God sacrificed for our sins.
12. Why did God not want
his altar made of hewn stones? Because
it was the sacrifice & not the altar that had value & the earth or rock
altar God desired represented the human heart in its sinful (unhewn) condition.
The Judgments (Ex. 21:1-6; 22:21-27;
23:6-13; Lev. 25:8-18; Num. 18:21; Deut. 14:28-29)
13. In the “judgments” given to Israel how did God
show his compassion for servants? By limiting their servitude to six years or
less.
14. In the “judgments” given to Israel how did
God show his compassion for strangers, widows, and fatherless children? By
prohibiting oppressing or afflicting them.
15. In the “judgments” given to Israel how did
God show his compassion for the poor? By prohibiting the lending of money at high
interest rates or interfering with his case in court & by giving them the
gleanings of the field & the harvest of the Sabbatical Year.
16. How did God make provision for the poor who
sold their land or their children? He instituted a Year of Jubilee every
fiftieth year when all property & slaves were returned to their original
owners.
17. For whom did God’s system of multiple
tithing make provision? For the priests, Levites, strangers, fatherless, &
widows.
18. What should we learn from God’s plan for
Israel regarding the poor and the needy? That God is concerned about the needs
of the poor & needy & we should be also.
