Bible Study, Ennis, TX (2026)

06/18/2024

In Numbers 12, Moses’ brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, tried to launch a revolt against his authority. They appeared to have a reasonable complaint; but in reality their complaint was merely a pretext to launch a general rebellion with the aim of elevating themselves to positions of power.

God commands us to respect the authority of all leaders. This does not mean that leaders must never be questioned, held accountable, or even replaced. It does mean that whenever we have a grievance against those in legitimate authority, our duty is to discern the ways in which their leadership is a manifestation of God’s authority. We are to respect them for whatever portion of God’s authority they truly bear, even as we seek to correct, limit, or even remove them from power.

Although Moses was both powerful and in the right, he responded to the leadership challenge with gentleness and humility. If we are in positions of authority, we are likely to face opposition as Moses did. We may be offended by opposition and even recognize it as an offense against God’s purpose for us. We may well be in the right if we attempt to defend our position and defeat those who are attacking it. Yet, like Moses, we must care first for the people over whom God has placed us in authority, including those who oppose us. We act for the good of those God has entrusted to us, even at the expense of our comfort, power, prestige, and self-image.

We will know we are fulfilling this duty when we find ourselves advocating for those who oppose us.

Lord, it is difficult to lead, and sometimes it is difficult to be led by others. Help me to be humble and discerning; may I both lead wisely and follow wisely in my workplace. Amen.

‭Numbers 12:3 KJV‬
[3] (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

06/17/2024

Each offering in Israel’s sacrificial system has its place, but there was a special feature of the guilt offering particularly relevant to the world of work. According to Leviticus, God required offerings whenever a person deceived another with regard to a deposit or a pledge, committed robbery or fraud, lied about lost property that had been found, or swore falsely about a matter. It was not a fine imposed by a court of law, but a reparation offered by perpetrators who got away with the offense, but who then felt guilty later.

Often such sins would have been committed in the context of commerce or other work. The guilt offering called for the remorseful sinner to return what was wrongfully taken plus 20 percent. Mere apology was not enough to right the wrong. Offenders willingly took on a share of the harm themselves, thereby sharing in the distress they caused the victim.

Doing all that is required to right a wrong against another person is not only fair for the offended, but it is also good for the offender. Nothing in Jesus’ atoning work on the cross releases the people of God today from the need for making restitution (see Matt. 5:23-24). Loving our neighbors as ourselves lies at the heart of the law’s requirements. Doing everything in our power to reconcile with people is an essential aspect of getting things right with God and living in peace wherever possible. Seldom will we have the ability to fully undo the damage our sin has caused, yet the love of Christ impels us to do as much as we are able.

How can you reconcile with others today? What restitution do you need to make?

Jesus, I invite you to convict me when I have wronged others. I ask for the strength, courage, and humility to take steps toward reconciliation and restitution. Amen.

‭‭Leviticus 6:2-5 KJV‬
[2] If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; [3] or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: [4] then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, [5] or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering.

‭Matthew 5:23-24 KJV‬
[23] Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; [24] leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

06/16/2024

Exodus chapters 25-31 talk to us in detail about the instructions that God gave Moses to build the temple. Have you ever imagined God as an architect?

God did more than tell Israel what he wanted from them. He provided the actual blueprint to guide their work. The comprehensive set of crafts used included metalwork in gold, silver, and bronze, as well as stonework and woodwork. The fabrication of garments would have required getting wool, spinning it, dyeing it, weaving it, designing clothes, manufacturing and tailoring them, and embroidery. The craftsmen even prepared anointing oil and fragrant incense.

What unites all of these practices is God filling the workers with his Spirit. The Hebrew word for “ability” and “skill” in these texts is usually translated as “wisdom.” Here, it describes work that is clearly hands-on yet spiritual in the fullest theological sense. The book of Exodus does not so easily separate Israel’s life into the categories of sacred and secular that we are accustomed to. The people of God today may engage in work (whatever it is) with the awareness that God has a design for it, too.

What is God’s design for your work?

Lord, I need your wisdom for my work today. Allow me to see your design, hear your instruction, and trust your plan. Amen.

‭Exodus 31:2-5 KJV‬
[2] See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: [3] and I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, [4] to devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, [5] and in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

06/15/2024

What are we here for? What good is our work? What is the purpose of the things we do?

From the beginning, Genesis tells us God intended human beings to be his junior partners in the work of bringing his creation to fulfillment. These verses in Genesis give us a mission statement—some people call it the “creation mandate.”

The story of our first parents in Genesis shows us that God created people for a number of reasons. We are to exercise responsible dominion over the world, to be fruitful and multiply, to receive God’s provision, to work in relationships, and to observe the limits of creation. It is not in our nature to be satisfied with things as they are, to receive provision for our needs without working, to endure idleness for long, to toil in a system of uncreative regimentation, or to work in social isolation.

Think about this passage as you work today. How does your work fulfill these missions that God gave us?

Thank you, Lord, because the little that my hands have found to do matters to you. Please help me do all I can to make your world beautiful, and a reflection of your glory.

‭Genesis 1:27-28

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