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Inside Story: Special Mission: Rehab

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Inside Story for Friday 15th of August 2025

By Andrew McChesney

After surgery to remove three benign tumors, Dmitry Bagal, a Russian missionary living in Germany, was sent for rehabilitation to a vacation resort in Lower Bavaria. There, he found a new mission field where God was working on the hearts of secular and post-Christian people.

Dimitry Bagal

Image © Pacific Press

One afternoon, Dmitry walked over to a group of people at a Greek restaurant. They called out that the restaurant was closed, and Dmitry responded with a question. “Do you like to read books?” he asked.

Only one man replied. Speaking with a thick Italian accent, he said he preferred to watch movies and had read only one book, the Bible, in his life. Dmitry gave him The Great Controversy and explained that it offered a unique perspective on history, especially on the struggle between good and evil. The man read the back cover. “I really want to read this book!” he exclaimed. But he didn’t want the book for free. He gave Dmitry a donation.

Another day, Dmitry paused during a walk to sit beside a stranger on a bench. The two men struck up a conversation. The man said he was a farmer who had no free time, but his threshing machine had broken, and he was waiting for it to be repaired. “Do you like to read books?” Dmitry asked.

The man conceded that he didn’t like to read but said his wife did. Dmitry gave him a Great Controversy for his wife. The man read the back cover and declared that he had changed his mind. He wanted to read the book.

Resuming his walk, Dmitry passed a car with a bumper sticker that read, “God does miracles in Germany.” Wanting to meet the car’s owner, he rang the doorbell of the house in front of the car. On the door, he saw a sign that read, “Honey from our own beehives.” When a woman opened the door, he asked about the honey. The two talked about honey for a few minutes and then about faith. The woman said Jesus had miraculously healed her of an illness. Dmitry bought a jar of honey and offered her the choice of a book as a gift: The Desire of Ages or The Great Controversy. She chose The Desire of Ages. Thanking Dmitry, she gave him a second jar of honey as a gift. Dmitry thanked her by giving her the other book, The Great Controversy. Both were incredibly happy with their meeting.

During his month in rehab, Dmitry distributed nearly 50 copies of The Great Controversy and changed the focus of his mission work in Germany. “Because I enjoy sharing books so much, I’m preparing to become a literature evangelist,” he said.

This Inside Story illustrates Mission Objective No. 2 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s “I Will Go” strategic plan: “To strengthen and diversify Adventist outreach . . . among unreached and under-reached people groups, and to non-Christian religions.” Read more at IWillGo.org.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25c-07-inside-story-special-mission-rehab/

Friday: Further Thought – The Bread and Water of Life

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Daily Lesson for Friday 15th of August 2025

Read Ellen G. White, “From the Red Sea to Sinai,” Pages 291–302, in Patriarchs and Prophets.

Spectacles on Bible

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

Not long after the incident with the water, the nation faced a new danger (see Exodus 17:8-16)—a fierce and warlike tribe, the Amalekites, attacked them. “The Amalekites were not ignorant of God’s character or of His sovereignty, but instead of fearing before Him, they had set themselves to defy His power. The wonders wrought by Moses before the Egyptians were made a subject of mockery by the people of Amalek, and the fears of surrounding nations were ridiculed. They had taken oath by their gods that they would destroy the Hebrews, so that not one should escape, and they boasted that Israel’s God would be powerless to resist them. They had not been injured or threatened by the Israelites. Their assault was wholly unprovoked. It was to manifest their hatred and defiance of God that they sought to destroy His people. The Amalekites had long been high-handed sinners, and their crimes had cried to God for vengeance, yet His mercy had still called them to repentance; but when the men of Amalek fell upon the wearied and defenseless ranks of Israel, they sealed their nation’s doom.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 300.

Discussion Questions

  1. Dwell more on the idea of how Jethro learned about the true God from what God did for His people. (See Exodus 18:8-10.) Why does that principle hold true today? Ask yourself and your class: What kind of witness does our church present to the world? What do we say to the world about the nature and character of our God?
  2. Read again 1 Corinthians 10:4. What should this teach us about the ancient heresy, which some believe today, that says the Old Testament God was vengeful, hateful, and unforgiving, in contrast to what we see in Jesus? How does this verse show why that belief is wrong?
  3. Read again what Ellen G. White wrote above about how the Amalekites had the opportunity to learn about the true God. Contrast their attitude to Jethro’s. What lessons can we learn about why God brought judgment upon not just them but upon many of the tribes in the ancient world that Israel came in contact with?

<–Thursday

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25c-07-further-thought-the-bread-and-water-of-life/

Baptisms Mark Growth of the Adventist Church in Cambodia

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In 2019, Prey Veng Province recorded a population of more than one million, with 95.5 percent identifying as Buddhist. Reaching this largely Buddhist population presents significant challenges, yet local church members continue to actively share t… Source: https://adventist.news/news/baptisms-mark-growth-adventist-church-cambodia

God First: Your Daily Prayer Meeting #1084

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"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" (Matthew 21:22, NIV). 
Tag someone in need of prayer, and kindly share your prayer requests here:
https://wkf.ms/3DBuapQ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKbEDyvbrxE

This Former Fugitive Now Teaches the Word

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As he entered the water, Lejoby felt his past being washed away. He was not just leaving behind a life of crime—he was stepping into a new purpose, a new mission and a new identity. Today, the same man who once hid in a cave now stands boldly in his hometown, leading a growing community of believers. With 22 newly baptized members and 10 more preparing for baptism, his journey has become a testimony of what God can do through one surrendered life. Watch as Cami Oetman reveals how the power of God’s Word does not just change lives—it multiplies faith. #AWR360 #BroadcastToBaptism Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6WWwy8s7H4g

The Shaking Time | Michael Pedrin | Bible Study | August 13, 2025

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Uncover the three key factors that bring about the shaking in the last days. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F6ASQ6zJQ8

Latin American Volunteers Serve in Sweden’s Post-Christian Window

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Six young Latin American missionaries are bringing fresh energy to LifeStyleTV in Sweden, working to share faith and healthy living in one of the world’s toughest mission fields — the Post-Christian Window. This region, which includes much of E… Source: https://adventist.news/news/latin-american-volunteers-serve-in-swedens-post-christian-window

14.08.2025 – 🏕️ Numbers Chapter 3 – Order in the Camp – Order in God’s Life | 📜 BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS

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📅 14 August 2025

📚 BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
📖 Daily Bible Reading

🏕  Numbers 3 – The Calling of the Levites
✨ God’s Order in the Sanctuary and the Service of the Chosen Ones

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📜 Bible Text – Numbers 3 (KJV)

1 These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the Lord spake with Moses in mount Sinai.

2 And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office.

4 And Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord, when they offered strange fire before the Lord, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the sight of Aaron their father.

5 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

6 Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

7 And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.

8 And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.

9 And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.

10 And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

11 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

12 And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;

13 Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the Lord.

14 And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,

15 Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.

16 And Moses numbered them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded.

17 And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.

18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei.

19 And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

20 And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.

21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

22 Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred.

23 The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.

24 And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael.

25 And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,

26 And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.

27 And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.

28 In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.

29 The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward.

30 And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.

31 And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.

32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.

33 Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari.

34 And those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were six thousand and two hundred.

35 And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail: these shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward.

36 And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto,

37 And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords.

38 But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

39 All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the Lord, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand.

40 And the Lord said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.

41 And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the Lord) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.

42 And Moses numbered, as the Lord commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel.

43 And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.

44 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

45 Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord.

46 And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;

47 Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:)

48 And thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons.

49 And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites:

50 Of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

51 And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

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🔵 Introduction

In this chapter, we encounter one of God’s central provisions for the worship life of Israel: the calling of the Levites to serve in the sanctuary. It’s about more than logistics or organization — it’s about God’s holiness, the responsibility of priestly ministry, and His care for His people.

God chooses the Levites instead of the firstborn sons, consecrates them to Himself, and establishes order in the service surrounding the Tabernacle.

This chapter teaches a deeper truth: every person has a place in God’s Kingdom — and holiness requires clear boundaries and divine calling.

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🟡 Commentary

I. Aaron’s Family (Verses 1–4)

  • The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar — anointed as priests

  • A tragic example: Nadab and Abihu die after offering “unauthorized fire” — showing the seriousness of priestly ministry

  • Remaining sons: Eleazar and Ithamar continue the priestly service

📝 Lesson: Ministry in the sanctuary is sacred. One cannot approach God on their own terms.

II. The Calling of the Levites (Verses 5–10)

  • God Himself commands Moses to appoint the tribe of Levi to assist Aaron

  • Their role: serve in the sanctuary, care for its items, and represent the people

  • Only Aaron and his sons are allowed to perform priestly duties — any outsider who approaches must die

📝 Lesson: Calling is specific — not everyone is called to every task. Order protects holiness.

III. The Levites Instead of the Firstborn (Verses 11–13)

  • A reminder of the Exodus: God claimed all the firstborn after the deliverance from Egypt

  • Now: the Levites are chosen in place of the firstborn — a symbolic substitution

  • Why? To remind the people: all life belongs to God

📝 Lesson: God claims the firstfruits — not arbitrarily, but because He is the Redeemer.

IV. The Division of the Levites by Clans (Verses 14–39)

  • Three major divisions: Gershon, Kohath, Merari

  • Each assigned specific responsibilities:

    • Gershon: tents and coverings

    • Kohath: the Ark, the lampstand, altars

    • Merari: frames, pillars, and structural components

  • Each group has a leader and camps on a specific side of the Tabernacle

  • Eleazar, son of Aaron, is appointed chief over all Levites

📝 Lesson: Worship is not improvised — it follows God’s order and delegated responsibility.

V. Redemption of the Firstborn (Verses 40–51)

  • 22,273 male firstborns vs. 22,000 Levites → 273 extra

  • God requires a ransom: 5 silver shekels per extra person

  • Moses collects and gives the silver to Aaron and his sons → God provides for all

📝 Lesson: God is just and merciful. No one is forgotten. He ensures balance and fairness.

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🟢 Summary

Numbers 3 shows how God brings order to His people.
The calling of the Levites instead of the firstborn is a sign of His sovereignty, but also of His grace.

God takes service in the sanctuary seriously — not everyone is called to it.
Yet He makes sure that no one is left out or overlooked.

This chapter speaks of calling, holiness, order, and substitution.

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📢 Message for Us Today

  • Calling is not self-appointed — God is the one who calls, equips, and appoints.

  • Everyone has a place in God’s service — even if it’s not visible, it’s still essential.

  • God’s order brings life — it’s not about restriction, but about protection.

  • Priestly service is sacred — even today: closeness to God requires purity and reverence.

  • Jesus is our true substitute — just as the Levites served in place of the firstborn, Christ fully redeemed us through His sacrifice.

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💡 Reflection Questions

  • God is not a God of chaos, but of order.

  • He knows your name, your place, your task.

  • Ask yourself today: “What is my role in God’s Kingdom?”

  • And: Am I ready to carry that responsibility with reverence?

~~~~~ 🏕 ~~~~~

📅 August 10 – 16, 2025

📚 BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
📖 Weekly Reading from the Spirit of Prophecy

📘 Ellen White | Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 22
🔥  Moses

🌐 Read online here

🔵 Introduction

The life story of Moses is a masterpiece of divine guidance. From a Hebrew child saved from death in the Nile, to a prince in Pharaoh’s court, to a humble shepherd in Midian—God shaped His servant for a unique mission: the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. This preparation was not a straight path but a deep process of training, self-denial, and faith. In this chapter, we see how God’s plan is fulfilled despite human weaknesses and resistance.

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🟡 Commentary

🔹 1. God’s protection in childhood (Exodus 1–2)

  • Moses is born at a time when a cruel decree condemns all Hebrew baby boys to death.

  • God’s providence leads Pharaoh’s daughter to find and adopt him.

  • His own mother is allowed to nurse and raise him—a short but decisive formative period.

Key point: God can open doors that seem humanly impossible, even in the darkest circumstances.

🔹 2. Training and the attempt at self-deliverance (Acts 7:22; Exodus 2:11–15)

  • Moses receives the best Egyptian education but remains faithful to the God of Israel.

  • In youthful zeal, he tries to deliver his people by his own strength (killing the Egyptian).

  • Result: flight to Midian—the start of a new life phase.

Key point: A spiritual calling must not be forced by fleshly means.

🔹 3. God’s school in the wilderness (Exodus 3–4)

  • Forty years as a shepherd for Jethro—learning patience, humility, and dependence on God.

  • The calling at the burning bush: God reveals Himself and gives Moses his mission.

  • Moses’ objections: lack of eloquence, self-doubt, fear of rejection.

  • God’s response: assurance of His presence, signs, and support through Aaron.

Key point: God does not call the qualified—He qualifies the called.

🔹 4. Obedience and wholehearted dedication (Exodus 4:18–26)

  • Moses chooses obedience, even though he hesitates.

  • God corrects him for neglecting a duty (circumcision of his son).

  • Lesson: Those who want to do God’s work must themselves be consistent in obedience.

Key point: Spiritual authority requires personal faithfulness to God’s commands.

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🟢 Summary

Moses went through three major life phases:

  • Pharaoh’s court – education and privileges, but also temptation and the danger of idolatry.

  • Wilderness of Midian – humbling, training in patience, trust in God.

  • Calling and mission – equipping through God’s promises and signs, overcoming personal doubts.

God even used Moses’ mistakes to prepare him for the greatest work of his life: the deliverance of Israel.

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📢 Message for Us Today

  • God’s paths are often longer than we expect—but always purposeful and wise.

  • Self-reliance can be a hindrance, but trust in God makes us strong.

  • Those who want to be used by God must be willing to embrace even hidden years of preparation.

  • We must obey first before we can lead others to obedience.

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💬 Reflection Question

In what area of my life might God be preparing me in a “wilderness school,” even though I would prefer to hurry ahead?

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LuxVerbi | The light of the Word. The clarity of faith.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/14-08-2025-%f0%9f%8f%95%ef%b8%8f-numbers-chapter-3-order-in-the-camp-order-in-gods-life-%f0%9f%93%9c-believe-his-prophets/

7: The Bread and Water of Life (Exodus 15-18) – Teaching Outline

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GoBible.org by Bruce CameronIntroduction: How do you feel when you are hungry or thirsty? What if getting a drink or food was not something you could easily do? The problem for most people, even poor people in the United States, is that we are “over secure” when it comes to food. For most of us, the problem is having the willpower to eat less. We die from eating too much, not from eating too little. While we might have a problem getting into the minds of the Hebrews for our study this week, let’s do our best as we turn to our study of Exodus.

I. Thirsty

A. Read Exodus 15:22. What is significant about the fact that the Hebrews were three days without finding water? (Several sources reported that humans can live between three and five days without water. It depends on the health of the individual.)

  1. What do you think is the attitude of the people? (The people were looking at dying without water. Remember that there are about two million people in this group.)

B. Read Exodus 15:23. Have you ever felt that you must go to the bathroom, but when you found a bathroom, it was locked! How did you feel? (Between the last questions and this, we see how the people could be desperate!)

C. Read Exodus 15:24-25. Notice that the verses say that the people grumbled “against” Moses, and Moses “cried out to the Lord.” Is this the proper chain of command? (Yes.)

  1. Are the people doing something different from what Moses is doing? (Yes. They were saying negative things about Moses. While Moses is turning to God for help.)
  2. It sounds like God pointed Moses’ attention to a specific piece of wood. Why would God have to find a particular wood for Moses? (Some believe this wood had properties that counteracted the bitterness of the water and made it drinkable.)

D. Read Exodus 7:20. Assume the wood actually played an important role in fixing the water. Why would God do that? Why not have Moses strike the water with his staff just like he struck the Nile to turn it to blood? (Exodus 15:25 tells us that these events were a test.)

E. Read Exodus 15:26. What do you think is the test referred to in Exodus 15:25? (They are tested on listening carefully and paying attention to God. Changing the Nile water to blood and changing this lake water from bitter to sweet are similar, but God uses a different technique involving wood.)

F. Let’s stay with Exodus 15:26. Why does God talk about future health? Why is disease a logical question to bring into this discussion? (We have two things going on. First, bitter water is changed to sweet because people need to drink. Beyond that, God promises that He will not put plagues of disease on the people if they obey Him.)

G. Read Exodus 15:27. God leads the Hebrews to a place where there is obviously good water. Is God giving the people a lesson? If so, what is it? (God is showing the people that He can do two things. He can lead them in the right direction so their needs will be met. At the same time, when there is an emergency, God can perform a miracle (or provide the means) to fix the problem.)

II. Meat Lovers Special

A. Read Exodus 16:1-3. Do you think the slaves had “all the food they wanted?”

  1. Why would they be complaining about meat when, according to Exodus 12:32, they had their “flocks and herds” with them?

B. Read Exodus 16:4-7. Is God answering the request of the people? (They complained about starving, but they dreamed of eating meat. God is sending them bread instead. Or is He?)

  1. Notice that Moses and Aaron in verse 7 tell the Hebrews that they should not be the target of criticism. Do you agree? (When I’m a leader, I think it is proper that criticism be directed to me when individuals think something is going wrong.)

C. Read Exodus 16:8. What argument do Moses and Aaron make that they should escape criticism? (They are God’s agents and therefore they should escape criticism because God is the One being criticized.)

  1. What do you think about their argument?

D. Read Exodus 16:10-14. Consider the ways God has answered the people’s complaints. Are they the same? (They are much different. Bringing quail is directing what could have been a natural occurrence. Bringing manna is an unprecedented miracle.)

III. Manna

A. Read Exodus 16:15-18. Let’s focus on verse 18. What is God teaching the people? To be Communists? To be lazy?

  1. Why would a person gather too much? (This shows a lack of trust in God. He is teaching the people to trust Him. Even if you underestimated the amount you should gather, God would make it sufficient?

a. Is there a lesson here for retirement savings? Or are the two completely unrelated?

B. Read Exodus 16:19-25. Are each of these details a separate miracle? (Yes. Manna comes six days a week. You cannot keep it overnight, except on Friday, otherwise it spoils. If you are lazy and do not gather it in the morning, it will not be available to you.)

  1. Why do we have this odd pattern of extra on Friday and none on Saturday? Notice that the Ten Commandments, requiring Sabbath rest, have not yet been given. See Exodus 20:8-11. (This shows that, as Exodus 20:11 states, the Sabbath rest was instituted at the Creation. God patterns His distribution of manna to reinforce His Sabbath rest commandment.)

C. Read Exodus 16:35. What does this teach us? (God can be trusted to help us for as long as we need it.)

IV. Rock Water

A. Read Exodus 17:1-3. Is this quarreling with Moses understandable? (No. God is giving them food to eat, and He solved their last problem with water.)

B. Read Exodus 17:4. Is Moses doing the right thing? (I vote, “yes.” He turns to God for help in this time of trouble.)

C. Read Exodus 17:5-6. At the beginning of our study, I asked why God did not have Moses strike the bitter water with his staff. But here, He has Moses strike a rock with his staff. Why the difference?

  1. Is there a lesson in this for us? (This promotes the idea that there was something special about the wood God selected to counteract the bitterness of the lake. Turning water into blood or getting water from a rock demonstrates undeniable miracles. The lesson for us is that God can deal with our needs in many ways.)

V. Working Intelligently

A. Read Exodus 18:13-14. The back story is that when Moses and the multitude came by Horeb, Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought Moses’ wife and children to him. Jethro advises Moses. What is Jethro suggesting? (The situation does not seem to reflect common sense.)

B. Read Exodus 18:15-16. What does Moses say is the reason why he is the one judging all disputes? (He says the people come to him to know what God would do. Moses explains the law of God.)

C. Read Exodus 18:17. How can Jethro claim it is “not good” for Moses to resolve disputes and educate the people about God’s law? This is an obviously important task to advance the Kingdom of God!

D. Read Exodus 18:18. How can Moses’ hard work on God’s behalf be improved? (Moses needs to share the burden. Moses is doing a great thing. But sometimes you can do too much of a great thing!)

  1. Do you feel “burned out” with your church related tasks?
  2. Do some in your church who are doing important work quit because they say they are “burned out?” (From time to time we lose important people who say they must quit because of “burnout.” I’m not a good person to consult on this. I’ve been writing these weekly lessons for 29 years, and I’m starting my 50th year of litigating and teaching. I would be sad if I stopped.)

E. Read Exodus 18:19-22. Jethro gives two suggestions to make Moses’ work more efficient. What are they? (First, Jethro says that Moses should educate all the people about God’s rules. It is inefficient to do it case by case. Second, Moses should organize a group of judges and delegate all of the smaller issues to them.)

  1. Will these new judges be as good as Moses? (Not in the abstract. But they will have more time to devote to a case.)
  2. Think about Jethro’s advice and see if you can apply it to your ministry.

F. Friend, we need to trust God in times of stress and to listen to the good advice of fellow believers. That will make your life better. Why not consider this right now how to improve your ministry?

VI. Next week: Covenant at Sinai.

Copr. 2025, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail, but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you study.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/7-the-bread-and-water-of-life-exodus-15-18-teaching-outline/

“More About Jesus” by Moses Brown

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We can never know too much about Jesus: His love, His grace, His power to transform lives. More About Jesus is a classic hymn that reminds us to keep seeking Him every day, to know Him more deeply, and to walk closer by His side. 🎶 This heartfelt performance from the General Conference Session invites you to pause, listen, and let your desire for Jesus grow stronger with every note. Press play and worship with us today. 🔗 Learn more: https://adventist.org SUBSCRIBE to the official Seventh-day Adventist Church channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventistOrgChurch Find us on social media by following the links below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAdventistChurch
Twitter: https://x.com/adventistchurch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventistchurch Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4HipJVcDsk

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Intercer is a website with biblical materials in Romanian, English, Hungarian and other languages. We want to bring the light from God's Word to peoples homes. Intercer provides quality Christian resources...[Read More]

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