Monday: Worshiping the Image

June 15, 2025 By admin

Daily Lesson for Monday 16th of June 2025

However much fealty Nebuchadnezzar, impressed by what Daniel had done, at first paid to Daniel and to his God (see Daniel 2:1-49, especially vv. 46–48), it didn’t last.

Read Daniel 3:1-12. What significance can be found in the fact that the statue was all gold and that the king demanded that it be worshiped?

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

The king underscored his defiance of God’s message by constructing a statue made entirely of gold. The message? Babylon will never fall, and Nebuchadnezzar will always be king. And anybody who dared to challenge that idea would be put to death. It serves as a powerful reminder that our human desire for self-determination can quickly blind us to the truth about how the great controversy will most certainly play out.

In some ways, Nebuchadnezzar displays characteristics of Lucifer: he was ambitious, self-important, and prideful enough to rebel openly against God’s authority. In other ways, of course, there are marked differences: Nebuchadnezzar eventually came to faith in the true God, and it is likely that we will meet him in the kingdom he originally fought so hard to defy.

Read Daniel 3:17-18, the words of the three Hebrew boys in defiance of the king. What does this teach us about faith and what at times it could demand of us?

Think how easily these three men could have rationalized their way out of this dangerous situation. After all, were they not being fanatics, willing to be burned alive over merely bowing down? Couldn’t they have just faked it, bowing to tie their shoelaces while praying to their own God? Was it really worth what they were facing? Obviously, they thought so, even though their words showed that they knew that they might not escape with their lives.

How can we avoid the easy rationalizations that present us with opportunities to compromise on our faith? What does this text say that addresses a similar temptation: “ ‘He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much’ ” (Luke 16:10, NKJV)?

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25b-12-worshiping-the-image/

15.06.2025 – Exodus Chapter 10 | BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS

June 14, 2025 By admin

June 15, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Exodus 10 – Locusts and Darkness – God’s Call to Repentance

When Power Confronts God’s Grace

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Bible Text – Exodus 10 (KJV)

1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:

2 And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the Lord.

3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

4 Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:

5 And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field:

6 And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers’ fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh.

7 And Pharaoh’s servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?

8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the Lord your God: but who are they that shall go?

9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the Lord.

10 And he said unto them, Let the Lord be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you.

11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the Lord; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.

12 And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.

13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the Lord brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

14 And the locust went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.

15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.

16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you.

17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the Lord your God, that he may take away from me this death only.

18 And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the Lord.

19 And the Lord turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.

20 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.

21 And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.

22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:

23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the Lord our God.

26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the Lord our God; and we know not with what we must serve the Lord, until we come thither.

27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.

28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.

29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.

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Introduction

Chapter 10 of Exodus takes us deeper into the confrontation between the God of Israel and the stubborn Pharaoh. After the plagues of blood, frogs, gnats, flies, and hail failed to bring repentance, God intensifies His judgment with two more plagues: locusts and three days of darkness. Yet despite the increasingly severe signs, Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened.

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Commentary

1.Mission and Purpose (Verses 1–2)

God announces to Moses that He has already hardened Pharaoh’s heart in order to display His signs – and to ensure future generations will remember God’s deeds in Egypt.

2.Renewed Demand for Release (Verses 3–6)

Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh: Humble yourself and let the people go, or tomorrow a swarm of locusts will cover the land.
The warning: The locusts will devour everything green left by the hail, covering the land so completely it will be unrecognizable.

3.Negotiation and Deception Attempt (Verses 7–11)

Pharaoh’s officials urge him to let the Israelites go before Egypt is destroyed.
Pharaoh agrees but only allows the men to leave. Moses insists that all – young and old, with their livestock – must go, as they are celebrating a festival to the Lord.
Pharaoh refuses and drives them out.

4.Execution of the Locust Plague (Verses 12–15)

Moses raises his staff and an east wind brings massive swarms of locusts.
They cover Egypt, darken the sky, and consume every remaining plant – an unparalleled disaster.

5.Repentance and Plea (Verses 16–19)

Pharaoh confesses his sin and begs for forgiveness. Moses prays, and a west wind drives the locusts into the Red Sea.
But once again, God hardens Pharaoh’s heart and he refuses to let Israel go.

6.Ninth Plague: Three Days of Darkness (Verses 20–23)

God instructs Moses to stretch out his hand toward the sky: A thick darkness falls over Egypt for three days.
The Israelites, however, have light in their homes – a clear sign of distinction.

7.Final Negotiations and Continued Refusal (Verses 24–29)

Pharaoh now agrees to let the people go, but demands their livestock stay behind.
Moses insists that everything must go, including animals, as they are needed for sacrifices.
Pharaoh refuses again and threatens Moses with death if he returns. Moses agrees to leave and not return.

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Summary

God sends the eighth and ninth plagues – locusts and darkness – as climactic signs of His judgment over Egypt. Each plague reveals His power over nature and false gods, sets His people apart, and calls for repentance. Pharaoh’s continued refusal shows that it is not a lack of signs, but a hardened heart, that prevents change.

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Message for Us Today

In times of crisis – loss, illness, darkness – we too are invited to make a decision. God’s “plagues” often act as wake-up calls, urging us to examine our hearts and turn back to Him.
The decisive factor is not the severity of the trial, but our inner willingness to listen to God’s voice and trust Him.

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Thought Prompt

In which areas of your life are you currently experiencing “darkness” or “locusts”?
Is this situation drawing you closer to God, or hardening your heart further?
Where is your personal “place of light” – a moment or space where you experience God’s presence and encouragement?

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June 15 – 21, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 12