Lesson 11: Ruth and Esther

11.4 Haman and Satan

The Power-Hungry One and His Eternal Adversary

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Introduction

The story of Esther is more than a historical account of a Jewish girl who becomes queen and saves her people. It’s a dramatic allegory of the great battle between good and evil, between self-exaltation and divine humility. Haman, who sets himself above all the princes in the Persian Empire, mirrors Satan’s behavior as depicted in Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Revelation. The hatred against God’s people, the pride that demands worship, and the will to destroy are not only ancient themes—they live on today.

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Bible Study – Haman and Satan: The Eternal Conflict of Pride vs. Faithfulness

1. Introduction: The Shadow of Satan in Haman’s Story
   The Bible is more than a history book—it’s a spiritual panorama. In the events surrounding Esther and Haman, we see not just a power struggle in Persia, but a reflection of the cosmic battle between Christ and Satan. Haman symbolizes an enemy who targets not only people but God’s honor and purposes. His lust for worship, his intolerance of loyalty to God, and his attempt to annihilate God’s people directly parallel Satan’s tactics—then, now, and in the future.

2. Esther 3:1–14: The Crisis Unfolds

   • v. 1: Haman is exalted above all officers. Like Satan in Ezekiel 28—“anointed as a guardian cherub”—Haman takes his high office by ambition, not humility.

   • v. 2: Everyone bows to Haman—except Mordecai. Mordecai represents the faithful remnant who bow only to God (cf. Daniel 3).

   • vv. 5–6: Haman is filled with fury and vows to destroy Mordecai and his entire people. Here we see pride’s brutal outcome: no tolerance for dissent. Satan’s rage against God’s faithful (Rev 12:17) plays out in human history.

   • v. 8: Haman claims, “Their laws are different from every other people’s.” God’s distinct commands have always provoked opposition. From the earliest church, believers were persecuted for “not following the crowd” (1 Pet 4:4).

   • vv. 9–14: The decree of annihilation is prepared and sealed with the king’s signet. A state-sponsored genocide against God’s people—a prophetic echo of Revelation 13, where the beast’s image kills all who refuse worship.

3. Revelation 12:14–17 and 13:15: End-Times Parallels

   • Rev 12:14–17:

     • Woman = God’s people

     • Dragon = Satan
       The woman is persecuted but divinely protected. The dragon rages against the remnant “who keep God’s commandments and hold fast to the testimony of Jesus.” Mordecai’s steadfastness anticipates the remnant’s endurance under cosmic persecution.

   • Rev 13:15:
     An image of the beast is set up, and those who refuse to worship it are killed. Haman demanded honor and unleashed death upon refusal—just as the end-time system executes those who refuse allegiance.

4. Parallels in Ezekiel 28, Isaiah 14, and Matthew 4

   • Ezek 28:12–17: Lucifer, full of wisdom and beauty, is ruined by pride.

   • Isa 14:12–15: “I will ascend above the stars of God…” Satan doesn’t just seek power, but worship—just like Haman, who demands to be the center of loyalty.

   • Matt 4:8–10: Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms in exchange for worship. Jesus resists; the contrast between humility and coercive pride is stark.

5. Recurring Pattern in the Great Conflict

   Spiritual Conflict	Historical Foil	End-Time Parallel
   Faithfulness to God	Mordecai refuses to bow	The remnant keeps God’s commands
   Pride demands worship	Haman demands homage	The beast demands worship
   Persecution	Haman plots genocide	Death-threat under Rev 13
   Divine deliverance	Esther intercedes	Christ intercedes for His people
   Judgment reversed	Haman is executed	God judges Babylon

6. Connecting Theology: The True Redeemer vs. the False Accuser

   • Boaz redeems Ruth—out of love, in righteousness.

   • Jesus redeems us—by grace, through sacrifice.

   • Haman claims the right to kill God’s people—without mercy.

   • Satan claims dominion over the world—without justice.
     Only the One who pays the price (Christ) has the right to rule.

7. The Spiritual Climate of Our Day
   We live in a world where loyalty to God once again “stands out”—Sabbath-keeping, biblical values, and resistance to moral compromise. The great test doesn’t begin when the pressure peaks; it starts now:

   • How do I handle pressure at school, among friends, or at work?

   • What feeds my mind—truth or conformity?

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Answers to the Questions

Question: What parallels do you see between Esther 3 and Revelation 12–13?

• Claim to power: Haman demands honor and submission—just like Satan in Revelation. Both react violently when worship is refused.

• Target: Mordecai and God’s people—a minority refusing worldly bowing. In Revelation, the remnant refuses the beast.

• Decree: In both cases, an official death sentence is issued against God’s faithful.

• Motive: Pride, self-deification, and lust for power drive both adversaries.

Question: How does the description of the remnant in Revelation resemble God’s people in Esther’s time?

• Few in number but great in faith: The remnant is small yet steadfast, like the Jews in Persia.

• Persecution as proof of faithfulness: Refusal to conform endangers them—but reveals their loyalty.

• Divine intervention: Just as Esther intercedes, God protects His people despite overwhelming odds.

Question: What do small tests reveal about your faith?

If I compromise on honesty, Sabbath-keeping, patience, or forgiveness in everyday matters, will I stand firm when my very life is at stake? Character is formed in small tests, not only in grand choices—it’s there that true growth shows.

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Spiritual Principles

• God’s people will always be a minority—but never powerless.

• Pride and worship are central themes in the cosmic battle.

• True faithfulness shows itself in hidden, everyday obedience.

• God works through ordinary people who honor Him above any earthly power.

• The conflict begins in the heart before it erupts into crisis.

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Application for Daily Life

• Vigilance in the small things: How do I react when honesty costs me? When I must explain my faith? When I face rejection?

• Courage to stand apart: Mordecai stood tall, even isolated. Am I ready to stand for my convictions, even if it’s unpopular?

• Faithfulness in secret: Only those who prove faithful in daily, hidden obedience will endure the great trials—in family, work, and friendships.

• Keep Jesus at the center: He is our “Boaz”—the Redeemer who frees us and sustains us through every test.

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Conclusion

Haman is not merely a historical foe of Israel—he reflects Satan’s stance in the last days. The mechanisms remain the same: deception, pride, demand for worship, destruction for refusal. Yet Mordecai stands as a model for all who put God above everything else. Revelation 13 is not merely a dark future vision, but a wake-up call: now is the time to be faithful in the small things. Only those who stand firm today will endure tomorrow’s trials.

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Thought of the Day

“Character is formed in times of grace, not only in times of crisis.”
Remain faithful to God when no one is watching, and you will recognize Him when everyone turns away.

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Illustration – The Quiet Resistance

On the edge of a small European town lived 22-year-old Ruben, a business-informatics student—quiet, resolute. What set him apart was nearly invisible until you looked closer: he never spoke ill of others, refused to cheat on exams, and always helped classmates—yet declined weekend activities that clashed with his convictions. And he kept the Sabbath.

In a society demanding conformity—in digital life, politics, or consumption—Ruben seemed out of step. His university introduced a mandatory ethics module to teach “new-order values,” ostensibly about diversity and progress. Unofficially, anyone not aligning was subtly ostracized.

Ruben felt it. Class exercises increasingly required scenarios that violated his conscience. When he presented on genuine unity rooted in truth and conscience, the room fell silent. Professor Arnstein, sharp and poised, observed him closely.

Days later, Ruben was summoned for a “counseling session”—polite but perilous. Arnstein asked strategic questions: “Would you forsake certain religious rituals for the common good?” “What if your faith was deemed divisive?” Ruben answered honestly. He sensed it wasn’t just about a grade—it was a test of loyalty.

Afterward, classmates ignored him. Anonymously, a tutor gave him a poor evaluation. Friends drifted away. Ruben realized a larger battle was at play—not only at the university but in society. Standing for convictions that transcend trends and polls made life uncomfortable.

Then came exam week. The ethics exam was scheduled on Saturday. Ruben politely requested an alternative date—he had done so before without issue. This time, they refused: “The module is uniformly mandatory.” He insisted on honoring the Sabbath and was barred.

An op-ed appeared on the campus portal: “Fanatics Among Us?” Though anonymous, it was clearly about Ruben. He “threatened the common good” and was “unwilling to integrate,” believing in “commands above social consensus.” A few quietly supported him, but they were few and silent.

That night, Ruben read Mordecai’s story and Revelation 13: “…so that all who refused to worship the beast’s image would be killed.” He felt no anger—only a deep peace.

In the weeks that followed, Ruben lived unchanged: volunteering, helping peers, and standing firm. Some noticed the serenity in his eyes. His former friend Lukas, ambitious and loud, approached him one evening: “How can you be so calm when everything’s against you?”

Ruben smiled: “Because I belong to a King who reigns over every kingdom—even if it doesn’t look that way now.”

Lukas fell silent—and returned the next day, and then regularly. Six months later, Lukas stood with Ruben in a small church outside town. He wanted to see if this Jesus was really alive. Ruben had won no awards or public praise, but he had kept something no one could take: faithfulness. In that faithfulness, the light shone ever brighter—quietly, clearly, irresistibly.

At the edge of the world, amid a system that claimed to be everything, one young man believed in something greater than success, power, or applause. And his story was just beginning.

June 11, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Exodus 6 – The Commission Renewed – God Affirms His Promise and Power

When God’s plan continues despite human doubts – hope and calling amid burden and suffering.

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Bible Text – Exodus 6 (KJV)

Then the Lord said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.

2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord:

3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them.

4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.

5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.

6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord.

9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.

10 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

11 Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.

12 And Moses spake before the Lord, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?

13 And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

14 These be the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben.

15 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman: these are the families of Simeon.

16 And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years.

17 The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.

18 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years.

19 And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.

20 And Amram took him Jochebed his father’s sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.

21 And the sons of Izhar; Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.

22 And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri.

23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

24 And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these are the families of the Korhites.

25 And Eleazar Aaron’s son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.

26 These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom the Lord said, Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.

27 These are they which spake to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt: these are that Moses and Aaron.

28 And it came to pass on the day when the Lord spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt,

29 That the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, I am the Lord: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee.

30 And Moses said before the Lord, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?

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Introduction

Chapter 6 of Exodus is a powerful turning point in Israel’s deliverance story. After the bitter disappointment at the end of chapter 5—where Moses accused God of making the people’s oppression even worse—God responds not with rebuke, but with a fresh affirmation of His promises. He speaks to Moses not merely as a commander, but as the covenant-keeping God who has not forgotten His pledges to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

This chapter highlights two major themes: God’s faithfulness and Moses’ calling despite his own weakness. It speaks of hope, divine guidance in the midst of human despair, and the reliability of God’s word.

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Commentary

I. God’s Renewed Promise to Moses (Verses 1–8)
God speaks with clarity and power: “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh” (v. 1). This “now” marks a decisive shift. He points Moses away from his feelings or prospects for success to His own sovereign might. The promise to redeem Israel “with an outstretched arm and great acts of judgment” is concrete, not merely symbolic.

He reveals Himself as “the LORD” (YHWH)—a deeper self-revelation showing He is the God who acts personally and dwells with His people. While Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob knew Him as God Almighty (El Shaddai), Moses and Israel are invited to experience Him as the covenant-keeping YHWH—faithful, present, and liberating.

II. Israel’s Response (Verse 9)
Despite these mighty assurances, the people do not rejoice. “They did not listen because of their discouragement and harsh labor.” This poignant image of human brokenness shows how burdens can be so heavy that even God’s promises fail to reach our hearts.

Yet the text notes: God’s promises remain true even when they are not felt or believed in the moment.

III. Moses Sent Again—And Doubts Again (Verses 10–13)
God is undeterred. He commissions Moses once more to speak with Pharaoh. Moses again protests, “I am of uncircumcised lips”—a metaphor for inadequacy or unworthiness. God does not simply dismiss his excuse; He appoints Aaron alongside Moses and reiterates the command. The focus is not on Moses’ ability, but on God’s power.

IV. The Genealogy of the Levites (Verses 14–27)
What seems like a dry list serves a vital purpose: it authenticates Moses and Aaron as God’s chosen leaders from the house of Levi, especially through Amram. This genealogy prevents any notion that Moses was a self-appointed prophet—his lineage confirms God’s preparation and commission. It underscores that God’s call is rooted in history, order, and covenant.

V. Final Affirmation of the Commission (Verses 28–30)
The chapter closes by echoing the earlier commission scene (v. 10). Moses again claims his “uncircumcised lips,” but by now it is clear: God’s plan will proceed despite human weakness. The emphasis falls on obedience in spite of inadequacy.

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Summary

God reaffirms His intent to deliver Israel from slavery by powerful acts. Despite the people’s discouragement and Moses’ doubts, God’s plan remains unshaken. He reveals Himself as the covenant-keeping God who remembers His promises. The Levite genealogy legitimizes Moses and Aaron’s leadership. Ultimately, the chapter teaches that God uses broken vessels to accomplish great things—because He is faithful, not because we are perfect.

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Message for Today

• God’s promises endure, even when we don’t immediately sense them. In suffering and fatigue, His hand is still at work on our behalf.

• You don’t have to be perfect to be used by God. Moses doubted and felt inadequate, yet he was God’s chosen instrument. God equips those He calls.

• Faith grows by hearing, not by sight. Israel’s exhaustion silenced their ears, but God’s Word remains effective—it calls out to you even when you struggle to believe.

• God’s guidance is woven through history. He acts not in a vacuum but through generations. You, too, belong to a larger story of His redemptive work.

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June 8 – 14, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 10

The Tower of Babel

Read online here

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Introduction

After the Flood, Noah’s family was to repopulate the cleansed earth. But soon Shem, Ham, and Japheth revealed distinct character traits that persisted in their descendants. At the center stands the sinful building project on the plain of Shinar: a city with a tower meant to reach the heavens. God’s intervention by confusing their language halted construction and simultaneously fulfilled His plan to scatter humanity across the earth.

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Commentary

1. Background and Noah’s Prophecy

1.1 The Three Sons and Their Lines

• • Noah’s blessing on Shem and Japheth versus his curse on Canaan.

  • Inherited traits: godliness in Shem’s descendants; corruption in Ham’s line.

1.2 Consequences for Their Descendants

• • Shem: God’s chosen people and heirs of the covenant.

  • Japheth: Participants in the blessings of the Gospel.

  • Canaan: Degeneration into pagan idol worship and eventual slavery.

2. Settlement in Shinar and the Tower Construction

2.1 Reasons for Unity and Building

• • Desire for security and unity after a shared history.

  • Fertile land and a false sense of independence from divine threat.

2.2 Architecture as a Symbol of Power and Religion

• • The city as the center of a future world empire.

  • The tower as a monument to human wisdom, security, and idol worship.

2.3 Motives and Misbelief

• • Doubt in God’s promise: “No further Flood will come.”

  • Quest for scientific “understanding” of the Flood’s causes.

3. God’s Intervention and Judgment

3.1 Confusion of Languages

• • The relay system of communication collapses.

  • Complete dispersion through incomprehensible speech.

3.2 Destruction of the Structure and Scattering

• • A lightning strike as a sign of divine displeasure.

  • Fulfillment of God’s original plan: distribution of nations and languages.

4. Theological Significance

• A warning against human arrogance and estrangement from God.

• Demonstration of God’s patience, mercy, and righteous judgment through history.

• A foreshadowing of later “Babel” phenomena: unity apart from God’s Word leads to chaos.

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Summary

The Tower of Babel illustrates how human pride and the attempt to unite independently of God lead to confusion, dispersion, and divine judgment. God’s intervention preserved His original design to fill the earth with diverse nations and languages.

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Message for Us Today

“Babel” projects still exist: ideologies that challenge God’s authority and promise unity apart from biblical truth. We are reminded to align our plans with God’s Word and to approach His sovereignty with humility.

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Reflection Question

What “towers” are we building today—in technology, culture, or religion—that draw us away from God? How can we foster genuine unity through obedience to truth?

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June 8 – 14, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 11

The Tower of Babel

Read online here

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Introduction

After the Babel dispersion and worldwide idolatry, God chose Abraham from Shem’s line to preserve His law and promises for future generations. Born into a family surrounded by pagan superstitions, Abraham faithfully responded to God’s call and thus became the father of the nation from which the Savior of the world would come.

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Commentary

1. Historical and Theological Background

1.1 The World after Babel

• • Idolatry spreads and people turn away from God.

  • God allows the unrepentant to follow their own paths.

1.2 Shem’s Line and the Preservation of Faith

• • A continuous transmission of divine revelations from Adam through Noah and Shem.

  • Abraham as heir of this sacred heritage.

2. God’s Promise to Abraham

2.1 Promises and Conditions

• • Many descendants and a great name.

  • Through him, all nations on earth will be blessed.

2.2 Testing through Obedience

• • The command to leave his homeland and relations.

  • Faith described as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

3. Abraham’s Responses and Experiences

3.1 Departure for Haran and Canaan

• • Obediently sets out into the unknown, accompanied by relatives and Lot.

  • Key stops: Haran as a temporary home, then Shechem and Bethel—each marked by an altar.

3.2 Life and Trials in Canaan

• • A fertile land occupied by pagans with their altars.

  • Abraham builds altars to signify God’s presence.

3.3 Famine and Flight to Egypt

• • A test of humility, patience, and faith.

  • Abraham’s lapse of faith: presenting Sarah as his sister.

3.4 God’s Protection and Lessons Learned

• • Pharaoh is afflicted by plagues, then honors Abraham.

  • Lessons about God’s safeguarding and the consequences of human distrust.

4. Theological Insights

• True faith requires leaving behind familiar securities.

• Trials serve to purify character and prepare for God’s work.

• God’s promises remain steadfast despite human shortcomings.

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Summary

God called Abraham to leave a pagan environment and follow Him in faith. Abraham obeyed, faced tests in Canaan and Egypt, yet remained faithful despite his mistakes. In doing so, he laid the foundation for the chosen people and revealed God’s protection and patience.

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Message for Us Today

We too are invited to trust God’s promises and may be called to leave our comfort zones. Trials expose our weaknesses, but they also shape our character and demonstrate God’s faithfulness even in our failures.

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Reflection Question

What “callings” from God in your life might require stepping into uncertainty and making sacrifices? How can you express your faith through obedience and trust in your daily life?

11.06.2025 | More Than Pages Full of Words | HEART ANCHOR
When the Bible Points to Christ
John 5:39

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Bible Text

“You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.”
– John 5:39

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 Devotional

Many people read the Bible to find answers, plan goals, or fortify themselves morally. But Jesus reminds us: the Scriptures primarily bear witness to Him. If we merely accumulate facts and stories, we miss the true treasure—the encounter with the living Christ.

Genuine Bible study begins when we don’t just collect information, but open our hearts to meet Jesus. Then God’s Word takes on a new dimension: it becomes a source of life, a guide for our path, and a comfort in times of need.

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Story – The Spark in the Old Papers

Jonas was seventeen and known among his friends as “the scanner”: he knew every fact, every YouTube tutorial, and had a quick Internet answer for any question. Yet his heart was empty. One afternoon he helped his grandmother clear out the attic boxes. Among yellowed letters and dusty photo albums he discovered an old, leather-bound Bible with brittle pages. Curious, he opened it—not for homework, but simply to look.

On page 397 he found a handwritten note: “Here I found Jesus – E.G., 1946.” Who was E.G., and what had they experienced? Jonas wondered as his eyes fell on John 5:39: “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.”

That night he lay awake for hours. A new melody played in his mind: What if these pages held not just facts, but a living invitation? The next morning he stood in his room holding his phone in one hand and the old Bible in the other. He pressed the pages to his ear, as if trying to hear Jesus speak to him.

He began reading the verses out loud, slowly, with no phone beside him. When he reached John 6:35—“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never go hungry”—he felt a strange tug in his chest, a mix of longing and comfort. Suddenly the world grew quiet: the coffee machine in the kitchen, the hum of the lightbulb, the bicycle bell outside—all receded into the background.

Over the following days Jonas continued his Bible reading, but differently than before. He read the Psalms and Gospels not to impress others, but to discover whether someone was truly speaking to him in those lines. And indeed: at Isaiah 41:10—“Do not fear, for I am with you…”—tears welled up. For the first time he sensed that Christ was not merely a historical name, but a Friend who stood with him in his fear.

His friends were puzzled when Jonas skipped their nightly gaming sessions. He simply replied, “I’ve met someone who wants to change my life.” They laughed, but Jonas stood firm. When they teased him, asking if he’d become a “Bible Boy,” he smiled: “Call it what you like. But my life finally has purpose.”

One evening his best friend Mika invited him to the skate park. As Jonas watched Mika attempt risky tricks, he felt uneasy. He remembered how Jesus spoke to the fish and filled their nets to overflowing. A thought flashed: “Maybe He can fill this place too.” He pulled the old book from his pocket and quietly read Matthew 4:19: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Mika shot him a mocking glance. “Reading your book again?” Jonas handed it over. “Read Psalm 23—just a minute.” Reluctantly Mika turned the pages and read, “…and lead me beside still waters.” When he looked up, he saw Jonas’s face—calm, certain, alive. A real curiosity stirred in Mika, a longing of his own. He nodded and sat down beside Jonas on the curb. In the silence of that moment, Mika too sensed there was more than the next skate trick.

That week Jonas helped prepare materials for his church youth group—not to display his knowledge, but to help others encounter Christ. He shared the story of his attic discovery and how John 5:39 challenged him: Scripture is not primarily a lesson, but a signpost to Jesus.

At the end of the school year, Jonas and Mika organized a small street outreach: they handed out bookmarks bearing John 5:39 and invited passersby to download a free Bible e-book. Many smiled as they took a bookmark—few read immediately, but three young people asked where they could learn more.

One evening Jonas sat on his bed with the old Bible in his hands and whispered, “Thank You for being more than words on paper.” He knew that his life had been transformed by that spark of encounter—a spark owed not to study or quizzes, but solely to the living Christ.

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Thoughts  – What Does John 5:39 Mean for You?

• Purpose in Reading: Are you seeking mere facts, or do you truly long to meet Jesus?

• Heart Over Head: God’s Word is meant not just to expand your knowledge, but to transform your life.

• Testimony: Scripture doesn’t point to itself, but to Christ as the source of life.

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Impulses for Today

1. Read with Openness: Open your Bible and invite Jesus to meet you personally—not for a test, but for your heart.

2. One Verse, One Prayer: Choose a verse, write it on a card, and pray it today as your own prayer.

3. Share Your Encounter: Tell a friend about a moment when you experienced God in Scripture—beyond just passing on facts.

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Prayer

Lord Jesus,
open my eyes and my heart so that I may discover You in every verse. May I not merely collect knowledge, but sense Your presence and find life in You. Grant me courage to follow Your voice and to share with others the power of this encounter. Amen.

June 10, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Exodus 5 – When the Call to Freedom Brings Suffering

Resistance, Oppression, and God’s Perspective

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Bible Text – Exodus 5 (KJV)

¹ And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

² And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.

³ And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the Lord our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

⁴ And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.

⁵ And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.

⁶ And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,

⁷ Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.

⁸ And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

⁹ Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

¹⁰ And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.

¹¹ Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.

¹² So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.

¹³ And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.

¹⁴ And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?

¹⁵ Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

¹⁶ There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.

¹⁷ But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord.

¹⁸ Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.

¹⁹ And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.

²⁰ And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:

²¹ And they said unto them, The Lord look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

²² And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

²³ For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.

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Introduction

In Exodus 5, Moses and Aaron discover that their first attempt to persuade Pharaoh to release Israel only makes matters worse: not only does Pharaoh refuse, but he increases the people’s suffering. This chapter reminds us that God’s ways often encounter fierce opposition—and that true deliverance sometimes follows a time of deep crisis.

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Commentary

1. Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh (1–5)

• Verses 1–2: A clear commission meets outright refusal
  – Moses and Aaron command Pharaoh in the name of the Lord to let Israel go. Pharaoh, unmoved, claims he doesn’t know the Lord and refuses.

• Verses 3–5: The request for three days of worship is treated as sabotage
  – Pharaoh sees their desire to worship as laziness and political unrest.

2. Harsher Forced Labor (6–14)

• Verses 6–9: New decree: no more straw, but full brick quota
  – Pharaoh orders that straw be withheld, yet demands the same number of bricks, increasing the workers’ burden.

• Verses 10–14: Pressure extends to Israel’s overseers
  – Egyptian taskmasters enforce the impossible quota, and the Israelite foremen are beaten when they fail.

3. The People’s Complaint and Moses’ Doubt (15–23)

• Verses 15–18: Uprising before Pharaoh
  – The Israelite overseers plead with Pharaoh, only to be mocked as “idle” for wanting to worship.

• Verses 19–23: Cries of the people and Moses’ prayer
  – When the foremen return distressed, Moses laments to God, “Why have you brought this suffering on your people? Why have you sent me?”

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Summary

Instead of relief, Moses’ mission triggers a wave of intensified oppression: Israel’s workload is doubled, overseers are beaten, and even Moses begins to doubt God’s plan. This chapter portrays the dark prelude to deliverance—first comes the crisis, then God’s miraculous intervention.

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Message for Today

Obedience to God does not always bring immediate relief; it can provoke new resistance from family, school, or work. Yet in those moments, we can trust that God sees our suffering and holds a rescue plan for us. A crisis isn’t a sign of failure but a necessary step toward real freedom.

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Thought Impulse

• Where are you experiencing increased pressure because you’re following God’s Word?

• What accusations of “laziness” or “idealism” are you facing when you stand for godly values?

• How do you respond when your own doubts arise in tough times—like Moses did?

Take a moment today to bring your situation before God, asking Him for endurance and clear insight into the path He’s leading you on.

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June 8 – 14, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 10

The Tower of Babel

Read online here

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Introduction

After the Flood, Noah’s family was to repopulate the cleansed earth. But soon Shem, Ham, and Japheth revealed distinct character traits that persisted in their descendants. At the center stands the sinful building project on the plain of Shinar: a city with a tower meant to reach the heavens. God’s intervention by confusing their language halted construction and simultaneously fulfilled His plan to scatter humanity across the earth.

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Commentary

1. Background and Noah’s Prophecy

1.1 The Three Sons and Their Lines

• • Noah’s blessing on Shem and Japheth versus his curse on Canaan.

  • Inherited traits: godliness in Shem’s descendants; corruption in Ham’s line.

1.2 Consequences for Their Descendants

• • Shem: God’s chosen people and heirs of the covenant.

  • Japheth: Participants in the blessings of the Gospel.

  • Canaan: Degeneration into pagan idol worship and eventual slavery.

2. Settlement in Shinar and the Tower Construction

2.1 Reasons for Unity and Building

• • Desire for security and unity after a shared history.

  • Fertile land and a false sense of independence from divine threat.

2.2 Architecture as a Symbol of Power and Religion

• • The city as the center of a future world empire.

  • The tower as a monument to human wisdom, security, and idol worship.

2.3 Motives and Misbelief

• • Doubt in God’s promise: “No further Flood will come.”

  • Quest for scientific “understanding” of the Flood’s causes.

3. God’s Intervention and Judgment

3.1 Confusion of Languages

• • The relay system of communication collapses.

  • Complete dispersion through incomprehensible speech.

3.2 Destruction of the Structure and Scattering

• • A lightning strike as a sign of divine displeasure.

  • Fulfillment of God’s original plan: distribution of nations and languages.

4. Theological Significance

• A warning against human arrogance and estrangement from God.

• Demonstration of God’s patience, mercy, and righteous judgment through history.

• A foreshadowing of later “Babel” phenomena: unity apart from God’s Word leads to chaos.

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Summary

The Tower of Babel illustrates how human pride and the attempt to unite independently of God lead to confusion, dispersion, and divine judgment. God’s intervention preserved His original design to fill the earth with diverse nations and languages.

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Message for Us Today

“Babel” projects still exist: ideologies that challenge God’s authority and promise unity apart from biblical truth. We are reminded to align our plans with God’s Word and to approach His sovereignty with humility.

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Reflection Question

What “towers” are we building today—in technology, culture, or religion—that draw us away from God? How can we foster genuine unity through obedience to truth?

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June 8 – 14, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 11

The Tower of Babel

Read online here

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Introduction

After the Babel dispersion and worldwide idolatry, God chose Abraham from Shem’s line to preserve His law and promises for future generations. Born into a family surrounded by pagan superstitions, Abraham faithfully responded to God’s call and thus became the father of the nation from which the Savior of the world would come.

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Commentary

1. Historical and Theological Background

1.1 The World after Babel

• • Idolatry spreads and people turn away from God.

  • God allows the unrepentant to follow their own paths.

1.2 Shem’s Line and the Preservation of Faith

• • A continuous transmission of divine revelations from Adam through Noah and Shem.

  • Abraham as heir of this sacred heritage.

2. God’s Promise to Abraham

2.1 Promises and Conditions

• • Many descendants and a great name.

  • Through him, all nations on earth will be blessed.

2.2 Testing through Obedience

• • The command to leave his homeland and relations.

  • Faith described as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

3. Abraham’s Responses and Experiences

3.1 Departure for Haran and Canaan

• • Obediently sets out into the unknown, accompanied by relatives and Lot.

  • Key stops: Haran as a temporary home, then Shechem and Bethel—each marked by an altar.

3.2 Life and Trials in Canaan

• • A fertile land occupied by pagans with their altars.

  • Abraham builds altars to signify God’s presence.

3.3 Famine and Flight to Egypt

• • A test of humility, patience, and faith.

  • Abraham’s lapse of faith: presenting Sarah as his sister.

3.4 God’s Protection and Lessons Learned

• • Pharaoh is afflicted by plagues, then honors Abraham.

  • Lessons about God’s safeguarding and the consequences of human distrust.

4. Theological Insights

• True faith requires leaving behind familiar securities.

• Trials serve to purify character and prepare for God’s work.

• God’s promises remain steadfast despite human shortcomings.

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Summary

God called Abraham to leave a pagan environment and follow Him in faith. Abraham obeyed, faced tests in Canaan and Egypt, yet remained faithful despite his mistakes. In doing so, he laid the foundation for the chosen people and revealed God’s protection and patience.

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Message for Us Today

We too are invited to trust God’s promises and may be called to leave our comfort zones. Trials expose our weaknesses, but they also shape our character and demonstrate God’s faithfulness even in our failures.

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Reflection Question

What “callings” from God in your life might require stepping into uncertainty and making sacrifices? How can you express your faith through obedience and trust in your daily life?