Lesson 10: Upon Whom the Ends Have Come

10.4 The Judge of All the Earth

A Spiritual Portrait of the Righteous Judge in Light of Modern Questions

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Introduction

What happens when a human negotiates with God about justice? Genesis 18 tells one of the most intense and astonishing encounters between God and man. Abraham stands before God—not in rebellion, but in deep concern for a city whose fate seems sealed. And God? The Almighty, the Creator of the universe, stops, listens, and responds.

In this scene, not only God’s omniscience is revealed, but also His nature: justice, mercy, and transparency. This chapter is a mirror that shows us how God deals with sin—and also with human pain and longing.

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Bible Study 

Genesis 18:17–21 – God’s Transparency

“Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?”

God asks Himself a question. He decides: No, I will tell Abraham. Why? Because Abraham is a key—representing his people, his faith, and his calling.

Observation:
God does not act in secret. Even before Sodom is judged, He shares His thoughts with Abraham. He gives insight before the sentence is pronounced—a sign of true transparency and relationship.

Principle:
God is not a God of surprise verdicts—He reveals His intentions. Even today, through prophecy and Bible study, He wants to prepare us, not catch us off guard.

Genesis 18:22–33 – Abraham’s Intercession

Abraham remains standing. The angels move on, but Abraham stays before God. And then begins a unique dialogue: Abraham wrestles with God—not for himself, but for a sinful city.

“Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”

He pleads with God—fifty, forty-five, forty, thirty, twenty, ten. And every time God responds with astonishing patience and mercy: “I will spare them.”

Observation:
Abraham symbolically stands for Jesus, the intercessor. He pleads for others, placing himself between judgment and humanity. This is the heart of true intercession—not to save oneself, but to save others.

Principle:
God’s heart is touchable. He is not a harsh judge but a Father who seeks reasons to spare.

Why does God allow evil?

This story provides several profound answers:

• God hears the cries of the oppressed—He does not ignore suffering.

• He examines carefully (v. 21)—God never judges without knowing fully.

• He delays judgment—not from weakness, but from hope.

• He allows intercession—He invites humans to be part of His decisions.

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Answers to the Questions

Question 1: What do we learn from these verses about God’s nature and how He deals with evil?

• God is just—and merciful.
  He is not an angry judge who punishes blindly. He seeks the good. If only ten righteous people had lived in Sodom—the judgment wouldn’t have happened. That number reveals God’s patience and heart.

• God acts transparently.
  He didn’t have to explain anything to Abraham. But He did. He shows: My actions are open. And this principle extends into eternity: during the Millennium (Revelation 20:4), God gives the saved insight—not because He must, but because He wants trust to grow.

• God allows questions.
  Abraham argues, doubts, pleads—and God allows it. The Creator does not respond with cold distance, but with fatherly patience.

• God’s judgment is never hasty.
  He examines, sees, hears, and waits. Only when every path has been exhausted does judgment come.

Question 2: What does this tell us about God’s character and His openness toward created beings, who owe Him everything?

This scene is revolutionary. No human has the right to question the eternal God—and yet God invites just that.

• Humility meets sovereignty:
  God could hide His ways. But He reveals them, because love builds trust. Love doesn’t coerce—it opens.

• Eternity is not a dictatorship, but a relationship:
  If God gives us a thousand years in heaven to review everything (Revelation 20:11–15), it is not to justify Himself—but to heal our hearts.

• Our God is not just almighty, but also approachable:
  His openness to be examined by His creatures shows: He is not just Lord—He is Father.

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Spiritual Principles

• True justice does not exclude mercy.

• Questions are allowed—as long as they come from an honest heart.

• God seeks not blind loyalty but tested trust.

• Judgment is never God’s first choice—it is His last resort after unheard warnings.

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Application for Daily Life

• In relationships: Like God, we too can learn to listen before judging.

• In prayer: You can wrestle with God. He will not push you away.

• In confronting injustice: Intercede like Abraham—for cities, for people, for salvation.

• In personal doubts: If you have questions for God—bring them. He invites you to understand.

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Conclusion

Genesis 18 is not a report of a destructive God. It’s a chapter about a God who passionately wants to save.
A God who waits, examines, warns—and only then judges.
God is ready to speak with those who come with sincere hearts. Abraham did it—we can too.

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Thought of the Day

“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” – Yes, He will. And He will do it with a heart that prefers to forgive rather than destroy.

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Illustration – The Last Service: A Prayer in the Night

It was a rainy Tuesday evening in November when Dr. Elias Varga began his shift in the city hospital’s emergency department. Wind rattled the windows, blue lights flashed in the streets, and the scent of disinfectant mingled with stale coffee from a long-overdue machine. Elias had been an ER doctor for 18 years—hardened, alert, professional. And yet, for weeks, something inside him had begun to crack.

During his break, he scrolled through the news. Another missing girl. Another teenager bled out in the drug zone. More violence. More silence.
“Lord,” he muttered, stirring his cold coffee, “how much longer?”

Suddenly, a stranger sat beside him—quiet, unremarkable. No name tag, no introduction. Just eyes that seemed to see right through him.
“You wonder why God doesn’t act,” the man said calmly. Elias flinched.
“What…? Who…?”
“I heard your question.”
The man smiled, pulled out a small, worn Bible, and opened it.
“Genesis 18. Abraham asked God: ‘Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?’”

Elias said nothing. The man continued:
“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Then he stood up.
“God judges—but not without waiting. And not without listening.”
And just like that, he was gone.

That moment haunted Elias. Later that night, alone in the break room, instead of writing shift reports, he wrote down names on a napkin—names of people he knew who lived as if there were no tomorrow.
Leila, 16, in and out of the ER, drugs, self-harm.
Jarek, 19, violent, previously arrested.
Katja, his neighbor, alone, numbing herself with alcohol.
Mehdi, suspected dealer, whom Elias had once saved.
And his own son Luca, 17, withdrawn, angry at a world he didn’t understand.

Elias stared at the list and whispered, “Lord… if you’re looking for someone to ask—here I am. I’m asking. For them. Not yet. Please, not yet.”

In the days that followed, something shifted. Not dramatic. Not loud. But real.
Leila came to the clinic—this time to apply for a nursing internship.
Jarek enrolled in rehab—”I want out,” he said.
Mehdi anonymously turned in a bag of drugs to the police—without a word.
Katja joined the neighborhood group and brought cookies.
Luca sat at the kitchen table, holding his grandfather’s Bible.
“Dad… do you really think God has a plan for people like us?”

Elias had tears in his eyes. Not from weakness—but from awe. For the first time in years, he felt his prayers weren’t bouncing off the ceiling. That his questions had been heard. That God was not silent—but waiting. For a prayer. For someone to ask.

Weeks later, while sorting his hospital uniform, Elias found a small note in his old coat pocket. The handwriting wasn’t his. But the words pierced his heart:

“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” – Genesis 18:25
God does not judge blindly. He waits. Sometimes, for a single prayer.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-10-upon-whom-the-ends-have-come-10-4-the-judge-of-all-the-earth-allusions-images-symbols-living-faith/

June 4, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 49 – Blessed with Open Eyes – Jacob’s Final View

God’s Plans Through Imperfect People – And What That Means for You

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Bible Text – Genesis 49 (KJV)

¹ And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.

² Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

³ Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

⁴ Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

⁵ Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.

⁶ O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.

⁷ Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

⁸ Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.

⁹ Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

¹⁰ The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

¹¹ Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

¹² His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

¹³ Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.

¹⁴ Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:

¹⁵ And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.

¹⁶ Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

¹⁷ Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

¹⁸ I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.

¹⁹ Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.

²⁰ Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.

²¹ Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.

²² Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:

²³ The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:

²⁴ But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

²⁵ Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

²⁶ The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

²⁷ Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

²⁸ All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

²⁹ And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

³⁰ In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.

³¹ There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.

³² The purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein was from the children of Heth.

³³ And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

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Introduction

What would you say if you knew your last words would be remembered – as a legacy, as a prophecy, as a blessing?

In Genesis 49, Jacob stands at the end of his life. He calls his twelve sons together, looks back – but more importantly, he looks ahead. What follows is not just a farewell speech: it’s a spiritual mirror and a prophetic vision for the future of Israel’s tribes.

What’s striking is the honesty. Jacob hides nothing. And yet, within everything he says lies hope – because God works through brokenness.

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Commentary

1. Verses 1–2: A Prophetic Framework

Jacob opens with a bold declaration: “I will tell you what shall happen to you in days to come.”
He speaks as a prophet. Jacob sees beyond the moment. What follows is not just a personal blessing, but a divine revelation of Israel’s destiny.

2. Verses 3–7: Sin Is Not Hidden (Reuben, Simeon, Levi)

• Reuben (vv. 3–4): As the firstborn, he should have held honor and leadership. But his moral failure (sleeping with his father’s concubine) disqualified him. Jacob speaks the truth: “You shall not excel.”

• Simeon and Levi (vv. 5–7): Marked by violence and uncontrolled anger (see Genesis 34 – the massacre at Shechem). Jacob declares they will be scattered in Israel – which later becomes true (Levi in priestly cities, Simeon absorbed into Judah).

Lesson: Sin has consequences, even for future generations. But God still weaves His plan through broken stories (e.g., Levi becomes the priestly tribe).

3. Verses 8–12: The Promise Through Judah

Judah receives a special prophecy:

• Rulership: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah…” (v.10)

• Messianic Promise: “…until Shiloh comes” – a reference to the coming Messiah.

• Rich imagery: Wine, prosperity, royal authority.

Lesson: Despite his past (Judah sinned with Tamar), God chose him as the line of the Messiah. Grace triumphs over shame.

4. Verses 13–27: Diverse Portraits of the Tribes

Each son receives a unique description:

• Zebulun (v.13): Maritime expansion.

• Issachar (vv.14–15): Hardworking, but burdened.

• Dan (vv.16–18): Cunning like a serpent (later seen in Samson).

• Gad, Asher, Naphtali: Brave, fruitful, eloquent.

• Joseph (vv.22–26): Highlighted as fruitful despite persecution; strong through God.

• Benjamin (v.27): Fierce warrior, devours prey.

Observation: God’s plan takes into account individual character, strength, and calling. Not a “one-size-fits-all” blessing – but a tailor-made destiny for each.

5. Verses 28–33: Farewell and Promise

Jacob ends with intentionality and faith. He reminds his sons of the promise of Canaan, the Promised Land. His final wish: to be buried with Abraham, Isaac, and Leah – a declaration of faith in God’s covenant.

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Summary

Jacob’s final blessing is honest, prophetic, and deeply spiritual. He doesn’t ignore sin – but he emphasizes God’s sovereign hand. Each son is seen individually, yet all are part of God’s redemptive plan.

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Message for Today

1. God knows your real character – and still blesses you.
   Just as Jacob looked at his sons with both truth and hope, God sees you – all of you – and doesn’t turn away.

2. Your past doesn’t define your future.
   Judah failed – yet became the ancestor of Jesus. Grace is stronger than your mistakes.

3. You are part of something greater.
   Every tribe had a purpose. So do you – even if you don’t fully see it yet.

4. Build your life on promise, not just inheritance.
   Jacob died in faith, looking toward what God would still do. Live today in expectation of God’s future through you.

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June 1 – 7, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 8

After the Flood

Read online here

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Introduction

The flood was over. The waters receded, and the ark came to rest. But life after the flood was not simply a continuation—it was a complete new beginning. In Chapter 8 of Patriarchs and Prophets, we read how God not only saves but also leads, protects, and grants new promises. Noah, the faithful preacher of righteousness, stands as a shining example of obedience, gratitude, and trust—even in times of deep uncertainty. The world that awaited him was no longer the same—but God had not changed: faithful, powerful, and full of grace.

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Commentary

1. Faith in the Test (The Months in the Ark)

The five months spent in the ark were a hard trial of patience. Without knowing when the waters would recede, Noah remained steadfast. He did not doubt God’s leading. Faith carried him and his family through the darkness.
Lesson: True trust is shown in the silence of waiting. God’s hand guides even when we cannot see it.

2. The Ordered Return (The Birds and Patience)

Noah sent out the raven and the dove in search of a sign. But he did not act impatiently—he left the ark only when God explicitly commanded him.
Lesson: Even when we see signs, our decisions must be guided by God’s word, not by circumstances alone.

3. The First Altar (Gratitude and Sacrifice)

Before he built a home for himself, Noah built an altar for God. He offered clean animals—an expression of his faith in the coming sacrifice of Christ.
Lesson: True gratitude first honors the One who gave everything—even when our own resources are scarce.

4. God’s Response: The New Covenant

God smelled the “pleasing aroma” of the sacrifice and declared a new covenant: there would be no more global flood. The rainbow became the sign of this covenant.
Lesson: God uses visible signs to assure us of His invisible faithfulness. His promises are for all generations.

5. A Changed Earth, A Changed Lifestyle

The earth was completely altered—landscape and ecosystem. God permitted the eating of meat as an adaptation to the new reality.
Lesson: God’s care and instructions adapt to human situations, but His moral will remains unchanged.

6. Hidden Treasures and Judgment

The flood buried not only bodies but also human pride, wealth, and idolatry. From this came coal, oil, and ore—evidence of God’s judgment but also of His mercy.
Lesson: What man abused, God transformed into a testimony of His power and justice.

7. Future Judgments: Fire Instead of Water

As water once cleansed the earth, so fire will purify it at the end. Volcanoes, earthquakes, and disasters are forerunners of Christ’s return.
Lesson: God’s warnings are not meant to frighten but to call us to repentance—His grace protects His people.

8. God’s Protection for His Own

Just as Noah was safe in the ark, God’s people will be protected by His power at the end. Psalm 91 becomes a personal promise amid chaos.
Lesson: The safe place is not geographical, but spiritual—under God’s wings.

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Summary

After the flood, Noah stepped into a radically changed world. But in the midst of death and destruction, his heart remained focused on God. His obedience, gratitude, and faith make him a model for all generations. And God responded with grace, promise, and protection. The rainbow stretching across the sky and throne remains the eternal sign: God’s covenant stands. And though future judgments will come, He will preserve those who trust in Him.

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Message for Us Today

In a world again marked by uncertainty, disasters, and moral decay, God calls us to live like Noah: with faith, obedience, and gratitude. When all that we know is shaken, we can rest assured:

God’s hand is still at the helm.
His covenant still stands. The rainbow in the sky is more than a natural phenomenon—it is a testimony of His faithfulness. And just as Noah was preserved in the midst of judgment, so we too can know:

The righteous are safe—not because they are strong, but because they trust in God.

So then, let us build altars of gratitude before we build houses. Let us give before we take. Let us believe before we see.
For the Lord, your Redeemer, says:
“My kindness shall not depart from you.” (Isaiah 54:10)

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/4-06-2025-genesis-chapter-49-believe-his-prophets/

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/june-4-2025-fruit-reveals-heart-heart-anchor-youth-devotional/

Lesson 10: Upon Whom the Ends Have Come

10.3 The Story of Sodom and Gomorrah

When the Fire of Judgment Falls – Lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah

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Introduction

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is one of the most powerful and sobering accounts in the Old Testament. Two cities, known for their immorality, social injustice, and spiritual rebellion, are destroyed by fire from heaven. Yet the biblical writers—especially Peter, Jude, and Ezekiel—make it clear: This story is not a distant event from antiquity, but a prophetic warning for every generation—including our own.

When we read 2 Peter 2:4–11, Jude 5–8, and Ezekiel 16:46–50, we realize: God does not tolerate evil indefinitely. Equally important: God’s judgment never comes without reason. It is the response to persistent, willful rebellion against His grace and order.

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Bible Study 

1. Sodom in the Old and New Testament

2 Peter 2:4–11: Sodom and Gomorrah are given as examples of how God judges the ungodly. Lot is portrayed as a “righteous man” whose soul was tormented by the lawless deeds of his neighbors.

Jude 5–8: The cities are cited as examples of those who “indulged in sexual immorality” and “pursued unnatural desires.” Their punishment with “eternal fire” is explicitly mentioned.

Ezekiel 16:46–50: Beyond sexual sin, Ezekiel lists pride, excess of food, laziness, and failure to help the poor as the primary sins of Sodom.

2. The Deeper Sin: Spiritual Arrogance

Ezekiel 16 shows that sin isn’t always what it appears to be. Israel despised God’s mercy and committed spiritual adultery.

God compares His own people to Sodom—and declares: “You are worse.”

The deepest sin is not immorality, but religious self-righteousness that numbs the heart.

3. Judgment and Grace – Side by Side

God does not destroy recklessly. He warns, He pleads, He gives time.

But when the human heart hardens, consequences follow.

The story of Sodom is also a call to repentance—before judgment comes.

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Answers to the Questions

Question 1: What moral conditions led to the destruction of Sodom?

Answer: The Bible presents several reasons:

• Sexual immorality and perversion (Jude 7)

• Pride and arrogance (Ezekiel 16:49)

• Abundance without care for the poor (Ezekiel 16:49)

• Indifference to God’s commandments

• Contempt for divine order (2 Peter 2:10)

This combination of personal depravity, social cruelty, and spiritual arrogance made Sodom ripe for judgment.

Question 2: What parallels can we see today?

Answer:

• A society that relativizes everything—including morality

• Self-fulfillment above all—regardless of the harm to others

• Sexual orientation and identity as the highest form of self-expression

• Coldness toward suffering, exploitation of the weak

• Pride in “tolerance”—but intolerance toward biblical truth

• Disregard for Scripture, indifference to sin even within the church

These are not just “worldly” problems—many of them affect the church as well.

Question 3: Why does God speak so harshly to His own people in Ezekiel?

Answer:

• Because they knew the truth—and rejected it

• Because religious people are often dangerously close to spiritual blindness

• Because self-righteousness can be more deadly than open sin

Like David (2 Samuel 12):
He was enraged at the injustice of the rich man who stole the poor man’s lamb—until Nathan said, “You are the man!”

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Spiritual Principles

• God’s patience is long—but not endless

• Rebellion often begins with complacency

• True faith shows in compassion, purity, and justice

• God’s judgment begins with His own house (1 Peter 4:17)

• Genuine obedience begins with recognizing oneself as a sinner and seeking grace

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Application for Daily Life

• Self-examination: Where have I grown complacent? Where do I judge others without examining my own heart?

• Live mercy: Do I see the needs around me—or am I like the rich in Sodom: full, bored, and cold?

• Humble repentance: When the Spirit convicts me, do I respond like David: “I have sinned against the Lord”?

• Speak warning with love: Not moralistically, but prophetically—like Nathan to David, like Ezekiel to Israel

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Conclusion

Sodom was not destroyed merely because of sexual sin, but because a whole people elevated themselves above God. They despised life, oppressed the poor, and dulled their conscience. This story is a living warning—but also a call to repentance and grace. If we repent, God is faithful and just.

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Thought of the Day

“The greatest blindness is failing to see our own guilt while loudly condemning the guilt of others.”

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Illustration – Under the Glass Roof

It was late. The city lights reflected off the glass wall of Elina’s apartment, perched high above the streets of Frankfurt. Cars left glowing streaks, music thumped from a rooftop club, and her phone vibrated silently on the table. She ignored it—just like she had been ignoring most things lately.

Elina was 29. Successful, efficient, independent. She worked in digital brand management. By day she spoke about client engagement and vision strategies; by night she scrolled through endless streams and documentaries about climate collapse, social debates, and identity politics. Everything seemed to unravel, yet no one stopped to breathe.

In the corner of her apartment sat an old moving box—untouched since inheriting her mother’s house. Childhood memories. Things forgotten but not discarded. One evening she opened it—she didn’t know why. Between old calendars, faded letters, and a stuffed bunny, she found a small, worn Bible. Inside, her mother had written:
“Read before you judge. – Mom”

She flipped through randomly—no intention, no faith—and landed in Ezekiel 16. Her eyes caught the words:
“This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: pride, excess of food, and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy.”

Not what she expected. No fire from heaven—just a mirror. Arrogance. Fullness. Indifference.

She closed the book, unsettled by the whisper inside: “You know this.”

In the following days, her awareness grew. Things she once ignored hit her deeply. The homeless boy on the subway vent. The heated meeting at work where a colleague was fired for speaking openly about his Christian faith. The way people treated him—as if belief were more dangerous than greed.

Elina defended him. Not loudly—just quietly. And that was enough for people to watch her differently.

At night, she dreamed of flames—not war, not disaster—but a city drenched in luxury, facing heaven’s response. She wasn’t watching. She was inside. Her glass ceiling shattered. The skyline burned. The proud city crumbled into silence. Then a figure appeared. White. Calm. No scream. No condemnation. Only one sentence:
“You are the woman.”

She woke up drenched in sweat. The silence was deafening. She knelt—so unlike her—normally the one in control, structured, self-made. And she whispered her first true prayer:
“I see myself. And I see You. Lord, save me from myself.”

Over the months, her life changed radically. She quit her job. Gave up her apartment. Moved into something simpler. She started volunteering in a soup kitchen and a women’s shelter. She spoke to people, not target groups. She stopped managing and started listening.

She was no longer admired. No longer “the career woman,” no longer “the enlightened one.” But she was free. And at peace.

When asked why she changed her life so dramatically, she doesn’t use theological terms. She simply says:
“I was proud. Full. Tired. And blind. But God opened my eyes—before the fire came.”

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Reflection from the Story:

Sodom was not just a city. It was a condition of the heart. And those who recognize it can be saved—before it’s too late.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-10-upon-whom-the-ends-have-come-10-3-the-story-of-sodom-and-gomorrah-allusions-images-symbols-living-faith/

June 3, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 48 – Jacob’s Blessing over Ephraim and Manasseh – God’s Ways Are Higher Than Ours

When God Chooses the Unexpected: The Younger Becomes Greater Than the Firstborn

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Bible Text – Genesis 48 (KJV)

¹ And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

² And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.

³ And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

⁴ And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.

⁵ And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.

⁶ And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.

⁷ And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.

⁸ And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said, Who are these?

⁹ And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.

¹⁰ Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.

¹¹ And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.

¹² And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.

¹³ And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near unto him.

¹⁴ And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.

¹⁵ And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,

¹⁶ The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

¹⁷ And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head.

¹⁸ And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.

¹⁹ And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

²⁰ And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

²¹ And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.

²² Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.

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Introduction

Genesis 48 presents a deeply moving moment in Jacob’s (Israel’s) life: on his deathbed, he calls his beloved son Joseph to bless Joseph’s two sons—Ephraim and Manasseh. But the blessing does not go as Joseph expects. Through Jacob, God reveals that His choices often go beyond human logic. This scene is not only historically important, but it also contains a rich spiritual lesson about grace, divine selection, and God’s leading.

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Commentary

1. Joseph Visits His Father (vv. 1–2):
When Jacob falls ill, Joseph rushes to him with his sons. This moment reflects family love but also spiritual significance. Jacob strengthens himself—spiritually, not physically—to pass on the blessing.

2. Jacob Recalls God’s Promises (vv. 3–4):
Jacob recounts God’s appearance in Luz (Bethel), affirming God’s promises: growth, fruitfulness, a great people, and the promised land. He begins his blessing not with emotion but with God’s Word—the true foundation of every spiritual inheritance.

3. Ephraim and Manasseh Become Jacob’s Sons (vv. 5–7):
Jacob symbolically adopts the two sons of Joseph as his own—”like Reuben and Simeon.” This gives them full inheritance rights, a picture of spiritual adoption: God includes us in His family even though we originally did not belong.

4. Meeting the Grandsons (vv. 8–12):
Jacob asks, “Who are these?”—a symbolic moment, as if opening the gateway to blessing. He recognizes God’s faithfulness not only in seeing Joseph again but also his offspring. It is a testimony of divine mercy.

5. The Crossing of Hands (vv. 13–14):
Joseph positions his sons according to birth order—Manasseh on Jacob’s right (the firstborn’s place). But Jacob deliberately crosses his hands: the right hand on Ephraim, the younger. This was intentional—led by God’s Spirit.

6. The Blessing (vv. 15–16):
Jacob gives a threefold blessing:

• From the God of his fathers,

• From the God who shepherded him,

• From the Angel who redeemed him from all evil.

A complete picture of God’s work: past, present, and as the Deliverer from harm.

7. Joseph Objects (vv. 17–19):
Joseph tries to correct his father, assuming he made a mistake. But Jacob responds, “I know, my son, I know.” Human tradition (firstborn priority) does not always reflect God’s choice. God’s election follows His own wisdom.

8. A Blessing for All Israel (v. 20):
“May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!” – This becomes the standard blessing in Israel. The younger is placed before the older—a prophetic image of God’s grace choosing according to His purpose, not merit.

9. Jacob’s Final Promise to Joseph (vv. 21–22):
Jacob speaks of his approaching death, but also of God’s promise to bring Israel back to the promised land. He gives Joseph an extra portion of land—prophetic of future conquest.

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Summary

Genesis 48 is a powerful scene of faith and prophecy. Jacob, near death, reflects on God’s faithfulness and speaks blessings over the next generation. Though Joseph expects Manasseh to receive the greater portion, God reveals through Jacob that Ephraim—the younger—will become the greater nation. This blessing is deliberate and spiritually guided, not driven by human logic. It exemplifies the principle: God’s ways are higher than our ways.

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Message for Today

• God does not see as humans do. He chooses not according to rank, performance, or expectation, but according to His own counsel.

• Even if we seem “second in line,” God may have great plans for us. Ephraim was the younger, yet God exalted him—because He willed it.

• Spiritual blessings extend across generations. Jacob’s words were not just for that moment—they became a lasting pattern for all Israel.

• In crisis, we should act like Jacob—speaking in faith, not swayed by emotion. On his deathbed, Jacob testified with clarity to God’s faithfulness.

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June 1 – 7, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 8

After the Flood

Read online here

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Introduction

The flood was over. The waters receded, and the ark came to rest. But life after the flood was not simply a continuation—it was a complete new beginning. In Chapter 8 of Patriarchs and Prophets, we read how God not only saves but also leads, protects, and grants new promises. Noah, the faithful preacher of righteousness, stands as a shining example of obedience, gratitude, and trust—even in times of deep uncertainty. The world that awaited him was no longer the same—but God had not changed: faithful, powerful, and full of grace.

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Commentary

1. Faith in the Test (The Months in the Ark)
The five months spent in the ark were a hard trial of patience. Without knowing when the waters would recede, Noah remained steadfast. He did not doubt God’s leading. Faith carried him and his family through the darkness.
Lesson: True trust is shown in the silence of waiting. God’s hand guides even when we cannot see it.

2. The Ordered Return (The Birds and Patience)
Noah sent out the raven and the dove in search of a sign. But he did not act impatiently—he left the ark only when God explicitly commanded him.
Lesson: Even when we see signs, our decisions must be guided by God’s word, not by circumstances alone.

3. The First Altar (Gratitude and Sacrifice)
Before he built a home for himself, Noah built an altar for God. He offered clean animals—an expression of his faith in the coming sacrifice of Christ.
Lesson: True gratitude first honors the One who gave everything—even when our own resources are scarce.

4. God’s Response: The New Covenant
God smelled the “pleasing aroma” of the sacrifice and declared a new covenant: there would be no more global flood. The rainbow became the sign of this covenant.
Lesson: God uses visible signs to assure us of His invisible faithfulness. His promises are for all generations.

5. A Changed Earth, A Changed Lifestyle
The earth was completely altered—landscape and ecosystem. God permitted the eating of meat as an adaptation to the new reality.
Lesson: God’s care and instructions adapt to human situations, but His moral will remains unchanged.

6. Hidden Treasures and Judgment
The flood buried not only bodies but also human pride, wealth, and idolatry. From this came coal, oil, and ore—evidence of God’s judgment but also of His mercy.
Lesson: What man abused, God transformed into a testimony of His power and justice.

7. Future Judgments: Fire Instead of Water
As water once cleansed the earth, so fire will purify it at the end. Volcanoes, earthquakes, and disasters are forerunners of Christ’s return.
Lesson: God’s warnings are not meant to frighten but to call us to repentance—His grace protects His people.

8. God’s Protection for His Own
Just as Noah was safe in the ark, God’s people will be protected by His power at the end. Psalm 91 becomes a personal promise amid chaos.
Lesson: The safe place is not geographical, but spiritual—under God’s wings.

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Summary

After the flood, Noah stepped into a radically changed world. But in the midst of death and destruction, his heart remained focused on God. His obedience, gratitude, and faith make him a model for all generations. And God responded with grace, promise, and protection. The rainbow stretching across the sky and throne remains the eternal sign: God’s covenant stands. And though future judgments will come, He will preserve those who trust in Him.

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Message for Us Today

In a world again marked by uncertainty, disasters, and moral decay, God calls us to live like Noah: with faith, obedience, and gratitude. When all that we know is shaken, we can rest assured:

God’s hand is still at the helm.
His covenant still stands. The rainbow in the sky is more than a natural phenomenon—it is a testimony of His faithfulness. And just as Noah was preserved in the midst of judgment, so we too can know:

The righteous are safe—not because they are strong, but because they trust in God.

So then, let us build altars of gratitude before we build houses. Let us give before we take. Let us believe before we see.
For the Lord, your Redeemer, says:
“My kindness shall not depart from you.” (Isaiah 54:10)

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/3-06-2025-genesis-chapter-48-believe-his-prophets/