The Roots of Abraham
Liksyon 6, Ikalawang Semestre Abril 30 – May 6, 2022
Ibahagi ang Liksyong ito
Sabbath Afternoon - April 30
Memory Text:
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” KJV — Hebrews 11:8
“Sa pananampalataya si Abraham, nang tawagin, ay tumalima upang pumaroon sa isang dakong kaniyang tatanggaping mana; at siya'y yumaon na di nalalaman kung saan siya paroroon.” KJV — Hebreo 11:8
“After the dispersion from Babel idolatry again became well-nigh universal, and the Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and made him the keeper of His law for future generations. Abraham had grown up in the midst of superstition and heathenism. Even his father's household, by whom the knowledge of God had been preserved, were yielding to the seductive influences surrounding them, and they “served other gods” than Jehovah. But the true faith was not to become extinct. God has ever preserved a remnant to serve Him. Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, Shem, in unbroken line, had preserved from age to age the precious revealings of His will. The son of Terah became the inheritor of this holy trust. Idolatry invited him on every side, but in vain. Faithful among the faithless, uncorrupted by the prevailing apostasy, he steadfastly adhered to the worship of the one true God. “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18. He communicated His will to Abraham, and gave him a distinct knowledge of the requirements of His law and of the salvation that would be accomplished through Christ.” PP 125.1
“Matapos ang ginawang pagpapakalat sa kanila sa Babel, ang pagsamba sa diosdiosan ay muling lumaganap, at tinulot ng Diyos na ang mga mapagsalangsang ay magpatuloy sa kanilang masasamang gawi, at Kanyang pinili si Abraham, sa lahi ni Sem, at ginawa siyang tagapag-ingat ng Kanyang kautusan para sa susunod na henerasyon. Si Abraham ay lumaking napapalibutan ng mga pamahiin at paganong paniniwala. Maging ang sambahayan ng kanyang ama, na nakaalam ng ukol sa Diyos, ay nadadala sa mga nakakaakit na impluwensya sa paligid, at “sila’y sumamba sa ibang diyos” bukod kay Jehovah. Ngunit ang tunay na pananampalataya ay hindi mamamatay. Palaging may lingkod na nalalabi upang sumamba sa Diyos. Sila Set, Enoc, Matusalem, Noe, Sem, sa tuluy-tuloy na lahi, ay nag-ingat sa mahahalagang pahayag ng Kanyang kalooban sa bawat kapanahunan. Ang anak ni Thare ang naging tagapagmana sa banal na pagtitiwalang ito. Ang pagsamba sa diosdiosan ay sumubok na humikayat sa kanya sa kabi-kabilang panig ngunit hindi ito nagtagumpay. Nanatiling tapat sa gitna ng kawalang pananampalataya, walang dungis sa kabila ng lumalaganap na idolatriya, siya’y nanatiling matatag sa pagsamba sa tunay na Diyos. “Ang Panginoon ay malapit sa lahat na nagsisitawag sa kaniya, sa lahat na nagsisitawag sa kaniya sa katotohanan.” Mga Awit 145:18. Kanyang hinayag kay Abraham ang kalooban ng Diyos at binigay ang natatanging kaalaman ukol sa tuntunin ng Kanyang kautusan at sa kaligtasan na darating sa pamamagitan ni Cristo.” PP 125.1
Sunday - May 1
Abraham’s Departure
Genesis 12:1-9
Why did God call Abram to leave his country and family? How did Abram respond?
Bakit tinawag ng Diyos si Abram upang umalis sa lupain at sa kanyang pamilya? Ano ang naging tugon ni Abram?
"Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, and said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee." Acts 7:2, 3. "So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him" (Gen. 12:4), and went at His lead into Canaan, wherein he dwelt, though the Lord "gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet He promised that He would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child." Acts 7:5.
“Mga kapatid na lalake at mga magulang, mangakinig kayo: Ang Dios ng kaluwalhatia'y napakita sa ating amang si Abraham, nang siya'y nasa Mesapotamia, bago siya tumahan sa Haran, At sinabi sa kaniya, Umalis ka sa iyong lupain, at sa iyong kamaganakan, at pumaroon ka sa lupaing ituturo ko sa iyo.” Mga Gawa 7:2,3 Kaya't yumaon si Abram, ayon sa sinalita sa kaniya ng Panginoon” Gen. 12:4), at naglakbay patungo sa Canaan sa pangunguna ng Diyos, kung saan siya tumahan, “At hindi siya pinamanahan ng anoman doon, kahit mayapakan ng kaniyang paa: at siya'y nangakong yao'y ibibigay na pinakaari sa kaniya, at sa kaniyang binhi pagkatapos niya, nang wala pa siyang anak.” Mga Gawa 7:5
“The message of God came to Abraham, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee.” In order that God might qualify him for his great work as the keeper of the sacred oracles, Abraham must be separated from the associations of his early life. The influence of kindred and friends would interfere with the training which the Lord purposed to give His servant. Now that Abraham was, in a special sense, connected with heaven, he must dwell among strangers. His character must be peculiar, differing from all the world. He could not even explain his course of action so as to be understood by his friends. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and his motives and actions were not comprehended by his idolatrous kindred.” PP 126.1
“Ang mensahe ng Diyos ay dumating kay Abraham, “Umalis ka sa iyong lupain, at sa iyong mga kamaganak, at sa bahay ng iyong ama, na ikaw ay pasa lupaing ituturo ko sa iyo”. Upang magpaging-dapat ng Diyos si Abraham sa kanyang dakilang gawain bilang tagapagingat ng mga sagradong pahayag ay kinakailangang mahiwalay siya sa pamilya at mga taong nakasama niya sa kanyang kabataan. Ang impluwensya ng mga kamaganak at kaibigan ay makakasagabal sa pagsasanay na layon ibigay ng Diyos sa kanya. Ngayon na si Abraham ay may espesyal na kaugnayan sa langit, siya ay dapat manahan kasama ang mga tagaibang bayan. Ang kanyang paguugali ay dapat maging kakaiba at natatangi kumpara sa mundo. Hindi niya maipaliwanag ang kanyang kilos para sa ikauunawa ng kanyang mga kaibigan. Ang mga espiritwal na bagay ay nauunawan lamang sa ilalim ng espritwal na pamamatnubay, at ang kanyang motibo at kilos ay hindi mauunawaan ng kanyang mga makamundong kamaganak.” PP 126.1
Monday - May 2
The Temptation of Egypt
Genesis 12:10-20
Why Did Abram leave the Promised Land to go to Egypt? How did the pharaoh behave in comparison to Abram?
Bakit iniwan ni Abram ang Lupang Pangako at nagtungo sa Egipto? Ano ang naging kilos ni paraon kumpara kay Abram?
“Abraham continued to journey southward, and again his faith was tested. The heavens withheld their rain, the brooks ceased to flow in the valleys, and the grass withered on the plains. The flocks and herds found no pasture, and starvation threatened the whole encampment. Did not the patriarch now question the leadings of Providence? Did he not look back with longing to the plenty of the Chaldean plains? All were eagerly watching to see what Abraham would do, as trouble after trouble came upon him. So long as his confidence appeared unshaken, they felt that there was hope; they were assured that God was his Friend, and that He was still guiding him. PP 128.2
“At si Abram ay naglakbay na nagtuloy sa dakong Timugan, at ang kanyang pananampalataya ay sinubok.” At ipinagkait ng kalangitan ang ulan, at ang mga batis ay tumigil sa pagagos tungo sa lambak at ang mga damo sa kapatagan ay nalanta. At ang mga kawan ay walang masumpungang pastulan at ang lahat ay natakot na magutom. Hindi ba nagawang kwestyunin ng patriarka ang ginawang probidensyang ito? Hindi ba nya inalala ang kasaganaan sa kapatagan ng mga Caldeo? Ang lahat ay nagmamatyag sa gagawing hakbang ni Abraham, habang ang kabikabilang kaguluhan ay sumapit sa kanya. Habang nakikita na ang kanyang tiwala ay nananatiling matatag, kanilang nararamdaman na mayroon silang Pagasa; sila ay may katiyakan na ang Diyos ay kanyang kaibigan at Siya pa din ang gumagabay sa kanya. PP 128.2
“Abraham could not explain the leadings of Providence; he had not realized his expectations; but he held fast the promise, “I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” With earnest prayer he considered how to preserve the life of his people and his flocks, but he would not allow circumstances to shake his faith in God's word. To escape the famine he went down into Egypt. He did not forsake Canaan, or in his extremity turn back to the Chaldean land from which he came, where there was no scarcity of bread; but he sought a temporary refuge as near as possible to the Land of Promise, intending shortly to return where God had placed him. PP 129.1
“Hindi maipaliwanag ni Abraham ang itinalaga ng Diyos sa kanya; hindi nya naunawaan ang kanyang inaasahan ngunit nanatili syang matatag sa pangako, “At gagawin kitang isang malaking bansa, at ikaw ay aking pagpapalain, at padadakilain ko ang iyong pangalan; at ikaw ay maging isang kapalaran”. Sa taimtim na panalangin ay kanyang isinaalang-alang kung paano maiingatan ang buhay ng kanyang bayan at kawan, ngunit hindi niya hinayaan ang anumang pangyayari na umuga sa kanyang pananampalataya sa salita ng Diyos. Upang matakasan ang taggutom, siya ay bumaba sa Egipto. Hindi niya tinalikuran ang Canaan, o sa kasukdulan ay bumalik sa lupain ng mga Caldeo kung saan siya nanggaling, kung saan walang kakulangan sa tinapay; at sa halip siya ay naghanap ng pansamantalang tuluyan na malapit sa Lupang Pangako, sa pagnanais na bumalik sa lupain kung saan siya nilagay ng Diyos. PP 129.1
“The Lord in His providence had brought this trial upon Abraham to teach him lessons of submission, patience, and faith—lessons that were to be placed on record for the benefit of all who should afterward be called to endure affliction. God leads His children by a way that they know not, but He does not forget or cast off those who put their trust in Him. He permitted affliction to come upon Job, but He did not forsake him. He allowed the beloved John to be exiled to lonely Patmos, but the Son of God met him there, and his vision was filled with scenes of immortal glory. God permits trials to assail His people, that by their constancy and obedience they themselves may be spiritually enriched, and that their example may be a source of strength to others. “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil.” Jeremiah 29:11. The very trials that task our faith most severely and make it seem that God has forsaken us, are to lead us closer to Christ, that we may lay all our burdens at His feet and experience the peace which He will give us in exchange.” PP 129.2
“Sa pamamagitan ng probidensya ng Diyos ay ibinigay ang pagsubok na ito kay Abraham upang turuan siya ng aral ng pagpapasakop, pagtitiis at pananampalataya – mga aral na itatala para sa kapakinabangan ng mga susunod na tatawagan upang magbata ng mga paghihirap. Ginagabayan ng Diyos ang bayan sa paraang hindi nila batid, ngunit hindi Niya kakalimutan o pababayaan ang sinumang magtitiwala sa Kaniya. Pinahintulutan Niya na sumapit ang kahirapan kay Job ngunit hindi siya pinabayaan. Pinahintulot na maipatapon si Juan na minamahal na disipulo sa Patmos, ngunit ang Anak ng Diyos ay nakipagkita sa kanya doon at ang kanyang pangitain ay napuno ng mga tagpo na nagtataglay ng walang hanggang kaluwalhatian. Pinapahintulot ng Diyos ang mga pagsubok na dumating sa Kanyang bayan, at nang sa kanilang katatagan at pagsunod sila ay lumago sa espiritwal at ang kanilang ehemplo ay maging bukal ng kalakasan sa iba. “Sapagka't nalalaman ko ang mga pagiisip na aking iniisip sa inyo, sabi ng Panginoon, mga pagiisip tungkol sa kapayapaan, at hindi tungkol sa kasamaan.” Jeremiah 29:11 Ang mga matitinding pagsubok na tila baga tayo ay napabayaan na ay ang sya mismong maglalapit satin ng maigi kay Cristo, na ating ilalatag ang lahat ng dalahin sa Kanyang paanan at maranasan ang kapayapaan na ipagkakaloob sa atin bilang kapalit.” PP 129.2
Tuesday - May 3
Abram and Lot
Genesis 13:1-18
What does this story teach us about the importance of character?
Ano ang itinuturo sa atin ng kwentong ito ukol sa kahalagahan ng paguugali?
By inspired testimony we have learned that Abraham and Lot both became so rich that they had to dissolve partnership and occupy separate portions of land. Abraham suggested that Lot should choose first the land he wanted, and Abraham would take what was left. Lot chose all the plains and left the hills for Abraham. Perhaps from a business standpoint Lot's choice was good, but from God's viewpoint it was poor. In making his selection Lot failed to see or take into account the fact that he had been greatly blessed by his having been in partnership with his uncle Abraham. He thought only of his personal, selfish future security. Abraham, nevertheless raised no objections to Lot's choice. He gladly took the hills.
Sa pamamagitan ng mga inspiradong patotoo ay ating nalaman na sila Abraham at Lot ay parehong pinalago sa yaman at kinailangang maghiwalay at manahan sa magkahiwalay na bahagi ng lupain. Iminungkahi ni Abraham na unang pumili si Lot at ang matitira ay ang kukunin ni Abraham. Pinili ni Lot ang lahat ng kapatagan at iniwan ang mga burol kay Abraham. Maaring sa pananaw ng pagnenegosyo ang pinili ni Lot ay mabuti ngunit ito ay taliwas sa pananaw ng Diyos. Sa kaniyang ginawang pagpili ay nalimutan ni Lot na isaalang-alang na siya ay lubhang nabiyayaan sa kanyang pagsama sa amain niyang si Abraham. Kanya lamang inisip ang kanyang personal na ikasasagana. Gayunpaman ay hindi nagreklamo si Abraham ukol sa ginawang pagpili ni Lot. Malugod niyang tinanggap ang mga burol.
In the process of time Lot moved into the city where he became poorer and poorer. At last the angel of the Lord had to rescue him, and he came out with nothing. In striking contrast to Lot's devastating experience, Abraham steadily became richer and richer and God finally gave him all the land. What was the secret of Abraham's success? -- God Himself made Abraham prosperous when He saw Abraham faithful in everything. When we are faithful in everything, He will more abundantly bless us also.
At kalaunan ay lumipat na si Lot sa kabayanan kung saan siya ay naghirap. Sa kahulihan ay kinailangan siyang iligtas ng anghel ng Diyos at walang natira sa kanya sa paglisan duon. Taliwas sa naging nakalulugmok na karanasan ni Lot, si Abraham ay patuloy na lumago at sa huli ay ipinagkaloob na ng Diyos sa kanya ang lahat ng lupain.Ano ang sekreto sa naging pagtatagumpay ni Abraham? – Ang Diyos mismo ang nagpalago kay Abraham nang makita Niyang tapat siya sa lahat ng bagay. Kapag tayo ay tapat sa lahat ay malugod din Niya tayong bibiyayaan.
Wednesday - May 4
The Babel Coalition
Genesis 14:1-17
What is significant about this war taking place just after the gift of the Promised Land? What does this story teach us about Abram?
Ano ang kahalagahan sa pakikibaka na naganap matapos ipagkaloob ang Lupang Pangako? Ano ang layon nitong ituro sa atin tungkol kay Abraham?
Abraham, you know, matriculated in the school of God when God called him to leave his father’s house and go to a land he had never seen. He took whatever belongings he had, and he also took his nephew in partnership. From the very start they greatly prospered, and their business expanded so rapidly that in order to take care of it they had to spread out and part company.
Batid nating si Abraham ay natuto sa paaralan ng Diyos nang siya ay tawagang umalis sa sambahayan ng kanyang ama at tumungo sa lupain na hindi nya pa nakita. Kanyang dinala ang kanyang gamit at pati na rin ang kanyang pamangkin. Mula sa umpisa, sila ay lubhang lumago at ang kanilang pagmamayari ay lalong nagyaman, na kinailangan nilang maghiwalay at kumalat upang mapangalagaan ito.
Abraham took the hilly country after Lot chose the fertile valley adjacent to the markets of Sodom and Gomorrah. There Lot’s family left the school of God and entered the school of man. Abraham though and his household remained in the school of God, learning how to make the hills pay good dividends. Abraham became “very rich,” but Lot very poor. Abraham, you see, in the school of God became the world’s greatest business man in his day. He learned to make something out of nothing. Moreover, he was the world’s greatest general, for you recall that with but a few men he defeated five kings, took their spoils and restored the goods to the rightful owners. All this he did without the loss of a single soldier! Still further he reared the only son that ever willingly submitted to burn on a sacrificial altar for his father’s religion.
Nanahan si Abraham sa maburol na lupain matapos ang ginawang pagpili ni Lot sa mayamang lambak katabi ng Sodoma at Gomorra. Doon ay nilisan ng pamilya ni Lot ang paaralan ng Diyos at pumasok sa paaralan ng tao. Samantalang si Abraham at ang kanyang sambahayan ay nanatili sa paaralan ng Diyos na nagsasaliksik kung paano palalaguin ang mga lupain. Si Abraham ay naging napakayaman at si Lot naman ay naghirap. Si Abraham, sa paaralan ng Diyos, ay naging pinakadakila sa pagnenegosyo sa buong mundo sa kanyang kapanahunan. Natutunan niya paano magpalago buhat sa wala. Bukod dito, naging pinakadakila din syang heneral, kung aalalahanin, siya kasama ang kaunting kalalakihan ay tumalo sa limang hari, at kinuha ang lahat ng nasamsam at binalik ang mga bagay sa mga tunay na nagmamayari nito. Lahat ng ito ay kanyang ginawa at wala ni isang sundalo ang nawala sa kanilang hanay! Bukod dito, kaniya ding pinalaki ang tanging anak na buong puso na pumayag na maialay upang sunugin para sa relihiyon ng kanyang ama.
Thursday - May 5
The Tithes of Melchizedek
Genesis 14:18-24, Hebrews 7:1-10
Who was Melchizedek? Why did Abram give his tithe to this priest who seem to appear out of nowhere?
Sino si Melquisedec? Bakit ibinigay ni Abram ang kanyang ikapo sa saserdoteng ito?
It was Christ that spoke through Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God. Melchizedek was not Christ, but he was the voice of God in the world, the representative of the Father... 1SM 409.3
Si Cristo ang nagsalita sa pamamagitan ni Melquisedec, ang saserdote ng Kataastaasang Diyos. Si Melquisedec ay hindi si Cristo ngunit siya ang boses ng Diyos sa mundo, ang kinatawan ng Ama…1SM 409.3
Many persons will meet all inferior demands and dues, and leave to God only the last gleanings, if there be any. If not, his cause must wait till a more convenient season. Such was not the course pursued by Abraham. Upon his return from a successful military expedition, he was met by Melchizedek, “king of Salem, and priest of the most high God.” This holy man blessed Abraham, in the name of the Lord, and the patriarch gave him tithes of all the spoils as a tribute of gratitude to the Ruler of nations. RH May 16, 1882, par. 24
Maraming mga tao ang inuunang tugunan ang kanilang mga hindi importanteng mga pangangailangan, at hinuhuli ang sa Diyos. Kung hindi man, ang kanyang gawain ay magaantay hanggang sa sumapit ang mas maginhawang panahon. Hindi ganito ang naging gawain ni Abraham. Sa kanyang pagbabalik buhat sa matagumpay na pakikibakang militar ay nakipagkita siya kay Melquisedec, na hari sa Salem at saserdote ng Kataastaasang Dios.” Ang banal na taong ito ay nagbasbas kay Abraham sa ngalan ng Diyos, at ang patriarka ay nagbigay ng ikapo sa lahat ng kanilang nasamsam bilang pasasalamat sa Pinuno ng lahat ng mga bansa. RH May 16, 1882, par. 24
Friday - May 6
Further Study
Seeing that Lot as well as Abraham appears in the genealogical record of Christ, the question naturally asserts itself: Why should these two men be so greatly honored? And the answer awaits us: Abraham obtained this great honor because he was faithful to the Word of God and never questioned It, though all things seemed destined to fulfill themselves contrary to his interests and to God’s promises: Though God promised to give the land to him and to his posterity for a perpetual possession, Abraham, personally, never obtained the promise. Besides enduring these faith-trying tests, he waited twenty-five years for the promised son, only to be commanded when this only child was become a young man, to sacrifice him for a burnt offering! Still, through every trial, he never lost his faith in God, but implicitly trusted in Him and unreservedly obeyed His commands. For this reason God signally honored him.
Bilang ating nakikita na si Lot at si Abraham ay nabanggit sa tala ng mga lahi ni Cristo, ating maitatanong: Bakit nga ba dapat silang parangalan? At ang sagot na nagaantay sa atin: Nakamit ni Abraham ang karangalang ito dahil siya ay tapat sa Salita ng Diyos at hindi ito pinagdudahan kailanman, bagaman ang mga bagay ay tila natutupad taliwas sa kanyang nais at sa pangako ng Diyos. Bagaman ipinangako ng Diyos na ipagkakaloob ang lupain sa kanya at ang walang hanggang pagmamay-ari, ay hindi ito personal na nakamit ni Abraham. Bukod sa pagtitiis sa mga pagsubok, siya din ay nagantay ng dalawampu’t limang taon sa pagdating ng ipinangakong anak sa kanya, at sa huli nang lumaki na ito ay inutos na gawing haing susunugin! Sa kabila ng lahat ng pagsubok na ito ay hindi nawala ang kanyang pananampalataya sa Diyos, but nanatiling nagtitiwala sa Kanya at buong puso na sumunod sa Kanyang kautusan. Sa kadahilanang ito, siya ay binigyang parangal ng Diyos.
Yet the great lesson here to be learned is not so much from Abraham’s experience, as from Lot’s for though Lot was not quite so generous as was Abraham, and not quite so willing to live apart from the world, still his faith in the promises of God to Abraham was as great as was the faith of Abraham, himself, yea, in some respects, even greater: for God spoke to Abraham in person, whereas He spoke to Lot through Abraham. Lot, therefore, had to have implicit confidence that God had spoken to him through Abraham.
Ganunpaman, ang pinakadakilang aral dito ay hindi lang buhat sa karanasan ni Abraham ngunit lalo’t higit sa karanasan ni Lot. Bagaman hindi siya ganong mapagbigay kumpara kay Abraham, at hindi masyadong handa na humiwalay sa mundo, ang kanyang pananampalataya sa pangako ng Diyos na binigay kay Abraham ay dakila ding gaya ng kay Abraham, at sa ibang aspeto ay mas higit pa nga: Sapagkat ang Diyos ay nangusap ng personal kay Abraham, samantalang nakipagusap naman kay Lot sa pamamagitan ni Abraham, samakatuwid kinailangang mayroon syang pagtitiwala na ang Diyos ay nangusap nga sa kanya sa pamamagitan ni Abraham.
As in the days of Abraham, moreover, there was no Bible, by which to prove that his going from his father’s house was in fulfillment of prophecy, and that God was leading him to depart from Ur of the Chaldees to go to a land the whereabouts of which he, himself, knew not (Heb. 11:8, 9), we see that Lot was not like most men today, who question and criticize everything in the unfolding of truth. Without the slightest questioning or doubting, he put his trust in Abraham’s God, and confidently followed in the quest for the promised land.
Sa kapanahunan ni Abraham, ay wala pang Kasulatan na magpapatunay na siya ay aalis sa sambahayan ng kanyang ama bilang katuparan sa propesiya, at ang Diyos nga ang gumagabay sa kanya sa pagalis sa Ur ng mga Caldeo tungo sa lupain na hindi niya alam (Heb. 11:8, 9), makikita na si Lot ay hindi rin tulad ng karamihan sa mga lalaki ngayon, na magrereklamo at magdududa sa lahat ng bagay sa pagkakahayag ng katotohanan. Walang anumang bahid ng pagdududa ay kanyang ibinigay ang buong tiwala sa Diyos ni Abraham at may tiwala na sumama sa paglalakbay tungo sa lupang pangako.