安息日下午 8月23日
记忆经文
耶和华对摩西说：“你要对以色列人这样说：你们亲眼看见我从天上和你们说话。你们不可做什么神像与我并列，不可为自己做金银的神像。”
Memory Text: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.” KJV — Exodus 20:22, 23
主也借着先知说：“你要卷起律法，在我门徒中间封住训诲。”（以赛亚书 8:16）。上帝律法的印记在第四条诫命中。这是十条诫命中唯一指出赐律法者的名字和身份的诫命。它宣告祂是创造天地的主，因此表明祂配得超过一切的敬拜和尊崇。除了这条诫命，十条诫命中没有一句说明这律法是谁颁布的。当教皇权改变了安息日，律法的印记就被移去了。耶稣的门徒被呼召要恢复它，把第四条诫命的安息日高举到应有的位置，作为创造主的纪念和祂权柄的标志。
先知说：“要查明训诲和法度。”尽管世上有许多不同的教义和理论，但上帝的律法是检验一切的唯一准确标准。先知又说：“他们所说的若不与此相符，必不得见晨光。”（以赛亚书 8:20）。
“The Lord commands by the same prophet: “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among My disciples.” Isaiah 8:16. The seal of God's law is found in the fourth commandment. This only, of all the ten, brings to view both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It declares Him to be the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and thus shows His claim to reverence and worship above all others. Aside from this precept, there is nothing in the Decalogue to show by whose authority the law is given. When the Sabbath was changed by the papal power, the seal was taken from the law. The disciples of Jesus are called upon to restore it by exalting the Sabbath of the fourth commandment to its rightful position as the Creator's memorial and the sign of His authority. The Great Controversy 452.1
“‘To the law and to the testimony.’ While conflicting doctrines and theories abound, the law of God is the one unerring rule by which all opinions, doctrines, and theories are to be tested. Says the prophet: ‘If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’ Verse 20.” The Great Controversy 452.2
星期日 8月24日
盟约的律例
请读出埃及记21:1–32。这些关于希伯来奴隶、杀人以及身体受伤的具体条例是什么？
Read Exodus 21:1–32. What specific regulations were given regarding Hebrew slaves, homicide, and bodily injuries?
为了让人们更清楚地明白并遵守十条诫命，上帝又赐下其他条例，用来说明和应用十诫的原则。
这些律法中，第一条是关于仆人的。在古时候，法官有时会把罪犯卖为奴隶；有些情况下，债主会把欠债的人卖为奴隶；贫穷甚至会迫使人把自己或孩子卖为奴隶。但希伯来人不能永远为奴，他的服役年限只限于六年，到第七年就要得释放。拐卖人口、故意杀人、叛逆父母的，都要处死。虽然可以拥有不是以色列人的奴隶，但他们的生命和人身安全受到严格保护。若有人杀死奴隶，要受刑罚；若主人打伤奴隶，即使只掉了一颗牙齿，奴隶就可以得释放。
以色列人不久前自己也是奴隶，如今他们要拥有仆人，就必须谨慎，不可重蹈埃及督工的残酷和压榨。他们曾经历过痛苦的奴役，所以应当设身处地，学会仁慈和怜悯，像希望别人怎样对待自己，就怎样去对待他人。
寡妇和孤儿的权益受到特别保护，上帝要求人们善待他们的困境。耶和华说：“你若是苦待他们一点，他们向我一哀求，我总要听他们的哀声；并要发烈怒，用刀杀你们，使你们的妻子为寡妇，儿女为孤儿。”此外，那些愿意加入以色列的外邦人也必须受到保护，不可欺压他们。因为以色列人自己也曾在埃及地做过寄居的，所以应当体谅他们。
禁止向穷人收取高利贷。若是拿穷人的衣服或毯子作抵押，必须在日落前归还给他。若有人偷窃，就必须加倍赔偿。要尊重官长和统治者，审判官不可扭曲公义，不可帮助虚假的案件，也不可收受贿赂。诽谤和恶意中伤被禁止，即使是对敌人，也要行善。
“That the obligations of the Decalogue might be more fully understood and enforced, additional precepts were given, illustrating and applying the principles of the Ten Commandments.” Patriarchs and Prophets 310.1
“The first of these laws related to servants. In ancient times criminals were sometimes sold into slavery by the judges; in some cases, debtors were sold by their creditors; and poverty even led persons to sell themselves or their children. But a Hebrew could not be sold as a slave for life. His term of service was limited to six years; on the seventh he was to be set at liberty. Manstealing, deliberate murder, and rebellion against parental authority were to be punished with death. The holding of slaves not of Israelitish birth was permitted, but their life and person were strictly guarded. The murderer of a slave was to be punished; an injury inflicted upon one by his master, though no more than the loss of a tooth, entitled him to his freedom. Patriarchs and Prophets 310.2
“The Israelites had lately been servants themselves, and now that they were to have servants under them, they were to beware of indulging the spirit of cruelty and exaction from which they had suffered under their Egyptian taskmasters. The memory of their own bitter servitude should enable them to put themselves in the servant's place, leading them to be kind and compassionate, to deal with others as they would wish to be dealt with. Patriarchs and Prophets 310.3
“The rights of widows and orphans were especially guarded, and a tender regard for their helpless condition was enjoined. “If thou afflict them in any wise,” the Lord declared, “and they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.” Aliens who united themselves with Israel were to be protected from wrong or oppression. “Thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Patriarchs and Prophets 310.4
“The taking of usury from the poor was forbidden. A poor man's raiment or blanket taken as a pledge, must be restored to him at nightfall. He who was guilty of theft was required to restore double. Respect for magistrates and rulers was enjoined, and judges were warned against perverting judgment, aiding a false cause, or receiving bribes. Calumny and slander were prohibited, and acts of kindness enjoined, even toward personal enemies.” Patriarchs and Prophets 311.1
星期一 8月25日
更多律法
请读出埃及记22:16–23:9。这些律法涉及哪些问题？是怎样处理的？
第八条诫命谴责拐卖人口和买卖奴隶，并禁止征服战争。它谴责偷窃和抢夺，要求人在生活的最细小之处也要保持正直。它禁止在买卖中欺骗，要求偿还公道的债务和工价。凡是想利用别人的无知、软弱或不幸来为自己谋利的，都被上帝记为欺诈。
第十条诫命从根源上制止一切罪恶，它禁止那种自私的欲望，而正是这种欲望引发了犯罪的行为。凡因顺从上帝的律法而连对他人之物的贪念都不容许在心里存在的人，就不会对同胞做出任何伤害。
“The eighth commandment condemns manstealing and slave dealing, and forbids wars of conquest. It condemns theft and robbery. It demands strict integrity in the minutest details of the affairs of life. It forbids overreaching in trade, and requires the payment of just debts or wages. It declares that every attempt to advantage oneself by the ignorance, weakness, or misfortune of another is registered as fraud in the books of heaven. Patriarchs and Prophets 309.1
“The tenth commandment strikes at the very root of all sins, prohibiting the selfish desire, from which springs the sinful act. He who in obedience to God's law refrains from indulging even a sinful desire for that which belongs to another will not be guilty of an act of wrong toward his fellow creatures.” Patriarchs and Prophets 309.5
请读出埃及记23:10–19。在这里提到哪些重要问题？
Read Exodus 23:10–19. What important issues were dealt with here?
百姓再次被提醒要守圣安息日的神圣责任。每年要守的节期规定全国的男子都要到主面前聚集，把感恩的祭物和初熟的果子带来献给祂。这些条例的目的很清楚：并不是出于专横的权威，而是为了以色列的益处。耶和华说：“你们要归我为圣洁的人”——配得圣洁的上帝承认。
以色列人每年要三次聚集在圣所敬拜。（出埃及记23:14-16）起初是在示罗聚会，但后来耶路撒冷成了全国敬拜的中心，众支派都来这里守庄严的节期。
第一个节期是逾越节，也称除酵节。它在犹太历的第一个月亚笔月举行，大约相当于三月底或四月初。
逾越节之后是七天的除酵节。第一天和第七天是圣会，不可做工。
从初熟果子献上的那天起算五十天，就是五旬节，也叫收割节或七七节。为了感谢粮食收成，要把加了酵的两条饼献在上帝面前。五旬节只持续一天，用来专心敬拜。
到了七月，要守住棚节，也叫收藏节。这个节期是感谢上帝赐下果园、橄榄园和葡萄园的收成。这是全年最隆重的节期。
“Again the people were reminded of the sacred obligation of the Sabbath. Yearly feasts were appointed, at which all the men of the nation were to assemble before the Lord, bringing to Him their offerings of gratitude and the first fruits of His bounties. The object of all these regulations was stated: they proceeded from no exercise of mere arbitrary sovereignty; all were given for the good of Israel. The Lord said, “Ye shall be holy men unto Me”—worthy to be acknowledged by a holy God.” Patriarchs and Prophets 311.2
“There were three annual assemblies of all Israel for worship at the sanctuary. Exodus 23:14-16. Shiloh was for a time the place of these gatherings; but Jerusalem afterward became the center of the nation's worship, and here the tribes convened for the solemn feasts.” PP 537.1
“The first of these festivals, the Passover, the feast of unleavened bread, occurred in Abib, the first month of the Jewish year, corresponding to the last of March and the beginning of April. Patriarchs and Prophets 537.3
“The Passover was followed by the seven day's feast of unleavened bread. The first and the seventh day were days of holy convocation, when no servile work was to be performed.” Patriarchs and Prophets 539.6
“Fifty days from the offering of first fruits, came the Pentecost, called also the feast of harvest and the feast of weeks. As an expression of gratitude for the grain prepared as food, two loaves baked with leaven were presented before God. The Pentecost occupied but one day, which was devoted to religious service.” Patriarchs and Prophets 540.1
“In the seventh month came the Feast of Tabernacles, or of ingathering. This feast acknowledged God's bounty in the products of the orchard, the olive grove, and the vineyard. It was the crowning festal gathering of the year.” Patriarchs and Prophets 540.2
星期二 8月26日
上帝最初的计划
请读出埃及记23:20–33。上帝希望用什么方式来征服应许之地？
Read Exodus 23:20–33. What methods did God desire to use for conquering the Promised Land?
当他们第一次准备进入迦南时，任务要比后来容易得多。上帝已经应许，如果祂的百姓顺从祂的声音，祂就会走在他们前面为他们争战；祂还会差遣黄蜂把那地的居民赶出去。当时那些民族的恐惧心并没有完全被激起，他们也几乎没有做准备来抵抗以色列人。然而如今，当耶和华吩咐以色列人前进时，他们必须面对警觉而强大的敌人，要与早已准备妥当、庞大而训练有素的军队作战。
以色列人在与噩王和西宏争战时，再次遇到他们祖先曾经失败的考验。但这次的试炼比当初耶和华吩咐他们前进时更加严峻。自从他们拒绝在上帝命令之下前进后，路上的困难大大增加。上帝今日仍然用同样的方式考验祂的子民。如果他们不能承受试炼，祂会再次把他们带回同样的境地；第二次的考验会比第一次更加严厉，直到他们能忍受考验为止。如果他们仍旧悖逆，上帝就会收回祂的光，任凭他们落在黑暗中。
希伯来人这时想起，从前他们出去打仗时，曾经被敌人打败，数千人被杀。但那是因为他们直接违背了上帝的命令。他们出去的时候，没有上帝所设立的领袖摩西，没有象征上帝同在的云柱，也没有约柜。但这一次，摩西和他们在一起，用希望和信心鼓励他们；神子在云柱中带领他们；神圣的约柜与他们同行。这段经历给我们一个教训：以色列的大能者就是我们的上帝。我们可以信靠祂，如果我们顺从祂的要求，祂必为我们行奇妙的事，就像祂为古时的子民所行的一样。每一个愿意走在责任道路上的人，有时都会受到怀疑和不信的攻击；道路上也会遇到似乎无法跨越的障碍，使人灰心。但上帝对这样的人说：“往前走！”无论代价如何，都要尽你的本分。那些看起来可怕、让你心生畏惧的困难，将会在你谦卑信靠上帝、顺从祂时逐渐消失。
“When they were at the first preparing to enter Canaan, the undertaking was attended with far less difficulty than now. God had promised His people that if they would obey His voice He would go before them and fight for them; and He would also send hornets to drive out the inhabitants of the land. The fears of the nations had not been generally aroused, and little preparation had been made to oppose their progress. But when the Lord now bade Israel go forward, they must advance against alert and powerful foes, and must contend with large and well-trained armies that had been preparing to resist their approach. Patriarchs and Prophets 436.4
“In their contest with Og and Sihon the people were brought to the same test beneath which their fathers had so signally failed. But the trial was now far more severe than when God had commanded Israel to go forward. The difficulties in their way had greatly increased since they refused to advance when bidden to do so in the name of the Lord. It is thus that God still tests His people. And if they fail to endure the trial, He brings them again to the same point, and the second time the trial will come closer, and be more severe than the preceding. This is continued until they bear the test, or, if they are still rebellious, God withdraws His light from them and leaves them in darkness.” Patriarchs and Prophets 437.1
“The Hebrews now remembered how once before, when their forces had gone to battle, they had been routed, and thousands slain. But they had then gone in direct opposition to the command of God. They had gone out without Moses, God's appointed leader, without the cloudy pillar, the symbol of the divine presence, and without the ark. But now Moses was with them, strengthening their hearts with words of hope and faith; the Son of God, enshrined in the cloudy pillar, led the way; and the sacred ark accompanied the host. This experience has a lesson for us. The mighty God of Israel is our God. In Him we may trust, and if we obey His requirements He will work for us in as signal a manner as He did for His ancient people. Everyone who seeks to follow the path of duty will at times be assailed by doubt and unbelief. The way will sometimes be so barred by obstacles, apparently insurmountable, as to dishearten those who will yield to discouragement; but God is saying to such, Go forward. Do your duty at any cost. The difficulties that seem so formidable, that fill your soul with dread, will vanish as you move forward in the path of obedience, humbly trusting in God.” Patriarchs and Prophets 437.2
星期三 8月27日
以眼还眼
请读马太福音5:38–48。耶稣怎样解释“报复律”的含义？今天我们应当怎样应用？
Read Matthew 5:38–48. How does Jesus interpret the meaning of the retaliation law? How should we apply it today?
每天，人们心中渴望摆脱罗马枷锁的心情都在加深。特别是在加利利那些粗犷勇敢的人中间，反叛的气氛很浓。迦百农是一座边境城市，驻扎着罗马军队。甚至当耶稣在教导时，看到一队士兵经过，就会勾起听众心中以色列受辱的痛苦。他们急切盼望基督就是那位能使罗马人蒙羞的人。
耶稣带着忧伤注视着眼前仰望祂的人们。祂看见复仇的心已经深深刻在他们心里，知道他们多么渴望有力量去击碎压迫者。于是祂悲伤地对他们说：“不要与恶人作对；有人打你的右脸，连左脸也转过来由他打。”
这些话不过是旧约教训的重申。“以眼还眼，以牙还牙”（利未记24:20）确实是上帝借摩西颁布的法律，但那是一条民事条例。没有人被允许自己报复，因为他们已经有耶和华的话：“不要说，我要报仇。” “不要说，我怎样待他，他也要怎样待我。” “你仇敌跌倒，不可欢喜。” “若恨你的人饿了，就给他饭吃；若渴了，就给他水喝。”（箴言20:22；24:29,17；25:21–22）
耶稣整个人生就是这种原则的活出。祂离开天上的家，就是为了把生命的粮赐给祂的仇敌。从出生到死亡，祂遭遇诽谤和逼迫，但祂回应的只有宽恕的爱。借着先知以赛亚，祂说：“人打我的背，我任由他打；人拔我的胡须，我不拦阻；人羞辱我、吐唾沫在我脸上，我没有遮掩。” “祂受欺压，受苦，却不开口；祂像羊羔被牵到宰杀之地，又像羊在剪毛的人手下无声，祂也是这样不开口。”（以赛亚书50:6；53:7）而在各各他的十字架上，祂为杀害祂的人祷告，也给临死的强盗带来盼望的信息。
“Every day deepened in the hearts of the people the longing to cast off the Roman yoke. Especially among the bold, rough-handed Galileans the spirit of insurrection was rife. Capernaum, being a border town, was the seat of a Roman garrison, and even while Jesus was teaching, the sight of a company of soldiers recalled to His hearers the bitter thought of Israel's humiliation. The people looked eagerly to Christ, hoping that He was the One who was to humble the pride of Rome. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 69.2
“With sadness Jesus looks into the upturned faces before Him. He notes the spirit of revenge that has stamped its evil imprint upon them, and knows how bitterly the people long for power to crush their oppressors. Mournfully He bids them, ‘Resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.’” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 70.1
“These words were but a reiteration of the teaching of the Old Testament. It is true that the rule, “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Leviticus 24:20), was a provision in the laws given through Moses; but it was a civil statute. None were justified in avenging themselves, for they had the words of the Lord: “Say not thou, I will recompense evil.” “Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me.” “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth.” “If he that hateth thee be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink.” Proverbs 20:22; 24:29, 17; Proverbs 25:21, 22 , R.V., margin. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 70.2
“The whole earthly life of Jesus was a manifestation of this principle. It was to bring the bread of life to His enemies that our Saviour left His home in heaven. Though calumny and persecution were heaped upon Him from the cradle to the grave, they called forth from Him only the expression of forgiving love. Through the prophet Isaiah He says, “I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and spitting.” “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.” Isaiah 50:6; 53:7. And from the cross of Calvary there come down through the ages His prayer for His murderers and the message of hope to the dying thief.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 71.1
星期四 8月28日
伸冤
“亲爱的弟兄，不要自己伸冤，要让给上帝的忿怒。因为经上记着：‘伸冤在我，我必报应，这是主说的。’”（罗马书12:19；也见申命记32:35）
这些经文中包含什么应许和命令？它们之间有怎样紧密的联系？
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Rom. 12:19, ESV; see also Deut. 32:35).
What promise and command are found in these verses, and how are they closely related?
与教会有关的事情要在教会内部解决。若基督徒受了欺负，就要忍耐；若被欺骗，也不可诉诸法庭。宁可自己吃亏受委屈。
上帝会处理那些不义的教会成员，他们欺骗弟兄或亏损上帝的事业；基督徒不必自己去争取权利。上帝会亲自对付那些侵犯别人权利的人。“伸冤在我，我必报应，这是主说的。”（罗马书12:19）所有这些事都被记录在案，上帝宣告祂必报应，祂要在审判中对付每一件事。
“Matters connected with the church are to be kept within its own borders. If a Christian is abused, he is to take it patiently; if defrauded, he is not to appeal to courts of justice. Rather let him suffer loss and wrong. Selected Messages Book 3 299.3
“God will deal with the unworthy church member who defrauds his brother or the cause of God; the Christian need not contend for his rights. God will deal with the one who violates these rights. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19. An account is kept of all these matters, and for all the Lord declares that He will avenge. He will bring every work into judgment.” Selected Messages Book 3 300.1
请读马太福音6:4, 6；马太福音16:27；路加福音6:23；提摩太后书4:8。这些经文告诉我们耶稣如何看待赏罚的原则？
Read Matthew 6:4, 6; Matthew 16:27; Luke 6:23; and 2 Timothy 4:8. What do these texts tell us about how Jesus viewed the principles of reward and punishment?
那些在暗中寻求上帝、向主陈述需要、恳切祈求帮助的人，不会白求。“你父在暗中察看，必然报答你。”当我们天天以基督为同伴时，会感受到看不见的属灵力量环绕我们；当我们注视耶稣时，就会被祂的形象改变。观望祂，就会使我们改变。人的品格会因而变得柔和、纯净、高贵，为天国做准备。与主相交的必然结果是敬虔、纯洁和热心的不断增长。祷告会越来越有智慧。我们正在接受神圣的教育，这在殷勤和热心的生活中表现出来。
那颗天天真诚祷告、寻求上帝作为帮助、依靠和力量的心灵，会产生高尚的愿望，对真理与责任有清晰的认识，立志做崇高的事，并且不断渴慕公义。与上帝保持联系的人，会把心中统治的光明、平安与安宁传递给他人。祷告中得来的力量，加上坚持不懈地训练思想、谨慎行事的努力，就能装备人完成每日的职责，并在任何环境下保持心灵的平安。
“Those who seek God in secret telling the Lord their needs and pleading for help, will not plead in vain. “Thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.” As we make Christ our daily companion we shall feel that the powers of an unseen world are all around us; and by looking unto Jesus we shall become assimilated to His image. By beholding we become changed. The character is softened, refined, and ennobled for the heavenly kingdom. The sure result of our intercourse and fellowship with our Lord will be to increase piety, purity, and fervor. There will be a growing intelligence in prayer. We are receiving a divine education, and this is illustrated in a life of diligence and zeal. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 85.1
“The soul that turns to God for its help, its support, its power, by daily, earnest prayer, will have noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth and duty, lofty purposes of action, and a continual hungering and thirsting after righteousness. By maintaining a connection with God, we shall be enabled to diffuse to others, through our association with them, the light, the peace, the serenity, that rule in our hearts. The strength acquired in prayer to God, united with persevering effort in training the mind in thoughtfulness and care-taking, prepares one for daily duties and keeps the spirit in peace under all circumstances.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 85.2
星期五 8月29日
进修资料
当人们废除上帝的律法时，他们其实不知道自己在做什么。上帝的律法正是祂品格的写照，它体现了祂国度的原则。凡拒绝接受这些原则的人，就把自己置于无法领受上帝祝福的地位。
上帝为以色列所预备的荣耀应许，只有通过遵守祂的诫命才能实现。同样的高尚品格、同样丰盛的祝福——无论是心灵、身体、家庭、田地，以及今生和来生的福分——只有通过顺从才能得到。
在属灵的世界，就像在自然的世界一样，遵守上帝的律法是结出果实的条件。当人们教导百姓无视上帝的诫命时，他们实际上是在阻止百姓为上帝结出荣耀的果实。他们的罪是剥夺了上帝葡萄园中应有的收获。
上帝的使者今日仍奉主差遣来到我们中间，正如基督当年所行的一样，要求我们顺从上帝的话语。他们提出上帝对祂葡萄园果子的要求——爱心、谦卑和无私的服事。但像犹太的领袖一样，许多葡萄园的管家也被激怒。当上帝律法的要求摆在人们面前时，这些教师却影响人拒绝。这样的人，上帝称为不忠心的仆人。
上帝对古时以色列人的话，如今仍是对教会和领袖的庄严警告。关于以色列，主曾说：“我为他写了律法万条，他却以为与他毫无关涉。”（何西阿书8:12）祂又对祭司和教师说：“我的民因无知识而灭亡；你弃掉知识，我也必弃掉你……你既忘了你上帝的律法，我也必忘记你的儿女。”（何西阿书4:6）
我们是否要忽视上帝的警告？是否要浪费祂赐下的服事机会？世人的讥笑、理性的骄傲、人类的习俗与传统，是否会阻止自称是基督的跟随者去服事祂？他们是否会像犹太领袖拒绝基督一样拒绝上帝的话？以色列的罪带来的后果已经摆在我们面前。今日的教会是否愿意接受警告？
“In setting aside the law of God, men know not what they are doing. God's law is the transcript of His character. It embodies the principles of His kingdom. He who refuses to accept these principles is placing himself outside the channel where God's blessings flow. Christ’s Object Lessons 305.3
“The glorious possibilities set before Israel could be realized only through obedience to God's commandments. The same elevation of character, the same fulness of blessing—blessing on mind and soul and body, blessing on house and field, blessing for this life and for the life to come—is possible for us only through obedience. Christ’s Object Lessons 305.4
“In the spiritual as in the natural world, obedience to the laws of God is the condition of fruit bearing. And when men teach the people to disregard God's commandments, they are preventing them from bearing fruit to His glory. They are guilty of withholding from the Lord the fruits of His vineyard. Christ’s Object Lessons 305.5
“To us God's messengers come at the bidding of the Master. They come demanding, as did Christ, obedience to the word of God. They present His claim to the fruits of the vineyard, the fruits of love, and humility, and self-sacrificing service. Like the Jewish leaders, are not many of the husbandmen of the vineyard stirred to anger? When the claim of God's law is set before the people, do not these teachers use their influence in leading men to reject it? Such teachers God calls unfaithful servants. Christ’s Object Lessons 306.1
“The words of God to ancient Israel have a solemn warning to the church and its leaders today. Of Israel the Lord said, “I have written to him the great things of My law; but they were counted as a strange thing.” Hosea 8:12. And to the priests and teachers He declared, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee; ... seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6. Christ’s Object Lessons 306.2
“Shall the warnings from God be passed by unheeded? Shall the opportunities for service be unimproved? Shall the world's scorn, the pride of reason, conformity to human customs and traditions, hold the professed followers of Christ from service to Him? Will they reject God's word as the Jewish leaders rejected Christ? The result of Israel's sin is before us. Will the church of today take warning?” Christ’s Object Lessons 306.3