Author: Juliette McNair | Student, Living Education Charlotte 2020
Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 37 seconds.
Seven years ago, Mr. Jake Hall came to Charlotte to attend Living University. Mr. Hall now works in the TV and Media department as Camera and Video Editor. In his assembly, he asked us, “What is the most important assignment for you to complete here at Living Education?” The answer is: building our personal relationship with God.
Mr. Hall used the story of Jacob as a parallel for the stage of life we students are in. In Genesis 28, Jacob leaves home and begins the adventure of a lifetime. Before this, he had known God, as the “God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac” (v. 13). Now, he begins his journey to come to know God for himself. Living Ed students are at that point right now. Mr. Hall gave us two points to know God personally.
First, know that there are blessings and curses for obeying and disobeying.“Observe these consequences in your life.” Mr. Hall encouraged us to learn from these consequences and come to know God in our lives.
Second, know that God is your helper. “I remember how challenging LU was… I was challenged in ways I hadn’t been before in life.” He advised us to go to God for help, because, when we ask God for help, we build our relationship with Him.
Just like Jacob, we are embarking on our quest to know God as our God, not the God of our parents or anyone else. Mr. Hall concluded with Genesis 33:18-20. Jacob—or Israel by now—bought some land and built an altar, calling it, “El Elohe Israel.” This means, literally, God, the God of Israel.
“God was no longer the God he knew of, but the God he knew personally.”
Living Ed students are at the same stage in life as Jacob was when he left home on his quest. Over the next few months, Mr. Hall exhorted us to allow our Creator to become God, the God of _____ (insert your name).
This post is part of our new series of student-written content for LivingEd-Charlotte. These summaries cover topics originally presented by our faculty and guest speakers in our weekly Forum and Assembly. For more Assembly-related content check out our Second Thoughts posts.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Assembly-Summary-Jake-Hall.png600900Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2020-11-17 13:30:222021-02-16 17:23:12Assembly Summary: God, the God of ______ (Your Name)
Author: Juliette McNair | Student, Living Education Charlotte 2020
This week, Living Ed students took a trip 800 years into the past. At 9:00 a.m., on Monday morning, twelve students stood in the dorm driveway waiting for Ms. Rebekah Ross and Mr. Jonathan McNair, their taxi-drivers for the trip.
A couple hours later, they pulled into the Cottian Alps in the border-region of France and Italy—actually, they arrived at Waldensian Trail of Faith located in Valdese, NC. But, for just half a day, they journeyed into the Era of Thyatira.
At this outdoor museum, they stepped into an exact imitation of the old ‘Barbi’ college where young Waldensians memorized large tracts of Scripture in secret. Several intrepid Living Ed students crawled on hands and knees into the cave where dozens of Waldensians congregated in secret, studying and singing hymns. Only a sliver of light illuminated the back of the cave. The guide explained that, one terrible day, French-Catholic soldiers used that tiny crack in the rock to smoke the gatherers out. As they crawled out, they were killed one by one.
Mr. McNair explained to the group that much of the history exhibited here was not the history of true Christians. Early on, the majority of the Waldenses were absorbed into Protestantism and the true Church faded into Eastern Europe. Driving this point home, the students passed a replica of the Monument of Chanforan, dedicated to the Waldensians official entry into the Reformation in 1532.
Mr. McNair encouraged the students to appreciate the sacrifices of these people, even while recognizing their false beliefs. He challenged them, “Would you be willing to die for what you believe in as they did?”
After driving back to Charlotte, the students jumped out of the cars and back into their modern lives at Living Education 2020. For just a day, they visited the Era of Thyatira and stepped into the shoes of the Waldensians—but just as the Church has carried on in time, so do they.
Juliette McNair is a student at Living Education Charlotte. She works in the Editorial Department transcribing sermons and proofreading transcripts. She also assists Living Education by writing Second Thoughts essays and Forum/Assembly Summaries for the website. Juliette recently graduated from SUNY Cobleskill in Upstate New York with an A.A.S in Horticulture, a B.T in Plant Science, and a minor in English with a writing focus. She loves playing soccer on the beach, getting up early to watch the sunrise, and playing piano with the lights out.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bruno-van-der-kraan-v2HgNzRDfII-unsplash.jpg9961500Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2020-11-17 13:30:002021-09-03 12:36:47Student Life: A Trip in Time
Author: Juliette McNair | Student, Living Education Charlotte 2020
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes, 11 seconds.
This year, total Living Church of God Feast attendance increased 1% over last year: 11,183 members were able to worship God online or in-person. Those who couldn’t attend in person (30% of the total) were able to connect to online, streamed services. Some governments, like Quebec, Canada, Victoria, Australia, and Trinidad and Tobago shut down gatherings, making it impossible for brethren to meet in person. 91% of members in Latin-America kept the Feast online, and, in the Philippines, members could only meet locally. Yet, according to surveys, Festival 2020 was unforgettable and meaningful to many brethren—even in some surprising ways.
Mr. Rod McNair, Assistant Director of Church Administration, gave a behind-the scenes look at the Festival Office and the Feast of 2020.
Over 10 years ago, the main Feast registration webpage was custom-built by a Church member. The registration website encompasses “an incredibly complex process,” according to Mr. McNair. The site incorporates members’ login information, accommodates the transfer process, and grants separate festival coordinator access. Sites are chosen and contracts are signed sometimes years in advance. The transfer approval process ensures attendance is in accordance with the contract.
Planning for each year’s Feast of Tabernacles is a constant, year-long project, only made more challenging by COVID-19. But what made this Feast stand out for members?
First, many werejust glad to be there. This simple appreciation was a common theme in the festival surveys.
Second, there were unexpected blessings. Assigned seating brought ease of access, local speakers were given opportunities, and several new members attended the Feast. Anointings and common illnesses were even down. Some few brethren did contract the COVID virus during the Feast, but most had mild symptoms. Thankfully, those with more severe symptoms are recovering.
A third reason is a shift in the focus of the activities. To limit large groups, Feast schedules were more relaxed and most activities were planned individually. Many enjoyed this change and took advantage of the free time to be more well-rested and focused during services
Finally, the role of technologywas significant. Streaming technology benefited thousands of members in an unprecedented way. Mr. McNair says, “As a Church, we are better placed now than a year ago to be able to connect online.”
“This was by far the best Feast that we can remember.”
Florence, OR.
Every year, we seek to have “the best Feast ever.” But the feeling from the quote above was representative of many who responded to the Feast survey. Mr. McNair gave us a glimpse of how the Festival Office operates every year and how the Feast of 2020 was “a feast like no other.”
This post is part of our new series of student-written content for LivingEd-Charlotte. These summaries cover topics originally presented by our faculty and guest speakers in our weekly Forum and Assembly. For more Assembly-related content check out our Second Thoughts posts.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/patrick-tomasso-5hvn-2WW6rY-unsplash.jpg10011500Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2020-11-12 17:30:362021-02-16 17:21:04Forum Summary: Festival 2020 — Like No Other
Mary, Jesus’ mother, was going to a wedding! Jesus and some of His disciples were also invited. The wedding was being held in a little village called Cana. There were lots of people there having a good time when Mary noticed a problem. They had run out of wine. She came to tell Jesus right away. But what could He do about it?
Discuss:
Name a few famous Bible characters. Can you think of some ways God interacted with the people you named?
Can you name some important miracles the God performed for His people in the Old Testament? What miracle for the Israelites relates to the memory verse below?
Who gave Moses the Ten Commandments?
What did God give the Israelites to eat in the wilderness?
Why did God give Israel judges and prophets?
Who was the Being who became Jesus Christ?
Memory Challenge:
John 2:11
“This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-2-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2020-11-12 12:00:002020-11-11 12:08:26Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: NT Lesson 2 “Water to Wine”
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all had a personal relationship with God. Moses saw God and talked with Him (Exodus 33:18-23, Deuteronomy 34:10). How can this be true when the scriptures state that no one has seen God at any time (John 1:18)? We can understand the answer to this question when we understand that there are two God beings in the God family. God, who was later known as the Father, has never interacted directly with mankind, and no man has ever seen or spoken with Him. The Word who became Jesus Christ was the God of Israel.
Discuss:
The Word had to empty himself of his divinity in order to be born as a human (Philippians 2:5-11). What does this tell us about what He is like?
Who is listed at the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew? Do you recognize any other people mentioned in the list?
Have a Luke at the genealogy in Luke 3 and compare it to the one in Matthew. How far back does the one in Luke go? What are some reasons the lists are different?
God carefully selected Jesus’ parents. What are some of the character traits Mary and Joseph must have had to be chosen for this honor?
Christ lived without committing a single sin for His entire life (2 Corinthians 5:21). Could we have access to eternal life if Christ had sinned?
Memory Challenge:
1 Corinthians 10:4
“…and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-3-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2020-11-12 12:00:002020-11-11 13:34:23Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 2 “The God of Israel”
Con el paso del tiempo, Adán y Eva comenzaron su familia. Su hijo primogénito se llamaba Caín, y su segundo hijo se llamaba Abel. Los dos hermanos tenían ocupaciones diferentes: Caín era agricultor y Abel era pastor. También tenían personalidades muy diferentes. Dios ha diseñado a los seres humanos con diferentes personalidades, talentos y habilidades. En ese sentido, Dios no quiere que todos sean iguales; ¡Él ama la variedad! Tanto la agricultura como el pastoreo son ocupaciones necesarias y nobles. Dios quería que Caín y Abel usaran sus talentos para servirle a Él y a su familia, y Él quiere que nosotros hagamos lo mismo. En esta lección, veremos a los dos primeros hermanos sobre la Tierra: Caín y Abel.
Discusión:
Pregunte a sus hijos los nombres del primer y segundo hijo de Adán y Eva.
Hable sobre el estilo de vida agrario con hermosos pastos, animales pastando y campos de trigo. Pinte una imagen con palabras que sus hijos puedan visualizar.
Pregunte a sus hijos cómo creen que sería ser un granjero o un pastor.
Analicen el hecho de que Caín y Abel eran hermanos que crecieron juntos.
Recuérdeles a sus hijos que Dios le ha dado a la gente diferentes talentos y habilidades y que todos son necesarios. Dios nos ama a todos.
Memorizar y revisar:
Lucas 10:27
“Aquél, respondiendo, dijo: Amarás al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, y con toda tu alma, y con todas tus fuerzas, y con toda tu mente; y a tu prójimo como a ti mismo.”
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Adán eligió el camino del conocimiento del bien y del mal, y toda su progenie siguió el mismo camino. El mundo se volvió totalmente corrupto; la vida estaba llena de violencia y maldad continuamente. Las cosas estaban tan mal que Dios lamentó haber hecho a la humanidad. Debido a toda esta maldad, Dios decidió enviar un diluvio sobre la Tierra para destruir a toda la humanidad junto con todos los animales. Sin embargo, en medio de toda esta oscuridad, hubo un solo hombre que continuó sirviendo al Eterno Dios. Se llamaba Noé. Noé caminó con Dios tal como lo había hecho su antepasado Enoc, y Dios dio gracia a Noé. Dios le contó a Noé Su plan y le ordenó que construyera un arca para que él y su familia pudieran salvarse. Noé inmediatamente comenzó a hacer lo que Dios había dicho, y Dios lo salvó porque Noé puso primero a Dios en su vida. Dios siempre recompensa a quienes lo buscan diligentemente.
Discusión:
Ayude a sus hijos a imaginar cómo sería vivir durante la generación de Noé. Él era la única persona en todo el mundo que trataba de vivir obedeciendo a Dios.
Pregunte a sus hijos si han estado en una situación en la que eran las únicas personas en el grupo que practicaban el estilo de vida de Dios. ¿Cómo se sintieron?
Explique a sus hijos lo que significa la frase “perfecto en sus generaciones”. Ningún ser humano ha vivido una vida perfecta excepto Jesucristo. La palabra hebrea para “perfecto” también puede ser traducida como “irreprensible”, así es como esta palabra es traducida en muchas versiones de la Biblia. Hable sobre lo que significa ser irreprensible (agradar a Dios y guardar sus leyes como una forma de vida, pero también estar dispuestos a arrepentirnos en humildad cuando pecamos).
Discuta lo que significa caminar con Dios. Utilice Amós 3:3 como punto de partida para la discusión.
Pida a sus hijos que busquen la palabra “gracia” en el diccionario. ¿Cómo se aplica la definición a Dios y a Noé? ¿Por qué Dios seleccionó a Noé para recibir Su gracia? Si Dios da gracia a los humildes ¿Qué dice eso sobre Noé? Pregunte qué significa ser humilde. ¿Pueden ellos dar un ejemplo de actos de humildad dentro de sus interacciones familiares?
Memorizar y revisar:
Génesis 6:9
“Estas son las generaciones de Noé: Noé, varón justo, era perfecto en sus generaciones; con Dios caminó Noé”.
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Después del diluvio, la Tierra comenzó a ser repoblada por los hijos de Noé: Sem, Cam y Jafet. Abram nació 292 años después del diluvio. Era el hijo menor de Taré, quien era del linaje de Sem. Un hecho interesante es que Noé y Sem todavía continuaban vivos durante la vida de Abram. Abram nació en la ciudad de Ur. Se casó con su media hermana Sarai. Su padre Taré dejó Ur para ir a Canaán y llevó con él a su familia, incluido Abram. Se detuvieron en Harán, donde murió Taré, y quizás Abram se hubiera quedado allí. Sin embargo, Dios le habló a Abram y le dijo que dejara a su familia y se fuera a un lugar no revelado. Dios prometió hacer de Abram una gran nación y su nombre grandioso. Prometió bendecir a quienes bendijeran a Abram y maldecir a quienes lo maldijeran, y que todas las naciones serían bendecidas por medio de su simiente. Abram le creyó a Dios y, sin dudarlo, se fue de Harán.
Discusión:
Explique a sus hijos que el matrimonio entre parientes fue común en los primeros años siguientes al diluvio. Recuerde que, inicialmente, todos estaban emparentados estrechamente. Sin embargo, Dios prohibió tales relaciones posteriormente (Levítico 18:6–18).
Señale que las promesas de Dios a Abram fueron condicionales. Primero tuvo que obedecer a Dios. Recuérdeles que la obediencia siempre debe ser primero.
Abram ya era bastante rico; tenía criados y animales. Estaba cómodo así. Pregunte a sus hijos si pueden imaginarse a sí mismos dejando la comodidad del hogar para seguir lo desconocido. Señale que Abram tuvo que tomar una decisión muy difícil, pero lo hizo sin dudar.
Explique que la promesa de bendecir a todas las naciones por medio de su simiente indica que el Mesías vendría del linaje de Abram. Claramente Dios le enseñó a Abram el evangelio del Reino de Dios.
Memorizar y revisar:
Génesis 18:19
“Porque yo sé que mandará a sus hijos y a su casa después de sí, que guarden el camino del Eterno, haciendo justicia y juicio, para que haga venir el Eterno sobre Abraham lo que ha hablado acerca de él”.
Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty in Theology, Living Education
Estimated Reading Time: 7 min.
Did you know that the prophet Jeremiah was thrown into a dungeon but was rescued by an Ethiopian eunuch?
Because Jeremiah faithfully prophesied the Babylonian captivity of the House of Judah and Jerusalem in 587/586 BC and urged surrender to the enemy forces, he was declared a traitor by his countrymen and punished. In my daily Bible reading not long ago I revisited this story, sparking an idea for this Digging Deeper. Regular readers of this column may remember my article, “A Lesson from the Ethiopian Eunuch,” from the Book of Acts. Today’s Old Testament story will add the second of these two Ethiopian eunuchs who displayed more spiritual sense and faithfulness than most Jews of their time.
“…Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God”
The scriptural references for this story are Jeremiah 38:7-13 and Jeremiah 39:16-18. As I checked a cross-reference from the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, I was drawn to a particular prophecy from the Book of Psalms: “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God (Psalm 68:31 KJV)”. These two stories portray the active response by Ethiopian Gentiles to the God of Israel. These Africans recognized the superiority of Israel’s God and wanted to loyally serve Him. The Old Testament makes plain that God intended His salvation message to reach non-Israelite peoples. These two Ethiopians, separated by several centuries, displayed courageous responsiveness that many of God’s elect nation did not.
Servant of the King
During the Babylonian siege of the House of Judah, the Jewish king, Zedekiah, acquiesced to some of his princes who requested that Jeremiah be cast into a dungeon (probably a cistern) for his pointed preaching (Jeremiah 38:1-6). The ESV Study Bible comments that “Cisterns were dug out of rock, had a small opening, and spread out at the bottom. Escape from such a place was virtually impossible, so perhaps only notorious prisoners were put there…(Tecarta Bible App)”. Because of the prolonged siege, the cistern may have had only mire (mud) and not water. Being left there with no food would induce Jeremiah’s slow, filthy death. Recognizing the threat to the prophet’s life, an Ethiopian eunuch came to the rescue (Jeremiah 38:7-9). This man’s name was Ebed-melech, which means “servant of the king.” The Expository Notes of Dr. [Thomas L.] Constable defines his origin: “He happened to be an Ethiopian or Cushite (from modern-day southern Egypt, northeastern Sudan, Eritrea, and northern Ethiopia) (e-Sword 12.2)”.
Ebed-melech is described as a eunuch. Most likely, this meant that he was an emasculated man who was placed in charge of the king’s harem, ensuring that he would not stealthily beget the heir to the throne. This extreme measure preserved royal bloodlines. The word later evolved in common usage to refer to a high court official (chamberlain), whether or not the man had been physically altered. Even into fairly modern times, this practice of castration of servants was common in royal courts. Notice this comment from The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary: “The eunuchs over harems in the present day are mostly from Nubia or Abyssinia (e-Sword 12.2)”. Physically mutilated men were forbidden from entering into the congregation of Israel (Deuteronomy 23:1). As a result, Ebed-melech served the king as his slave with a courtly position but was not a full Jewish convert. This office gave him frequent access to the king himself, enabling him to appeal to King Zedekiah for Jeremiah’s life (Jeremiah 38:8-9).
Who was Ebed-Melech?
The Pulpit Commentary, edited by H. D. M. Spence, D.D. and Joseph S. Exell, M.A. characterizes this man who came to Jeremiah’s rescue as
“(1) An alien. A negro, and not a Jew, and one from his office disqualified from participating in the benefits of the covenant. It is the more remarkable that none of Jeremiah’s countrymen interposed.
(2) A servant of a vicious king. The establishments of such princes are usually stamped with the same character, and their members are but the creatures of their masters. There is something doubly unlooked for, therefore, in such an advocate and friend. It is like a salutation from one of ‘Caesar’s household.’ [in the time of Paul in Rome]
(3) It is also probable that he was one called out by the occasion. No mention of him is made either before or after.” (e-Sword 12.2)
As a castrated male, Ebed-melech had no hope of becoming a Jewish proselyte to the Israelite faith. However, Ebed-melech had more spiritual sense than most native Jews during this tragic period. He recognized the injustice shown to one of God’s faithful prophets and was moved with compassion for Jeremiah. The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary, edited by Joseph S. Exell, explains that this Ethiopian eunuch was:
“1. Deeply affected by the miseries of God’s servant (Jeremiah 38:7). To hear of what was done troubled him. He had ‘a heart at leisure for itself to soothe and sympathise.’
2. Impelled by pity to attempt his help (Jeremiah 38:8). Not passive sympathy only; he set himself to aid his deliverance. ‘A little help is worth a deal of pity.’
3. Saw the wickedness of the cruelty shown to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:9). The inhumanity was shocking to his kind nature; but the sin of it was equally evident, for abuse of God’s messenger was defiance of God!
4. Dealt very tenderly with him in rescuing him (Jeremiah 38:12). His gentleness is touching. He realised how sick and weak the prophet must be through the horrors of his imprisonment, and from being deprived of food. A tender heart makes the hand gentle.” (e-Sword 12.2)
An Unexpected Friend
Robert Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary explains the significance of this act: “See how the Lord raiseth instruments, from the most unexpected quarters, for the deliverance of his people. Here was a stranger, and a Gentile, prompted to fly to the rescue of one of the Lord’s prophets, when all the people of the land were consenting to his death (e-Sword 12.2)”. This story portrays how impious and uncivil were most of the national and religious leaders of the House of Judah before its captivity to Babylon. Fausset’s Bible Dictionary draws out a lesson for us: “Often God raises friends to His people from quarters from whence least they could expect it. Ebedmelech’s courageous interference in Jeremiah’s behalf, at a time when he might naturally fear the wrath of the princes to which even the king had to yield (Jeremiah 38:4-13; 39:16-18), brought deliverance not only to the prophet, but ultimately to himself as his reward from God (e-Sword 12.1).” Jeremiah was rescued from the dungeon because of the efforts of this merciful and brave Gentile (Jeremiah 38:10-13). For his faithfulness to Jeremiah, God protected Ebed-melech when the city of Jerusalem finally fell to the Babylonians, during which time thousands of Jews perished (Jeremiah 39:16-18). Ebed-melech had put his trust in the God of Israel (Jeremiah 39:18).
Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Entire Bible summarizes the character of this faithful African: “Christ found more faith among Gentiles than among Jews. Ebed-melech lived in a wicked court and in a very corrupt degenerate age, and yet had a great sense both of equity and piety. God has his remnant in all places, among all sorts. There were saints even in Caesar’s household (e-Sword 12.2)”. Israelite genetics do not matter to God as much as responsive, faithful, and obedient hearts of those who desire to serve him. These two Ethiopians longed to serve the God of Israel as best they could. They were not granted all the privileges of God’s nation but they possessed the kind of responsive faith that God treasures. What a touching lesson may be drawn from this little-known story for believers of all nationalities today!
Kenneth Frank was born and raised in New Jersey, USA, and attended Ambassador College, graduating in 1973. He served in the Canadian ministry from 1973-1999, after which he returned to the USA to pastor churches in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina for 15 years. Having earned a BA degree from Ambassador College he later earned a MA degree from Grand Canyon University before being assigned to the Charlotte office to teach at Living University, now Living Education. Currently, he teaches the Survey of the Bible course to the on-campus students and writes the Digging Deeper column for our online Bible study program. He is married, has four children, and seven grandchildren.
