QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (124)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   We live in a world wherein people ask lot of questions.  They are given just a little bit of information, and the questions begin to fly.

 

B.   The same people who ask the questions often surmise the answer.

1.    The little word “surmise” means:  “to think or infer without certain or strong evidence.”

2.    Note that.  They have no strong evidence to back up their answer, but they often seem to answer with an air of absolute certainty.

 

C.   When questions are asked about the Bible and Bible topics, we do not need to surmise. 

1.    We need to go to the Scripture and do our best to obtain what some refer to as a “thus saith the Lord.”

2.    Two verses:

a.    Isaiah 8:20

 

To the law and to the testimony:  if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

 

b.     1 Peter 4:11

 

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God…

 

D.   Today is our Q&A Sunday.  Let’s look at two questions in this lesson.

 

I.             QUESTION #1:  David’s Eating the Shewbread

 

A.   Stated:  Jesus reminded the Jews that David ate the shewbread of the tabernacle which was not lawful for him to eat. Did David commit a sin when he did this?

 

B.   The account to which the question refers is found in Matthew 12:1-4.  It is also recorded in Mark 2 and Luke 6.

 

C.   Background.

1.    Jesus’ disciples were hungry, “and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat” (Matt. 12:1).

2.    The problem was that this was the sabbath day.

3.    “But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day” (Matt. 12:2).

4.    It was at this point that Jesus raises the matter concerning David.

 

D.   The actions of David (Matt. 12:3-4)

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungered, and they that were with him; how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

 

1.    There are two interesting points to consider at this point.

a.    First, the Jews held David in high regard.  Thus, he was the perfect example for Jesus to use.

b.    Second, listen to the words of Jesus as He begins the conversation.  “Have ye not read what David did.”  This account is documented in the Old Testament.

1)    As students of the Old Covenant, the Pharisees would have been aware of this account in David’s life.

2)    If they were not aware of it, they could easily go and study it for themselves.

2.    1 Samuel 21:1-6

a.    David was fleeing from king Saul.

b.    He came to Nob and spoke with Ahimelech the priest.

c.    In the course of their conversation, David asked for loaves of bread for himself and his men.

d.    The only bread Ahimelech had available was the hallowed bread, that is, the shewbread.

e.    “So the priest gave him hallowed bread:  for there was no bread there but the shewbread…” (1 Sam. 21:6).

3.    Jesus notes that the bread that David took “was not lawful for him to eat.”  Leviticus 24:9 authorizes only the priests to eat the bread.

 

And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons; and they shall eat it in the holy place:  for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the Lord made by fire by a perpetual statute.

 

E.   How was Jesus making application of this event in the life of David?  There are two possible explanations.

1.    First, David did that which was unlawful.

a.    However, the Jews did not condemn his actions.

b.    Jesus did not violate the law.  He violated the traditions of the men regarding the law.

c.    Why would they condemn Jesus and allow David to escape condemnation?

2.    Second, there were times when exceptions could be made to the law of the sabbath.

a.    David and his men were hungry.  Their hunger could be met with mercy, that is, allowing them to eat the shewbread, without violating the law.

b.    In like manner, Jesus’ disciples were hungry.  They did nothing any different from what David did.  Mercy allowed them to eat of the ears of corn.

3.    Jesus concluded this discussion in Matthew 12:6-8.

 

But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.  But if ye had known what his meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.  For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

a.    First, these men did not understand who they were addressing. 

1)    They saw him only as the carpenter’s son from Nazareth.

2)    However, Jesus affirmed that He was greater than the temple, a place the Pharisees knew to be high and holy.

b.    Second, the phrase:  “I will have mercy and not sacrifice” was found in the law (Hos. 6:6). 

1)    This phrase taught there could be exceptions regarding working on the sabbath. 

2)    Hunger would have been one of these exceptions.

3)    Thus, Jesus told them that if they understood this, they would not have condemned the guiltless.

c.    Third, Jesus truly understood the Law.  It was He who was “Lord even of the sabbath day.”

 

II.           QUESTION #2:  Mission Work for July

 

A.   Stated:  What mission work will OceanSide be supporting with all money contributed over budget for July?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    We will be supporting Latin American Missions. 

a.    This work is overseen by the Forrest Park church of Christ in Valdosta, GA.

b.    They have been supporting this effort since 1958.  This makes a total of 68 years.

2.    Their initial purpose was to try to evangelize Latin America.  That mission has grown much bigger over the years.  They are now in several places in South America as well.

3.    There are three main efforts of LAM.

a.    Train native preachers

1)    This is done through the Bible School of the Americas.

2)    To date, they have trained over 600 preachers.

b.    They carry out evangelistic and medical campaigns throughout Latin America and South America.

1)    Six to eight campaigns are held each summer.

2)    Some in this congregation have taken a trip with LAM in the past. 

3)    They still have three to be conducted.  One is taking place as we speak in Jiral, Panama.  There is another to be hold in Honduras and a third in Peru.

4)    NOTE:  Anyone can register on-line and go on one of the campaigns that LAM hosts. 

a)    They are usually a week in duration. 

b)    They prefer that you register about 90 days in advance.

c)    Those going must complete the application, have a valid passport, and have all of the necessary vaccines. 

c.    Benevolence is also part of the LAM program. 

1)    They are very active in times of disasters.

2)    They provide mainly food items:  rice, beans, flour, oil, etc.

3)    They work with local churches in the area to distribute the goods.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We have only looked at two questions in this service.

1.    One involving the actions of Jesus’ disciples on the sabbath

2.    The other involving the work of Latin American Missions

 

B.   We did not report on the money over budget for the month of June because we did not have any money over budget for June.

1.    We were $348.00 under budget for June.

2.    We have been doing this for five or six years.  June is the first month that we have not been over budget.

3.    One of the reasons for this is because of some of the losses we have suffered over the last several months. 

 

C.   God has blessed OceanSide with bountiful givers. 

1.    It is our prayer that we can continue to give liberally in order to assist many works that are being conducted by our brotherhood throughout the world.

2.    One verse:  Luke 6:38

 

Give, and it shall be given you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.