Helen Spaulding

Q4. (19:30-38) Why did Lot's daughters turn to incest? What does this tell us about their values? About their faith? Why does Lot turn to intoxication? What does this incident tell us about his faith? His hope? His influence? His choice of residence? What lessons should we learn from this story? They had no husbands or apparently any chance of one, for they lived in a desolate country in a cave. They apparently wanted children so badly that they used their father in this evil way. They had no religious values, since they did not care about the fact that they were sinning in this way. Their faith? In what? They cared only about themselves, no one else--not their father nor the children the professed to want. Lot felt alone and could not see any way out of his predicament. Why didn't he go to Abraham? Perhaps he was ashamed--who knows? Apparently, his faith was not in God. He had been in Sodom long enough to know that the city was full of evil, even if he didn't participate in it. Yet he chose to remain there. He seemed to have no hope for a decent future. He chose Sodom for a place to live, perhaps because it seemed full of life and music. No matter that the life and music was counter to the belief he had shared with Abraham. Soon, apparently, although he knew this was against God's law, he felt comfortable in it and just pushed God out of his life. His influence on his daughters caused them to follow the evil so rampant there. The last thing we want to do is be an evil example for our children and for others who touch our lives! But, if we do not fight evil and condone it by not speaking up, and/or getting out of the situation, we are the same as saying it is okay. Then others may come to believe in this too. Sad.

Q3. (19:26) After nearly being delivered, why did Lot's wife stop and gaze rather than escaping? What was in her heart? Have you ever struggled with this in your heart? What lesson does Jesus draw from Lot's wife in Luke 17:31-33? She was surrendering to a wish that things had not changed--that she did not have to leave her old life and habits. Apparently, she left under compulsion of the angels, and regretted her losses. It's hard to get into her skin to her heart to know what was there. But, after being warned not to stop or look back, she must have been having a hard time to leave the known for the unknown tomorrows. Sad. Have I struggled against leaving the known for the unknown? Not really. I have left the known life here in the USA for foreign mission fields in many far places of the earth. Sure, I knew this was temporary, for only a matter of years, but it still was leaving my family, my friends, my church and a known way of life for who knows what. But we learned there is no more blessed place to be than where God wants us! We always gained so much more than we gave up. We must be ready and willing to go--without looking back or trying to "save" some "things" from our earthly life. What better place to be than with Him in eternity?

Q2. (19:15-16) Why did Lot and his family hesitate? Have you ever hesitated when you should have been fleeing a danger? What is the lesson for us? It is hard to totally understand why someone else does anything. But, apparently, they were afraid of the unknown future. Where would they go? Are these men/angels truly from God? How could they be sure? The prospective sons-in-law laughed at the idea, so maybe they are being conned. They had to be forceably removed in order to save their lives--what God had promised Abraham. Have I ever hesitated from fleeing danger? I've never been truly in danger of my life nor anything of any great consequence. It's hard to know what I would do if God told me to leave somewhere, but I am confident, knowing Him, that He would bring me to know His Will forcefully enough that I would have no qualms in obeying Him. At least, I hope that is so. In the past, when I have obeyed Him to go or do something, I have looked back on that action full of wonder at what God has done through that obedience! When we feel God's guidance, we need to stop and consider the action: is it Biblical? Is the way open for us to do what we feel He is asking? and finally, does doing this bring a sense of peace in the midst of turmoil when we decide to do it. If all three things are present, we must obey at once.

Q1. (19:4-11) How can Christians keep balance on the issue of homosexuality in our day? Is it really possible to be loving and compassionate toward practicing homosexuals at the same time as you condemn the sin? Should the church be silent about homosexuality? If not, what should we be saying? Where should we be saying it? (Be gentle and loving as you discuss this subject -- please!) It isn't easy, especially in our society today that considers any discussion about things that God's word teaches is sin as a sign of being narrow and judgemental--for today, the prevailing thought is: whatever I want to do, I should be able to do, and be praised for doing it! We must say that this is sin, for God says it is sin. The church cannot be silent--but, we must also recognize all of us sin in one way or another. None is without sin. We must love the sinner but hate the sin and pray that our neighbor or friend will be touched by God and saved from his/her sin--just as we pray that each of us is saved by Him!

Q3. (16:13-14) What is the significance of Hagar's name for God -- El Roi, the God Who Sees? What does it mean to a person who is discouraged and losing hope? What does it mean to you personally? She realizes that God sees HER! He knows her by name and cares about what happens to her. Also, He has a plan for her life and for her son's life--bleak as it sounds to be. For anyone who is losing hope, this is tremendously encouraging! If God Himself knows me by name and has a plan for my life--whatever number of years this octagenarian has--what awesome joy fills my soul! He loves me! Can anything be more important than that? Can being put down or actually persecuted be more important? With this knowledge--whether expressed out loud or shared with anyone--gives us refilling hope and joy in the midst of whatever problem threatens to overcome us. To me personally, it means that He is with me and will guide me in love into His perfect will, and ultimately, the joy of being with Him forever!

Q2. (16:7-9) Why does the angel ask Hagar something that the angel already knows? ("Where have you come from, and where are you going?") Why does she send her back to Sarah? Have you ever reacted and got yourself out of the place God wanted you? To get her to articulate what she has done and to consider why she has done it. Also, to make her think of what the consequences of her actions will be. The angel sends her back to Sarah because that is where the Lord wants her and she can only be protected from death by remaining there until she gives birth and her son is old enough to travel safely. Yes I have. He has been gracious enough to turn me around and lead me back to where He wants me to be. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak can be applied to me as easily as to anyone else.

Q1. (16:1-6) Why does Sarah take her anger out on Abraham? Why does she take her anger out on Hagar? Is she trying to get rid of Hagar or the baby? In what sense is Hagar's pride Abraham's fault? In what sense is Hagar's affliction Abraham's fault? What situation in your family does this reminds you of? Too often we refuse to accept the blame for our actions! If there is some possible way to push that off onto someone else, we do--so that we don't have to feel anger at our own stupidity. Sarah would love to get rid of Hagar and her baby so there would be no conflict with the child the Lord told them she would have for Abraham. Also, she probably hates to see the evidence that Hagar has achieved what she has not been able to do. Hagar is proud of being the mother of the coming heir to her mistress' husband. Abraham should have admonished her, reminding her that she is a servant, not his true wife. But Abraham backs off and does nothing to make Hagar realize that this does not change her position as a servant of Sarah. According to the tradition of that time, the child would be considered Sarah's child, and would be taken away from Hagar as soon as he could be weaned. And, if Sarah did finally conceive, Hagar's son would not be the son of promise, even though he would be the eldest son. Hagar's affliction is due to Abraham refusing to settle the problem rather than telling Sarah that whatever she wanted to do to Hagar was ok with him! There is no sense in striking out to publicly shame another, which discussing personal matters of this type would do. No matter what happens, we are to forgive AND forget.

Q4 (15:17-18a) Why did God go through the covenant ritual with Abraham, with the divided carcasses? Why does God bind himself to a solemn promise? How does Abraham respond to God's promises (15:6)? What promises has God made to us that affect our futures? What significance does blood sacrifice have in those promises? God wanted Abraham to know that He takes His word seriously--that He does not promise something and not carry it out! He used this covenant ritual because it was a ritual that he must have been acquainted with, since this practice was common in the Near East at that time. Abraham showed his lack of belief in asking how he could know this would happen. Thus, God made this solemn promise to him by this covenant ritual. God has told us that if we believe with all our hearts that Jesus is the Christ, that He died for our sins and rose again, sitting now on the right hand of God the Father, and if we trust in His sacrifice to make us right with God, then we are saved for eternity with Him! This blood sacrifice was a fore-runner and forecaster of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus! His blood is our sacrifice, and no more blood sacrifices are ever needed now! PTL!

Q3. (15:16) Have you ever been frustrated with God for not fulfilling his promise to you immediately? Why does God sometimes delay the fulfillment of his promises to a future time? Sure, but I've learned that His timing is just right--mine is skewed to please me--not His larger understanding of what needs to be for the good of all. God has reasons that, like with Abraham, we may not see in our lifetime. But, He asks us to trust Him--with our lives, our dreams, and our future. When I cannot understand, I can trust Him! The hardest thing is to wait when it involves someone we love--such as our children. We want it--and we want it right now! Especially when we think of their salvation. I have a daughter who is not saved and I want it now. But, I have learned over many years that God will act in His perfect way when the time comes. It's hard, but with His loving care, He takes us by the hand and leads us through it--as long as we willingly follow where He leads. We can't just bludgeon our way through and expect anything good to come of it. We learn by His leading us through a way in which we cannot see the end.

Q2. (15:6) What is so amazing about this verse? On what basis does God declare Abraham a righteous person? What significance does this have to our New Testament understanding of justification by faith? Abraham's belief that God will do as He promises is the basis for God declaring him righteous--not that Abraham was "righteous" fully--any more than we are--but that God accepted his belief of God's promise as making him righteous. God did this with Abraham, and He can and does it in us today! We believe in "justification by faith", as Paul named it. We, in ourselves, are far from righteous, just as Abraham was not without sin. But, through Jesus Who died for our salvation, we are justified before God when we believe Jesus is the Son of God, that He died, was buried and rose again, and that Jesus' death paid for our sins. Thus, He justified me (made me "just-as-if-I'd" never sinned!) and made me right with God. Praise the Lord!

Q1. (15:1) What does it mean to you personally to call God your "Shield"? What does it mean to you that he promises to you (as heir of the promises to Abraham) "an exceedingly great reward"? What does it mean to you to call God your Suzerain or Sovereign? God is with me, no matter what problem or difficulty I am experiencing! At present, we are experiencing the trauma of selling our home and farm--and waiting to hear if the latest inquirer will want it at our price or not. Time is so short until cold weather will be here--making holding a farm sale for implements and things we will not need in a smaller home more difficult. But, we are calm and safe in His love! He is shielding us from any concern--no matter what happens! No, of course, this is not life-threatening, nor the depth of problems that many people have faced with His help! It just happens to be what we are undergoing at this particular time in our life--thus this answer. Our greatest "reward" is He is our peace--our surety of the perfect outcome, in His will! He is with us! What more do we need? Our Lord Jesus is Sovereign of our lives! I could not be happy anywhere but where He wants me to be! He has taken my husband and I to many mission stations to spend years serving Him by serving those in need there--and we always found that His love gave us much more than what we tried to give! He is the Joy of our lives and the thought of being with Him forever in Heaven gives me inexpressible peace!

Q4. (14:21-24) Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn? The king of Sodom is evil. Abraham wants nothing to do with him--not even the spoils of war. Abraham is true to the Lord God and obeys Him only. Thus he wants nothing to do with evil persons. We must separate ourselves from evil--in whatever form we find it. We should keep our eyes on Jesus in all areas of our lives. He will enable us to see through evil guises that satan takes, and give us the moral strength to stick to what God requires of us.

Q3. (14:20) What is the significance of Abraham giving one tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek? Does tithing today represent the same kind of worship? Why should we tithe to God first (like Abraham did) before dividing up our paychecks to pay our bills? Abraham is recognizing God as the author of His victory. Melchizedek, as priest representing God, accepts the tenth as God's. It should, but often giving is far below that level--thus many churches cannot pay their just bills, let alone spread the Gospel around the world. We can always find ways to spend our money, and thus say we have not enough to give a tithe to God. We pay our bills first, and then miserly give God a tenth of what remains. That is not tithing! We are robbing God when we do not tithe our income, just the "remains"!

Q2. (14:13-16) What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate? Abraham is resourceful, thoughtful, and able to lead when he remembers that God can and does lead. He planned a quick, successful raid that accomplished his purpose to rescue Lot. Also, we see him as faithful--even to one who was selfish enough to demand the best-looking land for himself. Abraham has lived in peace with his neighbors--they even join with him to rescue Lot. But with neighbors who viciously attack and carry off innocents, he takes his army and brings them to account. We should live in peace with our neighbors "insofar as that lies within our powers." We should also go to God to ask His will in all matters that come up in our lives. The text does not say that Abraham prayed about his move to rescue Lot. But, it shows his concern for his relative as well as his ability to draw together several other leaders to aid him. And, from other texts of Abraham's life, we see that he is learning to trust God and to pray for guidance.

Q1. (13:2) Does Abraham's material wealth reflect God's blessing on him? Does material wealth always reflect God's blessing? Does physical poverty always reflect God's curse? It appears that God did bless Abraham with material possessions, but this does not mean all dedicated followers are so blessed. Just look at Jesus and his followers. They did not have material blessings, but they had the most important things in life: the presence of the Holy Spirit; God's guidance in their lives; His Presence for comfort when going through difficult times; His support for their physical lives, until the time He called them home for the most wonderful blessing that anyone can have--an eternity living in His Presence and joy in whatever service He gives them to do in that eternity. Does physical poverty always reflect God's curse? Of course not. As seen above, followers were blessed, even though not by physical things. Those things paled into nothing when weighed against the wonders and joy of the blessing of His Presence! I would rather have Him as my guide, savior and Lord of my life than any material "stuff!"

Q5. (12:2-3) What relationship does God's promise to Abraham in 12:2-3 have to do with the incident of Sarah's abduction in 20:10-20? God did not allow these foreigners to actually make Sarah their wife in actuality. In time they would have, but God sent disaster on them--just as he told Abraham that "He would bless those that bless you and curse those that curse you." So we see He is faithful to His promises, no matter how faithless we are with Him! Not that this is a reason to ignore our promises to Him. Rather, we know we can trust Him, so we should be humbly grateful enough to obey Him and follow His guidance!

Q4. What do you think about Abraham's and Sarah's ethics and faith? Are they ethically and morally wrong? Does the Scripture intend to show that their actions as a lack of faith? What lessons should we disciples learn from these stories? I am reluctant to sit in judgement on someone. God knew their hearts and what they were undergoing at this time. I'd think the first episode would have undergirded their faith enough to expect God to take care of the situation the second time, but I wasn't in the midst of their situation. As the Indian saying goes, "Don't criticise someone until you have walked a mile in their moccasins!" What lessons should we learn? To trust God, no matter the circumstances, to be willing to die for Him if that is the outcome. Go to Him in prayer and ask for His guidance as well as His protection. As Esther said (when she decided to do as Mordicai told her she should), "I will petition the king for the lives of our people, and if I die, I die." God, in His wisdom, allows us to go through trying times--sometimes to test our committment to Him, and sometimes to prove to us that He is able to protect us, and thus "grow" our faith. Sometimes, as we trust God and obey, the outcome has the wonderful result that someone who sees this becomes convinced of God's reality and comes to know Him!

Q3. (20:3-6) What does this story teach us about God's view of adultery? Can God forgive a person who has committed adultery? God has joined two in marriage. He views any dishonoring of this committment as dishonoring Him as well. Adultery is sin and as such must be confessed to God and request made to forgive the sinners. God can and does forgive any sin that a person sincerely and prayerfully repents of doing and requests forgiveness of God and of any wronged person. There is only one unforgiveable sin--that of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. So, of course, adultery is forgiveable, but it does terrible damage to the relationships of the involved persons and their families. Yes, as Kyeland said, forgiving ourselves can often be a problem, but that is a sin also--one of presumption that OUR standards are higher than those of the Lord! We must also ask forgiveness of this sin, if we are holding on to our lack of forgiving ourselves--as though this is admirable! The root cause of this sin is pride--How could I have done this thing???

Q2. (12:17-20) Why did Pharaoh and his household get sick? What effect did this have? What was God seeking to accomplish through this affliction? Did it have the desired effect? The Bible says it is because he took Sarah into his concubine group, although he did not have relations with her. When the Pharaoh found out that she was Abraham's wife, he called Abraham in and berated him for his duplicity. He could have killed Abraham and then kept Sarah, but I guess he decided a god who was powerful enough and cared enough to cause this sickness (because he had even thought of taking her to wife) would be able to take revenge on him even more if he killed Abraham--someone He obviously was protecting. So, the effect was that Abraham and Sarah were able to leave--and he had obtained many livestock in the bargain. This effect was accomplished. Perhaps God wanted to show Abraham that He can protect as well as send devastation on those, like Pharaoh, who disobey His laws. He may also have wanted to increase Abraham's belongings so perhaps he would be better able to withstand the famine. Perhaps also, He wanted Pharaoh to know that He is the only God and put fear of Him into Pharaoh's heart. Who can know God's thoughts? But we do know (today) that He does want all persons to come to know and follow Him! If that was a part of His desire, that certainly did not come about. Sure, Pharaoh feared the power of this God, but since Egypt down through later generations still worshipped other gods, Pharaoh obviously did not change his worship of those gods.

Q1. (12:10) What dangers faced Abraham and his family as aliens and sojourners in Egypt and elsewhere? Who might oppress them? What "aliens and sojourners" live in your community? Why did they come? How are they being oppressed or discriminated against by employers and others in the community? What can you and your church do to "love those who are aliens"? They faced danger of being attacked and possibly killed for their livestock or whatever the people of that land saw they had that they wanted for themselves. Or, they might try to make them slaves to work for them. Many Mexican people have moved into our area. Sometimes people look down on those who are different from themselves, or speak a different language. Since even if they know a little English, they can often misunderstand what we say and respond strangely--in our eyes. Because of that, some people laugh at them and discriminate against them. Having lived in other countries, I understand how stupid you feel to not understand what people are saying to you and also not be able to make yourself understood by them. They have come to try to make a better life for themselves than is possible in Mexico. Often they are downgraded and given only the lowest of jobs, no matter how qualified they may be in their education. We had a Mexican man visit our church and he sat next to my husband and I. When it was apparent that he did not know what was expected of the worshippers, we tried to assist him, and after church, since I know Spanish, I talked with him, welcoming him and inviting him to return. Unfortunately, he has not done so.

Q4. (12:9) What was the significance of Abraham "calling on the name of Yahweh"? What does it mean for you to "call on the name of the Lord"? Abraham was in a foreign country. He knew he needed guidance for his life--where he would go and what to do--and he also knew where to get that guidance. He turned to the Lord for His wisdom and control of His life. For me, "calling on the name of the Lord" means the same. We do not know what will come up in the day ahead, let alone the long range view of our life. In our own strength, we cannot prepare nor be accepting of what will come. However, with the guidance that God will give us, we can live from day to day in confidence, knowing whatever comes, He will be with us and strengthen us--IF we listen and obey His voice as we call upon Him daily. We are at present selling our farm and moving who knows where. Being in our eighties, this is difficult, but we know that He will be with us and bring things about that are for His intention and for our good. So, we call upon Him and then step out with confidence!

Q3. (12:1 with Hebrews 11:8-10) Why does it take special faith to begin to do something in obedience to God before we see how it will turn out? Have you had any of these "opportunities"? Are you in the midst of this adventure now? Many times. One is in writing a book that I felt MUST be written--about the life of Abe Lincoln's grandmother, Lucey Hanks. I thought it was more for my family (since we are distantly related to him) than for others. I did not even see it as especially being in "obedience to God", but the results show me it had to be from Him. As is so often true, when we feel we should do something (something Biblically correct, of course), we look back and see how His hand has guided us--if we allow Him to do so! But, it was produced and published--and feedback has told me that the effect on others has been far beyond my expectation, and in ways I had not imagined it would have! Isn't God wonderful???!!!

Q2. (12:2-3) In what ways was Abraham blessed. How have all the peoples of the earth been blessed? In what way does Abraham continue bless people through your life? Abraham was blessed to have a son in his old age. He was also blessed in having as descendents a nation of people who served the Lord God. All persons have been blessed through his descendent, Jesus the Christ, who forgives all our sins and restores us to God as His children. I pray that the Lord God can use my life to do His will--whatever that may be--until He calls me home to be with Him forever!

Q1. (11:32) Have you ever begun something in response to God's urging and then stopped? Did God want you to stop? Is it time now to renew your obedience and begin again? (Don't take this question lightly. Sometimes circumstances prevent us from doing what we once felt God wanted us to do. However, he is able to redirect you into his will for you now. Seek him diligently to learn his will.) When a teenager, I received God's call to go in missions for Him, so prepared myself to go as a medical missionary. After completing my nursing training, I turned away and married. After three children and attempts to work in our church, I still felt guilty. To make a long story short, I talked with a wonderful woman who led me to realize I was sinning by being presumptious enough to think my standards were higher than God's, since I knew He had forgiven myself but could not forgive myself! I asked for, and received forgiveness for this sin also--and the guilt was gone! Since then, my husband and I have gone in missions to several countries for various lengths of time--mostly two to three years at a time. He has blessed us tremendously. Now in our eighties, I pray He will use my writing for His work, and feel His blessing on this.

Q5. What has this study on 2 Peter and Jude meant to you? How has it enriched your life? How could it be improved? As always in your studies, it stretches me--to think and put on paper (ie e-mail) what I believe and how far short I often fall! This one reminds me of His loving oversight of my life and how He holds me firmly in His hands. That, naturally, enriches my life as I draw closer to Him and listen more to His directions for my life. Keep on as you are! You inspire us by your dedication.