The Christian Education Council is glad to announce the first issue of the new volume of the Helping Hand, for the Winter of 2021-2022 (covering December, January and February) is now available. Physical copies should’ve reached subscribers by this time. Digital copies are now available at our webstore and for Amazon Kindle. If there are questions about subscriptions, please email or call the SDB Center.
The study this quarter focuses on justice as presented in a variety of Old Testament Scriptures. Justice originates in the nature of God and is given to God’s people as a gift under the Law. Over time, adverse circumstances caused God’s people to raise questions about God’s justice.
Unit I, “God Requires Justice,” has four lessons that explore how leaders of God’s people must rely on God’s Law as they administer justice. Deuteronomy demands that God’s people be just and equitable. In 2 Samuel, King David demonstrates justice by showing kindness to Mephibosheth. Isaiah describes a reign of justice and righteousness. Through the prophet Nahum, God metes out justice to Judah’s enemies.
Unit II, “God: the Source of Justice,” has five lessons that focus on God’s justice in the lives of God’s people and in the gift of the Law. Stories in Genesis reveal God’s justice in the face of human injustice. Exodus demands justice for all people including one’s enemies. In Deuteronomy, judges, officials, and priests work together to administer justice for God’s people In particular, Deuteronomy demands justice for marginalized people.
Unit III, “Justice and Adversity,” has four lessons that deal with situations in which justice seems absent. In 2 Samuel, Nathan condemns David for his acts of injustice toward Uriah the Hittite, Bathsheba’s husband. In Ezra, after years of exile in Babylon, Ezra returns to Jerusalem and determines to restore respect for God’s Law. Session 3 tells the story of Job’s faithfulness to God after several tragic events in his life. The Scriptures in Job question the presence of God’s justice when Job has suffered greatly.
