Unit 2 LESSON 9

April 27, 2025

Study Text: Exod. 3:1-6; 2 Sam.12:1-23; Job 19:23-27; Psa. 23:1-6; Dan.12:1-13; Mar.12:18-27

             Central Truth: The Bible clearly teaches there is life after death.

KEY VERSE: Job 19:26 Though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God (KJV).

"After my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!" (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

As we'll discover over the next several weeks, the Bible clearly teaches there is life after death. However, many people struggle to grasp this reality because they are attached to their earthly perspectives. Today's lesson focuses on Old Testament teachings concerning life after death. The Old Testaments saints did not have the benefit of Jesus' teachings or the apostles' writing, but they shared a common view of God's covenant. They trusted that God's promises would be fulfilled and that they would have a future with Him. Even though they didn't have answers to all their questions, they viewed. God through the proper lens.

PART 1- God of the Living

Knowing the Power of God        Exodus 3:3-5; Mark 12:24-25

One of the key events in the Pentateuch is Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1 through 4:17). He heard God's voice from the flames, and the very ground beneath him was declared sanctified by God. In Mark 12:18-23, the Sadducees brought Jesus a complicated hypothetical question concerning Old Testament marriage laws (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). The Sadducees ignored the law's purpose and tried to twist it to disprove the belief in the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees were a Jewish group in the New Testament era who rejected the idea of life after death.  Jesus took what the Sadducees considered an unbelievable hypothetical situation and declare it to be real (Mark 12:24-25). Life after death will happen, though it will be different from the conventions of this world. Jesus' response, that in Heavan humans will be "like the angels" (Mark 12:25), does not mean that people will become angels. Rather it means people will have different kinds of relationships with each other, because they will be entirely devoted to communing with worshiping and serving God.

Discuss? Described a time when you had an encounter with God that changed your worldview?

Knowing God's Word                        Exodus 3:6' Mark 12:26-27

Since the Sadducees clamed to strictly adhere to the first five books of the Old Testament. Jesus wisely turned there for evidence to prove the afterlife. His argument was based on

God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The patriarchs had long since died by the time God revealed himself to Moses, but still called himself "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6). Jesus explained, "He is the God of the living, not the dead" (Mark 12:27). The Father still had a relationship with them in Moses' time. God is bigger than what we think He is. He has an ongoing relationship with His people that is not bound by time or space. His new covenant with believers means He will not abandon His people at the moment of death and beyond.

Discuss? How does your knowledge of Scripture change the way you see the world around you?

Part 2-- Testimonies of Job and Daniel

"I will See God"                         Job 19:25-27

After losing his children, his possessions, and his health, Job's condition seemed hopeless. He lamented that his friends had turned against him (Job 19:1-5), God had attacked him (verses 6-12), and his household had abandoned him (verses 13-20). Suddenly in the middle of his lament, Job proclaimed that his living Redeemer would one day stand upon the earth and that Job would see God with his own eyes (verses 25-27). Job seems to have realized that his existence would extend beyond his death. When we experience hardships, we can find solace in God's presence, knowing our communion with Him will not end when we die. Our redeemer lives, He will one day stand upon the earth, and we will see Him with our own eyes.

DISCUSS? What are some ways that having an earthly focused worldview can give us hope in this life?

          "You Will Rise Again"                  Daniel 12:1-13

God entrusted Daniel with a series of revelations concerning His people's destiny. The visions described persecution and trouble for the faithful (Daniel 12:1), but also included hope that God's promises would extend beyond this life. Daniel was told that some people will rise to eternal life, while others will rise to eternal disgrace (verse 2). The existence of both eternal reward and eternal punishment. Everyone, whether righteous or wicked, will rise from the grave. The state of their soul will determine their destiny. Daniel struggled to understand the timing of the persecution and resurrection, asking to know more. But he was told that some of these answers must be kept secret until the end. We also do not know exactly when and how end-time events will take place, and we have many questions. But like Daniel, we must trust in the faithfulness of God, believing He will bring justice at the appointment time. God's relationship with Daniel--like His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--would extend far beyond Daniel's earthly life.

DISCUSS? Why do you think God does not answer all of our questions about the end times?

      Part 3- Testimony of David

"I will Go to Him One Day"       2 Samuel 12:18-23

When David's first son with Bathsheba became deathly ill, David spent a week fasting, praying, lying on the ground, and begging God to spare the child's life. David's grief during the child's sickness did not mean he lacked faith in God. In fact, it was his faith that drove him to intercede so desperately. To the surprise of his advisors, David's response to the news of his child's death was to stop outwardly mourning. Although the child had died because of David's sin) verses 13-14), David never blamed God in his grief. Instead, he chose to focus on God's everlasting covenant and the hope of an afterlife. Mourning believers can still find comfort in David's confident statement: "I will go to him one day" (verse 23). Departed loved ones who chose to follow Jesus during their earthly lives are now present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). And if we faithfully follow Jesus until death, we will see them again.

Discuss?  How can the promise of an afterlife give us hope when we are grieving?

" I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord Forever"                   Psalm 23:4-6

Following the right paths sometimes leads us through desperately dark places. There is no need to fear; the Shepherd is close by (Psalm 23:4). Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly promises to be with you, even in your darkest moments. In verse 5, God lavishly provides for David, offering a battlefield banquet. He can eat in peace--even when surrounded by enemies. In verse 6, David acknowledges that God's goodness and love are chasing after him in this life and that his forever home is in God's house. However, David makes no distinction between God's goodness in this life and the next. He refuses to allow his difficult experiences to dim his perspective of God's faithfulness.

Discuss? How does the promise of being in God's presence forever give you hope in this life?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Jesus statements to the Sadducees and the testimonies of Job, Daniel, and David confirm that God's relationship with His people does not end when they die. The hope of eternal life is about more than just making it through this life; it also sustains us as we face struggles and grief here and now. Do we responded to loss with hope, trusting our Good Shepherd to guide us on the right paths? Our unique response to suffering can serve as a witness to those in the world who, like David's advisors, do not understand our biblical worldview

LIVING IT OUT

Look for opportunities this week to share your hopeful worldview and encourage someone who is struggling.

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               DAILY BIBLE READING

                        Monday: Peaceful Death of a Patriarch. (Gen. 49:28-33).

                                  Tuesday: Dying with faith in God's Promise. (Gen. 50:22-26)

                             Wednesday: Precious in God's Sight. (Psalm 116:12-19)

                           Thursday: Departure in Peace Accepted (Luke 2:25-32) 

             Friday. Being Dead Yet Speaking. (Hebrews 11:1-4) 

                         Saturday: Seeking the City of God. (Hebrews 11:8-16)

Gospel Publishing House. 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 Volume 106 Number 3. Mar. Apr. May 2025