Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, “The Test of Faith,” pp. 145-155; “Moses,” pp. 241–256 in Patriarchs and Prophets.
“During his stay in Egypt, Abraham gave evidence that he was not free from human weakness and imperfection. In concealing the fact that Sarah was his wife, he betrayed a distrust of the divine care, a lack of that lofty faith and courage so often and nobly exemplified in his life.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 130.
“Moses had been instructed in regard to the final reward to be given to the humble and obedient servants of God, and worldly gain sank to its proper insignificance in comparison. The magnificent palace of Pharaoh and the monarch’s throne were held out as an inducement to Moses; but he knew that the sinful pleasures that make men forget God were in its lordly courts. He looked beyond the gorgeous palace, beyond a monarch’s crown, to the high honors that will be bestowed on the saints of the Most High in a kingdom untainted by sin. He saw by faith an imperishable crown that the King of heaven would place on the brow of the overcomer.”—Ellen G. White, Conflict and Courage, p. 81.
“The glory reflected in the countenance of Moses illustrates the blessings to be received by God’s commandment-keeping people through the mediation of Christ. It testifies that the closer our communion with God, and the clearer our knowledge of His requirements, the more fully shall we be conformed to the divine image, and the more readily do we become partakers of the divine nature.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 330.
Discussion Questions: 
Discuss some of the character flaws found in various prophets and apostles in the Bible. What hope can you take from these for yourself? At the same time, what are the good characteristics seen in many of these people? What hope and promise can you find there as well?
What about some of the so-called “prophets” today, those making all sorts of predictions, many of which are reported in the local newspaper? How should we relate to them? What kind of people are they; what kind of predictions do they make? What can we learn from the contrast between them and the prophets seen in the Bible?
In what ways can we, as a church, act in the role of the prophets? In what ways are we called to do just that? How can we better fulfill that role?
| I N S I D E Story | ||
| Keeping the Faith on Sabbath by MUHINDO KABWE Schools in French-speaking countries hold classes on Sabbaths. Getting schools to accommodate Adventists is difficult. It's no different where I live in Congo. After secondary school, I enrolled in a government school to study business. I knew that Sabbath would be a problem, but I was one of four Adventists in the school, and we helped one another stay faithful to God. Three other Adventist students, who were older than I, told me that exams were scheduled for Sabbath, and rescheduling them was difficult. We had no option but to pray for God's will and request permission to take our exams on another day. But several teachers refused. We fasted and prayed, then we went to the school administration. The administration told us that all exams are scheduled for Saturday, no exceptions. But we weren't ready to give up. We prayed for two more days and returned to plead our case. To our surprise the director decided to write a letter to the teachers stating that no exams would be scheduled on Saturday. And he even allowed us to make up the exams we had missed because they were given on Sabbath. We were overjoyed! Then just before the end of my second year at the school, a new director was elected. He changed the exam policy so exams fell on Saturdays again. We appealed, but we were denied. Final exams came, and several fell on Sabbath. We faced failure. Instead of letting us take our exams on another day, the director offered to let us withdraw from school. I decided to stay at the school. I fasted and prayed about the exam schedule, but the teachers could do nothing without the director's permission. It was a difficult situation, but by trusting God and praying much, I was able to take enough exams to pass on to the third year. By this time my Adventist friends had finished their studies. I was the only Adventist still at the school. I held evangelistic meetings to introduce teachers and students to Adventist beliefs, especially about the Sabbath. The meetings focused on Jesus and drew about eighty people, including two teachers. After that, it was easier to get Sabbaths off. Two students wanted to know more about Adventists and why we are so firm in our beliefs. I explained the Sabbath from before Creation right through to Revelation and invited them to church. Both of them have since been baptized. I completed my studies at last, and the new Adventists who now attend this school are able to get Sabbaths off because of the groundwork we laid for them. Your mission offerings brought the news of Jesus to my country and to me. Now we share that news with others. Thank you for your help. MUHINDO KABWE is an accountant in the Education Department of the Northeast Congo Attached Territory in Goma, Congo. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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