The Bible Students' Class: Children of God

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  13 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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Since last month, the following have expressed a desire to join the Class, and we accordingly give their numbers.
124-E. A. P.
129-F. P. S.
126-M. C. S.
127-F. I. F.
128-W. J. H.
129-F. C. W.
130-F. E.
We would remind our correspondents that the time given for the preparation of the papers expires on the 25th of the month, and we trust that all who can do so, will send them in by that date. The preparation of the printed result is a work of considerable labor, and we are anxious that it should be done as thoroughly as possible. We know that there are some, who owing to the limited time at their disposal, are not able to finish quite so early, but if these are only few in number, their papers can easily be incorporated in the result before going to press.
The subject selected for this month is:A List of all the children of God spoken of in the Bible, in two divisions; first, those who can be proved to be such undoubtedly by their faith or walk, with one proof annexed; and second, those who are probably such, with the reason given.
The subdivision is arranged as follows:-
Genesis, by 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43.
Exodus, by 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50.
Leviticus, by 57, 58.
Num., by 62, 63, 64, 65, 66.
Deut., by 70, 71, 72.
Josh., by 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80.
Judges & Ruth, by 81, 82, 13, 84, 85, 86.
1 & 2 Samuel, by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7•
1 & 2 Kings by 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
1 & 2 Chronicles, by 105, 106, 107, 117, 118, 119, 120.
Ezra to S. of Solomon, (excluding the Psalms,)by 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92.
Isaiah, by 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23.
Jeremiah, by 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98.
Lamen., by 103, 104.
Ezek., by 108, 109, 110.
Daniel and Hosea, by 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116.
Joel to Micah, by 121, 122, 123.
Nahum to Malachi, by 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130.
Matthew & Mark, by 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30.
Luke & John, by 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37.
Acts, by 44, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56.
Romans, by 59, 60, 61.
1 Cor.-Eph. by 67, 68, 69.
Phil.-Jude, by 73, 99, 100, 101, 102.
The Psalms and Rev. are omitted, there being with few exceptions no personal references in them.
In preparing the result of the research on the subject selected for last month, we have been struck afresh with the proofs the Bible affords of its own divine origin. The wonderful unity and the close manner in which the carious books are connected testifying to the fact that though there were many writers, it was the same hand that guided their pens.
We earnestly trust that our correspondents will not be content with having contributed to the result by searching through one book, but that they will carefully read through all the references, studying them both in connection with their immediate context, and also with the subject to which they allude. We are convinced that they will thus gain a deeper insight into the scope of the Word, and a fuller knowledge of the purposes of Him who has determined that all things shall work together for His glory-the One who knows the end from the beginning.
We have received papers from all but Nos. 3, 8, 17, 29, 33, 39, 69, 86, 87, 99, 102, 110, and 111, who we hope will be able to send us papers next time. We have, however, received three or four papers without a number, which we conclude came from some of the above.
Bearing in mind that the object of our subject was to illustrate from the other books of the Bible the principles contained in Genesis, we have found it necessary to exclude mere verbal allusions, such as to places and persons-especially the names contained in the genealogies of Gen. 10; 25; 36-The place occupied in the subsequent history of the Bible by the nations mentioned in these chapters would form an interesting subject for personal study, though perhaps not a suitable one for the research of the Class.
We think the following arrangement of the materials contained in the papers will show the value of the work which our Correspondents have most thoroughly performed.
As it would have been impossible to give all the texts bearing upon each subject, we have selected in each case, those which seemed the most striking.
It will be seen that references are given to Genesis from all the books of the Old Testament except Ruth, Ezra, Esther, S. of Solomon, Nahum, Zephaniah, and Haggai; and from all the books of the New except Philippians, Colossians, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and 2 & 3 John.
Creation-Gen. 1 and 2.
1St-of the Material World.
The direct work of God, Ex. 20:11; Job 38:4; Psa. 8; 19:1; 32:6, 7; 74:16, 17; 89:11; 90:2; 104; 136; 144:6; Prov. 8; Isa. 44:24; 45:12; Jer. 10:12; Amos 4:23; Jonah 1:9; Zech. 12:1; Acts 4:24; 14:16; 2 Cor. 4:6; Heb. 11:3; 2 Peter 3:5; Rev. 10:6.
His joy in it, Psa. 104:31.
His rest in it, Ex. 20:11; 31:17; Deut. 5:12; Heb. 4:4-10.
His purpose in it, Isa. 43:7; Rev. 4:11.
Its perfection, Rom. 14:14; 1 Tim. 4:4.
Its transitory character, 2 Peter 3:7, 10; Rev. 21:1.
A ground on which He exhorts and reproves, Isa. 42:5; Jer. 27:5.
A ground on which His people can appeal to Him, Isa. 37:17; Jer. 32:17.
A ground of worship, Neh. 9:5, 6.
The testimony it yields to Him, Psa. 19:1; Rom. 1:20.
Ascribed to Christ, or as the work of God by Christ, John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2.
His power over it, Matt. 8:27.
2nd-of Man.
The work of God, Job 12:10; 27:3; Isa. 2:22; Psa. 8:6; 90:6; 100:3; Zech. 12:1; Mal. 2:10.
God's provision for his comfort, Psa. 104:14; Mark 4:28.
Formed of the dust of the earth, Psa. 103:14; 146:4; 1 Cor. 15:47.
His character, Eccl. 7:29; James 3:9.
His responsibility to God, indicated by the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Rom. 6:23.
His position and relationships1St, with regard to creation generally, Psa. 8:6; Heb. 2:7; 1 Cor. 11:7.
2nd, with regard to the woman, 1 Cor. 11:7.
The divine origin of marriage, Matt. 19:4,8; Mark 10:6,7,8; John 2:1; 1 Cor. 11:9; Eph. 5:21.
The Tree of life (source of life) Rom. 6:23; Rev. 2:7; 22:2, 14.
THE FALL, Gen. 3 Its results, Death, Job 30:23; Eccl. 3:20; 12:7; Rom. 5:12-14; 6:23; Heb. 2:15; 9:27.
The moral condition of man, Eph. 2:2, 3.
The Earth cursed, Isa. 24:6; Rom. 8:20; Heb. 6:8.
Man to labor, Job 5:7; Psa. 127:2; 2 Thess. 3:10.
Woman made subject to man, Num. 30; 1 Cor. 11:3; 14:34; Eph. 5:22; 1 Tim. 2:11-13; 1 Peter 3:1-6.
The Woman's Sorrow (Psa. 48:6; Isa. 13:8, figurative) 1 Tim. 2
God's remedy for man's ruin,The promised Savior, Isa. 7:14; Luke 1:31; Rom. 1:2; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 2:14.
His sufferings, Heb. 2:9; 1 Peter 1:11.
His conquest over Satan, Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8.
Judgment of Satan, Isa. 27:1; Rom. 16:20; 1 John 3 f. Rev. 12:9;20. 2.
his character, John 8:44; 1 John 3:12.
and wiles, Job 1:6; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Thess. 3:5; 1 Peter 5:8.
The temptation of Adam ended in his failure, that of Christ in His victory, Matt. 4; Heb. 2:18.
THE HISTORY OF CAIN AND ABEL, Gen. 4
The death of another the ground of approach to God: the first setting forth of sacrifice.
Abel the first in whose history we find a clear example of faith, Heb 11:4.
Murder, and God's condemnation of it, also Chapter 9:6, Matt. 23:35; Ex. 20:13; Lev. 24:17; Num. 35:20, 33; 2 Sam. 4:11; 1 John 3:12.
Man's sin not hidden from God, Num. 32:23; Psa. 9:12; Prov. 15:3.
Cain's effort to find in earthly pleasures a consolation for the judgment pronounced on him, Psa. 49:11.
THE HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF GOD, Gen. 5
Death the portion of man, Heb. 9:27, the exception, Enoch the man whose walk was characterized by faith, Heb. 11:5, (see 2 Cor. 5:7; 1 Thess. 4:1) a figure of the Church, taken away before the judgment, and bearing testimony to Christ's return, Jude 14, 11.
JUDGMENT OF THE EARTH, Gen. 6; 7 and the safety of Noah a preacher of righteousness, (2 Peter 2:5) who condemned the world (Heb. 11:7)-type of the Jewish remnant in the latter days (Matt. 24:37-39) who will pass through the tribulation, yet sheltered by God (Isa. 26:20,21) to enter on the millennial earth, Chapter 8
Sons of God, Job 1:6.
The wickedness of man's heart, Psa. 14; 51:5; Isa. 24:5; Jer. 17:9; Matt. 15:19; John 2:25; Eph. 2:3.
State of the world, Matt. 24:38.
God's grief at man's sin, 1 Sam. 15:11; Mark 3:5.
His long-suffering, 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:9.
His direct judgment of sin, Esther 5:8; 6:3; by the flood, Job 22:16; Psa. 104:6; 2 Peter 2:5; 3:6.
Noah finding favor with God, Psa. 33:18, 19; Ezek. 14:14. Distinction made between animals, clean and unclean, Lev. 10:10; 11 done away in Christ, Acts 10:15; 1 Tim. 4.
Appointment of the seasons, Psa. 74:17; Jer. 5:24;33. 20; Acts 14:17; James 5:7.
RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT OF THE EARTH ESTABLISHED IN THE HAND OF MAN, & HIS FAILURE, Gen. 9
The Sacrifice of Christ (in figure) the ground of God's covenant with the earth and its inhabitants.
Food provided for man, Psa. 104:14, 15.
Murder-see remarks on Chapter 4
Blood (the expression of life) not to be eaten, Lev. 7:26; Deut. 12. 16; 1 Sam. 14:34; Ezek. 33:25; Acts 15:20.
Safety of the earth, Psa. 104:9; Isa. 54:9.
HISTORY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF NOAH, THE LINE OF PROMISE, & THE UNIVERSAL DEPARTURE FROM GOD (see Josh. 24:2) Gen. 10; 11.
Many of the nations mentioned in Chapter 10 are referred to in Isaiah and Ezekiel, in the latter of which especially we find their future history in connection with Israel, the center of God's dealings with the earth (Deut. 32:8; Psa. 111:6.)
THE HISTORY OF ABRAHAM, THE MAN OF FAITH, Gen.
xii.-xxiv. & HIS IMMEDIATE DESCENDANTS, xxv.-1.
His. call, Josh. 24:2,3; Neh. 9:7; Isa. 51:2; Acts 7;2.
The promise of a numerous posterity, and its fulfillment, Chapter 12:2; 13:16; 15:5; 17:7; 22:17, confirmed to Isaac, 24:4; 24; to Jacob, 28:14; 35:11; Ex. 32:13; Num. 11:21; 23:10; Deut. 1:10; 6:3; 10:22; 1 Kings 4:20; 1 Chron. 27:23; Neh. 9:23.
The blessing of all the nations of the earth through him, Chapter 12:3; confirmed to his seed, 22:18; Gal. 3:16, 17; Zech. 8:13, 23; Acts 3:23; Rom. 15:8; Heb. 2:16; 6:13.
The promise of the land, and its fulfillment, Chap. 12:7; 13:15; 16, 18; 17:8; confirmed to Isaac, 26:3; to Jacob, 28:13; 35:12. Ex. 6:4, 8; 12:25; 13:5; 32:13; 33:1; Lev. 20:24; Num. 11:12; 13:2; 14:8; Deut. 1:8; 34:4; Josh. 1:2; 12:43; Judg. 2:1; 1 Chron. 16:18; 2 Chron. 20:7; Neh. 9:8; Psa. 105:8-11; Jer. 11:5;15. 15; 30:3; 32:22; Ezek. 28:25; 37:25.
Abraham a sojourner in the land, dwelling in tents, with no possession save a burying-place, Isaac and Jacob (in part) the same, Acts 7:5, figures of the Christian, who is but a sojourner, a pilgrim and a stranger here below, 1 Peter 1:17;2. 11; but who has his altar of communion and worship, in contrast with Lot, who seeks to find his portion in the land (Chapter 13:10, 11) and who is a sharer in its vicissitudes (14:12) and occupying a prominent position therein (19:1) is delivered only through the mercy of God, but with the loss of all that on which he had set his heart.
Abraham conqueror of the world (14) type of the Jews hereafter when God is again owned as the possessor of heaven and earth, Psa. 83:18; Dan. 4:34; 7.
Justification by faith, 15:6; Abraham the father of all them that believe, Hab. 2:4; Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6-9; James 2:23. History of the promised seedThe sojourn and affliction in Egypt (15:13)—-Ex. 1:11;6. 5; 12:40, 41; 1 Sam. 12:8; Isa. 52:4.
Judgment of Egypt (15:14) Ex. 3:20;6. 6; 7-14; Psa. 105:27-36.
Deliverance of the seed, and plunder of the Egyptians (15:15), Ex. 14; 3:21; 11:2, 3; 12:35, 36; Psa. 105:37.
The wickedness of the inhabitants of the land (15:16) Deut. 9:4. The nations of the land to be driven out (15:19-21), Ex. 3:17; 33:2; Deut. 7:1.
The extent of the land defined (15:18), Ex. 33:31; Num. 34; Deut. 11:24; 34:1; Josh. 1:4; 2 Sam. 8:3; Ezek. 47:15. Birth of Ishmael, Gen. 16, see Gal. 4:22-31.
God appearing to Abraham as God Almighty (17:1) to Jacob (35:11; 68:3), Ex. 6:3.
The unconditional premises confirmed by a covenant, Gen. 17, confirmed to Isaac, 17:19; 26:3; to Jacob, 28:13-15.
The ground on which God answers the cry of Israel when they are in distress, and on which He will yet fully bless them. Ex. 2:24; 6:5; 32:13; Lev. 26:42; Deut. 4:31; 7:8; 9:5; 29:13; Psa. 105:8, &c.; Jer. 11:5; Mic. 7:20; Luke 1:73.
God, the God of Abraham (17:7) of Isaac (28:13) of Jacob (33:20) Ex. 3:1.5; 4:5; Acts 3:13; to be the God of Israel (17:8) Ex. 6:7; Lev. 26:12; Jer. 30:22; 32:38.
Circumcision (death to the flesh) instituted (17:10) and, as setting forth true separation to God, its necessity for all His people, Ex. 4:26; Josh. 5:2—8; Jer. 4:4; Ezek. 44:7—9; John 7:22; Rom. 2:28; 4:12; 15:8.
Intercession of Abraham, Gen. 18, James 5:16.
God's answer to him, Jer. 5:1.
Hospitality commended, Heb. 13:2.
The wickedness and judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, Gen. 19- the most awful instances of both, and frequently used as illustrations and warnings, Deut. 29:23; Isa. 1:9, 10; 3:9; 13:19; Jer. 20:16; 23:14; 49:18; 50:40; Lam. 4:6; Ez. 16:49; Amos 4:11; Zeph. 2:9; Matt. 10:15; 11:24; Mark 6:11; Luke 10:12; 17:29; Rom. 9:29; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 7; Rev. 11:8.
The descendants of Lot, and their links with the subsequent history of the children of Israel, Deut. 2:9, 19; 23:3; Judg. 10:7; 1 Sam. 11:11; 2 Sam. 10; 2 Chron. 26:8; 27:5; Jer. 49:1; Ezek. 21:28; 25:2; Amos 1:13; Zeph. 2:8, 9, and their judgment Num. 21:29; Judg. 3:28; 2 Sam. 8:2; 2 Kings 3:18; Psa. 60:8; 83:6; Isa. 11:14; 15 Jer. 48; Ezek. 25:8; Amos 2:2. The trial of Abraham's faith, (Gen. 22); Heb. 11:17; James 2:21. The birth of Esau and Jacob, Gen. 25 God's sovereignty in election, (v. 23) Mal. 1:2-4; Rom. 9:11; 1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13. The profanity of Esau, Heb. 12:15;-some of the links of his descendants with the subsequent history of the children of Israel and their judgment, Num. 20:14-21; Deut. 2:5; 33:7, 8; 2 Sam. 8:14; 2 Kings 8:20; Jer. 49:7, &c.; Ezek. 25:12-14; 35; Amos 1:11; Obad. 1:1
Jacob in Egypt, Deut. 26:5.
Jacob's blessing of his twelve sons, Gen. 49 Twelve tribes always recognized in Scripture. Ex. 1:2;24. 4; 28:9, 10; Num. 26; Deut. 33; 1 Kings 18:31; Ez. 48; Acts 26:7; James 1:1; Rev. 7
Judah's place of royalty, (v. 8-12), 1 Chron. 28:4; Psa. 60:7; Mic. 5:2; Luke 1:27; Heb. 7:14; Rev. 5:5.
Joseph's faith in the promises, (Gen. 1:24-26); Ex. 13:19; Josh. 24:32; Acts 7:16; Heb. 11:22.