The Divine Trilogy: God's People, Land, and Law

Proverbs 26

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

While the specific list of seven things God hates is famously recorded in Proverbs 6 the writings of inspiration regarding Proverbs 26 reveal a deep and serious look at the nature of deception and the spirit of the enemyTEd 144.2. Specifically, the deceptive actions of one who feigns kindness while harboring malice are a profound offense to the CreatorTEd 144.2+1.

The Danger of Deceptive Conduct

A primary concern in this chapter involves the individual who disguises a heart full of hatred with gracious wordsTEd 144.2+1. The Bible warns that such a person is like a maniac who shoots deadly firebrands and arrows while claiming they are only joking Proverbs 26:18-19. This behavior is characterized by several spiritual abominations:

• Lying and Flattery: A lying tongue is a direct offense to God, as He is the author of truthPP 506.1+1. Flattery is often used as a tool to work ruin upon a neighbor Proverbs 26:28.

• Malicious Deception: One who speaks fair but has seven abominations in their heart is practicing a form of hypocrisy that God abhors Proverbs 26:24-253LtMs, Lt 24, 1882, par. 19.

• The Spirit of Satan: When the heart is not purified by grace, it becomes a storehouse for traits like envy, jealousy, and malice, which are the very attributes of the fallen angelEW 274.1+1.

• Misrepresentation of Motive: Misrepresenting the motives of others or blackening their reputation is considered as terrible in its results as the practice of cannibalismTEd 144.2.

• Self-Justification: Those who practice such evil traits often throw a cloak of religion over their crimes to hide their true character from men5BC 1098.5+1.

• Gossip and Backbiting: The words of a talebearer are described as deep wounds, and those who engage in backbiting are classed with the haters of God Proverbs 26:22TEd 144.2.

• Contentious Speech: Just as coals are to burning coals and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife Proverbs 26:21.

The Remedy for the Heart

True conversion is the only way to remove these abominations from the soul1888 1312.1+1. God calls for the heart to be renewed because out of it are the issues of life Proverbs 4:23PP 460.1. We must seek the Lord with the whole heart, realizing that He knows every secret thought and reads the intent of every soul16MR 234.1+1. If we cherish sin or malice in our hearts, our very prayers become an abomination to the LordGW92 36.1+1.

Walking in Integrity

Instead of the deceptive paths of the wicked, we are encouraged to follow the path of the just, which shines more and more unto the perfect day Proverbs 4:18HDL 50.2. This involves:

• Speaking the truth from the heart Psalm 15:2.

• Avoiding all sharp practices or fraud in business dealings2MCP 437.5+1.

• Letting our "Yes" be "Yes" and our "No" be "No" Matthew 5:37.

• Cultivating the law of kindness on our tongues Proverbs 31:26MH 359.4.

Those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life will be those who have overcome every abomination and have found victory through the blood of Jesus Revelation 21:2718LtMs, Lt 162, 1903, par. 21.

The concept of a true theocracy involves a people separated unto God, living in a land He has promised them, and acknowledging Him as their only King and Lawgiver. 🌿 This divine trilogy of God’s people in God’s land under God’s rule is seen most clearly in the original organization of the church in the wilderness, the settlement of Canaan under Joshua, and will find its ultimate fulfillment in the New Earth.

1. The Divine Ideal: The Church in the Wilderness

God never intended for His people to be like the nations around them; they were to be a people who dwelt alone and were not reckoned among the nations Numbers 23:9.

• God's People: The Israelites were chosen to be a "peculiar people" above all the people on the face of the earth Exodus 33:16.

• God's Rule: In the wilderness, they were under His direct rule as a family. God was their only King and Lawgiver Isaiah 43:15. He spoke His law to them directly from Sinai to guide their conduct Exodus 20:1-17.

• God's Land: He pledged to lead them safely to the land of promise, a land He had given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for an everlasting possession Genesis 17:8+1.

2. The Theocracy in the Promised Land

When Israel first entered Canaan, the system established in the wilderness was intended to be perpetual.

• God's People: By faith, even those from among the heathen, like Rahab the harlot, could unite with Israel and share in the blessings of the covenant Hebrews 11:31.

• God's Rule: God ruled through judges "until Samuel the prophet," making His will known through his chosen messengers Acts 13:20. Even when kings were later allowed, the throne was still called the "throne of the Lord," and the king was to sit there as God's representative 1 Chronicles 29:23.

• God's Land: The land was described as a "second Eden," abounding in brooks, springs, and every variety of fruit—a place where they would eat bread without scarceness Deuteronomy 8:7-9.

3. The Throne of the Lord Removed

Because of persistent rebellion and the breaking of the covenant, the earthly theocracy ended with the captivity of Zedekiah.

• The Overturn: God declared the kingdom would be overturned and "be no more" until He comes "whose right it is" Ezekiel 21:27.

• Jesus’ Declaration: While on earth, Christ clarified the nature of His rule for this present age, stating, "My kingdom is not of this world" John 18:36. Therefore, while this world stands, a true earthly theocracy cannot exist again until the end of time.

4. The Ultimate Fulfillment: The New Earth

The trilogy of the people, the land, and the rule will be perfectly restored when the earth is made new. ✨

• God's People: This includes all who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and whose names are written in the book of life Revelation 21:27. They are the "meek" who shall inherit the earth Psalm 37:11.

• God's Rule: The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the city, and His servants shall serve Him Revelation 22:3. Christ will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end Luke 1:33.

• God's Land: We look for a "new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" 2 Peter 3:13. The Holy City, New Jerusalem, will come down from God out of heaven to be the capital of this glorified inheritance Revelation 21:1-2.

In that day, the tabernacle of God will be with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their God Revelation 21:3. 📖

Deuteronomy 5

1 And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.

2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

3 The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.

4 The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,

5 (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,

6 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:

9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,

10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.

13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:

14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.

15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

17 Thou shalt not kill.

18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.

19 Neither shalt thou steal.

20 Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.

21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

22 These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

23 And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;

24 And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.

25 Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.

26 For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?

27 Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.

28 And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.

29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

30 Go say to them, Get you into your tents again.

31 But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.

32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

33 Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

Exodus 20

1 And God spake all these words, saying,

2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

13 Thou shalt not kill.

14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

15 Thou shalt not steal.

16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.

23 Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.

24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

The Ten Commandments, as recorded in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 profoundly embody the trilogy of God’s people being established in God’s land under His immediate rule. 🌿 This divine code was given to a nation recently delivered from bondage to be the foundation of a true theocracy, where God Himself functioned as the Judge, Lawgiver, and KingFE 286.3.

God's People: A Separate and Chosen Nation

The commandments begin by identifying the specific relationship between the Lawgiver and the people.

• A Redeemed People: The preface to the Decalogue identifies the people as those whom the Lord brought "out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage" Exodus 20:2+1.

• The Covenant Relationship: This people was chosen to be a "special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth" Deuteronomy 7:66T 12.1. By agreeing to keep these commandments, they were to be a "peculiar treasure" and a "holy nation" Exodus 19:5-6MWV2 35.1.

• A Witness to the World: If they were obedient to these laws, their wisdom would be recognized by all nations, who would say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people" Deuteronomy 4:6ST May 13, 1886, par. 2+1.

God's Rule: The Transcript of His Character

The Ten Commandments are the supreme rule of conduct, reflecting the very attributes of God's character and His governmentAH 143.2+2.

• The Foundation of All Government: These divine precepts are the foundation of all government and are the standard by which every soul will be judged4SP 400.1+1.

• Moral and Natural Law: God’s rule requires that the hearts of the people reflect His moral law, just as the earth obeys His natural lawsAH 143.2+1.

• Supreme Authority: The law was spoken by the Lord's own voice in awful grandeur to impress the people with His majesty and authority as the Ruler of the worldST February 27, 1896, par. 3+1.

• God as the Absolute King: In this theocratic rule, there was to be no other god before Him, and no image or worldly power was to share the supreme delight of His people Exodus 20:3-4CT 329.2.

God's Land: A Conditioned Inheritance

The Ten Commandments explicitly link the possession and prosperity of the land to the people's obedience to God’s rule.

• The Promised Gift: The fifth commandment contains a specific promise that the days of the people would be "long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee" Exodus 20:12+1.

• Restoration and Fertility: If the people followed God's instructions, their land was to be restored to beauty and fertility, becoming an object lesson of spiritual truthAH 143.2+1.

• Retention of the Land: The continued occupation of the land was entirely dependent on their loyalty; if they refused to hearken to His commandments, they would be scattered and find no rest among the nations Deuteronomy 28:15, 64-65PP 466.3.

• The Final Inheritance: The promise of the land ultimately points toward the "new earth" when it is purified from the curse, given to the saints to possess foreverYI September 1, 1873, par. 12.

The Sabbath: The Key and Seal of the Trilogy

The fourth commandment serves as the specific sign or "seal" that binds the people to their God and His creative authority over the landGH April 1, 1905, par. 26+1.

• A Perpetual Memorial: It points to the living God as the Creator of the "heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is" Exodus 20:11.

• The Test of Loyalty: God used the Sabbath specifically to prove whether His people would walk in His law or not as they moved toward the land of promise Exodus 16:4-5GNT 216.3.

• Witness of the Theocracy: Observing the Sabbath was a witness to the world that God had a people who feared Him and kept His commandments above worldly gainTSDF 142.7.