The Contented, Generous Heart [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 24:17–26:15]

What is at the heart of the tenth commandment? Deuteronomy 24:17–26:15 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the heart is the heart of the tenth commandment. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: the devotional presents a comprehensive exposition of the Tenth Commandment’s call to contentment, gratitude, and justice, rooted in Israel’s identity as redeemed slaves and sustained by God’s covenant faithfulness. Central to this teaching is the recurring call to care for the vulnerable—strangers, widows, and fatherless—while maintaining integrity in justice, honesty, and personal conduct, all reflecting a heart that esteems others as made in God’s image. The law’s applications—from refusing to exploit laborers and maintaining honest weights to preserving dignity in punishment and honoring marital duty—reveal that true generosity flows from a transformed heart that trusts God’s provision and rejects covetousness. Gratitude and generosity are not mere duties but expressions of identity and worship, pointing forward to Christ’s self-emptying love. Ultimately, the law reveals that holiness is not fragmented but holistic, demanding a life of thankfulness that mirrors God’s character.

2025.12.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 24:17–26:15

Read Deuteronomy 24:17–26:19

Questions from the Scripture text: Whose rights do v17–18 safeguard? And whose provision do v19–22 safeguard? How? Whose rights are safeguarded in 25:1–3? And whose provision in v4 (cf. 1Cor 9:9–10)? And whose provision in v5–10? In what way? How do v11–12 deal with the attack on the man’s dignity and progeny? What does YHWH say about the form of injustice in v13–16? How had the Amalekites taken advantage of Israel (v17–18)? Whom did they not fear? What must Israel do to them (v19, cf. Ex 17:14)? What is the opposite of coveting, in 26:1–15? When should they begin tithing (v1–2)? What are they to declare in v3? What are they to confess about their worthiness, and God’s grace to them (v4–5)? And what are they to confess about their weakness and God’s grace (v6–8)? And what are they to confess about God’s generosity (v9–10)? How are they to enjoy His generosity (v11)? In what year is there a special tithe for whom (v12)? Unto Whom is this tithing ultimately done (v13)? Along with what other reverence (v14)? Seeking what from Him (v15)? 

What is at the heart of the tenth commandment? Deuteronomy 24:17–26:15 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the heart is the heart of the tenth commandment.  

There is some overlap here, of the sections of Deuteronomy treating the ninth and tenth commandments. The first few passages of the tenth commandment material touch justice and courts of law, and therefore the importance of bearing true witness. But the rest of the material is so diverse that the diversity itself is part of the point: contentment before God, and consideration of others as much as ourselves, is essential to every part of the godly life or society.

This was one of the reasons for giving the nation of Israel its beginning in slavery in Egypt (24:18, 22). It taught them that they are to be as considerate of the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, as much as of themselves (v17, 19, 20, 21). Even the convicted criminal’s dignity was to be given consideration during sentencing (25:1–3). 

There is a sense in which v4 brings out the true nature of the tenth commandment. It isn’t about the rights and dignity of oxen (though it does establish a principle that has application to workmen, cf. 1Cor 9:6–14). It’s about the farmer’s contentment in God’s goodness to him. This contentment is what frees him to have regard for his animal, as it serves him.

This contentment is what enables a man to trust what comes of his own estate unto the Lord, as he produces an heir for his dead brother (v5–6). And a man who does not trust the Lord this way humiliates himself in Israel (v7–10). If a woman is so lost to all decency, as well as disregarding the ability of a man to produce offspring, that she commits the offense in v11, she is to receive the severe and just penalty in v12. 

Of course, the tenth commandment is very closely related to the eighth and the ninth. Behind the wickedness of using a lying weight (v13–14, ninth commandment) to steal (eighth) is covetousness in the heart (tenth). This is what makes it a great unrighteousness, and an abomination to YHWH (v16).

The wickedness of discontentment/covetousness is embodied in the Amalekites, who were so fearless and shameless of God, that they picked off the weakest of Israel  (v17–18). YHWH hates this and condemns Amalek to complete annihilation (v19; cf. Ex 17:14, 1Sam 15:1–3). 

26:1–15 instill the principles of contentment and gratitude by means of the tithe. The bulk of the instruction about these tithes consists of the confession of God’s generosity in v5–10, and prayer for God’s blessing in v13–15. This passage forms an inclusio (bookend) with 24:17–22 by means of the third-year tithe for the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow (26:11, 13). 

The tenth commandment is all about the heart: a heart of contentment toward God, and a heart that values another man’s property, rights, and dignity unto him just as much as one’s own. Often, it is in our failure to have regard for our neighbor that we discover our own discontentment before God. 

How have you seen God’s generosity to you? How does your own giving reflect contentment and gratitude unto God? Who are the poor or disadvantaged for whose comfort and dignity you have regard? How are you showing that regard? In what way do you have special regard for future generations?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for how we have held so tightly to the things of this world. It has shown our lack of trust in You—our lack of gratitude and contentment. Our covetousness has led to disregarding the comfort and dignity of others, so that our sin against them has exposed our greater sin against You. But Christ, Who was rich, became poor for our sakes. Forgive us, through His shed blood, and count Him as our righteousness, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH174 “The Ten Commandments”

The First Tempter [Children's Catechism 32 Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 32—especially explaining how Satan deceived the woman, tempting both her and the man.

Q32. Who tempted them to this sin? The devil tempted Eve, and she gave the fruit to Adam. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) The lesson emphasizes that, while the serpent deceived Eve, Adam was not deceived and thus bore greater culpability due to his passive failure to lead and protect his wife spiritually. It highlights the importance of male responsibility in spiritual instruction, drawing from Genesis 2–3 and 1 Timothy 2 to argue that Adam’s failure to actively guard his wife from deception—despite being present—constitutes a grave dereliction of duty. The passages underscore the divine order of creation and leadership, where Adam was given the covenant, and thus bears primary responsibility for teaching and guarding the household. Ultimately, the Fall is a cautionary example to affirm the necessity of male leadership in the church and family, rooted in divine design and order.

Love that Leaps Mountains [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 2:8–17]

What can help a backslider? Song of Songs 2:8–17 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord powerfully and eagerly overcomes His bride’s separation from Him. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The passage presents a portrait of Christ’s unwavering faithfulness amid the believer’s experience of spiritual distance, using the imagery of a Beloved Who, though seemingly hidden, is actively pursuing and restoring His bride. Central to the message is the assurance that Christ’s voice—revealed through Scripture, preaching, and the work of His church—is the primary means by which He overcomes every obstacle. Despite the believer’s perceived unworthiness or failure, Christ continues to call her 'My love, My fair one, My dove,' affirming her beauty and value in His eyes, not by her condition, but by His grace. The call to 'rise and come away' is both a command and a promise, rooted in Christ’s sovereign power to revive and restore, transforming the most barren season into springtime of renewal. The passage culminates in a heartfelt prayer for Christ to remain ever-present, overcoming all barriers until the final day when shadows flee and His presence is fully experienced.

2025.12.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 2:8–17

Read Song of Songs 2:8–17

Questions from the Scripture text: Whose voice does she hear (Song of Songs 2:8a)? What is He doing (verse 8b)? In what manner (Song of Songs 2:8-9a)? Who is able to see whom (Song of Songs 2:9b–d)? Whose speech does she recall in Song of Songs 2:10-15? What does He call her (Song of Songs 2:10, Song of Songs 2:13, Song of Songs 2:14)? What does He tell her to do (Song of Songs 2:10, Song of Songs 2:13)? What are the current conditions (Song of Songs 2:11-13)? How does He overcome her shyness (Song of Songs 2:14)? What does the Bridegroom tell others to do (Song of Songs 2:15a)? Even which ones (verse 15b)? What has the bride realized in Song of Songs 2:16? Whom does she ask to fulfill the truth that she has learned (Song of Songs 2:17, cf. Song of Songs 2:8-9)? 

What can help a backslider? Song of Songs 2:8–17 prepares us for the opening portion of the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord powerfully and eagerly overcomes His bride’s separation from Him. 

The situation in these verses is very different from the situation in the passage immediately preceding it. The bridegroom and the bride had been in close fellowship. Here, He seems distant. And this is the experience of Christians in this world. We go through seasons of backsliding or of coldness towards Him, or where it seems that He is hidden or invisible or obscured.

Happily, the bulk of the passage is on what the Bridegroom is doing and what the Bridegroom is saying, so that we may know that, however inconsistent our behavior towards Jesus is, and however inconsistent our experience of the Lord Jesus is, the Lord Jesus's behavior towards us, and thoughts and affections towards us, are perfectly consistent and wonderful. 

Note then at the beginning of the passage, how the Lord makes himself known to us consistently, continually, especially by his voice. The way that she observes him leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills, overcoming the obstacles between him and her, between her and him, and coming to her is by means of his voice: “The voice of my beloved!” 

What this means for us is that, whereas we know that we always need to be hearing the voice of the Lord Jesus, especially we need it, when Christ seems distant, when Christ seems invisible to us. It is then that we most need to read our Bibles, and especially sit under faithful preaching.

Look at Who is the one doing all of the moving here (Song of Songs 2:8-9). The difficulty is in us and in our circumstances. But the solution is not in us. We have a responsibility (Song of Songs 2:10-13). We need to listen to Him and do what He says. But we see that the effectiveness of it is not by means of our rising and coming away. The effectiveness of overcoming the distance between us and Jesus is by His coming. “Behold, He comes!” And look at the way He comes. He has hills and mountains in the way, but it is not difficult for Him to overcome them. Look at His ability and even eagerness and delight. So the Lord Jesus is the One who overcomes especially by means of His voice.

And the next thing we see in Song of Songs 2:10-13 is the content of what he says. It is one thing for the Lord Jesus to call His bride fair and beautiful, or my love, or my dove, when things are well between her and Him. It is a much more amazing thing for the backslidden convert to hear the Lord Jesus still saying, "you are beautiful to Me with the beauty that I have given you."

Notice, also, what He tells her to do, "rise up and come" (Song of Songs 2:10, Song of Songs 2:13). His voice gave you life, made you alive from the dead, resurrected you, so that being alive for the first time, you were able to believe in Him. Now, if His voice said, "Rise and come," then, and you arose and were able to come, like Lazarus, then, mustn't it also be powerful enough to work when you're spiritually ill, asleep, or even in the spiritual equivalent of a coma? 

Furthermore, the Lord Jesus isn't just working in you and upon you. He is the sovereign Lord God over heaven and earth. And He says that He is overruling all of those things to take them from having a deadening effect like winter to the invigorating and reviving effect of spring. 

"The winter is past. The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The time of singing has come. The voice of the turtle dove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs. The vines with the tender grapes give a good smell." The word picture being used here is one you are familiar with. When you go outside in the spring and everything is alive and everything is warming and everything is sweet and everything is fresh, it seems like every animal, every bird, every plant, every tree is crying out to you to be alive and invigorated and refreshed.

The last thing to overcome is our shyness, our skittishness about how He might think of us. We are hiding, skittish, like a dove that, as soon as you take a step in its direction, flies away and tucks itself into a nook or a cranny to hide. He says, "Let me see your face. Let me hear your voice. Your voice is sweet. Your face is lovely." The loveliness of our praying, and the loveliness of our praising, was never dependent upon how well we were doing spiritually. The repentant believer should know that she has a beauty that is derived from Him in His own eyes. He counts her face lovely. He counts her voice sweet. He finds pleasure in her praying and her praising.

The Lord has His ministers, His elders, whom He has given charge of being under shepherds and governors in His church for her protection from those who are spiritually dangerous, especially in the church. The phrase "catch us the foxes" contains a plural masculine verb. Foxes and wolves are two images that are used for false teachers and those who are deceptive, and then also persecutors. Even the little foxes. Every theological error causes us to misunderstand God, hinders us, hinders our faith in Christ, hinders the fruitfulness of our faith in Christ.

And she, having now recounted his words, returns to speaking herself. She affirms what she had said before: "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine; He feeds among the lilies." Now remember, "lily" here is a name for believers. Jesus has always been faithfully feeding His people. That theological truth (Song of Songs 2:16) gets turned over into prayer (Song of Songs 2:17).  We take the truth that He teaches us in the Bible and immediately turn that over into prayer: “Until the second coming, Lord, be that gazelle or young stag, and always be overcoming the mountains of division between me and You. Never let anything come between us. Overcome everything in me and everything in our circumstance. And raise me up and make me also to come to You.”

When has the Lord seemed distant or hidden from you? What was He doing at that time? How does He overcome the obstacles between you and Him? What does He tell you to do? What will make them effective?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You for this song. We thank You for how it turns our attention, in times of spiritual difficulty, away from ourselves and toward You. We pray that, just as You are constantly and continuously faithful, You would make Yourself known to us by Your voice, that summons us to renewed faithfulness. We thank You and praise You that Your voice, which resurrected us into spiritual life in the first place, has the power and the life to renew us in faithfulness in our walk with You. And, we pray that You would bring us into a new springtime in our relationship with You. Grant this, we pray, to each of us, in Jesus's Name. Amen.

Suggested songs: ARP130 “Lord, From the Depths to You I Cried” or TPH425 “How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place”

Royally Wise [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 20:2–8]

How does wise authority bless us? Proverbs 20:2–8 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wise authorities motivate us to be wise. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audiot: the devotional emphasizes that wise authority—whether civil, familial, or spiritual—functions as a divine instrument to turn people from folly to wisdom, exemplified by the certainty of a king’s judgment, which mirrors God’s perfect justice. Examples of this transformation are the rejection of quarrelsomeness, the cultivation of peacemaking, the avoidance of laziness, and the discernment of one’s own heart. Pastor underscores that true faithfulness and righteousness are rare, rooted in God’s grace, and that the ultimate model of wisdom is Christ, Who alone embodies perfect integrity, faithfulness, and authority. As a result, believers are called to live with humility, diligence, and peace, knowing that their lives are under the sovereign rule of the King of Kings.

2025.12.22 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 20:2–8

Read Proverbs 20:2–8

Questions from the Scripture text: Whose wrath is like what (Proverbs 20:2a)? What does who do to himself (verse 2b)? What is honorable for a man to do (Proverbs 20:3a)? Who is compared to whom (verse 3b)? Why does the lazy man claim he’s not plowing (Proverbs 20:4a)? What will he do, when (verse 4b)? What is there in a man’s heart (Proverbs 20:5a)? What is it like? Who will do what (verse 5b)? What will most men do (Proverbs 20:6a)? Who is hard to find (verse 6b)? How does the righteous man walk (Proverbs 20:7a)? Who are happy (verse 7b)? Where does a king sit (Proverbs 20:8a)? What does he scatter (verse 8b)? With what?

How does wise authority bless us? Proverbs 20:2–8 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wise authorities motivate us to be wise.  

Solomon has been teaching us the needfulness of discipline. Now he turns, and by the bookends (Proverbs 20:2, Proverbs 20:8) of this next section, we see that the subject is the king, the needfulness and usefulness of having a good civil magistrate. We are helped against folly by the inevitability of the king's wrath (Proverbs 20:2). The king scatters all evil with his eyes (Proverbs 20:8). Between these two bookends, we have a comparison between folly and wisdom. 

The first part of that folly is being quarrelsome (Proverbs 20:3b). Those who diffuse quarrels (verse 3a) will be called sons of God (cf. Matthew 5:9). 

A second sort of folly, from which good authority turns us, is laziness (Proverbs 20:4a). Not only does the fool beg, but he still has nothing (verse 4b). He doesn’t image God, or imitate Christ (cf. John 5:17), and he is a drain upon the society of the king.

A third sort of fool is the plotter or the conniver. We need the mirror (James 1:23) and scalpel (Hebrews 4:12) of the Word to reveal the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. We need the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We must be skilled to discern our own hearts, if we are going to be able to help others (cf. Matthew 7:5), especially as authorities (Proverbs 20:8). 

Sadly, most men do not do this; they credit themselves with being as good as God (Proverbs 20:6a), when faithful men are actually very few. These faithful walk blamelessly (Proverbs 20:7a), and are blessings not only to themselves but to generations (verse 7b). Which is why, wise authority is so needful (Proverbs 20:8a), and why wise authorities weed out all evil from their domains (verse 8b).

What authorities in your life are helping you to be wise? Over whom do you have authority, or do you hope to one day? How are you pursuing wisdom for them? How does Christ’s authority motivate you to be wise? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, we pray that You would draw out of our hearts the fleshly counsel that is there, so that we may be quarrel stoppers, diligent, discerning, and humble. Give us good authorities, under Christ's ultimate authority, we ask in His Name. Amen!

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH72A “O God, Your Judgments Give the King”

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Betrayal Prophesied [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 26:14–25]

What do we learn about Jesus’s betrayal? Matthew 26:14–25 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we are to see treachery, sovereignty, obedience, and sinfulness, as we consider Jesus’s betrayal. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This devotional centers on the prophesied betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, revealing profound truths about divine sovereignty, human treachery, and Christ’s willing obedience. The betrayal is marked by deep treachery, as one of Jesus’s closest disciples, part of His household and family, conspires against Him, highlighting the gravity of apostasy within the covenant community. Yet Jesus affirms that His death is not a tragic accident but the fulfillment of Scripture, demonstrating God’s sovereign plan and Christ’s intentional obedience to the Father’s will. The scene also exposes the brazen nature of sin, as Judas, having heard Jesus’s solemn warning and even the curse upon the betrayer, still proceeds with his betrayal, revealing the deceptive and self-justifying character of unrepentant evil. Ultimately, the passage calls believers to profound self-examination, humility, and reliance on Christ’s righteousness, recognizing that only through His grace can we be cleansed from our capacity for such betrayal and made obedient like Him.

2025.12.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 26:14–25

Read Matthew 26:14–25

Questions from the Scripture text: One of whom is acting (v14)? Which one? To whom did he go? What does he want to know about what they are willing to do (v15)? What does he propose to do? What do they weigh out to him? What does he begin to do (v16)? What day is it in v17? Who come to Whom? What do they ask Him? Where does He say to go (v18)? Whom are they to find? What are they to say to him? How does this go (v19)? What time is it in v20? What does Jesus do with whom? What are they doing in v21? About whom does Jesus speak? What will one of them do? How do they respond (v22)? What do each of them begin to do? What does Jesus now add about the betrayer (v23)? Who is going to die (v24)? According to what? But what does He say about the betrayer—what would have been better for that man? Who speaks in v25? What is he literally in the process of doing? What does he “ask”? How does Jesus answer? 

What do we learn about Jesus’s betrayal? Matthew 26:14–25 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we are to see treachery, sovereignty, obedience, and sinfulness, as we consider Jesus’s betrayal.

Treachery. The Jews could attack Jesus, but only a disciple could betray Him. He is “one of the twelve” (v14), who should have been serving Him (v17, 19), and counted as His own household with whom He would keep the Passover (v18). He was “one of you” (v21). He was one “who dipped his hand with Me in the dish” (v23). The passage emphasizes the treachery. The closer we are to Christ, whether spiritually, or even just covenantally, the more grievous are our sins against Him. There are ways that only professing believers can sin against Him.

Sovereignty. In the midst of all of this, Jesus performs an “unnecessary” miracle with respect to the location for their Passover (v18–19). Its purpose is to emphasize His sovereignty over His own betrayal. He Himself does that by referring to the Scriptures (v24) that He has given by His Spirit (cf. 1Pet 1:11). The Jews may be conspiring, and Judas betraying, but Jesus is sovereign over it all. No one takes His life from Him; He has authority to lay it down (cf. Jn 10:18). Jesus’s death must be an intentional act of God, in order for it to atone and save.

Obedience. Even while emphasizing His sovereignty over His betrayal, with respect to His divinity, Jesus also emphasizes His obedience in His betrayal, with respect to His humanity. He “goes just as it is written of Him” (v24). He is intentionally, resolutely going to do what the Scriptures say. We must marvel at this obedience, and rejoice that it is reckoned unto our righteousness through faith in Him. 

Sinfulness. We see the deceitfulness and brazenness of sin. The disciples realize that sin is deceitful, and that Jesus knows their susceptibility to it better than they do (v22). But it is also brazen. Right after hearing Jesus’s curse upon the betrayer (v24), Judas pretends that he is just like the rest of them (v25), even while he is actively looking for his chance to betray Him (v16). His sinfulness has no fear and no shame. How deceitful, fearless, and shameless is sin!

How are your sins against Jesus more treacherous than sins of those who don’t know Him, or identify with Him? What situations do you most need to remember that Christ is sovereign over? How is Christ’s obedience important to you? For what, in your life, is it especially an example to you? How is your sin deceitful? About what sins do you most need to fear more or feel more shame?

Sample prayer: Father, we thank You that what You have willed to give for the life of the world is Your Son; and that He has willingly given Himself; and that Your Spirit gladly applies His salvation to us. And, we pray for the grace of Your Holy Spirit to do this to us and in us, even by making use of Your Word, and this time that we have just spent in it. For we ask it in Jesus's name. Amen.

 Suggested Songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH98A “O Sing a New Song to the Lord”