Looking for the most comprehensive approach Large-Print Edition BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR to Bible study for adults? Look no further. The Bible Expositor and Illuminator is a complete approach to Bible study. An in-depth, verse-by-verse exposition of each week’s Scripture lesson text is complemented by a variety of other features, providing a fully rounded and up-close treatment of the Bible lesson. These weekly features include a set of preparation and presentation helps for the teacher, practical points for daily living, a detailed examination of the key verse for each lesson, a cogent emphasis on missions, and much more. With the Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Large-Print Edition you can learn more of the Bible than you ever imagined was possible. Also available in an e-book edition. • SUMMER QUARTER 2021 SUMMER QUARTER $8.50 SUMMER QUARTER ISBN 978-1-64495-134-7 50850 June, July, August 2021 9 781644 951347 UNION GOSPEL PRESS Bible Expositor P.O. BOX 301055 and CLEVELAND, OHIO 44130-0915 www.uniongospelpress.com Illuminator Vol. XII No. 3 Bible Expositor and Illuminator Large-Print Edition SUMMER QUARTER June, July, August 2021 Looking Ahead ................................................................................................... 2 Editorials ............................................................................................................. 3 People of Valor UNIT I: Acts of Courage June 6—Joshua Commands the Sun to Stand Still—Joshua 10:1-15 ........................ 4 June 13—Gideon Destroys Baal’s Altar—Judges 6:25-32 ............................................... 18 June 20—Jonathan Attacks the Philistine Outpost—I Samuel 14:1-13 ......................... 32 June 27—Elijah Rebukes King Ahab—I Kings 21:17-29 ................................................. 46 UNIT II: Courage Facing Threats July 4—Abijah Challenges King Jeroboam—II Chronicles 13:3-18 ............................ 60 July 11—Hezekiah Rallies Judah’s Army—II Chronicles 32:1-8, 22-23 ......................... 74 July 18—Nehemiah Combats Derision and Danger—Nehemiah 4:1-9 ......................... 88 July 25—Esther Goes Before the King—Esther 4:6—5:2 ............................................... 102 Aug. 1—Jeremiah Stands Up to Deadly Threats—Jeremiah 26:1, 4-15 ...................... 116 Aug. 8—Three Young Men Refuse to Bow—Daniel 3:1, 8-18 ....................................... 130 UNIT III: Courage for Jesus Aug. 15—Jesus Corrects and Commends John—Matthew 11:1-15 ............................. 144 Aug. 22—Peter and John Preach with Boldness—Acts 4:6-21 ...................................... 158 Aug. 29—Paul Faces His Accusers—Acts 22:17-29 ........................................................ 172 Topics for Next Quarter ..................................................................................... 188 Paragraphs on Places and People ................................................................... 189 Daily Bible Readings .......................................................................................... 190 Review ................................................................................................................. 191 Editor in Chief: Kenneth Sponsler Edited and published quarterly by THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF THE GOSPEL WORKER SOCIETY UNION GOSPEL PRESS DIVISION Rev. W. B. Musselman, Founder Price: $8.50 per quarter* $34.00 per year* *shipping and handling extra ISBN 978-1-64495-134-7 This material is part of the “Christian Life Series,” copyright © 2021 by Union Gospel Press. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without written permission from Union Gospel Press, except as permitted by United States copyright law. Edited and published quarterly by The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division. P.O. Box 301055, Cleveland, Ohio 44130-0915. Phone: 216-749-2100. www.uniongospelpress.com LOOKING AHEAD The overriding truth for this quarter is a simple one: the Christian life is not for the faint of heart. God calls His people to be people of courage. Simply trusting Him takes courage; we must step out of our safe havens of comfort and follow Him wherever He leads. The kingdom of God has no room for cowards (cf. Rev. 21:8), although most of us would have to admit to many cowardly moments in our lives. The good news is that the One who calls us to courage also gives courage abundantly. One of the ways He does this is through the examples of those who have found and shown courage in the past. All our lessons this quarter focus on such individuals—people of valor. Our first unit of four lessons looks at four individuals from the Old Tes- tament who undertook particular acts of courage. We see Joshua pray an unprecedented prayer in order to finish the battle he was leading. We see Gideon destroy a pagan altar, knowing it would bring a backlash from his own neighbors. We see Jonathan and a single companion attack an enemy outpost that vastly outnumbered them, because they knew the battle was really the Lord’s. And we see Elijah, alone and unarmed, call a powerful king to account for a vile crime. Unit II continues the roll call of valor but particularly focuses on people who showed courage while facing formidable threats. The roster of courage includes kings such as Abijah and Hezekiah, a king’s servant (Nehemiah), a queen (Esther), a lonely prophet (Jeremiah), and three young men who stand up to the most powerful ruler in the world at that time. Unit III jumps ahead to the New Testament and looks at individuals who showed courage in serving their Lord Jesus. Although John the Baptist suc- cumbed to a moment of doubt and had to be corrected, Jesus commended him for his great courage in his prophetic ministry for the Lord. Peter and John faced official threats from the high council of the Jewish nation and met them with bold forthrightness. Finally, the Apostle Paul faced danger from both a frenzied mob and the Roman authorities, but he stood his ground and found a new foothold for the gospel. May we take the necessary steps to become people of valor ourselves! —Kenneth A. Sponsler. PLEASE NOTE: Fundamental, sound doctrine is the objective of The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division. The writers are prayerfully selected for their Bible knowledge and yieldedness to the Spirit of Truth, each writing in his own style as enlightened by the Holy Spirit. At best we know in part only. “They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). 2 EDITORIALS Called to be Courageous JAMES JORDAN There are many stories in the Bible who had great faith in God. He is also about men of great courage doing known for his colossal moral failures. mighty deeds to further the kingdom He committed adultery with Bathsheba, of God. We see God choosing people, and to hide his sin, he had her husband and often we are not told why they murdered. David’s life proves that God were chosen. It is clear, however, that can overcome any mistake we make the people God chooses for mighty and continue to work through us. tasks are not perfect. Even our foolishness is no obstacle It adds credibility to the Scriptures for God. David’s son Solomon was the when we see this transparency about wisest man to ever live, and even he the weaknesses of the heroes of the had moments of failure. Apparently he Bible. We see how they failed and how worshipped other gods later in his life they even resisted the call at times, but (I Kgs. 11:4), but he did many things ultimately they did what God wanted. that God called him to do. We see examples of all different kinds Doubt can be the greatest obstacle of people that God used despite their to working for the Lord, but we must let weaknesses. the Lord patiently address our doubts. God cultivated great leaders from There were also people like Gideon, faulty men. Abraham is called the who questioned whether it was really father of all who believe (Rom. 4:16). God calling him. He asked God for He had great faith in God, but he also signs that the calling was real, and God had moments of weakness (cf. Gen. delivered the signs as requested (Judg. 12). God grew his faith through his 6:36-40). Jesus chastised people for various mistakes and still counted him demanding signs (Matt. 12:39; Mark as righteous (Rom. 4:3). 8:12), but Gideon’s story shows how Because of past failures, Moses his lack of confidence was met with was not confident in his ability to lead God’s patience. God’s people out of slavery; he even God can even overcome people’s tried to talk God out of using him stubbornness and use them to bring (Ex. 3:11). But Moses ended up being about His plans. Jonah is an example a courageous leader, while simultane- of someone who plainly refused to do ously being the meekest man alive (cf. what God commanded. God was send- Num. 12:3) ing him to the Ninevites, a people Jonah At the other end of the confidence hated. He wanted God to judge and spectrum perhaps is David, who was punish them. The idea of warning them eager to face the giant Goliath, confident of God’s wrath to come was repugnant that he could bring him down in God’s to Jonah, who would have loved to see power. David seems almost arrogant in them punished for their sins. his ventures for God, seemingly never God basically forced Jonah to warn doubting that he could do anything God them by causing a giant fish to drop called him to do (cf. I Sam. 17:26). him off on the shore near to Assyria. David is renowned as a great leader (Editorials continued on page 186) Bible Expositor and Illuminator 3 LESSON 1 June 6, 2021 SCRIPTURE LESSON TEXT JOSH. 10:1 Now it came to pass, 8 And the LORD said unto Joshua, when Adoni-zedec king of Jerusalem Fear them not: for I have delivered had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, them into thine hand; there shall not and had utterly destroyed it; as he had a man of them stand before thee.