Symbolic Acts
Memory Text: “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” (Romans 9:21).
Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 4:3–7, Num. 21:1–9, Isa. 29:16, Rom. 9:18–21, Jeremiah 19, Heb. 5:14, Jer. 13:1–11.
Every student of the Bible knows that it is filled with symbols, things that represent concepts and ideas other than themselves. The entire earthly sanctuary service, for example, was a symbolic prophecy of the plan of salvation. “The significance of the Jewish economy is not yet fully comprehended. Truths vast and profound are shadowed forth in its rites and symbols. The gospel is the key that unlocks its mysteries. Through a knowledge of the plan of redemption, its truths are opened to the understanding.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 133. Through the symbolism of the earthly sanctuary, or the symbols of prophetic books (such as Daniel 2, 7, 8, and Revelation), and in many other ways, the Lord has used symbols to convey truth. Meanwhile, Jesus Himself, with His parables and object lessons, used symbols to explain deep truths.
The book of Jeremiah itself is rich with symbolism and imagery. This week we’re going to take a look at a few of these symbols, what they were, what they meant, and what lessons we should take away from them for ourselves.
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 7.
Adventist Sabbath School Lesson for Adults
Q4 2015 «Jeremiah»
Lesson 6 – Symbolic Acts
