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A Spiritual Lesson In Toon Language: Lesson 59c (VII-VIII)

Topic: The Ten Commandments: VII-VIII

Series: The Simpsons, Power Rangers Time Force, Power Rangers In Space, DuckTales

Episodes: Life In The Fast Lane (The Simpsons), Trip Takes A Stand (Power Rangers Time Force), A Ranger Among Thieves (Power Rangers In Space), The Pearl Of Wisdom (DuckTales)

Lesson PDF links:
Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery
Thou Shalt Not Steal

7th Commandment: Adultery

Exo 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

What is Adultery?

This is the full-blown sexual relationship of a married person with someone else besides his/her spouse.

This is a broader topic than just sex, but for this lesson, we are studying this form of it.

What do you think the difference is between an attraction and lust?

Since we are studying lust in Adultery's grandest scale, the answer is probably literally to act on it with actual seduction and a lot of times literal sex.

We are going to see a clip from The Simpsons episode "Life In The Fast Lane."

The Simpsons: Life In The Fast Lane, Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this clip?

We see a French man named Jacques, who seduces Marge and she doesn't fight him off in this clip. Jacques is an adulterer and is not even trying to hide his intentions. Marge is in big trouble here and has to make a choice. At this point however, its a bad decision.

This is definitely a very creepy, but very attractive man and this guy will take full advantage of that attraction. For the sake of this Bible Study, we are leaving this episode, but will talk about it shortly after the scriptures and next clip.

This clip sets the stage for our actual Bible Study found in II Samuel 11 (ISV)

2Sa 11:1 One spring day, during the time of year when kings go off to war, David sent out Joab, along with his personal staff and all of Israel's army. They utterly destroyed the Ammonites and then attacked Rabbah while David remained in Jerusalem.

2Sa 11:2 Late one afternoon about dusk, David got up from his couch and was walking around on the roof of the royal palace. From there he watched a woman taking a bath, and she was very beautiful to look at.

2Sa 11:3 David sent word to inquire about her, and someone told him, "This is Eliam's daughter Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, isn't it?"

2Sa 11:4 So David sent some messengers, took her from her home, and she went to him, and he had sex with her. (She had been consecrating herself following her menstrual separation.) Then she returned to her home.

2Sa 11:5 The woman conceived, and she sent this message to David: "I'm pregnant."

2Sa 11:6 So David summoned Joab, and told him, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." So Joab sent Uriah to David.

2Sa 11:7 When Uriah arrived, David inquired about how Joab was doing, how the army was doing, and how the war was progressing.

2Sa 11:8 Then David told Uriah, "Go on down to your house and relax a while." So Uriah left the king's palace, and the king sent a gift along after him.

2Sa 11:9 But Uriah spent the night sleeping in the alcove of the king's palace in the company of all his master's staff members. He refused to go down to his own home.

2Sa 11:10 When David was told that Uriah hadn't gone home the previous night, he quizzed him, "You just arrived from a long journey, so why didn't you go down to your own house?"

2Sa 11:11 Uriah replied, "The ark, along with Israel and Judah, are encamped in tents, while my commanding officer Joab and my master's staff members are camping out in the open fields. Should I go home, eat, drink, and have sex with my wife? Not on your life! I won't do something like this, will I?"

2Sa 11:12 Then David invited Uriah, "Stay here today, and tomorrow I'll send you back." So Uriah remained in Jerusalem all that day and the next.

2Sa 11:13 Then at David's invitation, he and Uriah dined and drank wine together, and David got him drunk. Later that evening, Uriah went out to lie on a couch in the company of his lord's servants, and he did not go down to his house.

2Sa 11:14 The next morning, David sent a message to Joab that Uriah took with him in his hand.

2Sa 11:15 In the message, he wrote: "Assign Uriah to the most difficult fighting at the battle front, and then withdraw from him so that he will be struck down and killed."

2Sa 11:16 So as Joab began to attack the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew valiant men would be stationed

2Sa 11:17 When the men of the city came out to fight Joab, some of David's army staff members fell, and Uriah the Hittite died, too.

2Sa 11:18 Then Joab sent word to David about everything that had happened at the battle.

2Sa 11:19 He instructed the courier, "When you have finished conveying all the news about the battle to the king,

2Sa 11:20 if the king starts to get angry and asks you, 'Why did you get so near the city to fight? Didn't you know they would shoot from the wall?

2Sa 11:21 Who killed Jerubbesheth's son Abimelech? Didn't a woman kill him by throwing an upper millstone on him from the wall at Thebez? Why did you go so close to the wall?' then tell him, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite also died.'"

2Sa 11:22 So the messenger left Joab, set out for Jerusalem, and disclosed to David everything that Joab had sent him to say.

2Sa 11:23 The messenger told David, "The men surprised us and attacked us in the field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the city gate.

2Sa 11:24 Then the archers shot at your servants from the wall. Some of the king's staff members are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite has died as well."

2Sa 11:25 David responded to the messenger, "Here's what you're to tell Joab: 'Don't be troubled by this incident, because the battle sword consumes one or another from time to time. Consolidate your attack against the city and conquer it.' Be sure to encourage him."

2Sa 11:26 When Uriah's wife heard about the death of her husband Uriah, she went into mourning for the head of her household.

2Sa 11:27 When her mourning period was completed, David sent for her, brought her to his palace, and she became his wife. Later on, she bore him a son. Meanwhile, what David had done grieved the LORD,

King David is like Jacques, and succeeds in seducing Bathsheba. Bathsheba is not like Marge though, because as we will see there is a huge contrast in how faithful Marge is compared to her.

The consequences of King David's sin of Adultery are found in chapters 12 and 13.

David lost his youngest son and his wives would be allowed to be violated sexually (I guess to make David understand how it feels to be betrayed).

I do want to show an interesting thing about this Adultery.

Look at this very short clip from The Simpsons episode Homer Vs. Patty And Selma.

The Simpsons: Homer Vs. Patty And Selma, Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in the clip?

Homer loves Marge so much and desires her so much that he would kill and asks permission to do so (asking Marge to ask him).

I wonder if David had this conversation with Bathsheba, if so, then this clip would be what it would look like. It looks to me that Bathsheba didn't fight very well to stay faithful to Uriah and had sex willingly and wholeheartedly with the king.

Bathsheba may have been part of the conspiracy, after all this is King David --who wouldn't want to be of sorts, a queen!?

Not shown in the first clip (Life In The Fast Lane) is the fact that Marge makes the right decision and is ultimately faithful to Homer, even though her husband is very flawed. Here is the clip of Marge being faithful that we are talking about. We will now see the last section of The Simpsons episode "Life In The Fast Lane."

The Simpsons: Life In The Fast Lane, Direct link for video/webm

The conviction of God is prominent here. Marge sees all of the "coincidental" signs of what she should and shouldn't do. A lot of times, this is how God works to show us who we are supposed to be.

Marriages will have their tests and the possibility of the "love triangle" is a lot of times one of them. We need to remember Marge's example. Husbands need to be faithful and true to their wives and Wives the same for the husband. This is so that whoever God puts together will always be a team in spirit and life.

Commandment # 8: Thou Shalt Not Steal

This is found in Exodus 20: 15

Exo 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.

What does it mean to steal?

To steal for this lesson's sake, means to take something intentionally that is not yours and that you don't have permission to take.

What We Are Not Talking About:

Sometimes stealing is accidental as in taking pens after you ask for them and not remembering to return them. This is a common and wrong thing, but not what we are talking about unless you don't return them or offer to. Stealing means other things not relating to what we are talking about as in going away in secret "to steal away". Sometimes stealing is a positive thing as in sports like baseball, basketball, or even kind of like an interception in football. These are also not related because these are in the rules for these sports and is legal and positive --not to mention encouraged for the defensive side in these sports. If someone steals your heart --you fall in love. This is yet another thing that is unrelated.

What we are talking about actually for this lesson's sake, is more commonly known as theft.

What we are talking about is mostly more sinister and malicious. We are going to use the example of a car theft ring. This is where a group of people are working together to steal cars a lot of times sharing the plunder for their crimes and selfish gains. Theft is sometimes not like that, but it has most of the time the same reasons. We are using this example to show the act in general mostly --theft is theft.

Now, there is one kind of theft that is wrong, but it is more understandable (in a positive sense) on the reasoning of why it happens; this is the kind of theft when the thief steals for a need like hunger.

Take a look at this unfortunate creature here in a clip from Power Rangers Time Force: "Trip Takes A Stand."

Power Rangers Time Force: Trip Takes A Stand, Direct link for video/webm

This creature's name is Notocon and he is in this show's version of jail (a cryogenic chamber) because of stealing food, as no one would be nice to him and feed him (he is very different from everyone else).

Would you be brave enough to help him?

In this case, once he is out of this frozen jail, he will have the same problems he has had unless someone takes time for him.

In reality, this is more common a theft than what people realize and it shouldn't happen. I've heard the "Well, if he would have asked it would have been different" remarks before, sadly I don't know if this request falls on listening ears much. People are interested in profit and money talks.

The Bible is clear with this kind of theft. Look at Proverbs 6:30-31

Pro 6:30 A thief isn't despised if he steals to meet his needs when he is hungry,

Pro 6:31 but when he is discovered, he must restore seven-fold, forfeiting the entire value of his house.

This kind of punishment is unlikely nowadays, but this is the Jewish law in Levitical times. Restitution is a lot of times the sentence and maybe a little jail time --but usually just restitution and/or a fine at worst, however I have seen a lot of kindness come out of this kind of situation sometimes too. Unfortunately, this kind of human aid doesn't come usually until this kind of theft is committed, partially because people don't look into situations like this until they have to --it's ugly to look at.

I have also heard about people stealing Bibles because they've never had one before, then becoming Christians. This is also stealing for a need (a spiritual one).

But now, back to the kind of theft of study. We are going to watch a series of clips from the Power Rangers In Space episode: "A Ranger Among Thieves."

Power Rangers In Space: "A Ranger Among Thieves" (clip #1):

Power Rangers In Space: A Ranger Among Thieves (clip #1), Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this clip?

This person named Chuck, thinks he's pretty smart and clever; he is a pick-pocket and steals money from a young man's bag. He is bragging about the cops not knowing and his friends think he is cool looks like. Chuck is talking indirectly about stealing the van that Adelle is reporting about.

Power Rangers In Space: "A Ranger Among Thieves" (clip #2):

Power Rangers In Space: A Ranger Among Thieves (clip #2), Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this clip?

Chuck is a car thief definitely. This looks like even the same victim possibly. To me he was definitely talking earlier about the stolen "Surf Spot" van.

Unfortunately, Andros (Red Ranger) is naive and thinks that this car belongs to Chuck.

In this case, Andros helped steal the car, but by no fault of his own.

The scriptures don't talk about cars, but it does talk about accidental sin.

Lev 4:27 "If any of the common people of the land inadvertently sins by disobeying one of the LORD's commands that should not be violated, he will be guilty.

Lev 4:28 When the sin that he committed is disclosed to him, he is to bring his offering for his sin that he had committed: a female goat without defect.

Lev 4:29 He is to lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place for burnt offering.

Lev 4:30 Then the priest is to take blood with his finger, put it on the horn of the altar that is used for burnt offerings, and then pour the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.

Lev 4:31 He is to remove all the fat, just as the fat was removed from the sacrifice for peace offering. Then the priest is to burn it on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. This is how the priest will make atonement for him. It will be forgiven him.

Unfortunately, Andros did commit accidental theft. Thankfully, we live in the covenant of grace. Repenting for sin is as simple as sincere prayer and a wiser heart.

Power Rangers In Space: "A Ranger Among Thieves" (clip #3):

Power Rangers In Space: A Ranger Among Thieves (clip #3), Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this clip?

Andros stops a young man that seems to be in the theft ring named Mikey and then says he can't stand a thief; ironically, Andros is in the car that was stolen with 3 other thieves.

Power Rangers In Space: "A Ranger Among Thieves" (clip #4):

Power Rangers In Space: A Ranger Among Thieves (clip #4), Direct link for video/webm

If Andros can't stand a thief, you have to understand that God doesn't take too kindly to thieves either that are unrepentant.

Let's look at the Bible passage in Proverbs 6: 16-19

Pro 6:16 Here are six things that the LORD hates -- seven, in fact, are detestable to him:

Pro 6:17 Arrogant eyes, a lying tongue and hands shedding innocent blood;

Pro 6:18 a heart crafting evil plans, feet running swiftly to wickedness,

Pro 6:19 a false witness snorting lies, and someone sowing quarrels between brothers.

Chuck, in this latest clip especially is several of these things that God hates and detests; he is arrogant, he is a lying tongue, his heart crafts evil plans and enjoys stealing. Chuck also looks like he could become violent if he doesn't get what he wants. David does try to calm Chuck down, but you can tell he's mad.

The monster of this episode, named Voltage Hog, appears and goes after Chuck; you would think this would scare him straight.

Power Rangers In Space: "A Ranger Among Thieves" (clip #5):

Power Rangers In Space: A Ranger Among Thieves (clip #5), Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this clip?

Chuck proves to be a coward and runs while his accomplices (Suzie and David) help Andros with the fight. I think this is the turning point for these two because their friend is not seen as cool anymore as you will see. The two accomplices in the thefts are actually pretty good friends who now have been scared straight. Circumstances sometimes change attitudes.

Power Rangers In Space: "A Ranger Among Thieves" (clip #6):

Power Rangers In Space: A Ranger Among Thieves (clip #6), Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this clip?

Chuck was not scared straight at all, but he lost two friends, got arrested for the carjackings and probably (if not already), will ruin his life with a criminal record and pattern unless God reaches him and whatever discipline he receives is accepted and his mistakes learned from.

Adelle is definitely the forgiving type, just like Jesus.

Look at Luke 6: 27-36; 23: 32-43

Luk 6:27 "But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.

Luk 6:28 Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who insult you.

Luk 6:29 If someone strikes you on the cheek, offer him the other one as well, and if someone takes your coat, don't keep back your shirt, either.

Luk 6:30 Keep on giving to everyone who asks you for something, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not insist on getting it back.

Luk 6:31 Whatever you want people to do for you, do the same for them.

Luk 6:32 "If you love those who love you, what thanks do you deserve? Why, even sinners love those who love them.

Luk 6:33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks do you deserve? Even sinners do that.

Luk 6:34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to get something back, what thanks do you deserve? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back what they lend.

Luk 6:35 Rather, love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind even to ungrateful and evil people.

Luk 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

This effectively turns a theft into a gift and enemies into friends. If someone steals and it's turned into a gift, then it is no longer theft. There's also an old saying --The best way to destroy an enemy is to become friends. This is not to say that this should happen all the time because that friendship might have with it bad life choices or principles. When it comes to what we are talking about, it means that you are building bridges for ministry later even with a thief or any other kind of sinner. This doesn't include agreeing to or helping in bad lifestyle, habits, choices etc.

Luk 23:32 Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus.

Luk 23:33 When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

Luk 23:34 Jesus kept saying, "Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they're doing." Then they divided his clothes among them by throwing dice.

Luk 23:35 Meanwhile, the people stood looking on. The leaders were mocking him by saying, "He saved others. Let him save himself, if he is the Messiah of God, the chosen one!"

Luk 23:36 The soldiers also made fun of Jesus by coming up and offering him sour wine,

Luk 23:37 saying, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!"

Luk 23:38 There was also an inscription over him written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: "This is the King of the Jews."

Luk 23:39 Now one of the criminals hanging there kept insulting him, "You are the Messiah, aren't you? Save yourself and us!"

Luk 23:40 But the other criminal rebuked him, "Aren't you afraid of God, since you are suffering the same penalty?

Luk 23:41 We have been condemned justly, because we are getting what we deserve for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong."

Luk 23:42 Then he went on to plead, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!"

Luk 23:43 Jesus told him, "I tell you with certainty, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Adelle exemplifies what and who Jesus is in more ways than one. She not only forgives these two, but she trusts them with the very thing they took. These two now have honest jobs.

Look at this last clip for our theft section of the Ten Commandments. It's from the DuckTales episode: "The Pearl Of Wisdom."

DuckTales: The Pearl Of Wisdom, Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this clip?

There is a big fight for this pearl at the end of this episode which is where this clip is from. The sun comes up which symbolizes enlightenment in itself and the pearl gives them good advice that they'll remember long after the pearl would be out of their hands. What strikes me is that the pirate is convicted about stealing and that he could land in jail if he doesn't stop doing it. Scrooge generally will take something as treasure for profit and he is convicted about this very thing so he is going to think about making fair deals for what he wants and the pirate named Sharky probably will no longer be a thief.

This is what the Bible says about our thieves in these shows --the pearl is right on the money.

Look at I Corinthians 6: 9-11, Galations 6: 7-8, and Ephesians 4: 28

1Co 6:9 You know that wicked people will not inherit the kingdom of God, don't you? Stop deceiving yourselves! Sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals,

1Co 6:10 thieves, greedy people, drunks, slanderers, and robbers will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1Co 6:11 That is what some of you were! But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiah and by the Spirit of our God.

Gal 6:7 Stop being deceived; God is not to be ridiculed. A person harvests whatever he plants:

Gal 6:8 The person who sows through human means will harvest decay from human means, but the person who sows in the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit.

Eph 4:28 The thief must no longer steal but must work hard and do what is good with his own hands, so that he might earn something to give to the needy.

Adelle put the two accomplices on the right track just like the pearl did for Scrooge and Sharky. Jesus is definitely exemplified in the fact that forgiveness in Adelle's heart goes above and beyond, she's helping these young people do honest hard work with their hands and they likely will be productive members of society. They just need to stay out of influences like Chuck was.

Adelle gave these two the gift of a second chance just like Jesus everyday. Suzie, and David will know what doing the right thing is like which is one of the first steps before salvation. Eventually, they might be a pair of saints (sinners saved by grace), rather than just sinners that don't know the Lord yet. The Lord is gracious to forgive. In this covenant of grace, only repentant prayer in Christ is necessary and then a changed life is born. God will keep working through our mistakes and sins (we will learn our lessons through it all) and keep us on the right track (Christ will keep forgiving as we confess our sins and mistakes, God will make sure He keeps convicting and forgiving) Jesus is our intercessor. We just need to trust in this forgiving and keeping power of Christ Jesus our Lord.