Sabbath School Lesson



The book of Joshua is about new possibilities. Moses, who had dominated 40 years of Israel’s history, belonged in the past. The Exodus from Egypt and the wanderings in the wilderness, tragically marked by rebellion and stubbornness, had ended. A new generation, willing to obey God, was ready to enter the Promised Land, not as an expectation to live up to but as a possibility to live into.

Let us study the way God opened up a new chapter in Israel’s life and how He can do the same in ours.



Memory Text: By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace (Hebrews 11:31, NKJV).

Israel has a second chance of entering the Promised Land, and Joshua takes this mission seriously. The first step is to have a clear understanding of what they face. He sends out two spies to bring him valuable information about the land: its defense system, military preparedness, water supplies, and the attitude of the population in the face of an invading force.

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Sunday, October 5
Second Chance

BIBLE TEXTS

Read Joshua 2:1; Numbers 13:1-2, 25-28, 33; Numbers 14:1-12; John 18:16-18, 25-27; John 21:15-19.

What should these incidents teach us about how we should extend grace to those who need it? At the same time, how can we also be careful not to abuse this concept? Think, for example, about a woman in an abusive relationship, in which she is counseled to keep going back (“grace”), only in some cases for the abuse only to continue? How do we find the right balance here?

Monday, October 6
Value in Unexpected Places

BIBLE TEXTS

Read Joshua 2:2-11, Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25.

By choosing the God of the Israelites, Rahab became an example of what could have been the destiny of all the inhabitants of Jericho had they turned to Israel’s God for mercy.

Tuesday, October 7
New Allegiance

BIBLE TEXTS

Read Joshua 2:12-21 and Exodus 12:13, 22, 23.

As God spared the lives of the Israelites during the last plague in Egypt, the Israelites were to save Rahab and her family when destruction reached Jericho.


Question for Monday and Tuesday:

Discuss Rahab as a model of faith. How can we appreciate the openness of people to God even if their lifestyle is far from the biblical ideal? How is it possible to appreciate their faith while not condoning some of their practices?

Wednesday, October 8
Conflicting Values

BIBLE TEXTS

Read Joshua 9:1-20; Deuteronomy 20:10-18; 1 Chron. 28:9; 2 Chron. 15:2; 2 Chron. 18:4; 2 Chron. 20:4

The fundamental duty of a theocratic leader, and of any Christian leader, is to seek God’s will. By neglecting it, the Israelites were compelled either to violate the fundamental conditions of conquering the land or to break an oath made in the name of the Lord, which was equally binding.

Thursday, October 9
Surprising Grace

BIBLE TEXTS

Read Joshua 9:21-27; Judg. 11:29-40; Neh. 7:25;  Ezek. 18:23; Ezek. 33:11; Gen. 15:16

The subterfuge (deceit used in order to achieve one's goal) of the Gibeonites has to be perceived as an appeal to God’s mercy, to His kind and just character. It was the Canaanites’ refusal to repent and their defiance of God’s purposes that led to the decision for their annihilation. God honored the recognition of His supremacy by the Gibeonites, as well as their desire for peace rather than rebellion, and their willingness to give up idolatry and to worship the only true God.


Question for Wednesday and Thursday:

Joshua managed to combine justice and grace in a practical way in order to solve the predicament caused by the deceit of the Gibeonites and through his own negligence in not consulting the Lord. Think of a situation in your life that requires both justice and grace. What are some practical ways of merging the two?

Please share any other comments you may have about the Sabbath School lessons in general.