11/10/2025
_Sabbath School Summary_
*Surprised by Grace*
_Lesson 2_
_Memory Text: Hebrews 11:31_
*Introduction*
*SABBATH*: The long years of wandering in the desert were nearing an end. Israel stood at the borders of Canaan for the second time. Expectations run high, but the last time Israel was at the border & had the task to survey the land & take it, they failed due to their unbelief. Would history repeat itself? Truly, humanity is prone to repeat the same mistakes. The first step was to have a clear idea of the task. Joshua took the mission seriously & sent out 2 spies to bring information. God wouldn’t do what’s man’s duty.
*Second Chance*
*SUNDAY*: We serve a God of second chances & more (Josh. 2:1, Num. 13:1, 2, 25-28, 33, 14:1-12). Israel failed many times but His grace didn’t run out (Rom. 5:2, 11:6, Eph. 2:8, Titus 2:11-14, 2 Pet. 3:18). Two negative episodes in Israel’s history were linked to Sh*ttim, where 2 spies were sent out to survey the land. The first was the sin of the unfaithful spies (Num. 13). The second was the evil counsel of Balaam that made many to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women (Num. 25:1-3, 31:16).
*Value in Unexpected Places*
*MONDAY*: Who would have thought that a harlot would be marked among the heroes of faith & Israel would find value in an unexpected place like a harlot’s home? With all her wrongs, God saw a spark of faith in Rahab that He could save her. Paul & James hail her faith & works but the Bible doesn’t validate her lie. Her lie shows the sinful society she lived (Josh. 2:2-11, Heb. 11:31, James 2:25). This justifies God’s decision to judge the city (Gen. 15:16, Deut. 9:5, Lev. 18:25-28). Rahab affirmed God’s power (Exod. 20:4, Deut. 4:39, 5:8).
*New Allegiance*
*TUESDAY*: “Life for life & kindness for kindness” was Rahab’s simple & clear deal (Josh. 2:12-21, Exod. 12:13, 22, 23). The word “loving-kindness” (chesed) points to a covenantal loyalty, kindness, faithfulness, mercy, & benevolence. God uses such a word for Israel (Deut. 7:12). In Deut. 7, God issues a ban (cherem) on Canaanites, yet Rahab claims the promise given to the Israelites by faith. As God spared the faithful ones in Egypt during the Passover, God saved Rahab & her family in Jericho (PP, p. 279).
*Conflicting Values*
*WEDNESDAY*: Israel & Joshua failed to seek God’s will & were tricked to make a compromise (Josh. 9:1-20, see Num. 27:16-21, 1 Chron. 28:9, 2 Chron. 15:2, 18:4, 20:4). The Gibeonites didn’t join the coalition of the Canaanites against the Israelites when they heard God’s power on Israel to take Canaan. They pretended to come from a far country & made Joshua come into a treaty. Like Rahab, they affirmed God’s power but didn’t want a total surrender (Prov. 1:4, 8:5, 12, Exod. 21:14, 1 Sam. 23:22, Ps. 83:3).
*Surprising Grace*
*THURSDAY*: The Israelites saw that the Gibeonites were neighbors, they could not attack them because of the oath made in God’s name (Judg. 11:29-40, Ps. 15:4; 24:4; Eccl. 5:2, 6). From that time, Gibeon’s & Israel’s destinies were linked. They were made woodcutters & water carriers for the house of God. This curse became a blessing; Gibeonites enjoyed high religious privileges in their history (Josh 9:23; 2 Sam. 6:11, Neh. 7:25). What if they had disclosed their identity like Rahab? God could spare them (Ezek. 18:23, 33:11, Gen. 15:16).
*Further Thought*
*FRIDAY*: After the story of Rahab & the spies, she reappears in the genealogy of Jesus (Matt. 1:5; Ruth 4:13, 21). Her faith transformed her from a harlot of Jericho into a vital link in the royal line of David and a progenitor of the Messiah, to show what God can achieve through even the smallest faith (Matt. 17:20; Luke 17:6). Rahab's conversion is not an isolated act of mercy; the Gibeonites also renounced idolatry & joined Israel, sharing in the blessings of the covenant. God is impartial to any race/caste/tribe.
—Ellen G. White, “Crossing the Jordan,” pp. 482, 483, in Patriarchs and Prophets & Prophets and Kings, pp. 369, 370.
*Keywords*
_PP- Patriarchs and Prophets._
_Divinity & Humanity- One would think that God’s promise of giving the land to the Israelites did not require any effort from them. Yet the assurance of divine support does not override human responsibility._
_Balaam- Balaam is a prototype, a symbol, of sin. He was once a good man and a prophet of God; but he had apostatized, and had given himself up to covetousness; yet he still professed to be a servant of the Most High._
_Sh*ttim- Looking at the two failures of Israel, especially the unfaithfulness instigated by Balaam, the name Sh*ttim creates an extraordinary tension as to the outcome of the whole story. Will it be another failure on the border of the Promised Land? Or will it lead to the long-awaited fulfillment of the ancient promise?_
_Grace- It is simply receiving what we don’t deserve._
_Rahab- She became the wife of Salmon from the tribe of Judah, and the mother-in-law of Ruth. She became a vital link in the royal line of David and a progenitor of the Messiah._
_The Gibeonites- What if they disclosed their identity? God’s ultimate purpose is not to punish sinners but to see them repent and to grant them His mercy. The subterfuge 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._
*Discussion Questions*
📌 Discuss the whole question of “second chances” (and more) and how we are to extend them to others. 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?
📌 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?
📌 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?
_For October 4-10, 2025. Happy Sabbath!_
*Inside Story*
Inácio Manoel, a literature evangelist in Brazil, faced hostility on his first day when a woman yelled at him for offering Christian books. Despite initial challenges, he and his friend were welcomed by another woman who shared her struggles, leading her to attend church with her children. They also encountered Edileuza, who initially struggled with the Sabbath due to her job but experienced a miraculous job opportunity that allowed her to observe it, resulting in her baptism and that of her family. Now 68, Inácio has dedicated his life to leading others to Christ, consistently praying for opportunities to share God's love.
*10 points on the SS Lesson 02 Q4 2025: Surprised by Grace*
1. Last week we studied about the recipe of success, which set out conditions under which we can be prosperous not only in the here and now but also be ready for the world to come. This week the lesson focuses on “second chances”, which can surprise us thanks to God’s grace. This is demonstrated in the cases: (1) the new generation of Israelites, (2) Rahab the harlot, and (3) the Gibeonites.
2. A new generation of Israelites is now at the border of the promised land and ready to take possession. Joshua sends two spies into the city to gather intelligence just like his predecessor Moses did (Jos. 2 v 1). Why did Joshua need to send out spies again? Why did he send two spies and not twelve?
3. The place the Israelites camped at was called Acacia Grove or Sh*ttim (Jos. 2 v 1). It was the same place the Children of Israel committed harlotry with the women of Moab, through the influence of Balaam, and were destroyed (Num. 25 v 1-3). Why did this young generation of Israelites revisit past failures with renewed trust? In what ways did God show them grace?
4. No sooner had the spies arrived in Jericho than their presence was detected by city's intelligence system. The spies immediately went into hiding in the house of Rahab the harlot. Through this act, Rahab secured a second chance at life by God's grace. What does this teach us about risky obedience, faith, second chances, and God's grace?
5. During the conversion with the spies, Rahab demonstrated knowledge and belief about God and His mission to take over the city. Rahab’s story demonstrates that God values trust and allegiance to Him above social status or past reputation (Jos. 2 v 11). How did Rahab acquire so much knowledge about God’s past acts? What does her faith tell us about judging other people from a distance?
6. Rahab lied when she was confronted by the security agents regarding the whereabouts of the spies (Jos. 2 v 4-11). She diverted their search to allow the spies to return safely to their camp. Why does it seem like the Bible remembers her for her faith rather than her falsehoods? Was the outcome going to be any different if she had told the truth about the whereabouts of the spies?
7. Before the spies left, Rahab made them swear to her by the Lord that she and her family would not be destroyed when Jericho falls (Jos. 2 v 12, 13). The spies gave strict instruction upon which she would be saved (Jos. 2 v 17 -21). Are there any parallels that can be drawn from Rahab’s story to that of the woman at the well (John 4)?
8. The Gibeonites, fearing extermination, disguised themselves as travellers and deceived Joshua and the leaders of Israel into signing a treaty with them (Jos. 9 v 1-20). If Gibeonites told the truth, would they have been destroyed? Are there situations where we can lie for self-preservation? Why did Joshua and the leaders not consult God before making an oath (v 14)?
9. Israelites realised too late that they were deceived (Jos. 9 v 21-27). Rather than dishonour the oath made in the name of the Lord, they cursed the Gibeonites to servitude in the temple. How can we discern when God is calling us to honour a flawed commitment versus when to start over? Centuries later, the Gibeonites assisted in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem (Neh. 7 v 25).
10. The young generation of Israelites got another chance to possess the promised land after the first generation failed. Second chances were also extended to those perceived as sinners, such as Rahab the harlot and the Gibeonites, demonstrating that God’s grace is available to all willing to receive it. Next week we will study the lesson “Memorials of Grace”.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY
