17/10/2025
Sabbath School Summary
Memorials of Grace
Lesson 3
Memory Text: Joshua 4:23-24
Introduction
SABBATH: As humans, we often forget important things that are not constantly in our sight. This was the ordeal of John, a professor, who noticed he forgot his wallet & driving license at home when asked to provide it by a police officer. While forgetting our driver's license may lead to a fine, forgetting our spiritual needs can have more severe impacts as it relates to our eternal destiny. Let's study the crossing of the Jordan by the Hebrews to learn from their encounters.
Crossing the Jordan
SUNDAY: The most sacred furniture among the Israelites was the ark of the covenant. It had in it the Decalogue, the rod of Aaron, the high priest, & a jar of manna. The first talk of it in Joshua is in Chapter 3 (Josh. 3:1-5, Num. 14:41-44). It is seen in the context of the sanctuary, Israel’s walk to Sinai, & their failure to conquer Canaan (Exod. 40:21, Num. 10:33-36, 14:44, Exod. 16:33, Heb. 9:4). The ark & steps to cross Jordan made Israel aware they had to trust in God’s time & repent (Exod. 25:22, Num. 7:89).
The Living God of Wonders
MONDAY: When the pilgrims of God must cross their Jordan, God’s divine presence shall go before them & direct their steps (Josh. 3:6-17). The crossing of the Jordan was a wonderful miracle just as was the plagues in Egypt (Exod. 3:20, Mic. 7:15), the crossing of the Red Sea, & God’s guidance in the wilderness (Ps. 78:12-16). These great acts of God led to praises (Ps. 78:12-16). Nothing is impossible to Him (Jer. 32:17, Judg. 13:18. He’s a living God while other gods can’t save (Ps. 96:5, Zech. 8:6-8).
Remember
TUESDAY: To ensure next generations have a witness of the miracle at Jordan, 12 men were chosen from each tribe to take up a stone to make a monument as a memorial—’ot in Hebrew to mean a sign of wonder (Joshua 4, Gen. 9:12-13, Exod. 12:13, 31:13, 17; Ezek. 20:12, Exod. 7:3, Deut. 4:34). “Memorial” (zikkaron) is from the word z***r, “to remember”. God didn’t need to do the miracle again. The “forever” sign that evokes memory or questions (Deut. 5:15, 8:2, 6:20-25, Exod. 12:26-27, Gen. 28:18-22).
Forgetfulness
WEDNESDAY: The power that opened the Red Sea was the same power that stayed the waters of Jordan. Both the old & new generations were witnesses to the mighty acts of God. Notice the word change; “us” for the Red Sea & “you” for Jordan (Josh. 4:20-24, see 4:23). When we forget God’s wonders in past, we fear for the future (LS, p. 196, 1 Cor. 11:24-25, John 14:26). We need to have occasions to refresh our spiritual memory of where we are coming from, who we are, and what we are here for.
Beyond the Jordan
THURSDAY: The Jordan River carry a spiritual meaning which is explored in both the OT & NT. Some OT texts link both the Red Sea & Jordan River events to imply a meaning beyond the original settings. The Psalmist refer to these events to celebrate God’s redemption (Ps. 66:6, 114:1-7, 2 Kings 2:6-15, Ps. 66:16-19). The crossings represent a change in Israel's status from slavery to freedom, & from nomadic landlessness to nationhood. Jesus, a representative of Israel, had His “Red Sea” & “Jordan” experience (Matt. 3:16-17, Mark 1:9).
Further Thought
FRIDAY: The experiences of ancient Israel in their journey to Canaan, penned in Joshua 3-4, serve as valuable lessons for modern believers. We must carefully study these events and keep our hearts and minds trained, lest we forget God and fall into idolatry, as Israel did. Just as God abundantly blessed His people when they loved Him wholeheartedly, He promises to bless us when we remain faithful to Him, even in the face of greater spiritual dangers.
—Ellen G. White, “Crossing the Jordan,” pp. 483, 484, in Patriarchs and Prophets, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 2, p. 994, & Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 609..
Keywords
LS- Life Sketches
OT- Old Testament
NT- New Testament
“Sanctify” in Joshua 3 (for Sunday)- The term translated “sanctify” (Joshua 3:5) or “consecrate” (ESV) refers to a purification process similar to what the priests followed before beginning their service in the sanctuary (Exod. 28:41, Exod. 29:1) and what the people of Israel carried out prior to God’s revelation at Sinai (Exod. 19:10, 14). This consecration involved the laying aside of sin and the removal of all ritual impurities. The same command appears in Numbers 11:18, relating to an impending miracle of God. Such a preparation was required also before battles were fought in a war (Deut. 23:14). Before God can fight for Israel in battle, they must show their allegiance to Him and trust in Him as their Commander.
“Miracles/Wonders”- In Hebrew, it is the word niphla’ot. The terms usually refer to the mighty, supernatural acts of God that demonstrate His uniqueness (Ps. 72:18, Ps. 86:10). The prophet Zechariah used the same term (from the same root as niphla’ot) as he envisioned a future for Israel after the Babylonian exile. He saw that Jerusalem would be fully rebuilt with old people sitting in the streets of the city and boys and girls playing there (Zech. 8:6-8, ESV, Luke 18:18-27).
Jesus’ “Red Sea” & “Jordan” Experience (for Thursday)- The earthly ministry of Jesus, as the Representative of Israel, follows the pattern of the history of ancient Israel. Jesus undergoes the “Red Sea” and “Jordan” experiences. He is called out of Egypt after a death decree (Matt. 2:14-16), spends 40 days in the wilderness (Matt. 4:2) similar to ancient Israel’s 40 years, and, as a transition from His private life to His public ministry, He is baptized in the Jordan (Matt. 3:16-17; Mark 1:9). Later, Hebrews 3-4 recognizes the symbolic significance of the crossing of the Jordan and presents the entrance into Canaan as foreshadowing the “rest of grace” that Christians enter through faith.
Discussion Questions
📌 Discuss in your class the miraculous crossing of the Jordan. How would you define miracles? Why does it seem that God is not performing similar miracles today?
📌 What practical ways can you suggest in your class for preventing spiritual forgetfulness, both as individuals or as a church? While it is important that we have an ongoing dynamic relationship with God, and that we don't build our whole Christian experience on powerful past experiences, how can we still use our past experiences as reminders of how God has worked in our lives?
📌 How do you think the Sabbath can, on the one hand, help us remember God’s interventions in our lives, and, on the other, give us a foretaste of the promised rest in His kingdom? How does the Sabbath point not only to what we are supposed to remember but to what we can hope for in the future?
For October 11-17, 2025. Happy Sabbath!
Inside Story
Trail of Tears and Sweatshirts
Tsitsi Zondo, a Zimbabwean businesswoman, faced a devastating setback when most of her sweatshirt inventory was lost during a transport mishap. Despite the financial hardship, she remained faithful in tithing and giving offerings, and her community rallied to support her. Through perseverance and trust in God's provision, Tsitsi was able to repay her loans and continue her business, never going hungry during the challenging time.
