Introduction: The Israelites are at the boarders of River Jordan with the assurance that they are going to enter into the land that God had promised to their forefathers. Being led by Joshua, the encounter of the two spies sent by him and an encounter that Israel had with a group of Gibeonites teach us about God's great love and mercy, which are extended in our lives today too.
Memory Text: Hebrews 11:31(NKJV)
"By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace."
SABBATH: “Why did I do this again?” We’ve all been there—repeating the same mistakes. Israel had too. Now, standing once more at the border of the Promised Land, they are given a second chance. Joshua takes nothing for granted; he sends spies, prepares strategically, and trusts deeply. God's promises don’t cancel human responsibility—they empower it. This week, we’ll explore two powerful stories from Joshua that remind us: failure isn’t final, and God’s grace still surprises. When faith meets obedience, new possibilities unfold—even after past regrets. We are called upon not to miss the God of second chances.
SUNDAY: Two spies sent by Joshua are sent from Shittim, a place from where Moses once sent twelve spies who returned with discouraging feedback accompanied with disbelief in God except two of them. It also the same place where Balaam led Israel into adultery with the Canaanites. Once again, the Lord brought Israel to the same spot, forty years later, granting them another chance to enter Canaan. This chance reminds us of the time when Jesus Christ reinstated Simon Peter into ministry upon his repentance after denying Him, an echo of God's amazing grace.
(READ Joshua 2:1; Numbers 13:1,2,25-28,33; 14:1-12; 25:1-3; 31:16; John 18:16-18,25-27; 21:15-19)
MONDAY: The two spies reached Jericho and were hidden from being killed, by Rahab, a prostitute who lived by the city gate wall. Rahad had heard about God's mighty works of saving Israel and chose to hide these men of God. Her acts of faith evidencify her genuine desire to obey the true God, even when she lived in a corrupt society. The Lord decided to use Rahab because of her faith and she is blessed to be part of the geneology of Jesus Christ.
(READ Joshua 2:2-11; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25; Genesis 15:16; Deuteronomy 9:5; Leviticus 18:25-28)
TUESDAY: The two spies made a covenant with Rahab and promised to save her and her family, only if she hanged a scarlet cord by her window at the time Jericho would be destroyed, and was with her family at that time. This re-echoes the act of faith that was done at the Passover, when blood was smeared by the believing Israelites and believing Egyptians on their door posts. Likewise, we today, are beneficiaries of the Lord's saving power by His grace, if we can only put this faith into action by obeying the Lord's commandments which shows our acceptance of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ offered at Calvary, in our hearts.
(READ Joshua 2:12-21; Exodus 12:13,22&23)
WEDNESDAY: In the camp of Israel, a group of Gibeonites entered therein. They hoped to escape destruction since they had learned of Israel's victory. By tricking Israel into thinking that they are foreigners, they entered their camp in order to make a covenant with them. Joshua did not consult God and went ahead to make an oath with them. Upon learning of this, Israel was in a trap. This is because Gibeonites were enemies of Israel, whereby, killing them would mean breaking the oath that they had made in the name of Lord, and yet leaving them alive meant disobeying God's law which dictated death for their enemies.
(READ Joshua 9:1-20; Proverbs 1:4; 8:5&12; Numbers 27:16-21; 1Chronicles 28:9; 2Chronicles 20:4)
THURSDAY: Amidst such a dilemma, the Lord honoured the recognition of His supremacy that the Gibeonites had for Him, their desire for peace rather rebellion and their willingness to give up idolatry so as to worship the true God. Despite their deceit and tricks before, God's grace led Joshua to replace their death with servitude. They served Israel as servants and were able to escape destruction till when the temple was rebuilt during Nehemiah's time. (READ Joshua 9:21-27; Judges 11:29-40; Psalms 15:4; 24:4; Ecclesiastes 5:2&6; 2Samuel 6:11; Nehemiah 7:25; Ezekiel 33:11)
FRIDAY: Christ came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every compartment of the temple courts, that every soul may have free access to God. His love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates everywhere. Therefore, God's grace is for all people, to whoever believes in Jesus Christ, the gift of salvation awaits him or her. (READ "Crossing the Jordan" pp.482&483 in Patriarchs and Prophets by Ellen G White)
CAPTIONS:
SUNDAY; Second chance
MONDAY; Value in unexpected places
TUESDAY; New Allegiance
WEDNESDAY; Conflicting values
THURSDAY; Surprising grace
FRIDAY; Further thought
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Think about the experience of the Israelites, when given a second chance to enter Canaan, and about the grace extended to Peter after he denied his Lord. What should these incidents teach us about how we should extend grace to those who need it?
2. 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 by 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?
3. Try to remember the last time you decided to follow a particular direction without consulting God's will. What were the consequences?
