Daily Lesson for Wednesday 8th of October 2025

This chapter of Joshua starts by informing us that the Canaanite kings who usually ruled over small city-states decided to create a coalition against the Israelites. By contrast, the inhabitants of Gibeon decided to establish a covenant with Israel.

Image © Providence Collection at Goodsalt.com

In order to trick the Israelites into making a covenant with them, the Gibeonites resort to the scheme of being ambassadors from a foreign country. According to Deuteronomy 20:10-18, God made a distinction between the Canaanites and people who lived outside the Promised Land.

The word translated as “craftily” or “cunningly” can be used with a positive meaning, denoting prudence and wisdom (Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 8:5,12), or negatively, implying criminal intent (Exodus 21:14, 1 Samuel 23:22, Psalms 83:3). In the case of the Gibeonites, behind their treacherous action lies a less-destructive intent of self-preservation.

The speech of the Gibeonites is strikingly similar to that of Rahab. Both acknowledge the power of Israel’s God, and both acknowledge that Israel’s success is not simply a human feat. In contrast to other Canaanites, they do not rebel against Yahweh’s plan to grant the land to the Israelites, and they admit that the Lord Himself is driving these nations out before Israel. The news of the deliverance from Egypt, and the victories over Sihon and Og, prompt both Rahab and the Gibeonites to seek an alliance with the Israelites. However, instead of fully acknowledging their willingness to surrender to the God of Israel, as Rahab does, the Gibeonites resort to a subterfuge.

The law of Moses made provisions for learning the will of God in such cases as this (Numbers 27:16-21). Joshua should have inquired for the will of the Lord and avoided the deception of the Gibeonites.

The fundamental duty of a theocratic leader, and of any Christian leader, is to seek God’s will (1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 15:2, 2 Chronicles 18:4, 2 Chronicles 20:4). 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.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-02-conflicting-values/

As we work our way through the book of Joshua this quarter, we will see that he is ready to 
Fight The Good Fight – Hymn 613 and to move forward into the Promised Land. We may still use last quarter’s theme hymn as this will pop up throughout this quarter as well: 
Hymn 620 – On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand. These two hymns will resound throughout the quarter.

One of the biggest topics throughout this week is “God’s grace has infinite possibilities to surprise us” says Sabbath afternoon:
Hymn 108 – Amazing Grace, Hymn 109 – Marvelous Grace, and 
Hymn 114 – There’s A Wideness.

Rahab brings us more hymns, all because she chose to surrender to God in faith: 
Hymn 309 – I Surrender All so that 
My Faith Has Found A Resting Place – Hymn 523.

With all that was happening for Rahab, the Israelites did end up learning to 
Trust And Obey – Hymn 590 for this time.

There was so much conflicting value for Joshua, and for us today, we are “to seek God’s will” (Wednesday): 
Hymn 603 – Christian, Seek Not Repose.

God’s grace comes to us again on Thursday with “Surprising Grace”. Once again we are able to sing of 
Marvelous Grace – Hymn 109.

Our study on Friday concludes with “His love is so broad, so deep, so full”: 
Hymn 148 – O Love, How Deep, How Broad.

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless others.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-surprised-by-grace-singing-with-inspiration/