Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Dr. Barna Magyarosi, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/13-choose-this-day-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=13-choose-this-day-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author

Daily Lesson for Wednesday 24th of December 2025

The threat of idolatry is not a theoretical one. Earlier, on the plains of Moab, in a similar context, Moses asked for the same decision (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). The gods that are in view now are not the ones of Egypt or those beyond the river, but they are found “among them.” Therefore, Joshua pleads with his people to incline their hearts to the Lord.

Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com

The Hebrew term used here, natah, means “to stretch,” “to bend.” It describes a God who is expected to bend down and listen to prayers (2 Kings 19:16; Psalms 31:2-3; Daniel 9:18), and it is also the attitude required of Israel later by the prophets (Isaiah 55:3, Jeremiah 7:24). It is employed to indicate the apostasy of Solomon when his heart inclined toward foreign gods (1 Kings 11:2,4,9). The sinful human heart does not have the natural tendency to bend and listen to God’s voice. It takes conscious decisions on our part to incline it toward fulfilling God’s will.

The Israelites’ answer literally reads: “We will listen to His voice.” This expression emphasizes the relational aspect of obedience. Israel is not asked to routinely follow lifeless rules. The covenant is about a living relationship with the Lord, which cannot be fully expressed by mere regulations. Israel’s religion was never intended to be legalistic; rather, it was to be a constant conversation in faith and love with a holy and merciful Savior.

Even after the people’s threefold promise to serve the Lord, which implies, as Joshua commanded, the removal of foreign gods from among them, there is no report that it actually happened. Throughout the entire book, it became customary to report on the fulfillment of Joshua’s commands (or those of Moses) as examples of obedience. The lack of it now at the end of the book leaves the plea of Joshua open-ended. The central appeal of the book to serve the Lord is not only for Joshua’s generation but also for each new generation of God’s people who would read or hear this message.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-13-the-dangers-of-idolatry/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-13-the-dangers-of-idolatry

View an in-depth discussion of Choose this Day! in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris.
Click on the image below to view the video:

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 23rd of December 2025

As a true and faithful leader, Joshua respects the free will of his people and wishes that Israel would serve the Lord out of free choice rather than compulsion. That was exactly the point made by the deliberate use of the verb “chosen” (see Joshua 24:22). In other passages baḥar, “to choose,” describes Yahweh’s election of Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6-7; Deuteronomy 10:15; Deuteronomy 14:2). Israel is free to say “no” to Yahweh after their divine election, but that would be nonsensical and absurd. Israel can say “yes” to God and continue to live, or they can turn their backs on Him and cease to exist.

Image © Providence Collection at Goodsalt.com

In their categorically positive answer, the Israelites recognize that the God of the patriarchs and of their fathers is now also “our God” (Joshua 24:17-18, NKJV), whom they are willing to serve with undivided allegiance. After such an unquestionable affirmation of their loyalty, we would expect words of affirmation and encouragement from Joshua. However, this is not the case. The dialogue between Joshua and the people takes a radical turn in which Joshua seems to play the role of the devil’s advocate. He shifts from speaking about God’s gracious providence in the past to threatening the Israelites with a picture of a God who is not easy to serve.

Joshua knows the instability of the first generation, who promised to obey God in similar terms (Exodus 19:8, Exodus 24:3, Deuteronomy 5:27) yet who forgot their promises while the words were still on their lips (Exodus 32:1-35). Thus, Joshua, by means of rhetoric, wants to make the Israelites aware of several things. First, the decision to serve God is a serious one. It will have to shape the entire nation according to God’s revelation. The blessings of pursuing that goal are evident, but the consequences of disobedience must also be fully understood. Forgiveness of sins is not an unalienable right of humanity but a miracle of God’s grace.

Second, the decision of the Israelites to serve God must be their own decision, not something imposed by a leader, even Joshua.

Third, Israel must realize that humans cannot serve God in their own strength. Serving God is not achieved by a mechanical adherence to the stipulations of the covenant but by a personal relationship with the saving Lord (compare with Exodus 20:1-2; Deuteronomy 5:6-7).

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-13-free-to-serve/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-13-free-to-serve

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.

 Lord, I have Made Thy Word My Choice! – Hymn 273 will add to this weeks’ lesson title of “Choose This Day!” It is a pity that sometimes the people of Israel (just like us today) did not follow God’s instructions. Sunday tells us they had to do nothing but follow. So today I wish to say 
I Will Follow Thee, My Saviour – Hymn 623.

Monday clarifies a little more with the last paragraph talking of a faithful person. May we encourage each other by saying
O Brother, Be Faithful – Hymn 602.

 We learn more about the free choices we can make on Tuesday, with the ending of the days’ study telling us more details on how to be able to serve God. I wish to be a servant of God, and go where He wants as we will understand from 
Ye Servants of God – Hymn 256.

With “The Dangers of Idolatry” the Israelites did say “We will listen to His voice”. Are we willing to listen to God’s voice? We can then say 
I Hear Thy Welcome Voice – Hymn 282.

 God’s wonderful blessings to you all as we complete the last lesson study pamphlet for 2025. We will commence more studies afresh in 2026, and so much closer to our Lord Jesus coming soon and very soon.

 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.”

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/13-choose-this-day-sining-with-inspiration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=13-choose-this-day-sining-with-inspiration