Daily Lesson for Sunday 2nd of November 2025

It is interesting to observe that the reader knows, from the outset, the reason for Yahweh’s anger as well as the name of the offender. Thus, the suspense of the story of uncovering the trespass of Achan is provided by the tension between the perspective of the reader and that of Joshua and the Israelites. Like many other chapters of the Old Testament, Joshua 7:1-26 has a chiastic structure. The central, climactic segment within it answers the question of why the Israelites were not able to conquer Ai on their first attempt.

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There were two main reasons for Israel’s defeat by the inhabitants of Ai: Achan’s sin and the Israelites’ overconfidence in their own strength. The latter resulted in their neglecting to consult the will of the Lord before the attack against Ai and their underestimating the force of the enemy.

Based on Joshua 7:1,11-13, we can see that, although Achan is responsible for the treacherous act of breaking the ban, the whole nation is held responsible and suffers for what he did. God describes the sin of Achan by gradually showing its gravity through the cumulative use, in verse 11, of the adverb “even,” or “also” (Heb. gam). First, the most common term for sin is used: “kḥata’.” Then the act of transgression is described by five more specific sins introduced by the adverb gam: (1) ‘abar, also “to cross over, to transgress,” (2) even taking (laqakḥ) from the things devoted to destruction (kḥerem), (3) also stealing (ganab), (4) also deceiving (kakḥash), and (5) even putting (sim) the stolen kḥerem among their possessions.

The covenant between Yahweh and Israel involved the people at both individual and corporate levels. In the light of the covenant, Israel is treated as an indivisible unity of the chosen nation of God; therefore, the sin of one, or even some, of its members incurs guilt upon the whole covenantal community. As the Lord said, “ ‘Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them’ ” (Joshua 7:11, NKJV).

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-06-breach-of-the-covenant/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-06-breach-of-the-covenant

Daily Lesson for Sabbath 1st of November 2025

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Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Peter 1:4, Joshua 7:1-26, Psalms 139:1-16, Ezra 10:11, Luke 12:15, Joshua 8:1-29.

Memory Text: “ ‘I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds’ ” (Jeremiah 17:10, ESV).

Joshua 7:1-26 is the first instance where, through a tragic experience, the people of Israel learned the far-reaching consequences of the covenant and its deep meaning. While obedience to the stipulations of the covenant secured victory, disregarding the terms of the covenant brought defeat. Israel’s military success depended not on their numbers, battle strategy, or clever tactics but on the presence of the Divine Warrior with them.

During the appropriation of the Promised Land, the Israelites had to learn the difficult lesson that their most dangerous enemy was not outside their camp but within their own rank and file. The greatest challenge that stood before them was neither the fortified walls of the Canaanite cities nor their advanced military technology but the obstinate will of individuals within their own camp to ignore the instructions of the Lord.

Waiting for our heavenly inheritance (1 Peter 1:4, Colossians 3:24), we face similar challenges. While we are on the border of the Promised Land, our faithfulness is tested, and we can be victorious only through surrender to Jesus Christ.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 8.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-06-the-enemy-within/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-06-the-enemy-within

Our Sabbath School program has always been linked to the support of the Seventh-day Adventist Mission program. This video provides a little insight into this important work.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/mission-spotlight-for-november-1/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mission-spotlight-for-november-1

Inside Story for Friday 31st of October 2025

By Laurie Denski-Snyman

Maria glanced nervously at David as the man approached them in his home in a large city in southern Asia. The man’s cellphone was recording as he waited for them to answer his wife’s question about their religious beliefs.

“As I already said, we are Seventh-day Adventists,” David said.

“Does this mean you are Christians?” the man said.

David prayed silently. He knew that many people in the country were not open to Christianity because they were troubled by the reality that many Christians drank alcohol and ate unclean food, which their religion forbade.

“Let me explain,” David said. “We believe what the Torah says, including passages such as Deuteronomy 6:4, which says, ‘The Lord our God, the Lord is one!’ We believe there is one God. This verse tells us that.”

“Interesting,” the man said.

“We also believe the mandate in the Torah that says we should worship the Lord on His Sabbath, which begins Friday at sunset and lasts until Saturday at sunset,“ David said.

Then he spoke about the Lord condemning pork in Isaiah 66:17.

The man continued recording the conversation, but his terse scowl slowly melted into a smile.

David continued, “We believe our bodies are the temple of God and they are lent to us. While we are here on earth, we are to take care of them.”

The man smiled widely.

“We do not believe in hurting our bodies by smoking or drinking alcohol.”

The man said, “I believe our meeting was divinely ordained.” He got up and left. Returning with food, he placed it on the table and insisted that the visitors eat. “This was not an accidental appointment,” he said repeatedly. “It was set up from above.”

Then he offered a prayer of gratitude for the unexpected meeting and a blessing on the food. After that, he brought in his adult son from a back room, saying, “I want you to meet these people.” Turning to David and Maria, he said, “I want to share my family with you.” He apologized that he and his family could not eat because they were observing a fast.

As the visitors ate, he plied them with questions about The Great Controversy. He appeared appreciative of their replies. Then he said, “We are happy that you came today, and we know that you were sent here. This was not an accident. We will be tolerant toward you, and peace be with you.”

As the visitors got ready to leave, he blessed them, saying, “May you have peace and blessings, especially as you go through our neighborhoods.”

Pray for missionaries as they seek to proclaim the gospel around the world. Thank you for your Sabbath School mission offering that supports missionaries.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-05-inside-story-this-was-not-an-accident/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-05-inside-story-this-was-not-an-accident

Daily Lesson for Friday 31st of October 2025

Read Ellen G. White, “The Fall of Jericho,” Pages 491–493, in Patriarchs and Prophets.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

As with everything in the Bible, knowing the context and the background is crucial. As we have seen, the cosmic conflict and the motif of God as judge are crucial in understanding these wars against the Canaanites.

“God is slow to anger. He gave the wicked nations a time of probation that they might become acquainted with Him and His character. According to the light given was their condemnation for refusing to receive the light and choosing their own ways rather than God’s ways. God gave the reason why He did not at once dispossess the Canaanites. The iniquity of the Amorites was not full. Through their iniquity they were gradually bringing themselves to the point where God’s forbearance could no longer be exercised and they would be exterminated. Until the point was reached and their iniquity was full, the vengeance of God would be delayed. All nations had a period of probation. Those who made void God’s law would advance from one degree of wickedness to another. Children would inherit the rebellious spirit of their parents and do worse than their fathers before them until God’s wrath would fall upon them. The punishment was not less because deferred.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 2, p. 1005.

Discussion Questions

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-05-further-thought-god-fights-for-you/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-05-further-thought-god-fights-for-you