The Prince of Peace

 Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 5 -  Thursday

The Prince of Peace

Read: Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 11:1–5; Isaiah 60:17; Hosea 2:18; Micah 4:3; 2 Kings 6:16–23

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The prophet Isaiah foresaw a day when God’s people would live in a world transformed by righteousness, justice, and peace. Isaiah 9:6 calls the promised Messiah “The Prince of Peace,” the One whose reign would bring harmony where there had been hostility, and healing where there had been hurt. Isaiah 11:1–5 paints a picture of this Messiah—Jesus—filled with the Spirit of wisdom, counsel, and might. He would not judge by appearances or be swayed by human opinion but would bring true justice and righteousness to the earth.

In Isaiah 60:17, God promises, “I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler.” Hosea 2:18 envisions a day when even the wild beasts would no longer harm; Micah 4:3 speaks of swords being beaten into plowshares, and nations learning war no more. These images reflect God’s heart for a world free from violence, oppression, and division—a world fully restored under the rule of the Prince of Peace.

This vision of divine peace is illustrated in a remarkable story in 2 Kings 6:16–23. Surrounded by the Syrian army, Elisha’s servant panicked, but the prophet reassured him, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” When God opened the servant’s eyes, he saw heavenly chariots of fire surrounding them. Instead of calling for destruction, Elisha prayed that the enemy would be struck with blindness, led them to safety, and then fed them a meal. The result? The Syrian troops stopped raiding Israel.

What a profound picture of God’s deeper purpose for His people—to conquer hatred with mercy, and fear with love. This is the same principle Jesus taught centuries later: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). The Messiah’s victory is not through force, but through forgiveness; not through revenge, but through reconciliation.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to reflect His peace in our relationships, workplaces, churches, and homes. We can be agents of peace by choosing understanding over anger, compassion over criticism, and prayer over retaliation. Every time we respond with grace instead of hostility, we make visible the kingdom of the Prince of Peace.

What about your own life right now? In whatever conflict you might be facing—whether it’s a strained relationship, a disagreement, or inner turmoil—how might you embody Christ’s peace? Sometimes, being an agent of peace means speaking gently when others shout, forgiving when others hold grudges, or trusting God when fear threatens to overwhelm you.

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Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, teach me to follow Your example of love and mercy. Open my eyes to see that Your power is greater than any force of conflict around me. Fill my heart with Your Spirit so that I may bring peace where there is division, hope where there is despair, and love where there is hatred. Help me to reflect Your character in every situation. In Your holy name I pray, Amen.

Free Choice (and consequences)

  Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 5 -  Wednesday

Free Choice

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 20:10, 15–18; Deuteronomy 13:12–18; Joshua 10:40

The concept of free choice is one of the greatest gifts God has given to humanity. In the laws of warfare outlined in Deuteronomy 20, we see that Israel was not commanded to destroy indiscriminately. When they approached cities outside the land of Canaan, they were first to offer peace (Deuteronomy 20:10). Only if the city refused this offer and chose hostility would war ensue. Even among the Canaanite nations marked for judgment, destruction came only after long patience from God and persistent rebellion against His moral law. God’s command for complete destruction in those cases was not a license for cruelty—it was a divine act of justice against a people who had long rejected His mercy and defied His authority.

In Deuteronomy 13:12–18, the same principle of moral accountability appears. If an Israelite town turned to idolatry and chose to rebel against God, it faced the same fate as the Canaanites. This showed that Israel’s privilege did not exempt them from God’s judgment. The Lord was not partial—His justice and mercy were consistent. Both nations and individuals were accountable for their choices.

Joshua 10:40 reflects this sobering reality: “Joshua conquered the whole region … he left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed, just as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded.” But even here, the destruction was not arbitrary—it was limited in scope, directed only against those whose wickedness had reached its fullness and who had persistently rejected repentance. God’s justice was precise, not reckless.

For us today, the story of Israel’s wars and the Canaanites’ downfall teaches that while God respects our freedom, He also holds us responsible for how we use it. Free choice means we can either align ourselves with His purposes or resist His will. Persistent rebellion—whether through pride, injustice, or idolatry of the heart—eventually leads to spiritual ruin. God’s judgments are not sudden acts of anger; they are the natural outcomes of choices that separate us from Him, the Source of life.

Each day, we stand before the same choice set before Israel: life or death, blessing or curse (Deuteronomy 30:19). The spiritual implication is clear—our destiny is shaped by our decisions. God longs for us to choose life, to yield our will to His, and to walk in the freedom that comes through obedience and faith.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the gift of free will. Help us to use it wisely—to choose life, righteousness, and faithfulness to You. Teach us to see that every decision draws us closer to or farther from Your presence. May Your Spirit guide our hearts so that we may walk in Your ways, live under Your grace, and reflect Your character to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dispossession or Annihilation?

 Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 5 -  Tuesday 

Dispossession or Annihilation?

Scripture Reading:
Exodus 23:28–30; Exodus 33:2; Exodus 34:11; Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 7:20; Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 9:3; Deuteronomy 12:2–3; Deuteronomy 31:3–4

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Reflection

In the story of Israel’s entrance into Canaan, God’s instructions regarding the conquest reveal a deep moral and spiritual purpose. The texts show that His goal was not blind annihilation but dispossession—removing a deeply corrupt and idolatrous system that had filled the land with moral decay.

In Exodus 23:28–30, God promised to send “hornets” ahead of Israel to drive out the Canaanites little by little, so that the land would not become desolate or overrun by wild beasts. Likewise, Exodus 33:2 and 34:11 emphasize that the Lord Himself would act to dispossess the nations. The purpose was orderly replacement, not random destruction. God’s plan was to cleanse the land of spiritual corruption while preserving its fruitfulness for His people.

However, other passages—like Exodus 34:13, Deuteronomy 7:5, and 12:2–3—call for the destruction of Canaanite altars, sacred pillars, and idols. Here, the annihilation is clearly spiritual and cultural, not racial. God was not waging war against people because of their ethnicity but against the idolatry that enslaved them and defied His holiness. The command to “destroy” referred to the elimination of false worship and everything that perpetuated rebellion against God.

Deuteronomy 9:3 captures this dual theme perfectly: “Understand today that the LORD your God is the One who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; He will subdue them before you.” Yet, the same God also promised mercy and patience, driving them out only as Israel was ready to inherit the land (Exodus 23:30).

The purpose of the conquest, therefore, was purification—the removal of evil so that a holy people could live in covenant relationship with a holy God. The extent of the destruction was moral and spiritual in nature. False worship had to be uprooted completely so that God’s truth could take root in its place.

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Personal Application

God still calls each of us to a similar spiritual battle. Within our hearts lies “Canaan”—habits, attitudes, and desires that must be dispossessed. Some things in our lives cannot simply be tolerated or managed; they must be annihilated. Pride, resentment, lust, selfish ambition, gossip, and bitterness cannot coexist with the presence of a holy God.

The Lord often removes these strongholds gradually—little by little—as we grow in obedience and faith. Yet, like Israel, we must cooperate with Him in rooting out every idol that competes for our devotion. The idols of the modern world may not be carved in stone, but they live in our screens, our ambitions, our fears, and our cravings for control.

Ask yourself: What must be dispossessed from my heart so that God can fully reign there? What spiritual altars need to be torn down? The same God who cleansed the land of Canaan longs to cleanse the inner landscape of our souls.

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Key Thought:
God’s command to “destroy” was not about human annihilation but spiritual purification. The conquest of Canaan mirrors the inner conquest of the heart—where every idol must fall, and God alone must reign.

Prayer

Righteous Father,
You are the Lord who drives out darkness with light and truth. Just as You called Israel to dispossess the land of false gods, call me to surrender every hidden idol within my heart. Uproot the habits and desires that dishonor You. Give me courage to cooperate with Your cleansing work, and patience to trust Your timing as You transform me little by little. May my life reflect Your holiness and love, until every rival to Your throne is gone.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

The Supreme Judge

Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 5 -  Monday 

The Supreme Judge

Scripture Reading:
Genesis 18:25; Psalm 7:11; Psalm 50:6; Psalm 82:1; Psalm 96:10; 2 Timothy 4:1, 8

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Reflection:

The Bible consistently reveals God as the Supreme Judge—the One who rules with absolute righteousness, justice, and truth. Abraham’s appeal in Genesis 18:25—“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”—captures the essence of divine justice. Unlike human judges, who can err or be swayed by emotion or influence, God’s judgments are always perfect. Psalm 7:11 declares that God is a “righteous judge,” one who “is angry with the wicked every day.” His anger is not arbitrary wrath but holy indignation against sin and injustice.

Psalm 50:6 tells us that “the heavens proclaim His righteousness,” for God Himself is Judge. His throne is not established on power alone but on righteousness and justice (Psalm 89:14). In Psalm 82:1, God stands in the divine assembly and judges among the rulers of the earth, holding all accountable for how they treat the poor, the weak, and the oppressed. This divine impartiality reminds us that God cannot be bribed, influenced, or deceived. Every motive, every secret act, every injustice is known to Him.

When we understand God as the Judge of the universe, it also gives perspective to the difficult question of divine war in Scripture. God’s judgments upon nations, including acts of war, were not impulsive acts of vengeance but measured responses to persistent rebellion and moral corruption. The conquest narratives, for instance, demonstrate that divine judgment comes only after centuries of mercy and opportunity for repentance. God’s justice is never cruel—it is always redemptive and restorative, seeking to purge evil so that righteousness and peace may flourish.

The gospel itself rests upon this truth. A God who never judges evil would be indifferent to suffering. But a God who acts in justice—who refuses to tolerate sin, oppression, and the exploitation of the innocent—reveals His deep love for creation. In Christ, judgment and mercy meet. Jesus bore the penalty of our sin so that the guilty might be forgiven, and the oppressed might find justice. Thus, divine judgment is not contrary to the gospel—it is the heart of it. The cross stands as the ultimate declaration that sin must be judged and that love will go to any length to redeem the sinner.

As 2 Timothy 4:1, 8 reminds us, Christ will return as the righteous Judge, rewarding those who have loved His appearing. For the faithful, that day will not be one of fear, but of vindication and joy. Until then, we are called to reflect His justice in our lives—to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

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Prayer:
Righteous Judge of all the earth, thank You that Your justice is pure, perfect, and full of mercy. Teach us to trust Your judgments, even when we do not understand them. Help us to live justly and love righteousness, defending the weak and showing compassion as You do. May we long for the day when Your perfect justice and peace will fill the earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Canaanites’ Iniquity and God’s Justice

Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 5 -  Sunday

The Canaanites’ Iniquity and God’s Justice

Scripture Reading:
Genesis 15:16; Leviticus 18:24–30; Deuteronomy 18:9–14; Ezra 9:11

When God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan, He added a curious condition: “for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15:16). God was patient—giving the Canaanites hundreds of years to change their ways. Yet by the time Israel stood on the edge of the Promised Land, the measure of Canaan’s wickedness had overflowed. Their practices—child sacrifice, witchcraft, ritual prostitution, and every form of moral corruption (Leviticus 18:24–30; Deuteronomy 18:9–14)—had defiled the land itself. Ezra 9:11 echoes this, describing Canaan as “a land polluted with the corruption of its peoples.”

God’s purpose in giving Canaan to Israel was not arbitrary conquest—it was judgment on persistent, unrepentant evil. The Canaanites were not judged simply because they were Canaanites, but because of their unrelenting sin. God’s heart is always to save, not to destroy (Ezekiel 33:11). Yet, when people reject His mercy again and again, they bring judgment upon themselves. The story of the Canaanites reminds us that God’s justice is never divorced from His patience and grace.

In the same way today, God calls every person to turn from sin to life in Christ. The difference between destruction and salvation rests not in where we come from, but in the choices we make regarding God’s call. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise... but patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Still, persistent rebellion carries consequence, for “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

May we learn from the Canaanites’ tragic example and choose the way of repentance, mercy, and obedience. God’s justice is real—but so is His relentless love for those who turn to Him.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience and mercy. Help me to see the seriousness of sin and the beauty of Your grace. Teach me to turn away from anything that separates me from You. May I live in such a way that others see Your justice and love reflected in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.