The Undercover Adventist

  Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 6 -  Thursday A Witness to God’s Power Read: Joshua 7:6–9 Israel had just experienced a powerful victory at Jericho, yet moments later they faced a humiliating defeat at Ai. Joshua, overwhelmed with grief and confusion, fell before the Lord. His prayer in Joshua 7:9 reveals a profound theological truth: when God’s people stumble, the world notices. Joshua’s concern was not only Israel’s loss but God’s reputation among the nations—“What will You do for Your great name?” This is a powerful reminder: believers are God’s witnesses. Our obedience displays His power; our sin and compromise can distort His character before those watching us. When we claim to be followers of Christ yet live in contradiction to His ways, we give the world a false picture of who He is. Sin is not only personal—it becomes communal in its consequences. Israel’s defeat affected the entire nation. In the same way, when we compromise, we don’t just hur...

Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 6 -  Wednesday   The Door of Hope Scripture Focus: Joshua 8:1–29 After the crushing defeat at Ai in Joshua 7, the Israelites faced a moment of despair. But in Joshua 8, God opens a door of hope , showing how even the most devastating failures can become opportunities for victory. God Transforms Failure into Opportunity Unlike the miraculous walls of Jericho, the victory at Ai was strategically executed . God’s miracle was behind the scenes, guiding Joshua’s plan, even though it was not immediately visible. This reminds us that God does not always act in ways we expect. Sometimes, His providence works through wisdom, strategy, and faithful obedience. Joshua carefully followed God’s instructions: sending an ambush, drawing out the enemy, and finally overrunning Ai. The Israelites’ success came not from their own strength but from faithful obedience to God’s guidance . A New Chapter in Leadership This victory also marked...

  Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 6 -  Tuesday Fateful Choices Scripture Focus: Joshua 7:19–21 In Joshua 7:19–21, Joshua confronts Achan after the devastating defeat at Ai. Joshua’s words are both firm and tender: “My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and give him the praise; tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.” Joshua’s Request and Its Significance Joshua is asking Achan to do two things: give glory to God and confess his sin . This request is profound. It acknowledges God’s supremacy and reminds Achan that his actions were not merely a private matter—they were a direct violation of the covenant. By confessing, Achan would have honored God and restored some integrity to the community. Yet, while Achan speaks, the Bible gives no indication of genuine repentance . His words are more a cover-up than remorse , revealing the human tendency to protect oneself rather than submit fully to God. The Root of the Sin: Coveting Achan’s ...

Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 6 -  Monday   The Sin of Achan Scripture Focus: Joshua 7:16–19 In Joshua 7:16–19, we witness a solemn and sobering moment in Israel's history. God leads Joshua through a careful and deliberate process to reveal Achan’s hidden sin. Tribe by tribe, clan by clan, household by household—until finally, Achan stands exposed. This slow and precise procedure reveals two powerful truths: 1. God’s Holiness and Justice God knew exactly who sinned from the beginning, yet He allowed the process to unfold. This demonstrates His perfect justice —not rushing to judgment but revealing truth in a way that leaves no doubt. Achan could not hide, and neither can we. Scripture reminds us: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” — Numbers 32:23 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.” — Hebrews 4:13 2. God’s Patience and Grace Even in judgment, God showed grace . Achan had time to confess, yet he remained silent until confronted. G...

  Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 6 -  Sunday   Breach of the Covenant Scripture Focus: Joshua 7 In Joshua 7, Israel experienced a shocking and humbling defeat at Ai. Fresh off victory at Jericho, the people expected another triumph—but instead, they fled before their enemies. Why? Scripture highlights two major causes : Achan’s Sinful Disobedience — Achan violated God’s clear command by taking forbidden items from Jericho (Joshua 7:1). His private sin brought public consequences. God declared, “Israel has sinned… they have taken some of the devoted things” (Joshua 7:11). One man’s hidden actions affected the entire nation. Israel’s Pride and Self-Reliance — After Jericho’s miraculous victory, Israel assumed success was guaranteed. The spies recommended only a small force, relying on human assessment rather than seeking God (Joshua 7:3). Their confidence shifted from God’s power to their own strength. Together, personal sin and corporat...

Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 5 -  Friday Further Thought   God, Our Judge and Our Savior When we hear the word judge , our minds often jump to courtrooms, verdicts, and sentences. In Scripture, however, God’s role as Judge is deeply tied to His character of justice, mercy, and covenant faithfulness. The Bible presents God not only as the Judge of the whole universe, but also as the personal Judge of His people—One who sees, knows, discerns, and ultimately works for our redemption. In Joshua 7 and 8 , Israel faced two very different outcomes under the judgment of God. In chapter 7, Achan’s hidden sin brought defeat, fear, and loss to the entire community. God exposed the sin not because He delighted in punishment, but because concealed rebellion corrodes the heart and threatens the covenant relationship. Sin brings judgment—but that judgment is ultimately meant to restore holiness and faithfulness among God’s people. Then, in chapter 8 , after repenta...

  Lessons of Faith from Joshua  \ Sabbath School Lesson 6 The Enemy Within   You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.

“From Vengeance to Love: Seeing God Through Jesus” When we read the Old Testament, we sometimes encounter passages that can be jarring. The battles in Joshua, for example, describe complete destruction of cities, and God’s commands to Israel seem severe: “Now devote to destruction everything in the city… so that it will be a warning to you” (Joshua 6:17, NIV). Similarly, David’s psalms include words that express anger and desire for revenge: “May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership… May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow” (Psalm 109:8–9, NIV). It is important to remember that these texts were written in particular historical and cultural contexts. The Old Testament writers sometimes portrayed God in a vengeful or punitive way because they were responding to human suffering, injustice, or the harsh realities of warfare. Their words can reflect human emotion and perception as much as divine instruction. But then comes Jesus, whose life and teaching...