Sabbath: Surprised by Grace
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 4th of October 2025
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Joshua 2:1-21, Numbers 14:1-12, Hebrews 11:31, Exodus 12:13, Joshua 9:1-27, Nehemiah 7:25.
Memory Text: “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11:31, NKJV).
Why did I do this again?” Perhaps we all have uttered these words. After all, not only history repeats itself but so does humanity in general and we ourselves in particular. How often we repeat the same mistakes!
Israel has a second chance of entering the Promised Land, and Joshua takes this mission seriously. The first step is to have a clear understanding of what Joshua and the Israelites face. Joshua sends out two spies to bring him valuable information about the land: its defense system, military preparedness, water supplies, and the attitude of the population in the face of an invading force.
One would think that God’s promise of giving the land to the Israelites did not require any effort from them. Yet, the assurance of divine support does not override human responsibility. Israel stands at the border of Canaan for a second time. Expectations run high, but the last time Israel was at the border and had the same task, it resulted in an abysmal failure.
This week, we will explore two of the most fascinating stories of the book of Joshua and discover their relevance to our faith today. God’s grace has infinite possibilities to surprise us.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, October 11.
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"God’s grace has infinite possibilities to surprise us”
The above statement by the lesson writer captures the scope of God’s grace. God’s race is truly “strange” and “fascinating” to give unimaginable surprises. In the City of Jericho there many people, but God directed the two spies to a particular house of a particular prostitute. This was not an accident but divinely orchestrated human event to achieve a higher purpose. God was simply seeking to display His “strange” grace to a particular sinner. The grace of God seeks each sinner in a very unique and surprising way. Ellen. G. White had the following to say regarding the infinite possibilities of the grace of God.
“Grace is an attribute of God exercised toward undeserving human beings. We did not seek for it, but it was sent in search of us.” (The Faith I Live By, p. 94)
The two spies were not directed to the house of a king, a warrior or a priest, but to a prostitute for protection. A prostitute was ultimately integrated to the covenant community and the messianic lineage. The scope of the grace of God is full of sweet surprises. It bends so low to embrace the unlikely individuals like Ruth the Moabite, the Samaritan woman, or Mary Magdalene. Even so low to embrace me and you.
“The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed through the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? … The infinite grace of Christ is the true treasure.”- Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 128
God’s infinite grace is sufficient for every sinner.(2 Corinthians 12:9)
Most people believe Grace is undeserved favor. If that is the case how do we grow in undeserved favor? Why and how did Christ grow in undeserved favor? He didn’t deserve it?
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour [Grace] with God and man.” (Luke 2:52 AV)
Grace is the power of God that enables us to obey! True we have never done anything to deserve it but we desperately need it! How do we apply that to the fact Christ grew in favor (grace) with God and man?
“By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:” (Romans 1:5 AV)
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour [Grace] with God and man.” (Luke 2:52 AV)
The above text is fundamentally referring to Jesus in His capacity as one who was born a human being.As a human being, he needed intellectual, physical and spiritual growth under the guidance of God's grace.The more he matured in these aspects, the more he depended on His Father and the more his relationship grew with God the Father.Jesus did not grow in grace because He was sinless(Hebrews 4:15).As a human being he experienced the grace of God in an increasing measure. The Bible tells us that as human beings we need to grow in grace.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”(2 Peter 3:18).
Well said, Omwenga:
To clarify, I believe you meant to say that Jesus "grew in grace" does not indicate that Jesus was growing from a state of sinfulness into sinlessness.
I agree with your comment in reply to Omwenga. The whole point that I do believe we are missing is while again we have done nothing to deserve grace the fact that Christ GREW in favour/grace tells me our concept about what Grace is is misunderstood.
Grace IS the power of God to obey and we ALL need to grow IN Grace, IN that power to overcome! Romans 1:5. Every day Christ need MORE Grace as the enemy affected Him, tempted Him etc.. He became more and more dependent upon His Fathers Strength.
It is even more so for us!! We need to grow in Grace, in the power of God, of Christ to overcome, to walk even as He walked!
Daniel – I appreciate you sharing your concern that ‘we might misunderstand the concept about what Grace is’. By considering God’s Grace to be an expression of His Love, we might see Grace in a different light. I agree that “Grace IS the power of God to obey and we ALL need to grow IN Grace.”
God uses His Holy Spirit, our Helper and Counselor, to pour His Love and divine assistance – His Grace/Love – into our heart to empower us to live according to His Will, so enabling us to love Him back. His Grace will increase within us to work more powerfully according to His Will and Purpose.
Not sure you understood my point or question. IF indeed Grace is undeserved favour how does one grow in undeserved favour? Do we become even more undeserving to receive more Grace? Did Jesus Christ receive UNDESERVED favour?
As I said above, there are two different meanings of grace. Lumping them together is dangerous.
I'm not an expert on Greek, but I think you are talking about two different concepts here. There is grace or favor that relates to blessings. We might say "You have graced me with your presence". Grace to sinners is a different concept. Jesus never needed this grace because He never sinned. But He did grow into God's purpose for him. We can grow in grace in this way too, but it's a different thing than the grace we receive in salvation.
Romans 1:5 tells us Grace is the power of God and is given to us to obey.
Luke 2:52 tells us Christ GREW in this power.
Luke 2:52 KJV And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour (Grace) with God and man.
Our commentaries puts it this way.
Favour with God. From the first dawning of intelligence Jesus was constantly growing in spiritual grace and in a knowledge of the truth. He grew in moral strength and understanding through hours spent alone in nature—particularly those of the early morning—meditating, searching the Scriptures, and seeking His Father in prayer (see DA 90). In Nazareth, proverbial for its wickedness even in that perverse generation, He was ever exposed to temptation and had to be constantly on guard to preserve His purity of character (DA 71, 116).
Francis D. Nichol, ed., The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5 (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980), 711.
And so should we.
I still think that is a different use of the word grace which is why virtually every Bible translates it favour. The grace mentioned in verses like Romans 5:2 is different.
Context is really important. Also, John might use a word differently from Paul. Assuming they mean the same thing is dangerous.
The word grace occurs 128 times in the new testament; (I counted them in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance!). The word in the Greek Textus Receptus is "Charis". It means "The Divine influence upon the heart and it's reflection in the life." Charis is the word in the text and is used 127 out of the 128 times in the new testament.
God resists the proud but gives "grace" to the humble. James 4 God's grace it would seem is His Holy Spirit received into the heart of a repentant sinner.
We must crucify the "old man" and die daily. We must fall on the rock and be broken or we can never receive His Spirit of grace.
As Stephen said in Acts 7; "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears. you do always resist the Holy Ghost, as your father's did, so do ye."
In conclusion; "The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought."
Daniel has figured it out also!
I did a little looking and found that charis (the Greek word that you are quoting) has many meanings - grace, favor, kindness, blessing. Sometimes it is even translated thanks. I think you do need to consider the context of the verse to decide which one is meant. I think Paul would argue the same thing.
I know what the Greek definition is.
G5485
χάρις
charis
khar'-ece
From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).
Biblically speaking what Romans 1:5 says it is given to help us obey.
Romans 1:5 KJV By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Now when I compare what Strongs says with Romans 1:5 I see especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life which would be obedience.
Yes, it seems that a definition of "grace" is the starting point to knowing what is meant by "grow in grace"...both for Jesus as a boy, and for us now.
The meaning that is fitting closest for me is "approval" or yes, "favor"...such as to be "in one's good graces", meaning to be regarded by someone with approval. Interesting that it is originated from the Latin words "gratia" and "gratus" which is related to our word "grateful"....hence why we often "say grace" before a meal. I want to unpack what this means to me lately, but first...
I also find interesting some other definitions of "grace" in my dictionary which I find distinctly not necessarily graceful. There is the idea of "social graces" which is acting polite and courteous and civil, regardless of one's true inner feelings in a situation or about another. So it can mean an attractive exterior, as in "Mrs. X has graced the cover of Vogue"....or a schooled royal member is titled "your grace" for their smooth demeanor.
So do you see why I find these incongruous? To carry in your heart approval and respect and gratitude and favor towards someone....grace definition #1.... is quite different than pouring on the charm and ornamenting yourself with tact and good etiquette, all the while possibly (but not always) covering up ambivalent or even very distasteful thoughts of another....grace definition #2
Now to tie this all together with a story from my day today. Many of you know from reading my other posts that I have been living with and providing care for my elderly Mom for about 3 years. A few months ago I found it necessary to find other lodging so that I could catch up on rest at nights and protect my own mental health while traffic flow and dynamics in the house change. This means that I have been staying with various friends and living out of my car as my home base. In a way, I'm currently homeless.
So today I was walking in Portland, which is Maine's largest city with a large population of people who are homeless and also camped on the streets night and day... no loving friends to share a bed and shower with them as I have. As I walked along, I passed a group who had disembarked from a very large cruise liner in the harbor. This group looked fresh and clean ...a few couples, the lady passing closest to me had on a snowy white sweater and gold cross necklace. The tallest man was talking and the snippet of his words that reached me was,"....if you're talking about some scummy homeless person...". Pow! "Scummy homeless person" just hit differently than ever before. In that moment I felt the weight of that judgment against myself...even though it was not directed personally at me at all.
I have changed. My circumstances have changed and I am experiencing a bit of what it is to move around from night to night and to not know exactly where home is. I have this new opportunity to grow in grace, to find a new respect and compassion for and approval for those who find themselves without shelter. I can identify more with each ragged-looking person and can feel more than pity...have a new empathy of what the background story could be.
And Jesus experienced this too. He said, "Foxes have dens, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lie His head" (Matt. 8:20). Jesus grew in grace meaning through each of His experiences as a human, He grew in relating to the human experience to such an extent that He can sympathize with our weaknesses within His own Body (Heb. 4:15-16). People can relate to Jesus and can find favor with Jesus as they see He understands, has been there Himself, and He shows favor and approval for them. The "homeless" are not just a lumped-together group of people who have all made poor choices. No, each homeless face belongs in God's heart and experience and has a price-tag of God's own blood. Same as we think of Rahab, rather than lump her into a group of "scummy harlots" (to use that man's adjective), God sought her out to bring her back into a home of safety and protection under Himself.
Grow in grace... God the Father swells with favor and approval as His Son identifies with humans and expands His lovingkindness (Biblical word "chesed") in a way that requires becoming one of us and taking on vulnerable flesh. There is a lot of gratitude all about in this scenario...God the Father grateful for His Son, people grateful for Jesus and the Father and Holy Spirit, Jesus grateful for His Father's and Holy Spirit's care in His weak state as a human. There is no sweet syrup facade or perfumed charm veiling disdain here....God's grace is real, experienced, and growing in us, too, as we take up our cross and follow Him deeper into vulnerable places as part of a servant-life.
This here is phrase to remember; Thank you!
Exactly...!
Rehab the Harlot was saved Regardless of what sin we commit when we surrender to God He will come to our salvation no matter who we're.
Some texts resonate deeply, echoing in our minds and stirring our hearts with encouragement and excitement. This verse is one such example:
(Joshua 2:11).
Why is this so impactful? It reveals a lot about several things: faith and witnessing, God's marvelous grace, and the limitless love of God.
Told from the mouth of a condemned character (especially from the perspective of our modern times), it's a powerful declaration, almost like that of the thief on the cross (Luke 23:40-43) or the centurion at the cross (Mark 15:39), but from the mouth of Rahab. What excites me is that this testimony comes from Rahab, the harlot, who praises God and appreciates His might, rule over heaven and earth and His abundant gracious love.
This week, God's grace is looking at you - the often-overlooked, and perhaps you're feeling like you're one of "them". Something beautiful this way comes, and it's going to bless us all.
Keep reading!
Good thoughts Stanley and Omwenga. God bless.
Joshua despite the assurance of victory din't just stop toiling and struggling, or even chill, he took the responsibility given to him. When there is no human power adequate to the need God intervenes and may even work without us, and in some way He will help us. But ordinarily we must do our part like Joshua who meticulously sends spies to find out more information about Canaan while asking God to work in and through him, God in turn blessed his faithful effort and obedience. Although God promised Israel the land (Joshua 1:2–5), Joshua still had to rise up with courage and lead the people forward. At Jericho, for instance, Israel was not told to sit idle and wait for a miracle, but to march around the city in obedience for seven days before God brought the walls down (Joshua 6:1–20). The victory was God’s, yet it required the people’s effort, trust, and perseverance, showing that faith and action must walk hand in hand.
Similarly, at Ai, God assured Joshua of triumph, yet Joshua still had to organize an ambush and lead his men in battle with wisdom and strength (Joshua 8:1–26). The Lord’s power was present, but His blessing flowed through Joshua’s planning, obedience, and courage. J.R. Miller’s teaching that prayer should not become an excuse for inaction; rather, it must propel us to fulfill our responsibilities with diligence. Joshua’s prayers were matched by his labor, so our prayers today must lead us to act in faith, breaking off sinful habits, working toward wisdom, and serving others practically. True faith, as James reminds us, is not mere words but deeds: “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17).
The lesson speaks about second chances. We must understand that God is a God of second, third, fourth etc chances.
As long as we are will to surrender and recommit our lives to Him, He is there to welcome us back just like in the story of the prodigal son.
He is waiting for you, wont you return to Him??
After 40 years of wandering, Israel once again stood at the border of Canaan. Their first attempt ended in failure because of fear and unbelief (Numbers 13–14). In mercy, God gave them another chance. Under Joshua’s leadership, they acted with faith and responsibility by sending two spies (Joshua 2:1).
This teaches us that God is a God of second chances. But His promises do not cancel human effort—faith must be combined with action.
> “God will not do for man that which man can do for himself.” — Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 290
We too are given second chances in life. The question is—will we trust Him this time and move forward in obedience?
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised).” — Hebrews 10:23
The Book of Proverbs repeatedly describes the "harlot" as having a "crafty heart" and being "wily”, of withholding her true affections as a form of deceit aimed at entrapping men. Proverbs is written by a father warning his son. But from the prostitute’s perspective, of course, why wouldn’t she withhold her heart? To have sex with multiple people every day, not for love or anything personal, but just for income ….. she can use protection from STDs for her body, but how does she protect her soul? It makes sense to adopt emotional detachment as a coping mechanism to manage the emotional and mental harm and trauma of her work.
"My heart says to stop but my brain states to earn."This line from a poem titled "A Prostitute's Story" reflects the constant conflict between emotional pain and practical necessity.
"My body is covered by a stranger but not with love."Another line from the same poem emphasizes the dissociation between the physical act and any emotional connection. The sex worker's body is available, but their heart and spirit are kept separate.
So a sex worker might be especially attuned to self-preservation. Constantly thinking about safety, even while constantly engaging in activity so unsafe. I’m thinking of Rahab, she wants to protect herself and her family at all costs! She’s been listening carefully to the reports coming in. And she sees, perhaps before the others in Jericho, the signs that the end is near. And miraculously, her heart and soul are still alive. God’s reality breaks into her world of men’s fantasies. She has the energy and passion to cry out for help. God gives her the strength to accept the help, to join her heart and mind into her action, and to outwardly do something she cared about, to place that red cord in the window. She is ready and willing to be covered by God‘s love.
Now I’m thinking of Laodicea, God‘s final church when the end and destruction of this rebellious planet home is so near. Are we aware of our desperate need for help and safety during that final judgment moment? Is our faith somehow detached from our actions… selling ourselves out to the world…feeling and acting one way on Sabbaths with other believers and then showing doubt and confusion and lack of faith during the week with non-believers? Do others see the scarlet cord (Jesus and His Blood) hanging in our windows, our eyes and hearts and emotions and avenues into our innermost souls? Do we not realize the danger in being self-satisfied and comfortable? Are we saying “I have need of nothing” while not understanding that we are still resisting Christ’s covering purity and “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17-19)?
I have just finished watching the Chelsea/Liverpool game. Sorry to the Liverpool fans. Like any assignment/sport, this part of the lesson underscores the value of preparing. If you do it well, you are likely to succeed. Sloppy preparation, by contrast, hardly yields the desired results. While God promised to be with Joshua, he (Joshua) had to prep. for the task @ hand/scout the land. The remainder of the week will definitely teach us more vital lessons.
Who does not repeat mistakes? Thank God, He is merciful! God is a god of second, third, and many chances. However, there is a need to learn from repetition; thus, let's not repeat what can cause suffering.
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Google Tranlation from Swahili:
I have been pondering this for a long time, but this week through the lesson I came across the story of Rahab, which made me wonder even more.
In the Bible, we see Rahab harboring spies and lying to protect them, and also Jacob deceiving his father Isaac in order to obtain a blessing.
Some say this is a “holy lie” because the result was good — Rahab’s salvation and the fulfillment of God’s plan.
But looking at my own life, in 2023 to 2024 I went through a court case while imprisoned for a year and a half in the main prison in Dar es Salaam. While there, I continued to share the gospel with my fellow inmates. The big question that kept coming up was this:
> Is it right to lie to protect yourself or someone else, if our intentions are good or if it brings good results?
For example, as Rahab lied to protect the spies, or Jacob to obtain a blessing — does God approve of such a thing?
And in today's life circumstances (such as lawsuits or dangerous situations), should a Christian tell the whole truth even if it harms him, or can he use a "white lie" with good intentions?
Original Message:
Nimekuwa nikitafakari jambo hili kwa muda mrefu, lakini wiki hii kupitia somo la lesoni nilikutana na habari za Rahabu, jambo lililonifanya kujiuliza zaidi.
Katika Biblia, tunaona Rahabu akiwahifadhi wapelelezi na kusema uongo ili kuwalinda, na pia Yakobo akimdanganya baba yake Isaka ili kupata baraka.
Wengine wanasema huu ni “uongo mtakatifu” kwa sababu matokeo yake yalikuwa mazuri — wokovu wa Rahabu na kutimizwa kwa mpango wa Mungu.
Lakini nikiyatazama maisha yangu binafsi, mwaka 2023 hadi 2024 nilipitia kesi mahakamani nikiwa nimefungwa kwa muda wa mwaka mmoja na nusu katika gereza kuu Dar es Salaam. Nikiwa huko, niliendelea kushiriki injili na mahabusu wenzangu. Swali kubwa lililokuwa likijitokeza mara kwa mara ni hili:
> Je, ni sahihi kusema uongo kwa ajili ya kujilinda au kumlinda mwingine, ikiwa nia yetu ni njema au inaleta matokeo mazuri?
Kwa mfano, kama Rahabu alivyosema uongo kwa ajili ya kulinda wapelelezi, au Yakobo kwa ajili ya kupata baraka — je, Mungu anakubali jambo kama hilo?
Na je, katika mazingira ya maisha ya leo (kama vile kesi au hali za hatari), Mkristo anapaswa kusema ukweli wote hata kama utamletea madhara, au anaweza kutumia “uongo wa huruma” kwa nia njema?