Sabbath: Choose This Day!
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 20th of December 2025
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Joshua 24:1-33; Genesis 12:7; Deuteronomy 17:19; Deuteronomy 5:6; 1 Kings 11:2,4,9; 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
Memory Text: “ ‘And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’ ” (Joshua 24:15, NKJV).
The final chapter of Joshua is set in the context of a covenant renewal ceremony, but this time conducted by the aged leader of Israel. Although not a covenant itself but rather a report of a covenant renewal ceremony, the chapter has the elements of ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties: (1) a preamble in which the suzerain, the initiator of the treaty, is identified; (2) the historical prologue, which describes the relationship between the overlord and the vassal; (3) the covenant stipulations asking the vassal to manifest total allegiance to the suzerain based on, and motivated by, gratitude; (4) blessings for obedience and curses for breaking the covenant; (5) witnesses to the pledge of the vassal; (6) deposition of the document for future reading; and (7) ratification of the covenant.
Joshua is close to the end of his life; no replacement is on the horizon. The covenant renewal is a reminder to the Israelites that their king is Yahweh Himself and that, if they remain loyal to Him, they will enjoy His protection. Israel does not need a human king. As a theocratic nation, they have to ever keep in mind that their only king is the Lord.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, December 27.
Joshua led the Israelites for about 25 years according to Jewish tradition, and like all old men, he had some ideas about how the nation should run after his leadership. We have a week to reflect on what he said and how we should apply it to our day. I have a number of ideas but the week has not started yet so I am not going to put them up today.
But here is a rhetorical teaser: If the Seventh-day Adventist Church was to disappear, what sort of congregation would I seek to join? Or, would I not join any congregation at all? Don’t write an answer – it’s for thinking about. Maybe at the end of the week we will have an answer.
Jesus identifies love as the defining mark of His true followers. Discipleship is not proven primarily by a name, denomination, structure or set of doctrines, but by a visible, lived-out love among believers.
Believers awaiting Christ’s return, the final issue is not information, but allegiance not what we know but whom we worship.
Joshua is close to gone and no replacement is in sight. Yet God’s mission continues.Israel must now live out what they have learned without leaning on Joshua’s leadership.In the same way, God’s people today cannot depend solely on past leaders, traditions or structures. Each generation must personally embrace its calling.
Thank you, Douglas – I greatly enjoy reading and reflecting on your comments, as God’s Truth stirs joy in the heart of those who love Him.
God’s Love is manifest in all its various forms to protect and maintain ‘life’.
He is forever willing to help us to understand His Love to be essential to our Salvation.
We partake of Life only when we love Him and our fellow man.
Life is sustained by Love, because Life itself is Love.
Please explain “Life itself is love.”
(It seems to me that a lot of life consists of very little love. )
Hi Inge; The 1st verse that came to mind was: 1John 4:7,8.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God for God is Love.
This is a good test to determine if one is truly born again.
A lot of Seventh-day Adventists will go to Artificial Inelligence bots to look for answers instead of looking back in life and the Word, and making life eternal decisions, that shall not make us move.
… and a lot of Seventh-day Adventists and other Christians have also been relying on charismatic preachers, Youtube blogs, Websites, and in the old days, TV programs to inform their version of Christianity. There is nothing wrong with the delivery medium but we need to ensure that we use common sense and the Holy Spirit to do the filtering for us. My guide for the use of Artificial Intelligence is to use it intelligently. My grandson would use it to solve maths problems. I let him, and then I would ask, “How do you know that the Gemini answer is right?” That triggered a real learning experience. And sometimes we had to tell Gemini that she had got it wrong! It is worth asking the question: Why do you think the response is right?
Well said! Having a growth mindset is needed.
Hi Mr. Maurice,
Not to change the subject off our spiritual discussion, but in matters of the use of AI, which I’m slowly accepting (I don’t have any other choice but to accept it, if I want to work at any job in this current culture); But…
But I agree with your response to your grandson, and I would like to add the following questions that we all need to ask ourselves about AI:
1) Can I do what AI does for me?
2) Can I find the answers to my questions without AI?
3) Can the next generation write, research, and compile information without AI, if they had to (if all the knowledge was lost, like you said in your original post today)?
4) Could the next generation “PRESERVE” the God’s TRUTH, the Word of God, without AI?
These are questions that caused me to stay up at night worrying about: What is going to happen to God’s Word under the control of AI? Finally, God told me, through His Holy Spirit, to stop worrying about it; that He has it totally under His Control. So, I don’t worry about AI as much as I use to; but it is still very troubling to me.
I believe with “all my heart”, that Jesus will return before AI is out of control. So, I no longer worry about the future, God told me that “He is in Control”. We must believe that HE is still in control of the affairs of our World. (Please pray for these Internet Influencers, many of them are committing suicide; this is a cause for prayer and concern for all of us).
Just as Joshua saw little tell-tale signs of the spiritual decline of the people, and then voiced his concerns to them, and renewed God’s Covenant that , which people had already made with God through his fathers, now themselves as witnesses that they will obey God’s Covenant, that they will remain God’s covenant people. I think about how there has always been a covenant, a remnant people of God, throughout all the generations. Even through the DARK AGES, where the Word was hidden, there remained a remnant people to “preserve” the Word of God, if only in parts and pieces. Praise His Holy Name.
Happy Holidays and God’s blessings to you all.
Hi Toni,
I am in the process of preparing an article on Artificial Intelligence, but, spoiler alert, its going to be very practical and not a prophecy or forecast about future developments. The problem for me at this time of the year I am very busy and it is taking longer than I expected.
I look forward to reading your article. Praise God!
Please share once done
Hi Tori, I share your fears about AI. I am a teacher and see so many students using it. As a result I can identify AI writing very easily now. So many people are writing with it (and that includes this site – I’m fairly certain that many of the posters are using at least some element of generative AI in their writing), preachers are using it to craft their devotionals and sermons, and don’t get me started on the illustrations. Some days I am at church and feel so sad to hear it that I sometimes think I will just stop going to church. I don’t do that, but I fear because I know it will get worse and worse.
What AI is producing is polished, sterile writing that all sounds the same and lacks soul. And it is not better than natural writing. Maybe one day it will be, but it isn’t right now.
Do I have a problem with using AI to help assemble information? No, as it’s not super different than using search engines and other reference materials. But I disagree with using it to write. If God gave you talent and skill to write, God forbid you outsource that to a computer. I don’t think that’s honoring the gifts He’s given. And if you don’t use a skill, you will lose it.
Even using it to find answers to Bible questions is risky because a) AI works off probabilities which doesn’t mean the answer is theologicaly sound, just popular and b) it makes us lazy. Better to take the time and use a concordance and work through the process. It is more work but it will make us stronger.
That’s my 2 cents. I realize it’s a losing battle, however. I have talked to people at church about my concerns and they don’t agree with me. Perhaps we will eventually need AI free churches where people like me will feel comfortable. But I won’t hold my breath waiting. Very hard to step back when changes begin.
Agreed; I taught high school Physics, Chemistry, Biology etc for 33 years. AI, I believe, creates lazy people. It’s dangerous for pastors to rely on a computer to relay God’s thoughts to their congregation.
AI is OK if you are wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Know your Bible to keep from being deceived. And ask for the Holy Spirit to keep you on the straight path. Matthew 10:16.
Proverbs 3:5-6.
Jacob had 12 sons, so now something is happening. But remember, for 20 years Jacob thought Joseph was dead. Simeon had been in prison, Jacob feared that Benjamin would be abducted, and the rest of the family was in danger of being wiped out by the famine.
Everything is changing. Jacob is leaving the land God has promised. He does not know what the future holds. His fears are many and God says, “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation” (Gen 46:3). “Jacob, I have not forgotten my promise! The journey to Egypt is not what you expected, and not what you wanted, but I will keep my promise to you there, and in Egypt I will fulfill the great purpose for your life.”
That is exactly what happened. God fulfilled his promise for Jacob’s life, not in Canaan, but in Egypt. From this small group of 70 people who came to Egypt, God brought a great nation (Gen. 46:27). Numbers 1:46 tells us there were more than 600,000 men over the age of 20 at the time of the Exodus from Egypt. With woman and children, Israel would have been a nation of more than 2 million people when they came out of Egypt. So, 70 people went in, and around 2 million people came out.
If the Seventh-day Adventist church became extinct, what congregation would I search for to join. One who keeps the Seventh-day Sabbath, who believes in the Investigative judgement and the Sanctuary and its illustrations, the state of the dead according to Ecclesiastes 9:5, have the faith of Jesus and emulate it, including, repentance, baptism by immersion, faith, the Lord’s supper, and washing of feet, ect, the things that Jesus did, the law of God’s love(10 commandments), the special gift of prophecy(writings of Ellen White), the three Angels message.
The Sabbath School teacher asked for a testimony, a couple stood and said we went to 27 different churches the Seventh-day Adventist is the closest to the Truth. That is why we are in your Sabbath School class every week.
I understand your response John, but how is this for a challenge. Why not join a loving caring Christian community church that does not believe any of those things but is open to discussion and sharing ideas.
I mention this because I know that in Australia, many country areas do not have an active Adventist church and some Seventh-day Adventists who have moved into those areas and see that sort of approach as a Gospel challenge. OK it may be out of our comfort zone, but I am reminded that the Gospel is not about us only.
I am not so sure that my faith is that strong, and I have the constitution of refraining from being unequally yoked. Paul implys somewhere in his letters to the Corinthians be yet not unequally yoked. Yes, our own church we don’t always fellowship when members make mistakes, we should go to them in private 1st. And realize that we don’t disfellowship all the tares, let Christ do it at the harvest. The disciples were far from perfect, yet Christ said in His prayer they are not lost. John 17:12. Yes, you do have a point. So say with the power of the Holy Spirit, there were several converted that trust in the Lord to keep us on the straight path. I would not do it without 3 or more that I was yoked to. Then again I am not so sure that would be my calling.
Happy Sabbath
John
If Joshua were to address us today, based on Chapter 24, what would he tell those of us who believe in the imminent return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ? Perhaps, he would make the following solemn appeal to us:
1. You have witnessed how gracious God has been to you in your lives, make your election and calling sure.
2. Make sure that you are steadfast to the truth you know – through the cross and prophecy.
3. Please put away the idols that you secretly worship – pride, religion, materialism, career, food, nationalism and self.
4. Be extremely careful not to assume that you will always have tomorrow. You are only sure of today (now).
5. Be warned, you cannot claim God’s blessing while you are in disobedience.
6. My beloved believers, please remember, the same God who saves is the same God who will bring judgment.
Joshua Chapter 24, confronts us with one key fundamental fact, the final issue about Christ’s return is not information, but allegiance, who do we worship?
I found this statement very telling from the introduction of this final week and final chapter of the book of Joshua.
Think of it! Haven’t we really journeyed with Joshua and the Israel nation, climbing, falling, rising again, fighting, casting lots, settling, rebelling, reconciling, and then settling again? We have gone full circle under Joshua’s lead, struggling and successfully settling in the love of God and His mercy; starting by asking this great man of God, Joshua, to (Joshua 1:6,7,18) and getting to a point at the end of the journey where, as an old man, the servant of God blesses Israel (by extension, and “us”) with the very words (Joshua 23:6).
As Joshua’s life and appointed mission comes to an end, (1) it is successful, (2) Joshua has shown us how possible it is to walk with God in “full trust, and obedience to His Word” (3) and, just like where Moses left Israel with decisions and choices to make (Deuteronomy 30:15-19), this week Joshua puts us at the crossroad of decision, but equipped with knowledge and understanding of the book of the Law and testimonies of practical experience of walking with and in God. After this, the children of Israel are ready to go out alone – Joshua is close to gone – to apply all the teachings into the next generations.
Likewise, we too, Joshua has done his bit; we have experienced and now, we have a mission ahead. Joshua is close to gone; there is no replacement in sight – but maybe there is, – me and you, that is! Let this week reflect the journey’s experience with God through Joshua.
I couldn’t agree more. We are on the verge of entering the promise land and Joshua’s admonition is even more relevant today. Be strong and of good courage.
Seems like a logical question: why didn’t the Lord replace Joshua with another leader-not a king but someone similar to Joshua or Moses?
Once Joshua died, the major mission bringing Israel into the land was complete.There was no longer a need for another leader of the same kind.The people were now meant to live in the land by obedience to God’s Law, not by depending on a single heroic leader.Judges 2:6 “After Joshua sent them off, the people went to their homes to claim their allotted land.”
God wanted each tribe and family to rely directly on Him.Judges 21:25“In those days there was no king in Israel; people did whatever they felt like doing.”
God’s love should be a subject to pursue without a problem, in that He owns the universe and everything in it, and to complement Him with love will be a fair policy to pursue. If my children observe my commandment with their heart, I will feel loved, and I will never demand love from them because I can confine myself in their heart. Observe my commandment with your heart, and I will feel loved. If you love me, keep my commandment (John 14:15).
Throughout the ages God had sent prophets to call His people back to Himself. Yet more often than not the people resisted or outright rejected the invitation. God doesn’t want our love as a result of a cold commandment, or cool sense of obligation anymore than we want our children to cooly love us, to be frozen in their demonstrations of love. A hug with the warmth of an iceberg, or words coldly expressing words of obligation.
I remember a time in my early teens when my Mom was hugging me and I wasn’t reciprocating. It hurt her and she shook me and told me not to be a cold person. It really became a turning point in my life. It hurts to have your overtures of love rejected. I’m sure that it hurts God’s heart too, when we are indifferent to His overtures towards us.
That’s not who we want to be. He deserves so much more from us, His Creation. It really shouldn’t be a difficult decision to make. It should be as natural as breathing to choose the One that gives us breath. There are many gods calling for our allegiance. Only one has demonstrated that He has our best interests in mind. May we choose the One that chose us first.
I am thrilled to think that God is my King. After having the experience of trying to be my own King, I realize how much better God is as my leader. My challenge is to lay down my will entirely to Him.
Matthew 24:24 says: For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
My fear is allowing AI and technologies along with the media to turn us to other gods, Even as I use technology to share these thoughts, I am cognizant of the trap the devil can lay out before me. Joshua’s warning to stay faithful and don’t get distracted is just as relevant today as it was in his day.
You might be interested in this. Feel free to watch to whole video if you like, but the interesting stuff (regarding AI/Technology) comes at the 40:18 minute mark. Go to you tube and search for “Are We Ready for the Latter Rain? | Dr. David Shin”. The video is taken from a Camp-Meeting held this summer in Wisconsin. Blessings.
A dead church is one where human control replaces Christ’s leadership.
Choose today whom you will serve