Thursday: A Witness to God’s Power
Daily Lesson for Thursday 6th of November 2025
As we have learned, God had given the pagan nations an opportunity to know about Him and to turn from their evil ways (see Lesson 5). They, however, had refused and were ultimately facing the judgment of God.
Read Joshua 7:6-9, which deals with Joshua’s initial reaction to the calamity that befell them. Focus especially on Joshua 7:9. What important theological principle is found in his words?
Image © Phil McKay at Goodsalt.com
At first, Joshua sounds like the children of Israel in the midst of their hardships after leaving Egypt: “ ‘Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger’ ” (Exodus 16:3, NKJV).
And here’s Joshua: “ ‘Alas, Lord God, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan!’ ” (Joshua 7:7, NKJV).
Soon after, however, he shows his great concern for the damage that the name and reputation of God will take from this defeat. “ ‘For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?’ ” (Joshua 7:9, NKJV).
This reveals a theme and principle that was central to God’s purposes with Israel. Though He wanted the pagan nations around them to see what great things God would do for His people who obeyed Him, they could also, as Rahab did, learn about Israel’s God by the power of His people’s conquests. On the other hand, were things to go badly, as they did here, the nations would deem Israel’s God weak and ineffective (see Numbers 14:16, Deuteronomy 9:28), which could embolden Canaanite resistance.
In other words, even in the context of the Hebrews’ taking the land, great issues and principles were involved, which included bringing honor and glory to God, who was also the only hope for the pagans, as well as for Israel.
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Read Deuteronomy 4:5-9. In what ways can we see a parallel here between Israel and their witness to the world and our witness as Seventh-day Adventists today? |
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In Old Testament times, the conflicts between nations were very much in the framework of “My god is bigger than your god!” If, in the course of battle, you won, you praised your god for the great victory and if there were survivors from the other side, you made sure that they changed gods. In a sense it was a bit like a modern-day political election!
Joshua knew this and knew that if they lost a battle the credibility of the Hebrew God would be lost not only among the other nations but with the Hebrews themselves. Listen to Joshua’s prayer:
Today, we still have the battle between gods. It is our Christian God versus the rest and sometimes we seek the “killer” supernatural intervention of God that will show all the other gods to be fake. Things have not changed. People believe the miracle worker, or the charismatic influencer on Instagram or TikTok.
All too often we indulge in verbal battles trying to prove the enemy is wrong. We hold the view that if we can present the right argument and pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us we will win the battle. Can I suggest that the only weapon we have in this modern battle is to lift up Jesus:
I don’t mean that we should do this in some sort of mystical sense but in the rather practical sense of loving one another selflessly.
In the great Maori wars of the 1800s in New Zealand an act of compassion is acknowledged as contributing to the end of one of the battles. When the sun had set and they could no longer see enough to fight (there were no night goggles in the 1800s), the Pakehas (British soldiers) went out to collect their dead and wounded, only to find the Maoris already there, bringing gourds of water to the injured Pakehas and binding up their wounds. That is the sort of miracle that speaks volumes even when it comes from those we consider “heathen”.
Our prayer should be that we be so close to Jesus we can be part of the miracle.
So true
This statement by the author means everything. It's written all over with evangelism, representing the story of God in action. God works with "little Israel" (a nation He formed and named from scratch) to tell all other nations a story of who He is. Not because Israel was any better in faith and worship than the rest of Canaan, but because He chose to love Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). Israel, like Canaan, was experiencing God, and it was for all nations to choose to love Him, adore Him, worship Him, and revere Him.
The land of Canaan was a big classroom for Israel to experience God. As they learned and transformed, the rest of the nations would also learn of the mighty God of Israel. God was using Israel, showering them with blessings, inviting a change of heart for the inhabitants of Canaan. What may look like war and battle, with much brutality on its face value, was a herald to the nations to fear God, love Him, and shun idolatry, "strange worship," human ego, and understanding, to trust and fully depend on God . The choice between "blessing or life and curse or death" was open for the taking, not only for Israel but for Canaan, Egypt, and all the world (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Today, God has not changed His intention. Within the final commands that Jesus gives is this same concept: starting with a "little few" - 12 disciples - chosen not because they were better off than others but for God's name's sake (Matthew 28:18-20). They were chosen to learn from Jesus the Gospel, and through them, a priesthood would grow to reach every "tribe, nation, and kindred" (1 Peter 2:9). The prophets of old saw a day when God would restore a nation of all together - Israel and all nations; Jew and all kindreds (Isaiah 49:6, Revelation 7:9). We are in this call today, and with what we know today, we should use and apply this to evangelize the world.
Today, instead of winning earthly battles with God's help, we can be a witness to those surrounding us by living out God's power over sin in our lives. When those around us are giving in to social pressures and doing what's popular, we can stand firm for truth. When we feel the desire to say something negative, we can ask God to change our hearts and give us uplifting words to speak. When our lives are a living testimony to God's power, we will be a beacon shining brightly drawing others closer to see Jesus.
War is a fact of life that has always been a part of human history, from battles between nations to struggles within families and communities. Despite treaties, peace talks, and powerful weapons, humanity continues to fight for control, survival, and dominance. Yet in the midst of human conflict, the Bible shows that ultimate victory does not belong to armies or kings, but to God, whose power surpasses all human strength. The Israelites learned this truth as they faced the fortified cities and fierce warriors of Canaan. They were not a nation of trained soldiers, but a people wholly dependent on divine help and power.
When Joshua led Israel into Canaan, it was God’s power, not military might, that brought success. At Jericho, the walls fell without a single weapon (Joshua 6:20). In the battle against the Amorites, God sent hailstones from heaven and made the sun stand still so Israel could win (Joshua 10:11–13). Again and again, Scripture shows that victory came not by human strategy but by the Lord’s hand. As Zechariah 4:6 declares, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” In every battle ancient or modern true triumph belongs to God alone.
God’s purpose for Israel was to reveal His greatness to the nations around them. Their obedience brought glory to His name, and their failures gave others a false picture of Him. Today, we carry the same mission to be letters to be read (2 Corinthians 3:2–3), showing God’s love through how we live and treat others.
Jesus, during His time on earth, revealed this power through compassion. He never rushed to condemn whether it was Zacchaeus, the Samaritan woman, or the woman caught in adultery. His patience gave every soul a chance to turn back before it was too late.
Joshua also reflected that same spirit when dealing with Achan. Though Achan had sinned and brought trouble to Israel, Joshua spoke to him tenderly — calling him “my son” (Joshua 7:19). Even in judgment, there was mercy and a desire to help Achan acknowledge his sin before God.
That’s the true witness to God’s power when we show patience, humility, and love even toward those who fall. May our lives reflect the same grace, revealing a God who is just, yet merciful, and who longs to save every soul
Last Sabbath evening, we had the opportunity to visit three families. During these visitations, some of the people we met shared how the late old men they knew stood firm as Adventists and showed great unity in helping those who were unable. Though this was about 35 years ago, the strength of their character still echoes strongly today. Many of those we spoke with were moved by these stories and expressed their intention, saying, “We will come to the Adventist church.”
Joshua’s reaction after Israel’s defeat at Ai sounds a lot like the Israelites’ earlier complaints in the wilderness—“Why did You bring us out here just to perish?” But there’s a big difference. While the people’s complaints came from fear and unbelief, Joshua’s cry came from a heart concerned about God’s honor. His question—“What will You do for Your great name?”—shows that his deepest worry wasn’t about Israel’s failure, but about how God’s reputation would be affected among the nations.
It’s a reminder that mature faith looks beyond personal disappointment to God’s glory. When we face setbacks, the real question isn’t “Why me?” but “How can God be honored in this situation?”
The way I see it, the love of God is seen by Him letting Joshua lament a little before Joshua came to his senses and told God he realized that what they had done by running ahead of Him would not be good for the reputation of God and His chosen. He humbled himself before the Lord, yet courageous as God commanded as he went forward with Gods orders for Ai. Joshua 7:6-9.
God in His loving mercy wants us to let Him know of our troubles, and our understandings, misunderstandings, and mistakes, and our joyous times, blessings, praises, giving God the glory for all He has done for us. Psalm 34:1-3. We can talk to Him as a friend. He is the same today as He was then. He loves us so much that if we stumble and fumble in our talk to Him, the Holy Spirit intercedes and makes our prayers the way they should be. Amazing love of which we don't always understand. Romans 8:26-28.
The way I see it, in His love God forgave Joshua regarding his mistake and gave him a second chance. This time Joshua sought God 1st.
Being a witness to God’s power means recognizing that every victory, every success, and every blessing in our lives comes from Him—not from our own strength or effort. Israel’s journey into the Promised Land was full of such lessons.
Achan took the gold and silver from Jericho, thinking he could secretly keep them as his own. He forgot that the victory was not his doing, but God’s. In the same way, many of us today withhold our tithes and offerings, believing that what we earn through our daily “wars” of hustle belongs solely to us. Yet we forget it is God who gives us the strength, wisdom, and opportunities to succeed.
When we keep back what belongs to God, we repeat Achan’s mistake. The battle may seem ours, but the victory is always the Lord’s.
God reminds us in Malachi 3:10
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
When we give to God what is rightfully His, we invite His blessings and protection. But when we hold back, we close the very windows of heaven meant to pour upon us abundance and peace.
Because of Achan’s sin, Israel lost the battle at Ai, and thirty-eight soldiers died in defeat. God’s presence withdrew from them until the sin was confessed and removed. Likewise today, when we withhold from God, we expose ourselves to unnecessary losses and struggles. We may keep fighting our own “battles of Ai,” wondering why success escapes us forgetting that disobedience closes the heavens over us.
But when we return to faithfulness, God fights for us again. The same God who gave victory over Jericho will give us victory over our modern “Ai,” restoring our strength, peace, and prosperity.
I can see that God's efforts to establish Israel have been at least two-fold. First, to establish His Glory, which is not at all self-serving when seen in the context of His plan to save mankind. Second, delivering Israel, and by so doing all mankind, from the scourge of worshipping false gods and provide them a peaceful time in which they learn to care for each other.
As other nations were known by their gods, Israel would be known and judged by their conduct when serving the God who established them. The God of Christianity is being judged in the same manner - by His people. Living carelessly, taking no care to live by His ‘statutes and judgements', equates to misrepresenting the Glory of God - His Image.
The only viable testimony Christians have is to live according to God’s Way shown to us by the life of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, every moment of every day. Reflecting His Love for us, reflecting His wisdom, compassion and understanding in all we do, is the only testimony which can resonate with the hearts of those still seeking for the true God – John 14:34-35; 1 John 4:7-12.
I guess I have a different perspective on Joshua's words in Joshua 7. I think he's doing more complaining than anything else. There is the element of God's reputation, but somehow it seems different than Moses. And that's okay, because Joshua was not perfect. The situation with the defeat of Ai was at least partly his fault - he forgot to ask God what to do. So I don't know if he was spiritually at his highest point when he cried out to God. God's answer seems to fit with his attitude too
- "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?" (Joshua 7:10 NIV) He's getting a bit of a rebuke here, I think. Of course, God still comes to his rescue and he does care about his reputation even though the situation was not as Joshua perceived it.
In the Old Testament, it was "The 10 Commandments" and "The Sanctuary Truth," that was supposed to be their guide. And so it is today as Seventh Day Adventists, it is The 10 commandments and the truth of what Jesus fulfilled regarding "The Sanctuary Truth" with His Righteous and Holy life and Sacrifice for all sin, His Resurrection and Intercessory Work now at His Father's Right hand, that is to be what guides us until He shows up in The Clouds Of Heaven and starts His Earthly Rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, soon and very soon.
Pete you said:
"He starts His earthly rule as King of kings and Lord of lords" What do you mean by earthly rule? Christ said; My kingdom is not of this world or earth if you prefer.
The way I see it , we meet Christ in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Christ takes us back to heaven light years away from this old earth of sin, where He is preparing a place for us who have been drawn to the One who died as a propitiation for our sins. Hebrews 2:17. Once we are drawn to the foot of the Cross we don't stop there, we are then drawn into repentance through the mercies Christ has given us. John 12:32. We have fallen in love with the One who sees us worth redeeming, we grow in Christ, who dispels doubt, through the privilege of prayer and meditation an hour a day on Christ and His Word, rejoicing in the love induced service for the One who died for our sins. 1 John 4:12.
By faith, we can be modern Israel! We totally depend on God to live, but we might not be content. We may forget about God when things go seem alright in our sight, or when we are too busy to stop and acknowledge our Creator. How little we know! May the will of God be our breath.
Take aways: be ware to ignore God's instructions Joshua 7:1, beware your sin affects others, beware of self confidence, depend on God Joshua 7:4, beware of blaming God of your own sins Joshua 7:7, beware sin separates you from God . Beware to hold on sin until it affects others Joshua 7:24-25. Conclusion when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin and when sin is full grown gives birth to death, James 1:15.