SS25-Q4-L2 - Surprised by Grace - Oct. 4-10

Saturday  Afternoon
Key Scriptures for the Week: Josh. 2:1-21, Num. 14:1-12, Heb. 11:31, Exod. 12:13, Joshua 9, Neh. 7:25 

Thought for Meditation:
THE PASSING OF THE TIME - The waiting people of God approached the hour when they fondly hoped their joys would be complete in the coming of the Saviour. But the time again passed unmarked by the advent of Jesus. It was a bitter disappointment that fell upon the little flock whose faith had been so strong and whose hope had been so high. But we were surprised that we felt so free in the Lord, and were so strongly sustained by His strength and grace. {CET 54.1}  Christian Experience and Teachings of EGWhite, 1922   

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} 

The Purpose of This Week’s Lesson

The purpose of this week’s study is to reveal the unexpected reach of God’s grace, manifested through the story of Rahab—a woman once outside the covenant, yet chosen to be a symbol of faith, redemption, and inclusion in the divine plan. Through her faith and obedience to the light given, Rahab became a type of the redeemed from the Gentiles who, in the closing work of the gospel, will unite with God’s covenant people.

This study aims to help us discern that grace often appears where judgment seems certain, and that God’s mercy is not limited by human status, history, or nationality. The scarlet cord in Rahab’s window becomes a prophetic token of the blood of Christ—the same sign of deliverance as the blood on the doorposts in Egypt (Exodus 12:13). Just as Israel was preserved by faith and obedience, so too will spiritual Israel today be preserved by faith in the Lamb and by submission to His revealed truth.

In a broader prophetic sense, Rahab’s experience prefigures the surprising extension of God’s saving grace to the Gentiles and to those once viewed as unworthy, showing that in the time of the end, many “Rahabs” will respond to the message of the Kingdom and join the purified church, while others within will perish in unbelief (cf. Numbers 14:1–12; Joshua 2).

Prophetic Insight from the Spirit of Prophecy (SOP)

“ We want to understand the time in which we live. We do not half understand it. We do not half take it in. My heart trembles in me when I think of what a foe we have to meet, and how poorly we are prepared to meet him. The trials of the children of Israel, and their attitude just before the first coming of Christ, have been presented before me again and again to illustrate the position of the people of God in their experience before the second coming of Christ--how the enemy sought every occasion to take control of the minds of the Jews, and today he is seeking to blind the minds of God's servants, that they may not be able to discern the precious truth.” — 1SM 406.1

Rahab’s faith, contrasted with the unbelief of Israel’s spies in Numbers 14, reveals the last generation’s test: Will we, like Rahab, believe and act on God’s message, or like ancient Israel, shrink in fear and unbelief? Those who receive God’s last message of mercy—though once alienated—will be surprised by grace and incorporated into the household of faith.

“The last message of mercy to be given to the world is a revelation of His character of love.”
Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, "Behold your God." The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.  {COL 415.5}  Christ Object Lessons

Rahab’s story is thus a miniature prophecy of the final gospel call, showing that divine grace will reach the most unexpected souls just before the fall of spiritual Jericho (the world under Babylon’s dominion).

Inspiration emphasizes that in the antitypical conquest of Canaan—the purification and establishment of the Kingdom—God’s grace will again surprise His people. Those whom the church least expects (symbolized by Rahab) will be delivered and made part of the purified community:

“Just as the mixed multitude came with Israel out of Egypt, and as Rahab and her household were saved from Jericho, so today many from the world will escape the ruin that is soon to befall the unfaithful, and will join themselves to the people of God.” — 1TG 38:27; 2SR 154.3

The scarlet cord represents the faith and obedience that distinguish the sealed from the unsealed in the final test (Ezekiel 9; Revelation 7). Those who cling to the crimson thread of Christ’s righteousness will find refuge when judgment falls upon modern Jericho—the world of unbelief.

Summary Thought

This week’s study invites us to see that God’s grace surprises the humble but exposes the unbelieving. It reaches beyond the expected boundaries to gather a faithful remnant from every class, nation, and background. As the passing of time tests faith, and as prophecy moves toward fulfillment, we are called to stand like Rahab—believing, obedient, and ready to be saved under the scarlet sign of grace when the walls of the old order fall.

Outline of the Study

GRACE FOR THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL {Joshua 2:1, 23-24}

Sunday -  October 5, 2025
Second Chance
Joshua 2:1; Numbers 13:1-2, 25-28, 33; Numbers 14:1-12;  Num. 25:1-3, Num. 31:16; John 18:16-18, 25-27; John 21:15-19; Rom. 5:2, Eph. 2:8, Rom. 11:6Titus 2:11-14; 2 Pet. 3:18 

Grace for Rahab {Joshua 2:2-21}
Monday - October 6, 2025
The Faith of a Mustard Seed - Value in Unexpected Places
Joshua 2:2-11; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25; Gen. 15:16, Deut. 9:5, Lev. 18:25-28; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25; Josh. 2:11, Exod. 20:4, Deut. 4:39, Deut. 5:8.      
Tuesday - October 7, 2025
New Allegiance -  The Covenant Extended to Rahab
Joshua 2:12-21; Exodus 12:13, 22, 23; Deuteronomy 7:12; Exod. 12:22-23.     
 
Grace for the Gibeonites {Joshua 9}
Wednesday - October 8, 2025
Conflicting Values - Deceptive Ambassadors
Joshua 9:1-20; Deuteronomy 20:10-18; Prov. 1:4; Prov. 8:5, 12; Exod. 21:14, 1 Sam. 23:22, Ps. 83:3;  Num. 27:16-21; 1 Chron. 28:9, 2 Chron. 15:2, 2 Chron. 18:4, 2 Chron. 20:4. 

Thursday - October 9, 2025
Surprising Grace - Blessing and Curse
Joshua 9:21-27; Judg. 11:29-40; Ps. 15:4; Ps. 24:4; Eccl. 5:2, 6; 2 Sam. 6:11; Neh. 7:25; Ezek. 18:23; Ezek. 33:11; Gen. 15:16.      

Friday - October 10, 2025
Further Prophetic Insights and Study