SDA Sabbath School Lesson 7- 4th Quarter 2025-Ultimate Loyalty

[Richard Myers]

4th Quarter        Lesson 7                                                                                                              November 8-14


                                                                                                                               

 
Ultimate Loyalty: Worship in a War Zone

Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Josh. 5:1-7; Exod. 12:6; 1 Cor. 5:7; Josh. 8:30-35; Deut. 8:11, 14; Heb. 9:11-12

Memory Text: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

This week we are going to look at some key moments during Israel's presence in the Promised Land, when Israel rededicated themselves to the Lord, sometimes in the face of impending danger. Joshua made the seemingly irrational decision to circumcise the Israelites on enemy territory (Josh. 5:1-9); to celebrate the Passover in the face of imminent danger (Josh. 5:10-12); to build an altar and worship the Lord while the conquest was in full swing (Josh. 8:30-35); and to set up the tabernacle of the Lord when seven tribes in Israel had not yet received their inheritance (Josh. 18:1-2).

In our busy lives, we tend to give attention to the urgencies that life throws at us. Very often we neglect to carve out quality time to renew our commitment to God and to pause and express our thankfulness for what He has done and daily continues to do for us. Morning and evening worship, as well as the family altar, seem to be so out of context in our overcharged, convenience-driven, and achievement-oriented life. Yet, deep in our hearts, we all know that the occasions spent together with God and our loved ones are the best investment of our limited time.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 15.

[Richard Myers]

Sunday       November 9
Covenant First

Read Joshua 5:1-7. Why did the Lord command Joshua to circumcise the second generation of Israelites at this particular time of the conquest?

After the exploration of the country, the encouraging report of the spies, and the miraculous crossing over the Jordan, we would expect an immediate engagement with the enemy. However, there is something more important than the military conquest: Israel’s covenant with God.

Before the new generation could engage in taking the land, they needed to be fully aware of their special relationship with the Owner of the land. The renewal of the covenant sign comes as a response to God’s gracious and miraculous act of bringing Israel safely across the Jordan.

Our covenant with God should always be an answer of gratitude for what He has already accomplished for us, never an act of trying to obtain some benefit by legalistic conformity to His requirements. (This same concept, no doubt, was crucial to Paul’s struggles with those who insisted that Gentile male converts be circumcised, as seen most clearly in his letter to the Galatians.)

Israel was on the verge of the greatest military campaign of its history, and we would expect the whole camp to be busy with war preparations. It was, but not in the conventional sense. Instead of harnessing the horses and sharpening the swords, they engaged in a ritual that left most of the fighting force vulnerable for at least three days.

They did this in order to celebrate their relationship with their God, who delivered them from Egypt. Why? Because they recognized that the battle belongs to the Lord. He is the one who grants them victory and success. Jesus formulated the same principle in slightly different words: “ ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ ” (Matt. 6:33, NKJV). Most of the time, everyday life seems to pressure us with the urgency of so many important things that we forget to give priority to the most important thing in our life: the daily renewal of our commitment to Christ.

Think about the times you have neglected time with God because of more “important” matters. Why is this so easy to do, and how can we fight against it?

It is easy to do when one is not abiding in Christ. We can make it easy to spend time with Jesus. First we ought to  understand the requirement for heaven is to  love the Lord our God with the whole heart and  to trust Him with all we have and all we are. How can this be? Can we love one supremely when we do not spend time with Him to get to know Him? By beholding Jesus daily we will form a habit of spending time with Him, and we will be transformed in character (2 Cor. 3:18).

[Richard Myers]

Monday       November 10
Passover

Why is it significant that Joshua chose to celebrate Passover despite the pressing and immense task of taking the Promised Land? Read Josh. 5:10; Exod. 12:6; Lev. 23:5; Num. 28:16; Deut. 16:4, 6.

The second important activity that precedes the conquest is the celebration of Passover. This takes place in the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, in careful compliance with the instructions given by God. The symbolic significance of the Passover observance receives special emphasis: the events in Joshua mirror those of the Exodus. Passover evokes the night of the tenth plague (Exodus 12), when the angel of the Lord killed all the firstborn in Egypt and spared the Israelites. This is followed by the Exodus from Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the journey through the wilderness.

In contrast, the story of the second generation starts in the wilderness, continues with the crossing of the Jordan, involves circumcision and the celebration of Passover, and leads to the crucial moment when another miraculous intervention of the Lord is to be expected against the enemies of Israel, the inhabitants of Canaan. Together with all the preceding acts, the celebration of Passover marks the beginning of a new era in Israel’s history.

Also, through the symbol of the sacrificial lamb, the Feast of Passover pointed back to the redemption of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. But it also pointed forward to its antitypical fulfillment in the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36; 1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19), who ransomed us from the bondage of sin. At the Lord’s Supper, before offering Himself as the Ultimate Sacrifice, Jesus transformed Passover into a memorial of His death (Matt. 26:26-29, 1 Cor. 11:23-26).

However, Passover and the Lord’s Supper signal an even more glorious reality: that of the redeemed multitude passing into the heavenly Canaan. John the revelator portrays this antitypical “crossing” event as the 144,000 walking on the sea of crystal, the antitypical Red Sea and river Jordan, before the throne of God (Rev. 4:6; Rev. 7:9-10) and celebrating the antitypical Passover and Lord’s Supper at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Matt. 26:29, Rev. 19:9).

What are ways we can, even when we are not celebrating the Lord’s Supper, keep the reality of the Cross always before us?

When we understand it is by His stripes we are healed, why would one not keep the reality of the cross always before us? Don't we want to be healed? What is more important in life than being healed?

[Richard Myers]

Tuesday        November 11
Altars of Renewal

What was Joshua’s motivation for building an altar to the Lord? Read Josh. 8:30-31; compare with Deut. 11:26-30, Deut. 27:2-10.

In the time of the patriarchs, altars marked the path of their pilgrimage and became tangible representations of their claim to the land, which had been promised by God. Now, by erecting an altar, the Israelites bore witness to the fulfillment of the promises given to their forefathers. In this case, the erection of the altar is the direct fulfillment of the instructions given by Moses (Deut. 11:26-30, Deut. 27:2-10).

Joshua 8:30-35 plays a significant role in shaping the whole theological message of the book. By linking one of the most gruesome, violent stories (war) to something totally different—a scene of covenant reaffirmation (worship)—Joshua takes us back to one of the most important theological themes launched in the book at the outset: Joshua has the mandate of leading Israel to a life of covenantal obedience (Josh. 1:7). This is also the picture of Joshua at the end of the book (Joshua 24).

Notwithstanding the importance of warfare and the conquest, there is something even more vital: loyalty to the requirements of God’s law. The conquest is only one step in the fulfillment of God’s plan for Israel and the restoration of all humanity. Faithfulness to the precepts of the Torah constitutes the ultimate question in the destiny of humanity. Joshua writes the copy of the law on large, whitewashed stones, different from the stones of the altar (compare with Deut. 27:2-8). Thus, the stones, which probably contained the Ten Commandments, formed a separate monument in the vicinity of the altar, constantly reminding the Israelites of the privileges and duties implied in the covenant.

Which covenant, the everlasting covenant or the Old Covenant made at Sinai? The Old Covenant had no promises other than life if they obeyed all  of the law. The everlasting Covenant made before the foundation of the Earth was laid had better promises than  the Old Covenant. We see this precious promise in Gen. 3:15. God promises that He will remove the enmity we have towards Him when we come into this world. He will put enmity between us and  Satan and sin. He paid an immeasurable price that we might have this opportunity to regain eternal life in a world without sin!! He will empower us to keep the law, all of it if we will make a whole heart surrender to Him. By  beholding that great love for us, we will be able to obey all of His commandments. Praise God!!

Joshua foreshadows the New Testament Jehoshua (Jesus), whose mission was, among other things, to lead humanity back to obedience to God. In order to accomplish this goal, He had to undertake a conflict with the powers of evil. His ultimate goal was to fulfill the covenant requirements on our behalf: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Cor. 1:20, NKJV).

What are some spiritual practices we can do now that can have the same functions as building an altar had in ancient times?

Spiritual formation (sanctification) takes place as we behold the life of  our Savior as we read in 2 Cor. 3:18. Thus, it would be very good to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Jesus,  especially the closing scenes where we see Him suffering for the sins of the world. If we would do this, we would form habits of obedience which transforms our character into His image!

[Richard Myers]

Wednesday       November 12
Written on Stones

Read Joshua 8:32-35. What is the meaning of the act described in these verses, and what should it say to us today?

Mount Ebal is mentioned only in Deuteronomy (Deut. 11:29; Deut. 27:4, 13) and in the book of Joshua (Josh. 8:30, 33). Along with Gerizim, it was the site where the blessings and curses of the covenant were to be recited. More specifically, according to Deuteronomy 11:29 and Deuteronomy 27:4, 13, it had to be the site of the curses. Here the Israelites were to stand on either side of the ark in the presence of the priests (Josh. 8:33). One group stood in front of Mount Ebal, the other in front of Mount Gerizim. Here they symbolically enacted the two possible ways of relating to the covenant. The sacrifices that were brought there pointed to Jesus, who took upon Himself all the curses of the covenant, so that all who believe in Him might enjoy its blessings (Gal. 3:13, 2 Cor. 5:21).

Why was it necessary to write a copy of the covenant on a monument, visible to all? (See Deut. 4:31; Deut. 6:12; Deut. 8:11, 14; 2 Kings 17:38; Ps. 78:7.)

We humans tend to be forgetful. We crowd the increasingly bewildering demands of everyday life into shorter and shorter segments of time. We inevitably forget things that do not recur with the same frequency or intensity. At every communion service, we have a special occasion to rededicate ourselves to the Lord and to renew our covenantal commitment. It would be good to perceive these opportunities not only as chances for individual re-consecration but also as occasions of corporate renewal of our allegiance to God. In an increasingly individualistic society, we must rediscover the power of belonging to a community that shares the same worldview, the same values and beliefs, and the same mission.

Would that not be a great blessing!!  In a Laodicean Church there is not much sharing of the same values and beliefs. There are some  churches that do enjoy unity of doctrine as well as unity of the Spirit.

How easy do you find it, in the rush and hubbub of life, to forget the Lord and seek to do things in your own strength and power? Why is this so easy to do, especially when things are going well for you?

We are a forgetful people. We must understand that we need to watch and pray continually that we maintain our connection with our Savior. This is where the great battle is for those who are indeed converted. We must not take our eyes off of Jesus nor let our mind wander away.

[Richard Myers]

Thursday       November 13
Longing for His Presence

Read Joshua 18:1-2. What was the activity for which Joshua interrupted the process of allotting the land?

After the description of the territories allotted to the two greatest tribes on the west side of the Jordan and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, this passage portrays an assembly of the congregation at Shiloh, where the land is apportioned to the remaining seven smaller tribes.

The establishment of the sanctuary, “My Tabernacle,” represents the fulfillment of God’s promise to live among His people (Exod. 25:8; Lev. 26:11-12) and reveals the central theme of the book: God’s presence in the middle of Israel has made possible the possession of the land and is going to be a continual source of blessing for Israel and, through them, to all the earth (Gen. 12:3). The worship of God takes center stage and preeminence, even over conquest and allotment of the land! The presence of the sanctuary, and later the temple, should have always helped the people realize the presence of God among them and their obligations to follow the covenant.

Read Hebrews 6:19-20; Hebrews 9:11-12; and Hebrews 10:19-23. What can we as Christians, who do not have an earthly sanctuary enshrining the physical presence of God among us, learn from Joshua?

The appearance of the sanctuary should not come as a sudden surprise, because the theme of the sanctuary has been present in the Joshua narrative through the ark of the covenant. This was the central piece of furniture in the Most Holy Place, and it marked the first two sections of the book: the crossing and the conquest. Now, by placing the erection of the tabernacle in the focal point of the land distribution, Joshua shows that all the life of Israel revolved around the sanctuary, the earthly headquarters of Yahweh.

It is even more important for us, as Christians living in the antitypical Day of Atonement, to focus our eyes on the heavenly sanctuary as we continue our struggle with the modern (or postmodern) giants that challenge our faith, hope, and spiritual inheritance. As we constantly rely on the work that Christ accomplished on the Cross and in the heavenly sanctuary, we can look forward in faith to the time when God once again will dwell among His people, but this time it will be forever. (Compare with Rev. 21:3.)

Yes we need to keep in  mind what our Savior is  doing in the Most Holy Place in heaven. It would be very good to contemplate the life of Jesus especially when He was hung on the cross. It is by beholding His stripes that we are healed. As we keep our focus on Jesus, we will not forget Him. Thus we will have  power to resist the  temptations that so easy attempt us.

[Richard Myers]

Friday        November 14

Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Blessings and the Curses,” pp. 499-503, in Patriarchs and Prophets.

“According to the directions given by Moses, a monument of great stones was erected upon Mount Ebal. Upon these stones, previously prepared by a covering of plaster, the law was inscribed—not only the ten precepts spoken from Sinai and engraved on the tables of stone, but the laws communicated to Moses, and by him written in a book. Beside this monument was built an altar of unhewn stone, upon which sacrifices were offered unto the Lord. The fact that the altar was set up on Mount Ebal, the mountain upon which the curse was put, was significant, denoting that because of their transgressions of God's law, Israel had justly incurred His wrath, and that it would be at once visited, but for the atonement of Christ, represented by the altar of sacrifice.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 500.

Then the question must be answered more fully, why on Mount Ebal? Israel had said "yes" they will keep the commandments according to the Old Covenant made with them at Sinai. The covenant was "obey and live."  Nothing more, nothing less. No promise of forgiveness, no promise of power to keep  the law. So, of course they would fail. They soon learned they did not have power to obey as did Saul of Tarsus as we read in Romans chapter seven. Then how did the Israelites learn how to obey? God had given to  Moses instructions to follow that they would learn of the gospel message revealed in the sanctuary and its services. The law they were to follow included the ceremonial law which was a revelation of the plan  of salvation beginning with the Lamb of God which taketh away their sins and the sins of the whole world. Having participated in the sacrificial services, they were to already understand the sacrifices to be made at this  altar for they revealed the grace by whicy they were to be transformed into the image of God by the power of God's grace.

“But the Communion service was not to be a season of sorrowing. This was not its purpose. As the Lord's disciples gather about His table, they are not to remember and lament their shortcomings. They are not to dwell upon their past religious experience, whether that experience has been elevating or depressing. They are not to recall the differences between them and their brethren. The preparatory service has embraced all this. The self-examination, the confession of sin, the reconciling of differences, has all been done. Now they come to meet with Christ. They are not to stand in the shadow of the cross, but in its saving light. They are to open the soul to the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 659.

Amen!  When we partake of the Lord's Supper it is to be with great joy as we are focused on the grace of our Savior and the price He paid for our salvation. Our transformation from sinner to  saint is brought to mind as we eat the Bread. If we want physical life, we eat bread. But, if we want spiritual life we are to feed upon Jesus who is the Manna which came down from heaven. As we drink the wine we remember that it represents His blood which He shed for us. As we behold the blood running down His back as He hung on the cross, we are reminded that it is by beholding those stripes we are healed. How can we not rejoice over how much He loves us and how much He suffered that we might live!!

Discussion Questions:

    What does it mean to you to seek first the kingdom of God? How does that principle shape your daily life?

It means that the devotions have have each morning reading the Desire of Ages I have sought after that which is most important to me. By beholding the life of my Savior I am changed into His image (character). Thus my daily  life is shaped by power the grace of God imparts to us as long as we continue to watch and pray throughout the day.

    Look at your answer to Wednesday’s final question about how easy it is to forget the Lord amid the daily rush of life. In class, discuss why it is so easy to do. What are some solutions?

If we have a daily devotion in the morning, then we have our family worship, then if we stop at noon and pray as did Daniel, we are more than likely to not forget Jesus. Our only hope to not crucify Jesus is to keep our focus on Him and be in an attitude of prayer continually.

    As Adventists, we believe that Jesus is ministering on our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary. How can this conviction be a constant source of hope and strength? Why should the knowledge that it is Jesus who is up there making “intercession” (Heb. 7:25) for us help us realize just what good news His work in the heavenly sanctuary is, especially now in the antitypical Day of Atonement?

What is His "making intercession" for us? If we are walking in the light, what does His intercession accomplish? As our High Priest maybe He is doing something else to keep us from sinning? Is that interceding for us? It would be good to know just what Jesus is doing for us. Does He send angels to help us? Does He and the  Holy Spirit speak to us? What do they speak to us as our ministers? What do we tell our children Jesus is doing for them every day?