Sabbath School Lesson for November 8-14, 2025
Introduction of Lesson 7, Ultimate Loyalty: Worship in a War Zone
Memory Text: ” ‘But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’ “ Matthew 6:33 ESV
As they entered the Promised Land of Canaan, God gave Joshua instructions on how to manage their excitement, including their fears and anxieties. By participating in simple, sacred rituals, they would be calmed and strengthened for whatever lie ahead. Rededicating themselves to the Lord kept their focus on the One who had always proved worthy of their respect and loyalty in the past.
The religious practices Joshua led them to observe must have seemed irrational to them at the time. Circumcising themselves while on enemy soil, celebrating the Passover when time was running out, and stopping to build altars and set up the tabernacle in the middle of their conquest seemed foolish indeed. It required an enormous trust and faith in God, who was speaking through Joshua.
Jesus called for similar acts of faith, admonishing us to seek God first in all our endeavors. He fulfills His part of the covenant by adding those things we need for success.
- Sunday: Covenant First
- Monday: Passover
- Tuesday: Altars of Renewal
- Wednesday: Written on Stones
- Thursday: Longing for His Presence
Sunday: Covenant First
What faith it must have taken for the Hebrew males to listen to Joshua’s instruction to circumcise themselves, an important sign of their covenant with God. Instead of preparing themselves for battle, this long-neglected practice would render the army vulnerable for at least three days. Regardless of this vulnerability, it was important that they act on it together, to confirm their shared identity.
There are several ideas as to why the ritual had not been practiced during their forty-year wilderness journey. Perhaps it was not safe for infants to be circumcised, traveling in such a harsh environment. Or many think God suspended it as He was so displeased with their past unfaithfulness and refusal to enter Canaan.
This new opportunity to show their faith through circumcision was welcomed though by the new generation about to enter the land promised to their forefathers. They all willingly complied out of gratitude to the One who would soon save them from their enemies.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 5:1-7
- How would circumcision at this time have cemented their covenant relationship with their Creator?
- What kind of rituals today, such as baptism, help us identify as Christians?
Matthew 6:33
- How do we keep God first in our lives?
- Why is important for us to daily renew our covenant with the Lord? And how can we do it?
Monday: Passover
The time for celebration of Passover fell during the conquest of Canaan. It was important that they remember the first Passover that marked their redemption from Egyptian bondage. So, Joshua insisted they pause their battle plans and use the time to reflect on what God had done for them in the past, and what He could and would do for them in the future.
Similarly, Christ replaced the Passover with a celebration of the Last Supper, known as our Communion service, in order to keep our minds on Christ’s death on the cross (Matthew 26:26-28, in the past), and on the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven (Revelation 19:9, in the future).
Someday, the saved will find themselves walking on a sea of glass, reminiscent of the Red Sea and Jordan River experiences (Revelation 15:2). We, too, should use every opportunity now to celebrate our amazing salvation and future, eternal home in heaven.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 5:10, Leviticus 23:5, and Deuteronomy 16:6
- How would the Passover have been a comforting ritual during this difficult time of peril for God’s children?
- What kind of freedom from bondage did they have to look forward to as they were about to occupy Canaan?
- What kind of freedom do we enjoy now when we focus on worshiping God?
Tuesday: Altars of Renewal
Patriarchs of the Old Testament were told to build altars of stone, lasting monuments that served as reminders of their covenant with God. Those who later encountered such altars were encouraged to worship there, meditate on their significance, and share the stories of faith they represented with all who would listen.
The purpose of altars they built for God’s worship were different from those of their pagan neighbors. They were not built in order to please, or win favor with, an angry deity. Instead they were meant to create a place for solemn contemplation and prayer, a quiet place to renew their covenant ties with their loving Creator.
Joshua, and Moses before him, recognized the potential of these altars, and even instructed God’s people to build new ones, as they entered and began to occupy Canaan. These monuments served as tools of renewal, reminding them to obey God and keep their relationship with Him and each other strong.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 8:30, 31 and Deuteronomy 27:2-10
- What made this altar a reminder to obey God?
- Why did Moses, and later Joshua, feel the need for such an altar at this time and place?
Wednesday: Written on Stones
Shortly after the Israelites had entered Canaan, Joshua instructed them to build an altar of large, whitewashed stones, as Moses had earlier depicted. This one was distinct, however, because the entire Book of the law of Moses, was to be written on the stones, a permanent place for them to reside.
This altar was to be located between two mountains in Samaria, Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. Half of the tribes would stand on each side of the monument, each group facing a different mountain, which represented both the blessings and curses of keeping or disobeying God’s law. It was a choice that was always before them, one which held either good or bad consequences.
Everything written on the stones was recited in front of the Hebrew tribes. This solemn ceremony was not only a chance to reconsecrate themselves as individuals, but their allegiance would also be confirmed in a corporate sense. Our Communion service today is designed to reflect both our individual and community connections as well. There is power in belonging to a community of believers who share the same worldview, values, and mission.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 8:32-35
- Why was it necessary for the law to be written in such a visible manner on permanent stones for all to see?
- What meaning was there for the Israelites in this reading of the law, in front of their newly-constructed altar?
- How does our Communion services help us reconsecrate ourselves as individuals and as a body of believers? Why are both important?
Thursday: Longing for His Presence
The ark of the covenant, representing God’s presence, became Israel’s center of attention as it was carried over the Jordan River, with the waters parting, just as they had at the Red Sea.
In the middle of the conquest, when only half the land allotments had been given to the twelve tribes of Israel, God’s presence was also given centerstage. Joshua had them set up God’s sanctuary in Shiloh (Joshua 18:1, 2), a central, strategic location that archaeologists, by the way, have determined to have had excellent acoustics, with a single voice being able to be heard for a long distance. Thus, large crowds could be addressed there without modern amplification aids.
As we near the time for Christ to return to earth, our eyes are turned once again to the sanctuary. This time the heavenly sanctuary. We can look forward in faith to God’s final triumph over sin, just as Joshua’s people looked forward in faith to their total conquest of Canaan.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 18:1, 2
- Why was it important for God’s people to set up the tabernacle in the middle of their settlement in Canaan–both timewise and location choice?
Hebrews 6:19, 20, 9:11, 12, and Daniel 8:14
- Why should we now focus on the heavenly sanctuary? What is there that should hold our attention?
Friday: Final Thoughts
As we think about the religious rituals that brought Joshua and the Israelites closer to God during their conquest of Canaan, let’s not forget the ceremonies that help us remember God today, such as baby dedications, baptism, and the Communion service (Hebrews 10:25). We, too, are attempting to enter a heavenly Canaan, an eternal home promised to us by the Son of God (John 14:3). We need these rituals to steady us in these last days.
In addition, a religious author of the nineteenth century said this: “It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones…If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross.” ~Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 83. Yes, our daily personal worship rituals are important too.
The ultimate altar for us now is surely Calvary. As described by Ellen White, we can and should be worshiping at Christ’s altar every day, where we are invited to be refreshed and comforted through the Holy Spirit. It is at the cross that we can offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). It is there that the altar of death (the death of Jesus) becomes the altar of life (our eternal life in heaven with Him).
Next Week: Giants of Faith–Joshua and Caleb
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