Sabbath School Lesson for December 6-12, 2025
Introduction of Lesson 11, Living in the Land
Memory Text: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 NIV
With the military conquest nearly behind them, God’s people faced different problems as they settled down and occupied the land they had fought so hard to obtain. Chapter 22 of Joshua reveals a troubling situation between the Israelite tribes that could have resulted in sharp divisions among the brethren. The tribes on the east side of the Jordan River caused those on the west side to question their building of an altar in their occupied territory. It was a simple misunderstanding of motive, but thankfully was dealt with in a constructive way through the efforts on both sides to clear up the matter.
Seeing how they tackled the mission of remaining united is helpful to Christians living in the last, chaotic days before the Second Coming. With so many diverse populations existing together now, it’s no wonder that disputes arise that disrupt our peace and prevent unity, even within devout faith communities. We are all different in some way, but God still desires and requires that we live in harmony with each other, in order to reflect His love to the world.
- Sunday: Commitment
- Monday: Accusations…
- Tuesday: Haunted by the Past
- Wednesday: A Gentle Answer
- Thursday: Conflict Resolution
Sunday: Commitment
Joshua’s troops had left their women and children behind on the east side of the Jordan River to fight God’s enemies on the west side. Joshua 22:3 indicates this was for “many days”, but it was actually about six or seven years of intermittent fighting. This must have required immense commitment and faith that God would give them victory in the end, so they could at last be reunited permanently with their families and have a safe land to call their own.
But, the Jordan River continued to be a natural barrier to their unity, with half the tribes on one side and half on the other. Joshua saw that this might cause friction, so part of his farewell address included counsel to continue walking with and obeying their heavenly Father. Keeping true to their mission and identity by doing all they could to resolve conflicts, including those from within, would result in the greatest blessings from God.
New Testament writers emphasized what serving God and maintaining unity entails. It involves serving each other as if we were doing it for the Lord. Listening to this higher calling creates a more loving, united platform for spreading the gospel to the world.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 22:1-8
- What kind of commitment had the tribes Joshua mentioned already shown in their conquest of the land?
- What do you feel is your personal higher calling in life?
Monday: Accusations…
All Israelites were familiar with the altar of twelve stones that served as a memorial of the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River several years earlier. So, when tribes on the other side of the river built a prominent altar, it was thought to be an act of rebellion against their fellow Israelites in the west, a copycat move that demonstrated a desire for equal attention and notice.
The western half of the nation had not been informed of the exact motivation and purpose of this altar. Regrettably, no one had consulted Joshua and other tribal leaders. So, suspicion and accusations became evident, first in private and later in public. These misunderstandings began to cause uneasy feelings of distrust between the tribes.
Accusations become toxic when we allow ourselves to indulge in judging others. Pre-judging, where “prejudice” begins, is never a wise thought process we want to encourage in ourselves or others. In addition, our admonitions and rebukes should never be done with an accusatory tone of voice.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 22:9-20
- Why do you think it would be natural for the western tribes to make these kinds of accusations?
Luke 6:37, John 7:24, and 1 Corinthians 4:5
- Why is it not a safe practice to jump to conclusions about the motives of someone else?
Matthew 7:20
- For what purpose are we to judge others by their fruits?
- How and why is this different from the kind of judging Jesus said to avoid?
Tuesday: Haunted by the Past
Phineas, the grandson of Moses’ brother Aaron, was chosen as the spokesperson for those concerned about the unauthorized altar that had been set up on the east side of the Jordan River. He seemed the perfect one to call out apostasy, if that’s what their actions indicated.
Numbers 25 tells how Phineas had been instrumental in rooting out apostasy years ago when God’s people had been drifting away, due to their intermarriages with Moabite women. It was feared that the altar built by a few tribes would also lead to idolatry, which would spread and condemn the whole nation they were in the process of establishing.
Also, another past event, the rebellious act of Achan in Joshua 7, reminded them of the danger rebellion would bring upon their people.
These episodes in Joshua’s story should caution us not to let past tragedies fully determine how we treat each other in the present. The experiences may not be as related as we fear them to be, just as it turned out for the Israelites in this example.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 22:13-16
- What accusation did Phineas unleash that would probably not be taken well by those receiving it?
- How could the wording have been softened to indicate a less vindictive tone?
Wednesday: A Gentle Answer
Although Phineas’ lengthy accusation was a bit of an overreaction, it at least was a reflection of the actual misgivings and displeasure at what the eastern tribes had done by building an unauthorized altar.
It would have been easy for the eastern tribal representatives to respond in kind, and bounce back angrily with a firm denial of their claim. But, their measured, calm reply indicated that they had listened intentionally to Phineas and considered the accusation’s validity.
Their reply began by using an oath that included more than one name for God, which must have disarmed their accusers as they realized that God was still important to their brothers in the east. The explanation that followed was clear and forthright in proclaiming what their actual motive was. To their credit, Phineas and those from the western tribes received it well and even expressed happiness that their suspicions were unfounded.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 22:21-29 and Proverbs 15:1
- What made the reply of the eastern tribes “a gentle answer”, compared to the charges Phineas had made?
Thursday: Conflict Resolution
There are many models for conflict resolution in the world today. We know that even God’s people have consistently struggled with how to handle misunderstandings that lead to conflict and disunity.
The example in Joshua’s account, found in chapter 22, helps us recognize constructive ways to resolve a conflict that could have split the Israelites from the very start of their occupation in Canaan. Some of the principles we might want to remember are:
- Communication should not be suppressed until the problem becomes a major issue.
- Do not believe everything you hear secondhand from others. Jumping to hasty conclusions is never wise.
- Be willing to talk and not act upon your supposed suspicions.
- Recognize the value of making a sacrifice, without compromising your integrity, if that is what is necessary for unity to be achieved.
- Always give a soft, gentle answer to an accusation, no matter how innocent or guilty you are.
- Admit it when you are wrong.
- Be happy when a peaceful agreement is made.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 22:30-34
- What was positive about the way the two sides ended their conflict?
- How important was the success of this meeting for the occupation going forward?
- What would have happened if they had failed to achieve peace?
Friday: Final Thoughts
Trouble and persecution have been predicted for God’s people (John 16:33), and it will be particularly prevalent in the last days (Matthew 24:9). We must prepare ourselves now by practicing a soft, gentle answer when we are accused (Proverbs 15:1).
Friction, inside and outside the church, gives us an opportunity to show the love of God, when we handle it appropriately. We are thankful for examples in the Bible, like we find in Joshua 22, when the Israelites found a way to move forward despite their tribal differences.
Ellen G. White reminds us in Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 520: “Even under false accusation those who are in the right can afford to be calm and considerate…Those who are actuated by the spirit of Christ will possess that charity which suffers long and is kind.”
With all the political, cultural, and religious backbiting and hatred today, we must remember to listen with patience and respond with courtesy to friends and enemies alike, if we are to show God’s grace to the world.
Next Week: God Is Faithful!
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