Daily Lesson for Wednesday 12th of November 2025

Mount Ebal is mentioned only in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 11:29; Deuteronomy 27:4,13) and in the book of Joshua (Joshua 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 (Joshua 8:33).

Image © Steve Creitz from GoodSalt.com

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 (Galatians 3:13, 2 Corinthians 5:21).

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 reconsecration 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.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-07-written-on-stones/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-07-written-on-stones

Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Dr. Barna Magyarosi, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/7-ultimate-loyalty-worship-in-a-war-zone-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=7-ultimate-loyalty-worship-in-a-war-zone-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author

View an in-depth discussion of Ultimate Loyalty: Worship in a War Zone in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris.
Click on the image below to view the video:

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/7-ultimate-loyalty-worship-in-a-war-zone-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=7-ultimate-loyalty-worship-in-a-war-zone-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 11th of November 2025

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 (Deuteronomy 11:26-30, Deuteronomy 27:2-10).

Image © Jim Howard at Goodsalt.com

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 (Joshua 1:7). This is also the picture of Joshua at the end of the book (Joshua 24:1-33).

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 Deuteronomy 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.

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 Corinthians 1:20, NKJV).

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-07-altars-of-renewal/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-07-altars-of-renewal