Daily Lesson for Tuesday 9th of December 2025

Before giving full credit to the rumors of what might be perceived as a declaration of independence, the nine-and-a-half tribes, labeled twice as “the sons of Israel,” send a delegation to clarify the intent and meaning of the altar. The delegation consisted of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the high priest, who would succeed Eleazar after his death (Joshua 24:33). Phinehas already has gained some visibility as the priest who put an end to the debauchery of Israel at Baal Peor (Numbers 25:1-18).

Image © Jeff Preston at Goodsalt.com

“Now when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose from among the congregation and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel” (Numbers 25:7-8, NKJV).

Phinehas surely had some influence. The other emissaries were representatives of the nine-and-a-half tribes west of the Jordan, each being the head of a tribal family (literally, “head of his father’s house”), within the clans of Israel.

The delegation opens the indictment of sacrilege and rebellion with the official prophetic formula “thus says.” The distinction here is that it is not the Lord speaking but the “whole congregation of the Lord” (Joshua 22:16, NKJV). They launch the accusation that Israel committed trespass, treachery, and rebellion. The term “trespass” is the same Hebrew word that was used to describe Achan’s sin (Joshua 7:1) and appears several times in the first five books of Moses (for example, Leviticus 5:15; Leviticus 6:2; Numbers 5:6,12). The examples of Achan and Baal Peor serve as precedents: one for treachery and the other for rebellion. They also express the fear of the nine-and-a-half tribes that the act of building an unauthorized altar will lead to apostasy, idolatry, and immorality, which will incur the wrath of the Lord upon the entire nation of Israel.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-11-haunted-by-the-past/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-11-haunted-by-the-past

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/11-living-in-the-land-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=11-living-in-the-land-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author

View an in-depth discussion of Living in the Land 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/11-living-in-the-land-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=11-living-in-the-land-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion

Daily Lesson for Monday 8th of December 2025

In contrast with verse 1, where the tribes on the east side are called by their usual form (Reubenites, Gadites, etc.), here a different expression is used: “sons of Reuben,” “sons of Gad,” and “the half-tribe of Manasseh,” which is in contrast to the “sons of Israel” (Joshua 22:11, NASB), thus representing a different entity.

Image © Bible Adventure Collection at Goodsalt.com

In the narrative, the expression “the whole congregation of Israel” refers only to the nine and a half West Jordan tribes, underlining the rift that developed between the two groups. Indeed, the underlying question of the ensuing story is whether the tribes on the east side of the river can be seen as Israelites.

We would expect a smooth conclusion to the story; however, tension arises as the tribes from the east are reported to have erected an altar at the Jordan. The text here does not offer any reason for the act, nor does it describe the function of the altar or specific activity related to it. The ambiguity concerning the meaning of this altar is increased even more if we observe the flashbacks to the first crossing of the Jordan, in chapters 3 and 4, where all Israel entered the edge of the Jordan to cross the river into mainland Canaan. Here a part of Israel comes to the region of the Jordan, but now to cross the river in the opposite direction.

In both cases, a structure of stones is erected. The first served as a memorial, while the second is perceived to be an impressive altar. The question that inevitably comes to mind is: “What do these stones mean?” (compare with Joshua 4:6,22). Is this altar built for sacrifices, or is it only a memorial? Are these other tribes already starting to fall into apostasy?

Lack of consultation with Joshua, Eleazar, or the tribal leaders creates room for a misunderstanding that potentially can lead to terrible conflict.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-11-accusations/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-11-accusations

As we work our way through the book of Joshua this quarter, we will see that he is ready to 
Fight The Good Fight – Hymn 613 and to move forward into the Promised Land. We may still use last quarter’s theme hymn as this will pop up throughout this quarter as well: 
Hymn 620 – On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand. These two hymns will resound throughout the quarter.

This week we learn many ways of how to 
Fight The Good Fight – Hymn 613 as the people of Israel are taught “not to serve their fellow Israelites but Yahweh Himself”. This way Christians are to “render their service as if they were working with God”:  
Working O Christ, With Thee – Hymn 582.

With “Conflict Resolution” we are taught that 
The Church Has One Foundation – Hymn 348 which instructs that we are to follow “Jesus Christ her Lord”.

Our dear Sister Ellen White tells us in Patriarchs and Prophets that we are to put ‘trust in Him” (Friday): 
Hymn 279 – Only Trust Him.

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless others.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/11-living-in-the-land-singing-with-inspiration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=11-living-in-the-land-singing-with-inspiration