Sabbath: The Conflict Behind All Conflicts
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 18th of October 2025
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Joshua 5:13-15; Isaiah 37:16; Revelation 12:7-9; Deuteronomy 32:17; Exodus 14:13-14; Joshua 6:15-20.
Memory Text: “There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel” (Joshua 10:14, ESV).
Reading the pages of Joshua, we are confronted with the aggressive military campaigns carried out at the command of God, in the name of God, and with the help of God. The idea that God was behind the conquest of Canaan pervades the book of Joshua, and it is expressed in the assertions of the narrator (Joshua 10:10-11), in God’s own words (Joshua 6:2, Joshua 8:1), in Joshua’s addresses (Joshua 4:23-24; Joshua 8:7), by Rahab (Joshua 2:10), by the spies (Joshua 2:24), and by the people (Joshua 24:18). God claims to be the initiator of these violent conflicts.
This reality raises unavoidable questions. How can we understand that God’s chosen people carried out such practices in Old Testament times? How is it possible to reconcile the image of a “warlike” God with His character of love (for example, Exodus 34:6, Psalms 86:15, Psalms 103:8, Psalms 108:4) without diluting the credibility, authority, and historicity of the Old Testament?
This week and next, we are going to explore the difficult question of divinely commanded wars in the book of Joshua and elsewhere.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, October 25.
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The lesson this week has been a long time coming. The question of God’s wrath in the Old Testament appears to be at odds with the idea of a peaceful and loving God that is portrayed in the New Testament. There are a couple considerations I would like us to think about before we embark on this weeks study:
Carmel and I read the Bible through as part of our evening worship last year and for the first part of this year. We did not read them in order but rather chose the books more or less on a whim until we had covered all of them. We read Joshua and Judges late last year and early this year as part of our reading program. There were some evenings when we had to stop reading because it was not the sort of stuff to read before going to bed. Two things came to mind.
I expect the study this week is going to be a challenge. I know that some folk like nice, cute answers to these issues, but maybe the best answer we can give on this one, is that we still love our enemies. We may not win with rhetoric!
Maurice – respectfully, may I comment regarding your observation: “Atheists who enter this argument seriously, often know ‘their’ Bible better than we know it ourselves.” My question is: “How, on what basis, can an atheist know’ ‘their’ Bible better than we do - Words versus Spirit?
Regarding the Gospel - Do they read ‘their’ bible to find fault in order to refute the Word of God or do they read it to seek understanding? Do you consider their ‘knowledge’ of Scripture equal to ours - believing its message to be inspired and our understanding to be guided by the Holy Spirit –, to be capable of the same outcome/understanding/conclusion?
I consider believing and understanding there is a ’Conflict behind all Conflicts’ is essential; it adjusts the 'perception' of the 'Word of God' – God’s Truth. Not accepting this as the platform on which to conduct biblically based communication makes ‘understanding’ impossible.
But then - God knows all the ways to thread a needle - Matt.19:26. 😊
Brigitte, I'm guessing Maurice is probably referring to the many Christians who actually don't read the Bible much (I think I read a survery that says only about 50% of Seventh-day Adventists read the Bible more than once a week so there are plenty in our church too). I don't know if it would be true of the SSNet posters who generally have a strong knowledge.
I agree with you that you can know the Bible facts and not really understand it - without the Spirit true knowledge is impossible. And everyone has a bias. The famous atheist writers are quick to point out the bad parts of the Bible while ignoring other parts. That doesn't mean their concerns don't need answers but they may not be as objective as they think.
I think the peaceful and loving God of the New Testament is true in broad strokes, but it might be simplistic to say that's all there is to God. Jesus had some pretty harsh words to say and some parables that are pretty "wrathful". And God didn't relate to Ananias and Sapphira or Herod Agrippa so gently. Then there is Revelation which, of course, is symbolic, but still has some pretty tough images.
I certainly don't want to give cute answers this week - there's a lot I don't understand. But I don't feel God is schizophrenic betweeen the Old and New and I trust He relates to each situation and person with His perfect wisdom, and yes, love. One day I will understand this fully.
In the Book of Joshua God reveals Himself as a warrior who fights for His people. At Jericho, the walls fell not by human might but by obedience to divine command (Joshua 6:2–5). When Israel faced the Amorite kings, God hurled down great hailstones upon the enemy and caused the sun to stand still, ensuring Israel’s victory (Joshua 10:11–14). Each victory was a testimony that the battle belonged to the Lord, who went before His people and delivered their enemies into the hands of israel.
We live in a war zone with our lives as a battlefield. The Apostle Paul vividly displays the reality in the Book of Joshua, where God reveals Himself as a warrior who fights for His people. At Jericho, the walls fell not by human might but by obedience to divine command (Joshua 6:2–5). Each victory was a testimony that the battle belonged to the Lord, who goes before His people and delivers their enemies into their handsinds us in Ephesians 6:10–12 that our true struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Just as soldiers must be equipped for combat, we must “put on the full armor of God.” The unseen spiritual warfare that surrounds us is as real as any physical battle. God calls His people to stand firm, not by human strength, but by His mighty power that overcomes darkness.
Throughout Joshua’s campaigns, the Lord provided specific instructions for battle, showing that He not only leads but also empowers. The conquest of Canaan was not merely a military endeavor but a spiritual mission under divine authority. Even the Gibeonites, who sought peace through deception, were subdued under God’s sovereign plan (Joshua 9:22–27). Today we must see every challenge wether spiritual or physical as part of God’s greater warfare, where He fights for His people and brings victory to those who trust in Him.
As we embark on this week's study, let us be wary of the dangers of "proof texting" and "eisegesis" – interpreting Scripture through a personal lens. It's easy to impose modern thinking and moral codes on biblical narratives, effectively placing Scripture in a "test tube environment." This approach can lead to "sanitizing or judging" Scripture based on our own standards, hence developing a tendency towards "a nicer, cleaner or sweeter" explanation of God's intended teaching - in accordance to our understanding. However, a safer approach is to let the Spirit of Scripture tell its own story, allowing God's narrative to unfold with an open and receptive heart. Let scripture teach us, not us teaching scripture (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).
As we journey through the book of Joshua, from here, we'll encounter events that may trigger questions and challenges. Yet, it's in these moments that Scripture speaks to our hearts and spirits (Hebrews 4:12). By embracing the narrative, we can gain insight into God's consistent path toward eliminating sin, as seen in the fate of Og and Sihon (Numbers 21:21-35). Like the prophet Habakkuk, we can develop a deeper understanding of God's character and ways (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
This week, let's invite God to walk with us as we explore some "questionable or even violent" parts of the book of Joshua, learning from the challenging events and revelations that unfold. As God shared His wisdom with Joshua, so too can He guide us, helping us know Him more intimately (Proverbs 2:6).
“….when the LORD heeded the voice of a man…”(Joshua 10:14, ESV)
When God “heeded the voice of a man,” it was not because the man controlled God, but because God chose, in wisdom and grace, to work through a faithful leader for the good of His people and the vindication of His name. This is the power of prayer. When we are faced with monumental conflicts in life, let us go to God boldly and submit our petitions and humbly surrender to His will (Matthew 26:39). God responds to a prayer of faith.
“The faith of Joshua pointed to the arm of Omnipotence, and the Lord responded to his prayer by mighty works. The God of Israel is a God of power, and when His people trust Him, He will glorify His name.” - Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 509
,God still heeds the voice of His people, not because our words have power on their own, but because He delights to act through the prayers of those who trust Him (James 5:16).
The wonder of it all is that God loves us and is plenteous in mercy. Led by the Spirit, we can perceive the battles that God allowed and led the Israelites to fight from the Canaanites' perspective. Who on earth can allow their land to be invaded and be displaced just like that without any resistance evidence in wars? Diverting from an earlier view about God causing them into wars, and dwelling on the later view of Canaanites fighting against Israelites, we can understand that God could still be fighting for them in the background. Therefore, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the battles we face, there is a blessed assurances for those who trust in the Lord our God to be the GREATEST WARRIOR!
The story of Joshua reminds us that God is deeply involved in the struggles of His people.
When Israel faced enemies greater and stronger than themselves, victory did not depend on their weapons, numbers, or wisdom it depended on God’s presence and obedience to His word.
“There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man.”
— Joshua 10:14
This verse shows the power of faith-filled prayer and obedience. Joshua’s bold command for the sun to stand still was not an act of human pride — it was a prayer of confidence in God’s promise. God honored it, not because Joshua was powerful, but because Joshua’s heart was fully surrendered to Him.
The same God who fought for Israel still fights for His people today — not with swords and spears, but through grace, truth, and spiritual victory. Our battles may not be against nations, but against fear, temptation, discouragement, and spiritual darkness.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…” (Ephesians 6:12)
Why did God tell the nation He formed for Himself to kill other people, not in self-defense but in offense, to murder everyone in their path, even women and nursing babies (Josh. 10:37-40; 1 Sam. 15:3)? Wait, did God command this?
Maurice mentioned that he and his wife were reading through the Bible... and I think that is actually the starting point, for me, in trying to grasp a picture of God's heart, then and now. We need context from Genesis to Revelation to reconcile the God of Love being also the God of War. We need to see the "conflict behind all conflicts", as our lesson title states.
In other words, these Old Testament stories are not meant to entertain us and educate us in Hollywood-style scenes of blood and gore, without any ultimate divine meaning. 2 Tim. 3:16 says that "all Scripture is profitable for training in righteousness" and so I think God wants us to read about and picture these events to understand some truth about Himself and His ways in this world, to grasp the truth about sin and judgment.
OK, so the bigger picture I see? At the core of our salvation is violence. Jesus died a violent, gory death for me. The last sentence in tommorow's/Sunday's lesson notes that Joshua's military campaign was "an intrinsic part of a far greater conflict in which the God of hosts Himself is involved." Rev. 5:9-10 says that even in peaceful heaven, we will sing a song about the Lamb who was slaughtered, with His blood spilled for us.
And also bigger picture, I can see that when God ruled His people in a theocracy (unique to that time in the history of the world and of His remnant people), He was physically acting out all of these details of salvation step-by-step as object lessons: the blood of Jesus painted by faith on the doorposts of our hearts, walking through the baptism of the Red Sea, eating His Word daily as manna, the daily prayers and sacrifices of the Sanctuary and High Priest symbolizing our daily sanctification through Jesus' continued work on our behalf.
And now here we are in the book of Joshua in the Promised Land itself, where God is leading in this physical display...this prophecy of end times and foreshadowing of the final Battle of Armageddon and final judgment as we enter the Promised Land of Heaven....when those who have finally rejected Jesus (as Gen. 15:16, 13-14 explains that the Canaanites had rejected salvation after 400 years of mercy) will be destroyed in a final battle.
I think it is important to note that as far as I have learned, God's remnant people will not fight in a literal, physical battle of Armageddon. Rather, the battle is a final, global spiritual conflict between Christ and the forces of evil. At the Second Coming, Jesus and the angels of heaven will lead the battle, and the righteous will be delivered without engaging in physical combat. Our job is to stand firm in our faith in Jesus and to hold the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, for Him to use in our hands. Our work is to witness His triumph (as in Ex. 14:13-14).
Also, in a parallel way, I recall learning in a previous lesson that God intended the Israelites to conquer Canaan through non-violent tactics: the Canaanites would become fearful of the Israelites (Josh. 2:10-11), they would turn on themselves in battle, or be destroyed through natural and supernatural events, like Jericho's walls falling down or the sun and moon standing still. God gave instructions to offer terms of peace before battle, which some accepted, though these were often refused. God's merciful master plan involved "driving out" and "dispossessing" the inhabitants gradually rather than an immediate slaughter (Ex. 23:30), so that individuals like Rahab had a chance to repent, and victory was to be won primarily through obedience and faith in God's work, rather than through swordfights between Israel and the Canaanites (Ex. 34:24). Though in some cases, as in Deut. 20:16-18, God did involve His people in executing captial punishment, commanding them to wipe out a culture of extreme immorality. We must remember that they worshipped Molech by sacrificing their children on the outstretched arms of an idol as a roaring fire consumed them alive. The sins of the Canaanites were so severe that the Bible says even the land they lived on was defiled (Lev. 18:24-25). So like Sodom and Gomorrah, God sent destruction, only this time it was through His people.
Finally, it's important to remember that we all deserve the same judgment that fell on the Canaanites. Sin is sin. But because of God’s great love for each one of us, he has offered mercy instead of judgment. Just as he was patient with the Canaanites, God is patient with us. And He wants us to be patient and longsuffering with one another. He has not commanded us to bring His judgment to any person or group of people at this time, but to be as Jesus' Body who acted "not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17).
Sorry let me brief you from what you said that sin is sin, no sin is not sin, so the Canaanites they don't know who God is all they did was to worship idle, because if truly thy knew who God is they will fear and obey the word of God and keep his commandments, so for you that Knows God and know what is sin and no sin, and if you sined against the will of God you will have to beg God for forgiveness of your sins because you have sined, so that's what makes you different from them, because they don't know what is called sin they just do all those things and call it tradition because that was what they grew up in, but for you that Knows and fears God your different so for that and they don't want to Know who God is because they don't believe in God so therefore God have to perish them and God always Knows what is right he's always right and don't question God for what he did you should talk about your life and if Jesus Comes today will you be there with him and rejoice. Thank you, if you have anything to ask me feel free happy Sabbath
Hi Justice,
Thank you for your reply. I think the Bible makes it clear in several places that God is fair and just and does not bring judgment until everyone who will come under a destroying judgement has plenty of chance to know Him and to repent.
For example,Jeremiah 18:7–10 says
God gave Pharaoh and the Egyptians plenty of time to see His character and power before the destroying angel of the 10th plague was released. In Genesis 15:16, God tells us that He waited for the Amorites sin to “reach its full measure“ before they were punished…. and Gen. 15:13 says that He waited 400 years. Rahab was a Canaanite woman who expressed faith in God in Joshua 2:8-11. How did she know about God? She had the same information that they all had and she could see that her own people’s gods and traditions paled in comparison to the true God. Remember, they were all descendants of Noah’s sons too. They all shared the same heritage as Abraham and his sons. They had been systematically shutting their ears against their consciences and God‘s Holy Spirit. Romans 1:18-21 makes it clear that no one has an excuse of not knowing God when He executes judgment. Our God is fair and patient, not willing that anyone should perish.
Esther, to summarize: You begin with
And you ended with
Well said! God executed judgment! Judgment is not arbitrary killing, but a sentence deserved due to sin.
Another point: The sixth comment is against murder - the killing of another human being for selfish reasons or no reason at all.
The Hebrew word used, rāṣaḥ, specifically refers to murder and not all forms of killing, such as capital punishment for crimes or lawful self-defense.
“The same God who fought for Israel still fights for His people today — not with swords and spears, but through grace, truth, and spiritual victory. Our battles may not be against nations, but against fear, temptation, discouragement, and spiritual darkness.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…” (Ephesians 6:12)
Thank you Hillary for this powerful reminder 🙏🏾
As we can see the war that broke out in heaven transferred onto planet earth, in this weeks lesson we see the physical display of how we ought to root out sin from our own lives.
Why Study the History of Israel?
My good brother asked in the Sabbath School lesson, “Why are we discussing the history of Israel that happened such a long time ago?”
Answer:
We study the history of Israel not just to learn about past events, but because these stories reveal who God is and how He deals with humanity. The Old Testament isn’t a collection of ancient tales—it’s part of all Scripture that, as 2 Timothy 3:16 says, is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
Through Israel’s experiences, we see God’s faithfulness, justice, mercy, and patience. Their victories and failures teach us lessons about obedience, trust, and the consequences of sin. In other words, those old stories are our spiritual history—they help us understand how God works with His people in every generation, including ours today.
Ellen G. White writes:
“The record of God's dealings with the nations of old was written for our instruction. We are to study the workings of Providence in the past history of the world, to understand the principles that will bring about the events of the future.” — Prophets and Kings, p. 536.
Yes, the same God of peace is the God of war. God did not create war, but He has to fight for what is just. God is a God of Justice, too.
The moment I set my eye on the lesson, my fear came and my faith was shaken terribly. Just how can I serve God who makes war? Who orders the killing of even young babies?
With deep thought, I realized I hold a wrong view of God's love.I forgot God's love is not separated from His Justice. Justice demands death for every soul that sin.
What of the infants?. .. well I think God did not just take their lives, He preserved their lives for eternity. For me, it sounds more caring than leaving them to live and die later in their parents sinfulness.
The story of the wars of Isrealites , reminds me that one day I'll come before God's throne of Judgement and account for every action whether good or bad. Evil and all who take pleasure in it will be destroyed and we will live in peace with each other forever and ever Amen.
How can we overcome this conflicts in our churches, family, work place, market and within our loved ones?