June 18, 2021
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Reading along with us in Joshua? Here’s today’s reading:
Joshua 7 (NIV)
Achan’s Sin
1 But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.
2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai..........Continue Reading
Joshua 6 & 7
God is loving, caring and compassionate for sure. It would be good for us to remember from time to time that He is also mighty, powerful beyond measure and just. Seems Achan forgot.
It is amazing that no matter how much God does for the Israelites they still consistently mess up! I guess they aren’t a far cry from us but it is so frustrating to read about and realize I do the same thing!
Joshua 7 – the Israelites just kept testing God not trusting him after all he has done for them and God shows his wrath with them, they want everything now and their way just with people today willing to change God’s word just to please people.
I am a little surprised that Joshua blames God for the failure at Ai. Although it is typical of us to do the same, if we took time for careful evaluation and being reminded of God’s truth, we would see it is due to our unfaithfulness often times and not God’s. God had made it clear that He would not be with them if they disobeyed (especially in the point He made that things in Jericho were to be destroyed). So maybe at least ask a question….was this about us or You? One wonders too if Joshua was a little flippant or working independently with Ai as well.
But once it is clear that the jig is up, I couldn’t help but think what Achan is thinking as the noose gets tighter and tighter. At what point would we say, hey it’s me? But Achan waits until he is identified as an individual and everyone connected to him pays the price. One wonders if he confessed earlier it would have been different. It is clear that God is teaching a lesson here, and the gravity of the punishment reveals the gravity of what God is teaching and He is the one who decides how important the lesson is. It would certainly reenforce to everyone when God says destroy it all, He means destroy it all….
It’s always been interesting to me that those who are part of such great things- where God is so present and visible in their lives- that they still disobey. It’s the story of the Old Testament told over and over again.
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
-Luke 16:31
10The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? 11Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
I think that Joshua really had no clue why they were defeated at Ai. He totally expected victory, because of his faith that God had given them the land. Even when he is defeated, he is concerned for God’s name, because even those in the land have heard and know that the Lord has given the Israelites the land. What will they think now?
God assured Joshua that he has not sinned (Get up!) Israel has transgressed. God clearly knows, to the man, how, what and where the sin lies. It reminds me of the verse, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13