So the Lord said to Joshua, "Rise up! Why is that you have fallen on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have been taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things. Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you any more unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst. - (v. 10-12)
Message: Achan's Sin at Ai
Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components.
What the Lord is Saying: At Jericho, the Lord God tells Joshua that Jericho will crumble and within the City the goods or treasures of the City will be devoted to the Lord (v. 17), to be burned and only the treasures (bronze, gold, silver, and iron) will be spared and again go into a treasury (v. 19) - thus for the use of the tabernacle. In Chapter 7, it states that Achan from the tribe of Judah took some of the things that were devoted to the Lord, under the ban or accursed (v. 1). Joshua sends spies to the land of Ai (v.2) and they said only to send 3,000 men for the people of Ai are few (v. 3). But the men of Ai struck down 36 of their men (v. 5). Joshua is broken by this and wonders now before the Lord why He has led them to this when they could have stayed near Jordan (v. 6-9). The Lord show Joshua that the sons of Israel sinned and so turned their backs on their enemies (v. 10-12). They are to destroy the items taken under the ban. Achan (family of Zerahites) does not come forward but only admits he has sinned against the Lord (v. 20) after Joshua had found him out. Joshua went and retrieved the items taken and he all of Achan's family is stoned and burned with fire and the "Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger." Sin was dealt with at this place now called the Valley of Achor (v.26).
The Lord provides direction to his people as to how they are to fight the battle and he does amazing things in the process. But in that process he tells them things they are to do and not to do. This story is similar to even the story of Adam and Eve in the garden. God provides everything they need but tells them to not eat of the tree of garden. They disobey and mankind is cursed. In this situation, not all people are cursed, but only those that commit the offense - Achan but there is also a defeat at Ai that occurs, in the killing of 36 men. The moral seems clear - accept God's providence which includes his directions and stay close to them. I think of the Jewish people and they seem to stay close to God's laws and yet don't accept the Messiah he provides. Christians accept the Messiah and yet many continue to live their own ways. We are to be a people that accepts the gift of God, but also adhere to his rules.
The Lord did not fail to keep His promises. The people failed to be obedient and failed to keep their promises.
Summary: The people of Israel next go to Ai, but here they take in casualties due to one family disobeying God at Jericho and not being obedient to the Lord and ultimately their lives are taken.
Promise: Our private sins have an impact on others. Be quick to turn from all sin.
Prayer: Lord, I admit I hide at times in my sin and think that it is only affecting me. But I have seen my anger hurt others and cause lasting problems not only to me but those in my family's path. Obedience to Your ways is what matters and I need to simply live my life in obedience. I am to honor You in all I do. Thank you for your amazing providence and all that You provide for me. Help me God to be good stewards of what You have provided and continue to provide.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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