What a victory God had
given His people over the ominous, fortified, apparently invincible city of
Jericho! Nothing could stand in their way, especially as they approached the
smaller city of Ai, or so they thought. Yet the enemy that threatened to
destroy them was not the Canaanite forces that were before them; it was the sin
that was among them. What a powerful message for Christians today!
Here’s an outline for
Joshua 7, adapted for use here.
7:1 Disobedience
7:2-5 Defeat
7:6-9 Dismay
7:10-15 Directions
7:16-23 Discovery
7:24-26 Destruction
Let’s study each of
these components.
7:1 – Disobedience
Jericho defeated!
Rahab spared!
Joshua promoted!
Future victory assured!
“BUT …” Uh-oh!
Are people more
vulnerable after a success?
Do we rush into the
next step without prep?
Who sinned, the sons
of Israel or this Achan?
Why would the LORD’s
anger burn against all?
What effect can one
person’s sin have on all?
How did all this
happen? Read on.
7:2-5 – Defeat
10 miles northwest of
Jericho.
“No big deal. Just
send 2000 or 3000 men.”
Don’t underestimate
the enemy’s strength.
God later says, “Take
the whole army!” 8:1
Israel routed. 36
died. Only defeat in 7-yr effort.
Now it’s Israel whose
hearts have melted.
Disappointment.
Failure. Fear. WHY?
7:6-9 – Dismay
Torn clothes. Dust on
heads. Flat on the ground.
Perplexed. Unaware of
sin in the camp.
First response – blame
God!
“Why did you get us
here, just to give us up?”
“The Canaanites will
surround and overtake us!”
“Our name – and Your
name – will suffer!”
Why are some so quick
to blame God?
What results when we
blame God or others instead of confronting the sin in our own midst?
7:10-15 – Directions
God: “Get up and face
the music! Israel has …
Sinned. Transgressed.
Taken. Stolen. Deceived.”
“I will not be with
you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.” Fix
it or go it alone.
Why go through this
process – identifying the tribe, the family, the household, and the man? Why
wouldn’t God just accuse Achan directly?
“Burned with fire!”
Why such a severe penalty?
Was this really such a
big deal? Discuss.
7:16-23 – Discovery
Again, “Joshua rose
early.” Good habit! 3:1; 6:12.
Apparently lots were
used.
“My son, give glory
and praise to God. Confess!”
The sin process: I
saw. I coveted. I took. I hid.
Compare to Eve and
Adam, to David, and to us!
Flashy stuff! A
Babylonian robe, about 5 lbs. of silver, and about a 1.25-lb wedge of gold.
Yet he couldn’t wear
it, show it, or shop with it!
Where would you rank
coveting – selfishly loving and craving more stuff – in a list of our dangers?
7:24-26 – Destruction
How did sin benefit
Achan? What did it cost him?
His spoil, family,
animals, all his stuff. His life.
Did his family share
in the sin, or only its cost?
His animals and tent,
too – all he had touched.
What about Israel’s
army, progress, and morale?
Was it worth it? So
what should we learn from it?
“Achor” = “trouble.”
“Achan” may = “troubler.”
Those who sow trouble
reap trouble.
Another pile of rocks.
A sobering reminder.
“The wages of sin is
death, but …” Rom 6:23
Remember:
1 Tim 6:6 But
godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For
we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it
either. 8 If we have food and
covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But
those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish
and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For
the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it
have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But
flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
No comments:
Post a Comment