Faithful to His promise, God gave His people victory over Jericho. God commanded the spoils of the fallen city to be brought into the treasury of the LORD. Anyone who took of the gold, silver, or articles of brass or iron would bring upon themselves a curse. All the Israelites who stormed the city were obedient to God's command - all except one. The Bible tells us Achan the son of Carmi took of the treasures for himself and stashed them in his tent.
All seemed well as the congregation set their eyes on overthrowing Ai, a small city in comparison to Jericho. When the men of Israel went up to battle against Ai, however, the Israelites fled before their enemies. 36 men died in the assault, and the men retreated back to camp and Joshua their commander. Joshua and the elders tore their clothes in grief and put dust on their heads for the remainder of the day. How could this be? Why had God brought them this far to allow them to be defeated? Wasn't it a horrible thing that God's people should be put to flight? What if the surrounding nations heard of it! Oh, the shame!
God's response certainly grabbed Joshua's attention in Joshua 7:10-11: "So the LORD said to Joshua: "Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? 11 Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff." Joshua's humiliation served no purpose when there was sin which needed to be confessed, exposed, and dealt with biblically. The covenant God made with the people had been broken, and Joshua lying in dust couldn't repair the damage nor restore the loss of life. The children of God needed to be determined to walk in victory over their own sin even as they desired the defeat of those who chased and slaughtered them.
Sin in the life of the believer has an undermining effect which ruins all. It reminds me of a verse I read last night of those who pray but doubt in James 1:7-8: "For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." Unbelief and disobedience in our lives makes us unstable, unable to stand upright. The hearts of the men melted when the men of Ai rushed at them even though God had promised them victory. The victory of God's people is often contingent upon faith and obedience, and this is true under the New Covenant of the Gospel. Jesus has removed the curse and power of sin, and if we will stand girded in the armour of God and fearless in battle we must confess sin and repent.
This passage teaches me humility without repentance for sin avails little. Thankfully God spoke to Joshua and revealed the truth. After atonement for sin the children of Israel were victorious over Ai, and so it is with us. In our distress let us humbly cry out to the LORD, but let us also be vigilant to confess our known sin and forsake it. God will not keep us in the dark because in Him is light and no darkness at all. It is His will we would repent, be forgiven, and victorious. Grieving over our loss is not adequate to deal with sin which must be repented of. Praise the LORD God has supplied His righteousness not by works which we have done but according to His mercy and grace.
All seemed well as the congregation set their eyes on overthrowing Ai, a small city in comparison to Jericho. When the men of Israel went up to battle against Ai, however, the Israelites fled before their enemies. 36 men died in the assault, and the men retreated back to camp and Joshua their commander. Joshua and the elders tore their clothes in grief and put dust on their heads for the remainder of the day. How could this be? Why had God brought them this far to allow them to be defeated? Wasn't it a horrible thing that God's people should be put to flight? What if the surrounding nations heard of it! Oh, the shame!
God's response certainly grabbed Joshua's attention in Joshua 7:10-11: "So the LORD said to Joshua: "Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? 11 Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff." Joshua's humiliation served no purpose when there was sin which needed to be confessed, exposed, and dealt with biblically. The covenant God made with the people had been broken, and Joshua lying in dust couldn't repair the damage nor restore the loss of life. The children of God needed to be determined to walk in victory over their own sin even as they desired the defeat of those who chased and slaughtered them.
Sin in the life of the believer has an undermining effect which ruins all. It reminds me of a verse I read last night of those who pray but doubt in James 1:7-8: "For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." Unbelief and disobedience in our lives makes us unstable, unable to stand upright. The hearts of the men melted when the men of Ai rushed at them even though God had promised them victory. The victory of God's people is often contingent upon faith and obedience, and this is true under the New Covenant of the Gospel. Jesus has removed the curse and power of sin, and if we will stand girded in the armour of God and fearless in battle we must confess sin and repent.
This passage teaches me humility without repentance for sin avails little. Thankfully God spoke to Joshua and revealed the truth. After atonement for sin the children of Israel were victorious over Ai, and so it is with us. In our distress let us humbly cry out to the LORD, but let us also be vigilant to confess our known sin and forsake it. God will not keep us in the dark because in Him is light and no darkness at all. It is His will we would repent, be forgiven, and victorious. Grieving over our loss is not adequate to deal with sin which must be repented of. Praise the LORD God has supplied His righteousness not by works which we have done but according to His mercy and grace.
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