Joshua 7:10-26
Verse 19 Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and honor Him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.”
While this story may sound like it is about a greedy man, it is really about a righteous God. While about a disobedient man, it is about a leader who was willing to obey God, no matter the cost. It is a story about how God made a point that His chosen people would remember for a while. When He tells them not to do something, He means it.
It wasn’t that none of the objects from the city were to be taken, but that they weren’t to be taken as personal plunder. There were things that were to be taken for the treasury of the Lord. They were even warned that if they didn’t obey, it would bring punishment on all of the people of Israel. Even with that knowledge Achan decided to take some for himself. Maybe he didn’t think he would be found out or maybe he didn’t care because after years in the wilderness, it just felt good to have something of worth.
God kept His word, as He always does, and that meant a fall for all of the nation. After having God win the war at Jericho for them they may have expected an easy win over Ai as well, but God wasn’t with them in that battle. It wasn’t that God didn’t want to give them the victory but to keep His word, He couldn’t.
This defeat must have rocked the ranks quite hard. They had been experiencing such amazing wonders as God had led them into the Promised Land and knew He had told them to rid the land of the idol worshiping nations who had been inhabiting the land and so they may have been thinking He would make every victory as simple as the first. They had been so confident of an easy victory, they didn’t even send the entire army. When Joshua went to God in great grief, God told him to get up and that He will point out the person at fault. He also told the leader how to punish the offence.
God doesn’t leave the people wondering why they lost. This is one of the great things about the Lord. His love for us is so great that though He prefers we listen and obey, He will point out with conviction, when we have sinned. This conviction comes with very specific information. He doesn’t condemn us, using general accusations which is how the enemy operates. No, He loves us enough to make it clear what the issue is so we can deal with it.
Making It Personal
What have you been convicted about? How did you respond to the conviction? What conviction do you need to respond to today?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever felt like God pointed out a sin you have done? What did you do when you felt Him point it out? How should you respond to the temptation to sin?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for the way You convict us of our sin. Give us hearts which are quick to repent and even quicker to obey. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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