Pride before the fall – Joshua 7 & 8

Pride before thePride before the
Fall – Joshua 7&8Fall – Joshua 7&8
1Cor 5:61Cor 5:6 “Your boasting is not good. Don’t“Your boasting is not good. Don’t
you know that a little yeast leavens the wholeyou know that a little yeast leavens the whole
batch of dough?”batch of dough?”
Friday Meeting 28Friday Meeting 28thth
April 2012April 2012

Remembering the VictoryRemembering the Victory
The fall of Jericho: Jos 6:1-5The fall of Jericho: Jos 6:1-5
11
Now the gates of Jericho wereNow the gates of Jericho were
securely barred because of thesecurely barred because of the
Israelites. No one went out and noIsraelites. No one went out and no
one came in.one came in.
22
Then theThen the LORD said to Joshua,said to Joshua,
“See, I have delivered Jericho into“See, I have delivered Jericho into
your hands, along with its king andyour hands, along with its king and
its fighting men.its fighting men. 33
March around theMarch around the
city once with all the armed men.city once with all the armed men.
Do this for six days.Do this for six days. 44
Have sevenHave seven
priests carry trumpets of rams’priests carry trumpets of rams’
horns in front of the ark. On thehorns in front of the ark. On the
seventh day, march around the cityseventh day, march around the city
seven times, with the priestsseven times, with the priests
blowing the trumpets.blowing the trumpets. 55
When youWhen you
hear them sound a long blast onhear them sound a long blast on
the trumpets, have the whole armythe trumpets, have the whole army
give a loud shout; then the wall ofgive a loud shout; then the wall of
the city will collapse and the armythe city will collapse and the army
will go up, everyone straight in.”will go up, everyone straight in.”
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 2
• Past
Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

Ai in the strategic planAi in the strategic plan
Ai’s strategic location.Ai’s strategic location.
•As with Jericho, itsAs with Jericho, its
conquest was vital toconquest was vital to
the conquest of thethe conquest of the
entire land.entire land.
•Smaller than Jericho,Smaller than Jericho,
•Control of the mainControl of the main
route that ran alongroute that ran along
the ridge from north tothe ridge from north to
south along thesouth along the
highlands of thehighlands of the
central portion of thecentral portion of the
land.land.
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 3
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

Obedience to the CommandObedience to the Command
6:176:17
Now the city shall be doomed by theNow the city shall be doomed by the LORD
to destruction, it and all whoto destruction, it and all who areare in it. Onlyin it. Only
Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all whoRahab the harlot shall live, she and all who
areare with her in the house, because she hid thewith her in the house, because she hid the
messengers that we sent.messengers that we sent. 1818
And you, by allAnd you, by all
means abstain from themeans abstain from the accursedaccursed things, lestthings, lest
you become accursed when you take of theyou become accursed when you take of the
accursedaccursed things, and make the camp of Israelthings, and make the camp of Israel
a curse, and trouble it.a curse, and trouble it. 1919
But all the silver andBut all the silver and
gold, and vessels of bronze and iron,gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, areare
consecratedconsecrated to theto the LORD; they shall come; they shall come
into the treasury of theinto the treasury of the LORD.”.”
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 4
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

For something to be under theFor something to be under the banban meantmeant
one of two things.one of two things.
1.1.Everything living was to be completelyEverything living was to be completely
destroyed.destroyed.
2.2.All the valuable objects like gold andAll the valuable objects like gold and
silver were to be dedicated to the Lord.silver were to be dedicated to the Lord.
•This was evidently to be done as a kind ofThis was evidently to be done as a kind of
first fruits of the land and an evidence offirst fruits of the land and an evidence of
the people’s trust in the Lord’s supply forthe people’s trust in the Lord’s supply for
the future (cf.the future (cf. Lev. 27:28-29Lev. 27:28-29).).
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 5
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

1 But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in1 But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in
regard to the things under the ban, forregard to the things under the ban, for AchanAchan,,
the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son ofthe son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of
Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some ofZerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of
the things under the ban, therefore the angerthe things under the ban, therefore the anger
of the LORD burned against the sons ofof the LORD burned against the sons of
Israel.Israel.
2121
When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robeWhen I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe
from Babylonia,from Babylonia,[[cc]]
two hundred shekelstwo hundred shekels[[dd]]
ofof
silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels,silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels,[[ee]]
I coveted them and took them. They areI coveted them and took them. They are
hidden in the ground inside my tent, with thehidden in the ground inside my tent, with the
silver underneath.”silver underneath.”
•He broke theHe broke the BanBan and theand the DevotionDevotion17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 6
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

God was mercifulGod was merciful
•They were a vile people who practiced theThey were a vile people who practiced the
basest forms of immorality including childbasest forms of immorality including child
sacrifice.sacrifice.
•God had given them over four hundreds ofGod had given them over four hundreds of
years to repent, but now their iniquity hadyears to repent, but now their iniquity had
become full (seebecome full (see Gen. 15:16Gen. 15:16;; Lev.Lev. 18:24-2818:24-28
•The one family who did turn to the LordThe one family who did turn to the Lord
(Rahab and her family) were spared.(Rahab and her family) were spared.
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 7
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

• As with Sodom and Gomorrah, if thereAs with Sodom and Gomorrah, if there
had been even ten righteous, Godhad been even ten righteous, God
would have spared the city (would have spared the city (Gen. 18Gen. 18),),
but since he could not find even ten,but since he could not find even ten,
He removed Lot and his family (He removed Lot and his family (
Gen. 19Gen. 19).).
• Further, if any city had repented as didFurther, if any city had repented as did
Nineveh at the preaching of Jonah, HeNineveh at the preaching of Jonah, He
would have spared that citywould have spared that city
• Israel as a theocracy was anIsrael as a theocracy was an
instrument of judgment in the hands ofinstrument of judgment in the hands of
GodGod17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 8
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

Hidden SinHidden Sin
7:17:1
But the children of Israel committed aBut the children of Israel committed a
trespass regarding thetrespass regarding the accursedaccursed things, forthings, for
Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi,Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, thethe
son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of theson of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the
accursed things; so the anger of theaccursed things; so the anger of the LORD
burned against the children of Israel.burned against the children of Israel.
““devoted things/ Accurseddevoted things/ Accursed” (Strong’s H2764:” (Strong’s H2764:
‫רם‬ֶ ‫ח‬ֵ‫רם‬ֶ ‫ח‬ֵ cheremcherem) The Hebrew term refers to the) The Hebrew term refers to the
irrevocable giving over of things or persons toirrevocable giving over of things or persons to
the Lord, often by totally destroying them;the Lord, often by totally destroying them;
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 9
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

After such a tremendous victory at Jericho,After such a tremendous victory at Jericho,
Joshua chapter 7 is surprising to say the least.Joshua chapter 7 is surprising to say the least.
•Suddenly we are presented with a series ofSuddenly we are presented with a series of
failures that stand in striking contrast to thefailures that stand in striking contrast to the
wonderful victories of the past six chapters.wonderful victories of the past six chapters.
•The distance between a great victory and aThe distance between a great victory and a
terrible defeat isterrible defeat is one stepone step, and often only a, and often only a
short one at that.short one at that.
•One moment we can be like Elijah standingOne moment we can be like Elijah standing
victoriously on Mt. Carmel, and the next hidingvictoriously on Mt. Carmel, and the next hiding
out in a cave, fearing for his life, andout in a cave, fearing for his life, and
complaining to God (complaining to God (1 Kings 19:101 Kings 19:10).).
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 10
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 11
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin

Banned and DevotedBanned and Devoted
1.1. Everything living was to be completelyEverything living was to be completely
destroyed.destroyed.
– As children of God and the Body ofAs children of God and the Body of
Christ there are things that we areChrist there are things that we are
BannedBanned from.from.
1.1. All the valuable objects like gold and silverAll the valuable objects like gold and silver
were to be dedicated to the Lord.were to be dedicated to the Lord.
– As children of God and the Body ofAs children of God and the Body of
Christ there are things that we are toChrist there are things that we are to
devote to the Lord.devote to the Lord.
Q. What are they? Can you giveQ. What are they? Can you give
examplesexamples
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 12
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned
and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

A little YeastA little Yeast
Q. Why was all of Israel held accountable?...Q. Why was all of Israel held accountable?...
•There was sin in the camp and God could notThere was sin in the camp and God could not
dwell among them – remember thedwell among them – remember the ArkArk (God)(God)
won them the victorywon them the victory
•This does not mean that the rest of the nationThis does not mean that the rest of the nation
was sinless or that this was the only sinwas sinless or that this was the only sin
•but this sin was of such a nature (a sin ofbut this sin was of such a nature (a sin of
direct disobedience and rebellion) that Goddirect disobedience and rebellion) that God
used it to teach Israel (and us) a couple ofused it to teach Israel (and us) a couple of
important lessons.important lessons.
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 13
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little
yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

A little Yeast: We are His BodyA little Yeast: We are His Body
God views us as His bodyGod views us as His body
16 16
The cup of blessing which we bless, The cup of blessing which we bless,
is it not the communion of the blood of is it not the communion of the blood of
Christ? The bread which we break, is Christ? The bread which we break, is
it not the communion of the body of it not the communion of the body of
Christ? Christ? 17 17
For we, though many, are For we, though many, are
one bread and one bodyone bread and one body; for we all ; for we all
partake of that one bread.partake of that one bread. (1Cor(1Cor
10:16&17)10:16&17)
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 14
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little
yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

• Achan’s name, the Hebrew, akan, is a playAchan’s name, the Hebrew, akan, is a play
on the word akor, which means “trouble.” Soon the word akor, which means “trouble.” So
Joshua would declare that the Lord wouldJoshua would declare that the Lord would
bring trouble (akor) on Achan who hadbring trouble (akor) on Achan who had
become a “troubler” to the nation becausebecome a “troubler” to the nation because
of his sin (cf. 7:24-25).of his sin (cf. 7:24-25).
• 15 15
looking carefully lest anyone fall short of looking carefully lest anyone fall short of
the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness
springing up cause springing up cause troubletrouble, and by this , and by this
many become defiled; many become defiled; (Heb 12:15-16)(Heb 12:15-16)
• ““Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know
that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of
dough?”dough?” 1Cor 5:61Cor 5:6
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 15
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little
yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

Q. Is it right that one believer in the body canQ. Is it right that one believer in the body can
impact the whole?impact the whole?
The Apostle St. Paul saw the same principleThe Apostle St. Paul saw the same principle
of solidarity at work in the church (of solidarity at work in the church (
1 Cor 5:6-131 Cor 5:6-13). Unjudged sin contaminated the). Unjudged sin contaminated the
whole assembly—“Don’t you know that a littlewhole assembly—“Don’t you know that a little
yeast works through the whole batch ofyeast works through the whole batch of
dough?” (v. 6)dough?” (v. 6)
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 16
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little
yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

Q. Is it right that one believer in the body canQ. Is it right that one believer in the body can
impact the whole?impact the whole?
The Apostle St. Paul saw the same principleThe Apostle St. Paul saw the same principle
of solidarity at work in the church (of solidarity at work in the church (
1 Cor 5:6-131 Cor 5:6-13). Unjudged sin contaminated the). Unjudged sin contaminated the
whole assembly—“Don’t you know that a littlewhole assembly—“Don’t you know that a little
yeast works through the whole batch ofyeast works through the whole batch of
dough?” (v. 6)dough?” (v. 6)
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 17
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little
yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

Revelaing SinRevelaing Sin
God teaches us some great steps in thisGod teaches us some great steps in this
passage:passage:
1.1.Revealing SinRevealing Sin
2.2.The ConsequencesThe Consequences
3.3.CleansingCleansing
4.4.Victory restoredVictory restored
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 18
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

The ConsequencesThe Consequences
From Verse 12:From Verse 12:
12 12
Therefore the children of Israel could not Therefore the children of Israel could not
stand before their enemies, stand before their enemies, butbut turned turned theirtheir
backs before their enemies, because they backs before their enemies, because they
have become doomed to destruction. Neither have become doomed to destruction. Neither
will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy
the accursed from among you.the accursed from among you.
•Defeat: Can’t stand before your enemies.Defeat: Can’t stand before your enemies.
•Fear: They run from their enemies.Fear: They run from their enemies.
•Accursed: Grace is withdrawn.Accursed: Grace is withdrawn.
•Ongoing: Continue on until repent & obey.Ongoing: Continue on until repent & obey.
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 19
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequen
ces
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

CleansingCleansing
From Verses 13-15:From Verses 13-15:
13 13
Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify
yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the
LORD God of Israel: “ God of Israel: “There isThere is an accursed thing in  an accursed thing in
your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your
enemies until you take away the accursed thing from enemies until you take away the accursed thing from
among you.” among you.” 14 14
In the morning therefore you shall be In the morning therefore you shall be
brought according to your tribes. And it shall be brought according to your tribes. And it shall be thatthat
the tribe which the the tribe which the LORD takes shall come according  takes shall come according
to families; and the family which the to families; and the family which the LORD takes shall  takes shall
come by households; and the household which the come by households; and the household which the
LORD takes shall come man by man.  takes shall come man by man. 15 15
Then it shall Then it shall
be be thatthat he who is taken with the accursed thing shall  he who is taken with the accursed thing shall
be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he
has transgressed the covenant of the has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and , and
because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.’”because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.’”
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 20
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

CleansingCleansing
God is so loving – he takes them step by step God is so loving – he takes them step by step
through what they should do.through what they should do.
•Do we help others and patiently tell them Do we help others and patiently tell them
what is wrong? what is wrong?
•Or do we expect them to read our minds?Or do we expect them to read our minds?
•Are we harsh with our loved ones without Are we harsh with our loved ones without
instructing them?instructing them?
•Are we harsh with those at work maybe that Are we harsh with those at work maybe that
we manage?we manage?
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 21
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

CleansingCleansing
Chapter 8:Chapter 8:
Now theNow the LORD said to Joshua: “Do not besaid to Joshua: “Do not be
afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people ofafraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of
war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, Iwar with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I
have given into your hand the king of Ai, hishave given into your hand the king of Ai, his
people, his city, and his land.people, his city, and his land. 22
And you shallAnd you shall
do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho anddo to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and
its king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shallits king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shall
take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambushtake as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush
for the city behind it.”for the city behind it.”
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 22
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

ConclusionConclusion
A.A. Falling into Failure (Joshua 7:1-5)Falling into Failure (Joshua 7:1-5)
– Do you trust God when making plans?Do you trust God when making plans?
– Are you staying away from what is Banned?Are you staying away from what is Banned?
– Are you devoting to God what is His?Are you devoting to God what is His?
A.A. Staying in Disgrace (Joshua 7:6-10)Staying in Disgrace (Joshua 7:6-10)
– Are you living in defeat from some sin? Are you living in defeat from some sin?
– Are you refusing to repent?Are you refusing to repent?
– Are you hiding from the Lord?Are you hiding from the Lord?
A.A. Road to Recovery (Joshua 7:11-15)Road to Recovery (Joshua 7:11-15)
– Rise upRise up
– Repent and burn the remnants of sinRepent and burn the remnants of sin
– Graciously lead people out of sin because we Graciously lead people out of sin because we
are one Bodyare one Body
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 23
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

ReferencesReferences
• http://http://bible.org/article/agony-defeat-joshua-71-26bible.org/article/agony-defeat-joshua-71-26
• http://http://
www.enduringword.com/commentaries/0607.htmwww.enduringword.com/commentaries/0607.htm
• http://http://
souljournaler.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/examining-scripsouljournaler.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/examining-scrip
• http://http://
www.foundationsforfreedom.net/References/OT/Histowww.foundationsforfreedom.net/References/OT/Histo
17th
Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 24
• Past Victory
• Ai in the
Plan
• Obedience
• Hidden Sin
• Banned and
Devoted
• A little yeast
1. Revealing
Sin
2. The
Consequenc
es
3. Cleansing
4. Victory
Restored
• Conclusion

Pride before the fall – Joshua 7 & 8

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Pride before the fall – Joshua 7 & 8

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