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![Obedience to the CommandObedience to the Command
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](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/pridebeforethefalljoshua78-140317172637-phpapp02/75/Pride-before-the-fall-Joshua-7-8-6-2048.jpg)
Uploaded byEhab Roufail
Pride before the fall – Joshua 7 & 8
The document discusses chapters 7 and 8 of the book of Joshua. It begins by recounting Israel's victory over Jericho through obeying God's commands. However, after this victory, one man named Achan disobeyed by taking some devoted items from Jericho. As a result, the Israelites were defeated in their next battle against Ai. Achan confessed to taking a robe, silver, and gold from Jericho. The document notes that even one person's sin can affect the whole community, as God views his people as one body. It emphasizes the importance of obedience and avoiding things devoted to destruction.
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Similar to Pride before the fall – Joshua 7 & 8
Pride before the fall – Joshua 7 & 8
- 1. Pride before thePridebefore 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
- 2. Remembering the VictoryRememberingthe 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
- 3. Ai in thestrategic 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
- 4. Obedience to theCommandObedience 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
- 5. Obedience to theCommandObedience to the Command 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
- 6. Obedience to theCommandObedience to the Command 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
- 7. Obedience to theCommandObedience to the Command 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
- 8. Obedience to theCommandObedience to the Command • 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
- 9. Hidden SinHidden Sin 7:17:1 Butthe 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
- 10. Hidden SinHidden Sin Aftersuch 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
- 11. Hidden SinHidden Sin 17th Feb2012 Joshua 7 & 8 11 • Past Victory • Ai in the Plan • Obedience • Hidden Sin
- 12. Banned and DevotedBannedand 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
- 13. A little YeastAlittle 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
- 14. 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
- 15. A little Yeast:We are His BodyA little Yeast: We are His Body • 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
- 16. A little Yeast:We are His BodyA little Yeast: We are His Body 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
- 17. A little Yeast:We are His BodyA little Yeast: We are His Body 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
- 18. Revelaing SinRevelaing Sin Godteaches 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
- 19. The ConsequencesThe Consequences FromVerse 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
- 20. CleansingCleansing From Verses 13-15:FromVerses 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
- 21. 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
- 22. CleansingCleansing Chapter 8:Chapter 8: Now theNow theLORD 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
- 23. ConclusionConclusion A.A. Falling intoFailure (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
- 24. 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
Editor's Notes
- #2 Ehab Roufail
- #6 For something to be under the ban meant one of two things. (1) Everything living was to be completely destroyed. This has been called barbaric and primitive—nothing less than the murder of innocent lives, but the Canaanites were by no means innocent. They were a vile people who practiced the basest forms of immorality including child sacrifice. God had given them over four hundreds of years to repent, but now their iniquity had become full (see Gen. 15:16; Lev. 18:24-28).
- #7 For something to be under the ban meant one of two things. (1) Everything living was to be completely destroyed. This has been called barbaric and primitive—nothing less than the murder of innocent lives, but the Canaanites were by no means innocent. They were a vile people who practiced the basest forms of immorality including child sacrifice. God had given them over four hundreds of years to repent, but now their iniquity had become full (see Gen. 15:16; Lev. 18:24-28).
- #8 The one family who did turn to the Lord (Rahab and her family) were spared. As with Sodom and Gomorrah, if there had been even ten righteous, God would have spared the city (Gen. 18), but since he could not find even ten, He removed Lot and his family (Gen. 19). Further, if any city had repented as did Nineveh at the preaching of Jonah, He would have spared that city, but in spite of all the miraculous works of God which they had heard of, there was no repentance, they remained steadfast in their depravity. Note Norman Geisler’s comment: … the battle confronting Israel was not simply a religious war; it was a theocratic war. Israel was directly ruled by God and the extermination was God’s direct command (cf. Exod. 23:27-30; Deut. 7:3-6; Josh. 8:24-26). No other nation either before or after Israel has been a theocracy. Thus, those commands were unique. Israel as a theocracy was an instrument of judgment in the hands of God.2 (2) All the valuable objects like gold and silver were to be dedicated to the Lord’s treasury. This was evidently to be done as a kind of first fruits of the land and an evidence of the people’s trust in the Lord’s supply for the future (cf. Lev. 27:28-29).
- #9 The one family who did turn to the Lord (Rahab and her family) were spared. As with Sodom and Gomorrah, if there had been even ten righteous, God would have spared the city (Gen. 18), but since he could not find even ten, He removed Lot and his family (Gen. 19). Further, if any city had repented as did Nineveh at the preaching of Jonah, He would have spared that city, but in spite of all the miraculous works of God which they had heard of, there was no repentance, they remained steadfast in their depravity. Note Norman Geisler’s comment: … the battle confronting Israel was not simply a religious war; it was a theocratic war. Israel was directly ruled by God and the extermination was God’s direct command (cf. Exod. 23:27-30; Deut. 7:3-6; Josh. 8:24-26). No other nation either before or after Israel has been a theocracy. Thus, those commands were unique. Israel as a theocracy was an instrument of judgment in the hands of God.2 (2) All the valuable objects like gold and silver were to be dedicated to the Lord’s treasury. This was evidently to be done as a kind of first fruits of the land and an evidence of the people’s trust in the Lord’s supply for the future (cf. Lev. 27:28-29).
- #11 After such a tremendous victory at Jericho, Joshua chapter 7 is surprising to say the least. Suddenly we are presented with a series of failures that stand in striking contrast to the wonderful victories of the past six chapters. How instructive this is if we only have the ears to listen to the message of this chapter. The thrill of victory was so quickly replaced by the agony of defeat. This is the story of life, and something we each must learn to deal with in our daily walk. One minute we can be living in victory and next in defeat. The distance between a great victory and a terrible defeat is one step, and often only a short one at that. A fact of reality is that in a fallen world we can be riding high on the cloud of some great spiritual success, and the very next moment find ourselves in the valley of spiritual failure and despair. One moment we can be like Elijah standing victoriously on Mt. Carmel, and the next hiding out in a cave, fearing for his life, and complaining to God (1 Kings 19:10). 10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
- #14 The Lord held the whole camp of Israel accountable for the act of one man and He withheld His blessing until the matter was dealt with. There was sin in the camp and God would not continue the blessing of the nation as long as this was so. This does not mean that the rest of the nation was sinless or that this was the only sin, but this sin was of such a nature (a sin of direct disobedience and rebellion) that God used it to teach Israel (and us) a couple of important lessons. a. God viewed the nation as a unit. What one did was viewed as a sin for the whole nation because Israel’s corporate life often illustrates truth and warnings for us as individuals (1 Cor. 10). As a warning for the church, it shows us we cannot progress and move ahead for the Lord with known sin in our lives because that constitutes rebellion against the Lord’s direction and control (Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19). It is a matter of loving the world and to do so is make one behave as though he or she was an enemy of God (Jam. 4). b. One believer’s sin impacts everyone. Achan’s behavior also illustrates how one believer out of fellowship, pursuing his own selfish desires and agendas, negatively impacts and creates trouble for an entire group. Achan’s name, the Hebrew, akan, is a play on the word akor, which means “trouble.” So Joshua would declare that the Lord would bring trouble (akor) on Achan who had become a “troubler” to the nation because of his sin (cf. 7:24-25). Thus, the site of Achan’s death and grave was called, “the valley of Achor” (Hebrew, akor, “disturbance, trouble”). This should also call to mind Hebrews 12:15-16 and 1 Corinthians 5:6-7. Though the crime was committed by one person, the whole nation was considered guilty. The nation was responsible for the obedience of every citizen and was charged with the punishment of every offender. The Apostle Paul saw the same principle of solidarity at work in the church (1 Cor 5:6-13). Unjudged sin contaminated the whole assembly—“Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?” (v. 6).3
- #15 a. God viewed the nation as a unit. What one did was viewed as a sin for the whole nation because Israel’s corporate life often illustrates truth and warnings for us as individuals (1 Cor. 10). As a warning for the church, it shows us we cannot progress and move ahead for the Lord with known sin in our lives because that constitutes rebellion against the Lord’s direction and control (Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19). It is a matter of loving the world and to do so is make one behave as though he or she was an enemy of God (Jam. 4). b. One believer’s sin impacts everyone. Achan’s behavior also illustrates how one believer out of fellowship, pursuing his own selfish desires and agendas, negatively impacts and creates trouble for an entire group. Achan’s name, the Hebrew, akan, is a play on the word akor, which means “trouble.” So Joshua would declare that the Lord would bring trouble (akor) on Achan who had become a “troubler” to the nation because of his sin (cf. 7:24-25). Thus, the site of Achan’s death and grave was called, “the valley of Achor” (Hebrew, akor, “disturbance, trouble”). This should also call to mind Hebrews 12:15-16 and 1 Corinthians 5:6-7. Though the crime was committed by one person, the whole nation was considered guilty. The nation was responsible for the obedience of every citizen and was charged with the punishment of every offender. The Apostle Paul saw the same principle of solidarity at work in the church (1 Cor 5:6-13). Unjudged sin contaminated the whole assembly—“Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?” (v. 6).3
- #16 a. God viewed the nation as a unit. What one did was viewed as a sin for the whole nation because Israel’s corporate life often illustrates truth and warnings for us as individuals (1 Cor. 10). As a warning for the church, it shows us we cannot progress and move ahead for the Lord with known sin in our lives because that constitutes rebellion against the Lord’s direction and control (Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19). It is a matter of loving the world and to do so is make one behave as though he or she was an enemy of God (Jam. 4). b. One believer’s sin impacts everyone. Achan’s behavior also illustrates how one believer out of fellowship, pursuing his own selfish desires and agendas, negatively impacts and creates trouble for an entire group. Achan’s name, the Hebrew, akan, is a play on the word akor, which means “trouble.” So Joshua would declare that the Lord would bring trouble (akor) on Achan who had become a “troubler” to the nation because of his sin (cf. 7:24-25). Thus, the site of Achan’s death and grave was called, “the valley of Achor” (Hebrew, akor, “disturbance, trouble”). This should also call to mind Hebrews 12:15-16 and 1 Corinthians 5:6-7. Though the crime was committed by one person, the whole nation was considered guilty. The nation was responsible for the obedience of every citizen and was charged with the punishment of every offender. The Apostle Paul saw the same principle of solidarity at work in the church (1 Cor 5:6-13). Unjudged sin contaminated the whole assembly—“Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?” (v. 6).3
- #17 a. God viewed the nation as a unit. What one did was viewed as a sin for the whole nation because Israel’s corporate life often illustrates truth and warnings for us as individuals (1 Cor. 10). As a warning for the church, it shows us we cannot progress and move ahead for the Lord with known sin in our lives because that constitutes rebellion against the Lord’s direction and control (Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19). It is a matter of loving the world and to do so is make one behave as though he or she was an enemy of God (Jam. 4). b. One believer’s sin impacts everyone. Achan’s behavior also illustrates how one believer out of fellowship, pursuing his own selfish desires and agendas, negatively impacts and creates trouble for an entire group. Achan’s name, the Hebrew, akan, is a play on the word akor, which means “trouble.” So Joshua would declare that the Lord would bring trouble (akor) on Achan who had become a “troubler” to the nation because of his sin (cf. 7:24-25). Thus, the site of Achan’s death and grave was called, “the valley of Achor” (Hebrew, akor, “disturbance, trouble”). This should also call to mind Hebrews 12:15-16 and 1 Corinthians 5:6-7. Though the crime was committed by one person, the whole nation was considered guilty. The nation was responsible for the obedience of every citizen and was charged with the punishment of every offender. The Apostle Paul saw the same principle of solidarity at work in the church (1 Cor 5:6-13). Unjudged sin contaminated the whole assembly—“Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?” (v. 6).3
- #18 a. God viewed the nation as a unit. What one did was viewed as a sin for the whole nation because Israel’s corporate life often illustrates truth and warnings for us as individuals (1 Cor. 10). As a warning for the church, it shows us we cannot progress and move ahead for the Lord with known sin in our lives because that constitutes rebellion against the Lord’s direction and control (Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19). It is a matter of loving the world and to do so is make one behave as though he or she was an enemy of God (Jam. 4). b. One believer’s sin impacts everyone. Achan’s behavior also illustrates how one believer out of fellowship, pursuing his own selfish desires and agendas, negatively impacts and creates trouble for an entire group. Achan’s name, the Hebrew, akan, is a play on the word akor, which means “trouble.” So Joshua would declare that the Lord would bring trouble (akor) on Achan who had become a “troubler” to the nation because of his sin (cf. 7:24-25). Thus, the site of Achan’s death and grave was called, “the valley of Achor” (Hebrew, akor, “disturbance, trouble”). This should also call to mind Hebrews 12:15-16 and 1 Corinthians 5:6-7. Though the crime was committed by one person, the whole nation was considered guilty. The nation was responsible for the obedience of every citizen and was charged with the punishment of every offender. The Apostle Paul saw the same principle of solidarity at work in the church (1 Cor 5:6-13). Unjudged sin contaminated the whole assembly—“Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?” (v. 6).3
- #22 we see God being so gracious. He gives them a step by step process so that they would correct their predicament. Sometimes in our impatience we do not graciously help the other know what is wrong and how it can be solved. Are you a wife with a cold shoulder? You are very upset with your husband but refuse to graciously talk with him about what needs to be done to straighten things out. Are you an employer who is hard on your employees expecting them to know how to rightly correct things? Are you a former friend who never told your friend why you wouldn’t talk to him or her anymore? These actions to not reveal the mercies of God We need to take the extra time to spend helping people know how to recover and put aside our anger and spirit of revenge. God is firm about getting things right, but He is very gracious in the way He helps us straighten things out. It is amazing how Jesus died on the cross for our sin. We were like the city of Jericho fit to be destroyed. But God provided one place where we could find refuge. He then appointed us to tell others where they can find refuge from God’s judgment. This is God’s mercy. Do we extend His grace as He tells us or are we complacent huddled about in the designated house just waiting doing our own thing? God is seeking us out. He wants us to be saved. He gives us a way to be saved through the blood of Christ. We need to be gracious like our Master. If God calls you as a missionary or evangelist, then go. Don’t stay in your way. We are the means by which we pronounce the cure from God’s wrath. There is another spiritual teaching here in this verse. Notice that in verse 15 that the one who takes the things shall be cursed with them. “And it shall be that the one who is taken with the things under the ban shall be burned with fire, he and all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has committed a disgraceful thing in Israel.” This shows how the wrath of God must go forth. You can argue with God that He should not do such a thing but spurn Him, but you will only perish. You can state that God is not that way, but in the end you will perish with the world. The curse is inclusive and shows us how the world is already under judgment. We are inherently under the curse.
- #23 we see God being so gracious. He gives them a step by step process so that they would correct their predicament. Sometimes in our impatience we do not graciously help the other know what is wrong and how it can be solved. Are you a wife with a cold shoulder? You are very upset with your husband but refuse to graciously talk with him about what needs to be done to straighten things out. Are you an employer who is hard on your employees expecting them to know how to rightly correct things? Are you a former friend who never told your friend why you wouldn’t talk to him or her anymore? These actions to not reveal the mercies of God We need to take the extra time to spend helping people know how to recover and put aside our anger and spirit of revenge. God is firm about getting things right, but He is very gracious in the way He helps us straighten things out. It is amazing how Jesus died on the cross for our sin. We were like the city of Jericho fit to be destroyed. But God provided one place where we could find refuge. He then appointed us to tell others where they can find refuge from God’s judgment. This is God’s mercy. Do we extend His grace as He tells us or are we complacent huddled about in the designated house just waiting doing our own thing? God is seeking us out. He wants us to be saved. He gives us a way to be saved through the blood of Christ. We need to be gracious like our Master. If God calls you as a missionary or evangelist, then go. Don’t stay in your way. We are the means by which we pronounce the cure from God’s wrath. There is another spiritual teaching here in this verse. Notice that in verse 15 that the one who takes the things shall be cursed with them. “And it shall be that the one who is taken with the things under the ban shall be burned with fire, he and all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has committed a disgraceful thing in Israel.” This shows how the wrath of God must go forth. You can argue with God that He should not do such a thing but spurn Him, but you will only perish. You can state that God is not that way, but in the end you will perish with the world. The curse is inclusive and shows us how the world is already under judgment. We are inherently under the curse.
- #24 we see God being so gracious. He gives them a step by step process so that they would correct their predicament. Sometimes in our impatience we do not graciously help the other know what is wrong and how it can be solved. Are you a wife with a cold shoulder? You are very upset with your husband but refuse to graciously talk with him about what needs to be done to straighten things out. Are you an employer who is hard on your employees expecting them to know how to rightly correct things? Are you a former friend who never told your friend why you wouldn’t talk to him or her anymore? These actions to not reveal the mercies of God We need to take the extra time to spend helping people know how to recover and put aside our anger and spirit of revenge. God is firm about getting things right, but He is very gracious in the way He helps us straighten things out. It is amazing how Jesus died on the cross for our sin. We were like the city of Jericho fit to be destroyed. But God provided one place where we could find refuge. He then appointed us to tell others where they can find refuge from God’s judgment. This is God’s mercy. Do we extend His grace as He tells us or are we complacent huddled about in the designated house just waiting doing our own thing? God is seeking us out. He wants us to be saved. He gives us a way to be saved through the blood of Christ. We need to be gracious like our Master. If God calls you as a missionary or evangelist, then go. Don’t stay in your way. We are the means by which we pronounce the cure from God’s wrath. There is another spiritual teaching here in this verse. Notice that in verse 15 that the one who takes the things shall be cursed with them. “And it shall be that the one who is taken with the things under the ban shall be burned with fire, he and all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has committed a disgraceful thing in Israel.” This shows how the wrath of God must go forth. You can argue with God that He should not do such a thing but spurn Him, but you will only perish. You can state that God is not that way, but in the end you will perish with the world. The curse is inclusive and shows us how the world is already under judgment. We are inherently under the curse.
- #25 we see God being so gracious. He gives them a step by step process so that they would correct their predicament. Sometimes in our impatience we do not graciously help the other know what is wrong and how it can be solved. Are you a wife with a cold shoulder? You are very upset with your husband but refuse to graciously talk with him about what needs to be done to straighten things out. Are you an employer who is hard on your employees expecting them to know how to rightly correct things? Are you a former friend who never told your friend why you wouldn’t talk to him or her anymore? These actions to not reveal the mercies of God We need to take the extra time to spend helping people know how to recover and put aside our anger and spirit of revenge. God is firm about getting things right, but He is very gracious in the way He helps us straighten things out. It is amazing how Jesus died on the cross for our sin. We were like the city of Jericho fit to be destroyed. But God provided one place where we could find refuge. He then appointed us to tell others where they can find refuge from God’s judgment. This is God’s mercy. Do we extend His grace as He tells us or are we complacent huddled about in the designated house just waiting doing our own thing? God is seeking us out. He wants us to be saved. He gives us a way to be saved through the blood of Christ. We need to be gracious like our Master. If God calls you as a missionary or evangelist, then go. Don’t stay in your way. We are the means by which we pronounce the cure from God’s wrath. There is another spiritual teaching here in this verse. Notice that in verse 15 that the one who takes the things shall be cursed with them. “And it shall be that the one who is taken with the things under the ban shall be burned with fire, he and all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has committed a disgraceful thing in Israel.” This shows how the wrath of God must go forth. You can argue with God that He should not do such a thing but spurn Him, but you will only perish. You can state that God is not that way, but in the end you will perish with the world. The curse is inclusive and shows us how the world is already under judgment. We are inherently under the curse.