Israel suffers a defeat

Joshua Chapter 7

Even though they captured Jericho, Israel was unfaithful in some things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan (son of Carmi, Zimri family, Clan of Zerah and tribe of Judah) had stolen some of these things, so the Lord was angry with the Israelites.

Joshua sent men to spy out the town of Ai near Beth-aven. They returned and told Joshua that it was a small town and wouldn’t take more the two or three thousand warriors to destroy it. So three thousand warriors went, were defeated and chased away. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this and their courage melted away.

Joshua and the Iraelite leaders tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads and bowed to face the Ark of the Lord. And Joshua cried, “Sovereign Lord, why did you bring us across the Jordan if you are going to let the Amorites kill us. What am I to say to the people, for when the other people living in this land hear about it, they will surround us and wipe us off the face of the earth. And what will happen to the honor of your great name?”

But the Lord told Joshua to get up off his knees and command the people to purify themselves in preparation for the day to come. The Lord told him that there were things hidden among the Israelites set apart for the Lord. And they would not defeat the enemy until these things are removed. In the morning, said the Lord, present yourselves to the tribes and the Lord will point out the tribe to which the guilty man belongs. That tribe must come forward with its clans and the guilty family and the Lord would point out the guilty family. Each member of the guilty party will come forward one by one. The one who has stolen what was set aside for destruction will be burned with fire, along with everything he has, for he has broken the covenant of the Lord and has done a horrible thing to Israel.

Early in the morning the tribes came before the Lord and Judah was singled out. Judah’s clans came forward and Zerah was singled out. Zimri’s family came forward and Achan was singled out. And Joshua told him to confess to all he had done. Achan replied that he had sinned against the Lord by taking a beautiful robe and two hundred silver coins and a bar of gold. He said he hid them in the ground beneath his tent. A search was made and the items found and taken to Joshua who took them and also everything Achan had, including his sons, daughters, livestock and brought them to the valley of Achor. Achan and his family were stoned by the people and their bodies burned. A pile of stones cover Achan and the place was called the Valley of Trouble.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Because of Achan’s sin, many men died, the army melted in fear and Joshua question God’s motives. Also God threatened to withdraw his presence and lastly, Achan and his family had to be destroyed. When Israel eliminated the sin from their community, the rewards were great: God encouraged them in battle, he promised them victory, and he let them keep the plunder of battles.

Joshua and the leaders torn their clothing and dusted their heads as a sign of deep mourning before God. They needed to humble themselves and focus on hearing God’s words. The battle of Ai was probably lost because Joshua didn’t consult God but relied solely on the strength of his army.

God saw Achan’s sin as a sin on the whole nation of Israel because it was a national disobedience to a national law. When one person failed, they all failed. Achan’s sin was not merely keeping the loot, but disobeying God’s commands. In the ancient world, the family was treated as a whole and thus Achan’s family was to be stoned along with him. A common custom in those days.

How does this chapter relate to us today?
So many lessons here. Like how we can experience victory when we turn from sin and follow God’s plan. Sometimes like Joshua and his army, we to do things on our own and forget that all things come to those who wait for God’s instruction. We should always turn to God for help and like Joshua,we should humble ourselves so we can hear God’s words. He wants to work through us. I admire Joshua’s humble prayer to the Lord. It was honest and heartfelt and expressed his true feelings; things that God wants in our own prayers. Humble yourself, ask God for forgiveness for any wrong you have done. Ask him for guidance in all that you do. Praise be to the Lord!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
Health: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Teli’s family, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family.
Spiritual Uplifting: Gail, Mary
Restoration of faith: Al, John
Love and support for: Claire, Hunter
Support: Haiti, Chile, those cleaning up the gulf coast oil spill and those who lost their livelihood there. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.