Joshua 7:1-2 (KJV) 1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. 2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.
The men sent to Ai returned and convinced Joshua to not send all of Israel to fight against to fight against Ai who were but a few. Joshua responded by sending only 3000 men to fight against Ai, and they were smitten.
And when Israel was defeated by the men of AI, it did not cross Joshua’s mind that the men he charged to go up and view the country had been cocky and not reported accurately? He did not consider that had he sent more troops to take the land, the outcome would have been different. But Joshua chose a different course: he confronted God.
Joshua 7:7-9 (KJV) 7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, . . . 9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?
God had no sympathy for this approach, the fault was squarely on the Israel who had sinned. Only after repenting and ridding themselves of the accursed thing would they be able to stand against any enemy.
Joshua 7:11-13 (KJV) 11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. . . . 13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
So early the next morning all of all of Israel was brought before Joshua by their tribes. And the tribe of Judah was taken; and of that tribe, the family of the Zarhites was taken; and of the Zarhites, a man named Zabdi was taken and of his household Achan was taken. And Joshua called upon Achan to confess what he had done, and he did.
And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
Joshua 7: 26 KJV 26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.
Having been cleaned of the accursed thing, Israel was encouraged by God to and make war against AI, and they were victorious.
Wow! Quite a lesson. Could there have been a better way to teach it, one with a softer landing for the fighting men of Israel who had not sinned, for the family (sons and daughters) of Achan who knew nothing on Achan’s sin?
Perhaps, but not one that would point of the seriousness of our actions for our family. Your actions have serious consequences for your family and to your community that you are woven into your local community. Ever wonder why God does not come down to the Prayer Rally after an unjustified killing in the community and declare that He has heard our prayers and will put an end to the
killing?
Never will. The work to keep the community safe must take place before the killing. And we can all do it. And He has made it clear to all of us:
Psalm 67:1-7 (KJV) God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. 2That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. 3Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 4O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. 5Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 6Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. 7God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.