March 24th

Joshua 7:1


1 Chronicles 2:7

Joshua 7:2-9:27

Israel followed their stellar victory at Jericho with an embarrassment at the little town of Ai. After Joshua heard the news, “he and the leaders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed down facing the Ark of the Lord until evening” (7:6). This loss took the wind out of their sails.

What happened? What was the problem? God had warned Joshua and the Israelites that everything inside the city of Jericho was under a ban, for it was to be dedicated to Him. The soldiers were to take nothing for themselves. However, once the city came down, a man named Achan was tempted by the treasures that he saw lying on the ground. Despite the ban, Achan took the items and hid them in his tent. He saw no harm in what he had done, and he believed that no one would ever find out.

Because of Achan’s blatant disregard for the ban, He defied and disobeyed God. As a result, the Israelites were defeated at the town of Ai. When Joshua asked God why He allowed their defeat, the Lord revealed to him that there was sin in their midst. Upon investigation, Joshua discovered what Achan had done and quickly eliminated him, his family, and all of their belongings. God hates sin and His justice demands punishment for it. Once Israel purified itself from its wrongdoing, the soldiers returned to Ai; this time it was a breeze. Joshua and his men flattened the town and never looked back.

I found it interesting that, in the same passage, Joshua led the Israelites to the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim, to give testimony of the covenant the people were making before the Lord, to proclaim both the blessings and the curses of that covenant. To accomplish these objectives, Joshua “read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of the Law.

Every command Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly...” (8:34, 35).

Shortly after this event, Joshua and the leaders of Israel made a treaty with the Gibeonites. They had just been reminded of all of God’s laws, which included the command not to make peace with any of the tribes of Canaan (Deut. 7:2). Although they were deceived, none of them consulted the Lord. Now, because of their impatience, God’s people would have to live in Canaan amidst idolatry and evil.

Daily Reflection

When flirting with sin, it is easy to be deceived.

Sin lies to you and tells you that it is harmless, that there are no consequences, or that no one will ever know. The truth is that your sins will betray you. You cannot hide them from the Lord, and there are always consequences. Achan’s sin not only led to the death of 36 soldiers, but it took his life and the lives of his wife and kids. Joshua’s sin — the treaty with the Gibeonites — affected the entire nation for generations, as the Canaanite influence infected the people of God for decades.

You cannot expect the blessings of God when you reject the instructions of God. You are not getting away with anything. You cannot hide from Him who sees and knows all things. You cannot be so naïve to think that there are no repercussions for having things your way. “If you sin against God, be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

What are your sins saying to you?

BiAY.org | Day 83 — 282 Days to Go