Consecrate Yourselves: Part 2
…But one man disobeyed.
The victory at Jericho must have emboldened the Israelite army. They surely thought the number of notches on their victory belts would increase as they attacked each subsequent city in the Promised Land.
Ai was next on the list and, just like with Jericho, spies collected intelligence to build a battle plan. Ai, an easier target, required only a small army to snag it. No need to inconvenience the entire group, the spies recommended.
But no amount of battle strategy could overcome the one key twist in the plan.
Sin.
One man broke the covenant.
And disaster transpired (Joshua 7:1-9).
Israel: humiliated and defeated.
Bewildered, Joshua falls on his face before the LORD. This time he collapses, not in worship, but in dismay. Why the calamity?
God answers the questions that swirl in Joshua’s mind and that pour out of his lips. Someone in the ranks has sinned.
God always keeps His Word.
God keeps His covenant. The defeat happened because the Israelites broke the covenant.
“You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.” Joshua 7:13
This is not a new idea for Joshua or the Israelites. They are well aware of the covenant they have made with God. The instructions from their Covenant-Keeping God were clear. In Deutoronomy, Moses spoke to “all Israel.” In chapter 7, God told the Israelites not to even “covet the gold” that was on the idols of their enemies. God promised to bless and take care of Israel whom He loved. He also clearly said what would happen if a forbidden item was brought into someone’s house from the spoils of war that God declared devoted. God warned His people that if this happened, the house will “become devoted like it.” And just before the victory at Jericho, Joshua reminded the Israelites of this principle.
But one man does it, anyway.
One man sins.
Achan.
“You shall not covet the silver”
“Just 200 shekels”
“Or the gold”
“Just this one bar”
“You shall not take it for yourself”
“Look at this cloak”
“You shall utterly detest it”
“It’s beautiful”
“Abhor it”
“It’s from Shinar!”
“You shall not bring an abominable thing”
“I’ll just dig a hole”
“Into your house”
“In my tent”
“And become devoted to destruction like it”
“No one will know”
“It’s outrageous”
“It’s hidden”
It’s sin.
Ensnared. Selfish. Unbelief. Tricked by shiny things.
Ignoring warning. Rejecting blessing.
Stealing, lying, hiding.
Sin.
The victory songs and a leader on his face in worship (Joshua 5&6) replaced by a people in mourning with a leader on his face in dismay (Joshua 7). And into this dismal scene, the LORD speaks:
“Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned…Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies…I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.” Joshua 7:10-12
What about me?
Are there things in my heart that don’t belong there? Things God forbids that I have hidden?
I cannot stand in victory until I rid my heart of sin.
Sin is serious. Achan’s secret sin cost him his life and the lives of his family.
But there is hope.
Get up! Consecrate yourselves!
When the Israelites repent, God forgives. It’s a tough lesson. Weeding out sin is difficult, painful. But there is hope. And a path to victory. And redemption.
After the sin is dealt with, we find Joshua back on his feet, hearing the words of the LORD:
“Do not fear and do not be dismayed” Joshua 8:1
We read on and find victory, worship, and the renewing of the covenant.
To live consecrated to the LORD is to rid my heart of sin.
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