Consecration Tested (Joshua 7:1-8:29) The lesson of Ai is an inevitable part of learning the vital necessity of consecration before God. A misguided confidence in themselves after the amazing victory over Jericho set the Israelites up for a great defeat in the city of Ai. Israel had just experienced an amazing victory at Jericho. They had obeyed God at every step in their defeat of the city. It had been a very strange strategy, but they obeyed and marched around the wall of Jericho in silence for six days. On the seventh, they did so seven times, again in silence. Then came the shout and the trumpets and down came the walls that exposed a city gripped with fear. Their victory was complete. But to obey fully God's command to take nothing from the city of Jericho was too much for one man to bear. Achan hid silver, gold, and precious cloth that he had secretly taken from Jericho. But it was not hidden from the eyes of God. The city of Ai came next. Left with a false feeling of confidence from their great victory at Jericho, and because Ai was a small city, they decided that they only needed 2,000 to 3,000 soldiers to take the city. Israel already began to think that they could do whatever they chose to conquer Ai --the sin of pride by the army in not first seeking guidance from God. In pride, they believed they could easily overthrow this city of 12,000 with 2,000 to 3,000 soldiers. They took things into their own hands. Added to this was Achan's covetousness that drove him to disobey God. God chose to remove this cancerous rebellion and pride before it spread. The result was a humbling defeat. This defeat at Ai and subsequent judgment upon Achan restored humility and a new consecration to God. The army now accepted a plan of attack that we can assume God had given Joshua. God was again with them and the "commander of the Lord" was in control (5:13-15). With this lesson learned, God was willing to let spoils be taken from Ai. If only Achan had waited on God in humble consecration. God would have given him what he had taken in rebellion. Be careful when you begin to act as if the victories and blessings God has given can now be used on your own terms. Your "Ai" will be coming. Let consecration to God keep you in humble obedience to the use of all God has, is and will give you. Joshua 7:1-8:29 1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel. 2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, "Go up and spy out the country." So the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not let all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not weary all the people there, for the people of Ai are few." 4 So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore the hearts of the people melted and became like water. 6 Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, "Alas, Lord GOD, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! 8 O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? 9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?"
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
"Get up, sanctify the people, and say, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the LORD God of Israel: "There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you."'" -Joshua 7:13NKJV Bible Text
Defeat at Ai
| Defeat At Ai v.1 Children of Israel – This statement introduced the corporate sense in which God related to the individual people of Israel in this account. The sin was by one man, but it had an impact on the whole nation. Trespass – "Maal" (Heb.) means to act unfaithfully, with treachery and falsehood. Accursed Things – "Cherem" in Hebrew refers to something dedicated to divine service, or to something dedicated to be destroyed. In this instance, the things stolen would have been dedicated to God (7:18-19, 24). v. 2 Joshua Sent Men – This had now become Joshua's standard approach before going forward. Most likely this party followed the route from Bethel to the Jordan as far as Michmash. They would have then descended the Great Wadi, west of Ai, that would have taken them within a quarter of a mile of the city. Ai – This city was located in the hills east of Bethel. v. 3 People of Ai Are Few – There were approximately 12,000 people in Ai (8:25). v. 4 Three Thousand – With a total population of 12,000 in Ai, it can be estimated that there were about 6,000 males. Of that number, the Israelites most likely estimated that there were between 1,000 and 1,500 of fighting age. Therefore, after their success at Jericho they were most likely full of confidence in their ability to win this battle. v. 5 Hearts of the People Melted – Without God's divine blessing, they end up being described in the same way that the Canaanites had been earlier--in fear of God's people (2:11, 5:1). v. 6 Tore His Clothes – This was a common sign of humiliation and grief by the Jews (Gen. 37:29, 34; 44:13). | Before the Ark – The ark represented God's divine presence among the people of God. Dust On Their Heads – This was a further sign of humiliation and grief. The Greeks also practiced it, as referred to in Homer's Iliad. v. 7 Why Have You – Joshua fell into the common trap of blaming God for their defeat and failure rather going to self-examination. If anyone has broken the covenant between God and man, it has to be assumed it has occurred on man's end. Had Been Content – When the initial hope of promised blessings from God are challenged, it becomes all too common to accept the loss as not really such a bad thing. Being able to justify defeat as an acceptable lifestyle may ease the deceived conscience, but is never a defendable position in the light of God and His promises. v. 9 The Canaanites – Joshua used an argument with God that had, on more then one occasion, been used by Moses (Ex. 32:12; Num. 14:13-16; Deut. 9:28, 32:26-27). The concept is that because the Israelite people were uniquely set apart from the other nations to reveal God's glory, it would be counterproductive to have the Israelite people appear inferior and defeated. What Joshua failed to see was that God wasn't glorified either when His people lived in the sins of the lost but experienced His divine blessing. In fact, God's glorious character is manifested just as much when He judges or disciplines His people as when He blesses them. What Will You Do – It must be kept in mind that God is not limited to anyone or any group through which to reveal Himself. Just as the church has replaced the Jewish nation as a primary revelation of God's glory, likewise church history is abundantly full of examples of God moving from movement to movement in both blessing and discipline. God can lift up the very rocks to praise Him if He so desires. No person or movement is indispensable. |
The Sin of Achan 10 So the LORD said to Joshua: "Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? 11 Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff. 12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you. 13 Get up, sanctify the people, and say, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the LORD God of Israel: "There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you." 14 In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes. And it shall be that the tribe which the LORD takes shall come according to families; and the family which the LORD takes shall come by households; and the household which the LORD takes shall come man by man. 15 Then it shall be that he who is taken with the accursed thing shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.'"
| The Sin Of Achan v. 10 Get Up – In his ignorance of the situation, Joshua asked God, "Why?" (v. 7). Based on His complete knowledge of the situation, God asked, "Why?" to force Joshua to question himself and his faulty assessment of the situation. This was not a time to blame God but rather a time to look at themselves and the sin that was the source of the trouble. v. 11 Israel Has Sinned – God is seen throughout scripture as God of the individual. He is also equally a God who relates to humanity as families, groups, and nations. Paul referred to this in how the sins of two people in the church at Corinth had the power to affect the entire church (1 Cor. 5:2, 6-7). My Covenant – The people had entered into a covenant relationship with God declaring that they would keep His commandments (Ex. 19:8, 24:7). In this context, it would be similar to one member of a ball team violating a rule and the entire team being penalized. Stolen – They had stolen from God, for the silver and gold was dedicated to God (7:24). Deceived – God was not deceived, but Achan had deceived his fellow Jews. | v. 12 Israel Could Not Stand – God had warned them that if they took the things that were to be destroyed or dedicated to Him, they would become accursed. When God stands against His own people, all of the praying in the world or binding of Satan is of no avail. Destroy the Accursed – It is only the removal of sin and that which is defiled by sin that prepares a vessel to be in a place where God will bring His divine blessing. It is in light of the truth that makes the work of Jesus on the cross so appreciated. Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse of us (for it is written, cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.)" v. 13 Sanctify – "Kah-dash" (Heb.) means to "make clean, to dedicate and or consecrate something or someone to God." v. 14 The Lord Takes – This term was used to refer to the taking of lots, according to 1 Samuel 14:42. It is believed that this was done by drawing a white or black stone out of a pouch or box. White denoted yes; black denoted no. v. 15 Burned With Fire – This would have been done after they had been executed by stoning (v. 25). To be burned was a way of recognizing the extreme severity of a crime (Lev. 20:14). Disgraceful – This sin had brought great shame upon the entire nation and resulted in 36 men losing their lives. |
16 So Joshua rose early in the morning and brought Israel by their tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken. 17 He brought the clan of Judah, and he took the family of the Zarhites; and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man, and Zabdi was taken. 18 Then he brought his household man by man, and Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken. 19 Now Joshua said to Achan, "My son, I beg you, give glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me." 20 And Achan answered Joshua and said, "Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I have done: 21 When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it." 22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver under it. 23 And they took them from the midst of the tent, brought them to Joshua and to all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD. 24 Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. 25 And Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day." So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.
26 Then they raised over him a great heap of stones, still there to this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day.
| v. 16 Brought Israel By – Through this lengthy process, Achan was finally identified. But it gave Achan an extensive period of time to repent. Instead, he continued to conceal his sin (v. 16-18). v. 19 My Son I Beg You – Joshua conveyed not only his deep concern for what this sin had brought on the nation, but also what it brought on Achan. Give Glory – Joshua asked Achan to break free from his dishonor of God by acknowledging God's knowledge of his sin and God's right to judge it. Make Confession – Removal of the sin was not offered for the sin. However, confession would obviously affect a person's place before God in this life and the one to come. The penalty was not removed for several reasons. First and foremost, the scriptures declare, "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). All of mankind lives under this debt, and God can collect whenever He chooses. In situations such as Achan's, God will often use this judgment in a public and graphic way to provide a warning of the reality of sin's temporal and/or eternal results. Examples include Korah (Num. 16:32), Absalom (2 Sam. 18:9-15), Ahab (1 Kings 22:35-37), Jezebel (2 Kings 9:33), Athaliah (2 Chron. 23:15), Haman (Es. 7:10), Belshazzar (Dan. 5:30), Ananias (Acts 5:5-10), Herod (Acts 12:23), and the believers at Corinth (1 Cor. 11:27-31). v. 20 This Is What I Have Done – What follows in v. 21 is an excellent example and warning of the process of sin in a person's life. v. 21 When I Said – The process of sin begins when we are exposed to things that are sinful that find corresponding affinity within us. The sin of Eve began "when she saw." The eventual adultery and murder committed by King David began when he "saw a woman washing herself." Two things can be learned here. First, "guard your heart with all diligence" as the scripture warns (Prov. 4:23). If we maintain a watchful attitude over our hearts, the seeds of lust, pride, greed, etc. do not take root and provide a fertile area for sinful opportunities to find an ally within us. This is clearly laid out in James 1:13-15. Secondly, as much as it lies within our ability in a sinful world, we should avoid exposure to "I saw..."--the things that have the potential to stimulate an attraction to sin. | I Coveted – A desire or coveting for something God has forbidden is the second step in the process of sin. Once Eve saw the beauty and potential good taste of the forbidden fruit, she saw it as a tree to be "desired." Likewise, David, once he saw Bathsheba, expressed his desire for her. The scriptures declare the mysterious attraction of sin when it states, "Stolen water is sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant." However, it goes on to warn, "but he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell" (Prov. 9:17-18). Paul expressed this same attraction to what is forbidden in his own life in Romans 7:7-11. Took Them – The third step in this sin is a common process of sin. Once Eve had seen and desired, "she took of its fruit and ate" (Gen. 3:6). David also "took" Bathsheba after he had seen and desired her. Hidden – This is the next step in sin as a person seeks to conceal the wrong he has committed. Adam and Eve "hid from the presence of the Lord" (Gen. 3:8), just as David sought to hide his sin from Bathsheba's husband and the nation (2 Sam. 11:1-7). Sin's fifth step is the tragic impact it brings on others. Eve's sin affected her husband and the entire human race. David's sin affected Bathsheba, Uriah, and the nation. Likewise, in Achan's case, others were affected, for 36 men lost their lives and God's presence and blessing were removed from Israel. v. 24 All Israel – This referred to the representatives of the tribes and clans of Israel. His Sons, His Daughters – They were likely involved in the cover-up of Achan's sin. All That He Had – Achan's sin brought defilement on all that was identified with him. Achor – The literal translation is "trouble" (Is. 65:10; Hos. 2:15). v. 26 Great Heap of Stones – First the representatives of Israel stoned them to death. Then they were burned, which was reserved for only the most severe crimes. After this, a huge mound of stones was thrown upon Achan and all related to him as a memorial to succeeding generations of the tragedy of sin. |
Joshua 8 The Fall of Ai 1 Now the LORD said to Joshua: "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. 2 And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shall take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it." 3 So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai; and Joshua chose thirty thousand mighty men of valor and sent them away by night. 4 And he commanded them, saying: "Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready. 5 Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city; and it will come about, when they come out against us as at the first, that we shall flee before them. 6 For they will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city, for they will say, 'They are fleeing before us as at the first.' Therefore we will flee before them. 7 Then you shall rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand. 8 And it will be, when you have taken the city, that you shall set the city on fire. According to the commandment of the LORD you shall do. See, I have commanded you."
| Chapter 8 The Fall Of Ai v. 1 Now the Lord Said – It was only after Joshua and the people of Israel had obeyed what God had already said concerning the removal of sin that Joshua was ready to receive fresh instruction from God. Until we do what God has told us to do, we should not expect Him to guide us or speak to us on the next step or purpose in His plan for our lives. Do Not Be Afraid – Joshua had become dejected and hopeless following their defeat at Ai. If the sin of Israel had not been dealt with, he would have had just cause to still be afraid of what awaited him and the Jewish people (7:6-9). No longer did the people's hearts need to melt in fear. Because of the removal of sin (7:15), God was ready to continue His promised blessing and victory for them. Dismayed – "Chathath" (Heb.) describes a person who has become confounded and demoralized, which may result in total panic. I Have Given – This declaration by God would correct the pride that had arisen within the Israelite army when they boasted that they would have no problem conquering Ai. They were reminded that God would be the source of victory, not them (7:2-3). v. 2 You Did To Jericho – This referred to the total destruction of the city. | As Booty For Yourselves – What Achan had stolen from God in Jericho that had been designated to be destroyed or given to God is now made available by God for the people. What a lesson this is when we are tempted to take into our own hands, by ungodly means, what by faith we should trust to come from God's hand in His own way and time. Lay An Ambush – Verses 3-8 are a brief description of God's plan in conquering Ai. You will see God used a totally different plan than He used for Jericho. This is often what God does to draw us into a life that must be open and dependent on His ongoing leading rather than trusting in the methods He has used in the past. v. 4 He Commanded Them – The major contingency of the soldiers was to be sent out to arrive before sunrise behind the city of Ai. They were then to stay hidden until the ambush was ready to begin. Ai was 15 miles from Gilgal, which was the location of Israel's encampment. Joshua was to take a smaller group of soldiers with him. Joshua and his men were to approach the city from the front with the hopes of drawing the soldiers of Ai out of the city. This was a reasonable expectation since the men of Ai had done so the first time with great success. Once the soldiers of Ai were drawn out and away from the city, the larger company of soldiers would enter the unprotected city, take it, and then set it on fire. |
9 Joshua therefore sent them out; and they went to lie in ambush, and stayed between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai; but Joshua lodged that night among the people. 10 Then Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. 11 And all the people of war who were with him went up and drew near; and they came before the city and camped on the north side of Ai. Now a valley lay between them and Ai. 12 So he took about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. 13 And when they had set the people, all the army that was on the north of the city, and its rear guard on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley. 14 Now it happened, when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hurried and rose early and went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at an appointed place before the plain. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. 15 And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness. 16 So all the people who were in Ai were called together to pursue them. And they pursued Joshua and were drawn away from the city. 17 There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. So they left the city open and pursued Israel.
| v. 10 Joshua Rose Up Early – The 30,000 soldiers had positioned themselves behind Ai during the night. The following morning, Joshua began his own 15-mile journey to Ai, planning on arriving toward the end of sunlight that day. v. 12 Five Thousand Men – These 5,000 men were placed between Bethel and Ai. This may have been done to protect the soldiers who were lying in ambush near Ai out of a concern that the men of Bethel may have threatened to send help to Ai if requested. | v. 13 Into the Midst – Having arrived from Gilgal as evening approached, the men of Ai were made aware of Joshua's arrival and therefore prepared for an early morning attack the next day. v. 14 Went Out Against Israel – Their plan to draw the soldiers out of the city worked. |
18 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand." And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand toward the city. 19 So those in ambush arose quickly out of their place; they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand, and they entered the city and took it, and hurried to set the city on fire. 20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to heaven. So they had no power to flee this way or that way, and the people who had fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers. 21 Now when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city and that the smoke of the city ascended, they turned back and struck down the men of Ai. 22 Then the others came out of the city against them; so they were caught in the midst of Israel, some on this side and some on that side. And they struck them down, so that they let none of them remain or escape. 23 But the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua. 24 And it came to pass when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness where they pursued them, and when they all had fallen by the edge of the sword until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned to Ai and struck it with the edge of the sword. 25 So it was that all who fell that day, both men and women, were twelve thousand—all the people of Ai. 26 For Joshua did not draw back his hand, with which he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. 27 Only the livestock and the spoil of that city Israel took as booty for themselves, according to the word of the LORD which He had commanded Joshua. 28 So Joshua burned Ai and made it a heap forever, a desolation to this day. 29 And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until evening. And as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his corpse down from the tree, cast it at the entrance of the gate of the city, and raise over it a great heap of stones that remains to this day.
| v. 18 Stretch Out the Spear – Evidently, as Joshua fled from the men of Ai, he positioned himself on the hills north of the valley that lay outside of Ai. This would have enabled the soldiers waiting for the signal from Joshua to see him when he signaled that it was time to begin their ambush. I Will Give – God leads Joshua step by step in this strategy. | v. 22 Caught In the Midst – The plan worked. Once the men of Ai turned back to defend the city of Ai, they were trapped between both companies of Israelite soldiers. Stretched the Spear – This was the custom of war that the soldiers continued until the signal for war was lowered by the general. v. 27 Booty – God sanctioned this in verse 2. |
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