Joshua Series #10
The Amazing Race to Rest & Reward
“Robbing God””
Review
The book of Joshua is all about the fulfillment or realization of a promise made to Abraham hundreds of years previous. The journey up to this point in time is the subject of the first five books of the Old Testament. Joshua documents the entry of the promised seed into the land promised land to experience the promised blessing.
I. Purge the Land 1-12
A. God Prepared Joshua for leadership 1 He learned to listen, trust and obey
B. Joshua prepared the people to possess the land 2 He urged them to listen, trust and obey
C. Israel Purged the Canaanites 2-11
1. Central Campaign
a. Israel defeated Jericho 6
Satan’s fortresses, no matter how formidable, fall
when we hear, trust and obey the captain of the Lord’s army.
Process to Ponder when facing opposition
1. Humbly submit to the Captain of the Lord’s army.
2. Wait for instructions from the Captain.
3. Hear the Captain’s instructions.
4. Trust the Captain’s instructions.
5. Obey the Captain’s instructions.
6. Work together
7. Engage the enemy.
8. Dedicate any spoils to God.
b. Ai defeated Israel 7
The chapter begins by revealing the reason for the failure at Ai. The word “but” triggers a contrast. After the fall of the mighty walled city of Jericho the historian writes…
So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land. Joshua 6:27
The next chapter starts with…
But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the LORD. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the LORD was very angry with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimri son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah. Joshua 7:1
Joshua’s fame quickly turns to shame because one person failed to obey God’s instructions fully. They people followed everything to the letter except the instructions concerning the stuff. This reason is repeated three more times in the passage. It seems that stuff always seems to derail our walk with God. First let’s look at the narrative and them come back to make some observations and draw out some related principles to apply to today.
I have identified eight movements in this narrative.
1. The Rencon Report 7:2-3
Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the town of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. When they returned, they told Joshua, “There’s no need for all of us to go up there; it won’t take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don’t make all our people struggle to go up there.” Joshua
The spies operated on some false assumptions. Spiritual victory does not depend on sheer numbers. Yesterday’s victory does not guarantee tomorrows victory. We should never underestimate the power of the enemy. We should never overestimate the power of the flesh.
We should never go into Battle without the permission of God and the power of God. Paul told the Ephesians to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Basically be sure you are connected and empowered.
2. The Battle Report 7:4-5
So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away.
From a logistics point of view, 3,000 should have been sufficient to do the job but because of sin, not only had to fight the people of Ai but God. The battle is over in two verses.
• They ended up getting routed by Ai.
• They lost 36 men.
• They lost heart.
The writer employs the same word used regarding the Canaanites in chapter 2 and 5 to describe the emotional state of the Israelites after their defeat. They were demoralized and disheartened. There is a stark contrast in details with other battles. The contrast revolves around what we don’t find.
• No mention of Joshua’s involvement or leadership
• No mention of God’s instruction
• No mention of God’s typical confirmation “I have given them into your hands.”
• No mention of prayer
• No mention of the Ark
They were operating on their own power. They were functioning under the impression that their victory over Jericho guaranteed their victory over the less formidable foe; Ai. They figured if they conquered Jericho, Ai would be a piece of cake. God could take a rest. They were self-confident rather than God confident. They went from self-confident to no confidence in themselves OR God.
3. Joshua’s Reaction to the defeat 7:6-9
Lament
Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the LORD until evening.
Joshua slid from fame to fear in a short time. On the surface, this seems like a good thing.
Yet, he was not necessarily repentant based on faith but frustration based on fear. So often we don’t examine what might be wrong with us, we just cry about our hardship.
Blame
Then Joshua cried out, “Oh, Sovereign LORD, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us?
Wow! Did this man of faith actually say that? “Alas” cry of despair. He blames God for the defeat. He calls into question God’s motives. He accuses God of not caring about them. This is a huge slap in the face considering all that He has done for them up to this point.
Fear / Doubt
If only we had been content to stay on the other side! Lord, what can I say now that Israel has fled from its enemies? For when the Canaanites and all the other people living in the land hear about it, they will surround us and wipe our name off the face of the earth. And then what will happen to the honor of your great name?”
Joshua now second guesses the Promise of God. He lamented having followed the promise of God and defaulted to an inferior choice. He lamented not settling for less because it was comfortable that achieve the best even though it was difficult. He doubted God’s protective hand. He doubted God’s promise to given him every place his foot touches. He doubted God’s protection. He was afraid of being wiped of the face of the earth when God promised seed as many as the stars in the sky. These are the reactions of those who have lost faith in God and His promises. His reaction was so similar to the numerous lapses in faith the chosen of Israel exhibited all through their journey. If Joshua had listened for God’s instruction rather than send the troops based on numbers he would have not lost the battle or the 36 men.
If we pray even in the time of victory we will not have to plead in the time of defeat. Joshua forgot the promise of God in the midst of the darkness of sin. Don’t ever discard in the dark what God has declared in the light. Hold on to the promises. Keep focuses on the character of the one we serve. He is the loving God. He is the faithful God. He is the sovereign God.
4. God’s Reason for the defeat 7:10-12
But the LORD said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings. That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction. Joshua
Get up! It is not Me that has failed, ISRAEL has sinned! There is a time for lament, and there is a time for action. There is a time to pray and a time to purge sin. Powerful prayer often depends on personal and public purity. There is sin in the congregation that stirs my anger.
I said that a violation of the ban would affect the whole. Someone has violated the ban.
They have robbed me. They have deceived by cover-up. Achan stole what belonged to God and lied about it. His sin affected the whole nation. 36 people died because of Achan’s sin.
God establishes both personal and corporate accountability.
5. God’s solution 7:13-15
“Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the LORD. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you. “In the morning you must present yourselves by 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 LORD will point out the guilty clan. That clan will then come forward, and the LORD will point out the guilty family. Finally, each member of the guilty family must come forward one by one. The one who has stolen what was set apart for destruction will himself be burned with fire, along with everything he has, for he has broken the covenant of the LORD and has done a horrible thing in Israel.”
• Purify yourselves to deal with sin.
When we submit to God we are more open to deal with sin.
• Pinpoint the hidden sin among you.
• Purge the sin
6. Joshua’s Action 7:16-19
Early the next morning Joshua brought the tribes of Israel before the LORD, and the tribe of Judah was singled out. Then the clans of Judah came forward, and the clan of Zerah was singled out. Then the families of Zerah came forward, and the family of Zimri was singled out. Every member of Zimri’s family was brought forward person by person, and Achan was singled out. Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don’t hide it from me.”
Root out sin
7. Achan’s confession 7:20-21
Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest.”
Achan’s sin. Saw, coveted, took, hid. Started with a look, progressed to a longing, progressed to an action and ended in a cover-up. The unaddressed greed in Achan’s heart met with opportunity and sin was born. Unaddressed sin left to grow leads to destruction.
Sin brings about consequences. The wages of sin is death. Rom 6:23
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. James 1:14-15
Then Jesus said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." Luke 12:15
Consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once lived, when you were living in them. Colossians 3:5-7
8. God’s judgment 7:22-26
So Joshua sent some men to make a search. They ran to the tent and found the stolen goods hidden there, just as Achan had said, with the silver buried beneath the rest. They took the things from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites. Then they laid them on the ground in the presence of the LORD. Then Joshua and all the Israelites took Achan, the silver, the robe, the bar of gold, his sons, daughters, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, tent, and everything he had, and they brought them to the valley of Achor. Then Joshua said to Achan, “Why have you brought trouble on us? The LORD will now bring trouble on you.” And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies. They piled a great heap of stones over Achan, which remains to this day. That is why the place has been called the Valley of Trouble ever since. So the LORD was no longer angry.
• Verify sin
• Announce consequences
• Set an example to remember that sin has consequences for all
Here we discover the law of firsts. In a major movement or new era, God clarifies His seriousness with a graphic illustration.
Violation of the Sabbath
Moses and the rock
Eli and his sons
Achan
Uzzah touching the ark
Ananias and Sapphira
APPLICATIONS
Are there any present day applications? Paul cited several events from Israel’s past in regard to sin and its consequences. Then he applied them.
Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 1 Corinthians 10:11-12
There are some things to learn here.
The sin of the one can affect the outcome for the whole.
Notice it is said that ISRAEL violated the instruction. Sin is never just about me. Sin can affect my family. Sin can affect the church. Sin can affect the community, state and nation. Sometimes we are more afraid of being found out and shamed than ashamed of the sin. We at times grieve more because of the effect than the actual sin that caused it. What was Acahn’s actual sin? He robbed God. Do we rob God? Stealing is to take something that rightfully belongs to someone else. In the case of Achan, he took the spoils from the first victory that were dedicated exclusively for God’s service. This is called first fruits. It is a graphic reminder that everything rightfully belongs to God. We are stewards of what He gives. We are called to invest His entrusted resources for kingdom purposes.
A primary application was the subject of Malachi’s rebuke of Israel later in their history.
Malachi accused the people of stealing from God. They defensively asked, “How have we robbed God?”
“I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’ “Should people rob God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Malachi 3:6-12
They did not even recognize a departure from God in their life. Sin dulls the senses. Maturity is demonstrated by a sensitivity and discernment of right and wrong. Malachi says the initial path to a closer relationship with God is a return to regular giving. Revival in our life follows on the heels of a restoration of our giving. Regular giving is not an option. The percentage may be negotiated, but the principle is not.
Failure to regularly give God what is rightfully His, first fruit of our resources, is to steal from God. Stealing from God brings consequences on your whole family and the church. I am not just trying to eek money out of you. I am only warning of the consequences of stealing from God. There are numerous blessing that result from faithfulness. Money is not the only thing that belongs to God that we steal from Him. Our time also belongs to God. Ephesians clearly calls us to wisely make use of our time. How much of our time is dedicated to kingdom purposes. If everyone would dedicate just 10% of their time to kingdom work, think of how much would get done. God promises to open the windows of heaven and rebuke the devourer of our money if we give what rightfully belongs to Him. Maybe He would do the same with our time. Maybe God would help us be more efficient and would block the things that take up so much of our time.
Paul urged the Romans to give their bodies as a sacrifice to God. He urged them not to give over the members of their body to Satan to be used for his purposes but to dedicate the members of our body as instruments for righteousness. Members refer to the talents and capacities we have to achieve and function. How much of our gifts and talents related to kingdom purposes.
How about worship? To him alone belongs all worship. To neglect serving and bowing in submission to Him by letting other things take priority is to rob God of what rightfully belongs ONLY to Him.
James had some harsh words to those who were trying to serve God and the world.
You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:4-10
John confronted the church at Ephesus because they had lost their first love. They had failed to give God what rightfully belong to Him and given it to another. He told them to repent and do the deeds of someone who is helplessly in love with another.
If people had access to our calendar (activities) and our checkbook (financial resources) would they be able to discern our true love? The American church, families and individuals struggle because we have seen, coveted, taken and hidden what rightfully belongs to God. Even though God does not execute immediate judgment it is what we deserve. It is still serious.
It is still how he feels about stealing from Him. It is only His mercy and grace that stand between us and complete devastation. Is our hidden sin affecting ourselves and our family and our church?
• Consecrate yourselves to Him.
• Submit to God.
• Resist the devil.
• Draw near to God so that He can expose and purge the hidden sin in our life so that from our confession and humility he may exalt us and draw near to us.
Principles
Never assume you can do without God’s direction or strength.
Never try to fight outer struggles until you have dealt with inner sin.
Disobedience triggers God’s anger.
Our sin can severely damage those around us.
When God promises victory, only our sin will allow defeat.
Failure to regularly give time and money equals robbing God.
Never go into Battle without God’s permission or power.
Powerful prayer depends on personal and public purity.
