"Whole Lotta Achan Goin' On!"

Cornerstone Church November 16, 2014

“Whole Lotta Achan Goin' On!”

Joshua 7

“How’s That Again?

The following newspaper headlines were gathered by Bob Reid in Delhi, India.

Lingerie Shipment Hijacked – Thief Gives Police the Slip

Patient at Death’s Door – Doctors Pull Him Through

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in Ten Years

Twenty-Year Friendship Ends at the Altar

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures

Police Discover Crack in Australia

Collegians Are Turning to Vegetables

Caribbean Islands Drift to the Left”

“Holman Old Testament Commentary – Joshua”, pg. 117 by Kenneth O. Gangel

Communication is not always easy!

* We say one thing but either it comes out another way or the hearer misunderstands it!

* We are going to see this morning that when God speaks to His people and He gives instructions to them they are to listen and obey!

o The Bible, God’s Word is His inspired and infallible written revelation to the world.

o The EFCA Statement goes on to say this about the Bible in the second part:

“…the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.”

God gave The 10 Commandments to His people not the 10 suggestions (or really good ideas).

Although New Testament saints are not saved by keeping the 10 Commandments they do reflect the Holy and Righteous nature and character of God – who is the same, yesterday, today and forever!

Failure to obey the Word of God not only affects the individual who is disobedient but it can have devastating consequences on others around them.

We will see that firsthand this morning!

When I spoke two weeks ago the Children of Israel were on the verge of entering the Promised Land.

The nearly 700-year-old promise made by God to Abraham was being fulfilled.

* God held up His people in Egypt for 400 years to give the people of the land time to repent before judgment was going to fall on them.

* Rahab the Harlot put her faith in the One True God who is God of Heaven and Earth.

o She was Rescued and Redeemed!

o She became a true Israelite – Follower of God – transformed!

o She became a princess and an ancestor of the LORD Jesus Christ.

* The people consecrated themselves as the LORD required of them!

o The people crossed over the Jordan River at Flood Stage – God was upstream and stopped the river

o Camped at Gilgal (for further consecration)

* Men were circumcised

* Celebrated the Passover

* Instructions were given on how they were to take the Walled / Fortress City of Jericho

o March around the city once a day for six days – Ark and 7 Priests playing seven trumpets

o Seventh day march around the city seven times – Ark and 7 Priests playing seven trumpets and when they sounded the trumpet blast have all the people “SHOUT!”

“For the LORD has given you the city!”

“and the walls came a-tumbling down!”

GOD’S CLEAR INSTRUCTION AND WARNING:

Josh. 6:17-19 NIV The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury.”

GOD BROUGHT ABOUT A GLORIOUS VICTORY!

* Jericho belonged to God!

* The riches of Jericho were a First Fruits offering to God!

* The detestable things, food and everything else left for God!

THE MESSAGE SEEMS CLEAR RIGHT?

* Don’t touch!

* It all belongs to God!

Sounds familiar doesn’t it?

Gen. 2:16-17 NIV And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

All of this is fair game and free range! Just not from this tree!

Outline from Kenneth O. Gangle – Holman Old Testament Commentary – Joshua, pg. 130

1. FAILURE BRINGS HUMILITY – Joshua 7:1-9

2. FAILURE REQUIRES ACCOUNTABILITY – Joshua 7:10-18

3. FAILURE DEMANDS PUNISHMENT – Joshua 19-26

The Battle for Ai is about to begin!