THE SIN OF ACHAN: JOSHUA 7 Keeping the devoted things

The Lord miraculously knocks down the walls of Jericho. Joshua 6: The Battle of Jericho

Joshua 6:17-18 Devoted Things  The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the L ORD. 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.

Joshua 6:19 Sacred Things  All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the L ORD and must go into his treasury

Devoted and Sacred for Christians  Sexual Immorality  Drunkenness  Lying  Destructive Language  Revenge  Time  Money  Work  Children  Ambition Devoted to DestructionSacred to God

Joshua 7:1  But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the L ORD ’s anger burned against Israel.

God’s anger doesn’t burn against the Church!  1 John 4:10 Propitiation-Wrath Appeasing Sacrifice.  Instead of anger the church has discipline.(Heb. 12:4-13)  Revelations 2 Removing churches “fight against” “repent.. suffer intensely”

Summary Joshua 7:2-5 Confident  Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, they saw it was a small city.  They sent a small sub section of their Army to attack.  They lose the battle, 36 Israelites die.

Failure in the Church Churches often fail.  True failure of the church or Israel throughout the bible is marked by two major themes. Sin or Lack of Faith.  Apparent failure is different

Joshua 7:6 Going to God When We Fail.  Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the L ORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads.

Joshua 7:7-9 Blaming God  7 And Joshua said, “Alas, Sovereign L ORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! 8 Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? 9 The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?”

James 4:3-4 Blaming God when there is sin in the Church.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.  You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.  Worldliness. (1John 2:15-16) “

Summary Joshua 7:10-12  1 The L ORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face.  They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions.  I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

If God is Against Us (in our sin)  Great ideas are pointless if God is not with us  Great programming is useless if God is not with us  Romans 8:31b If God is for us who could be against us. The opposite is true

Summary Joshua 7:14-21  They Find out who did it by casting lots  Joshua tells Achan to give glory to God by telling the truth.  Achan comes clean and says he stole a robe, and some silver and gold.

Coming Clean  Be honest with ourselves  1John 1:9  Lovingly correct our brother and sisters  Embrace church discipline

Joshua 7:24-25  24 Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold bar, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor. 25 Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The L ORD will bring trouble on you today.”  Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them.

No Wrath, Only Forgiveness  God is not angry at his church  2 Corinthians 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”  Revelations 3:20 “ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Joshua 8 Summary  God tells Joshua “ Do not be afraid or discouraged”  God Gave the Israelites victory over AI.  Joshua reminded the Israelites of the covenant they have with God.

Conclusion  We are all one body.  God is serious about sin and holiness.  God is also serious about forgiveness.