(#918, Imperial, 1962)
Read Joshua 7.
This chapter begins with "But." So far all had gone well. But now we find Joshua on his face before
God. He was concerned about the defeat
at Ai, but even more he was concerned about what this would do to God's name
(v9).
This was the only defeat that came to Israel in their
conquest of Canaan. A life of unbroken
victory is God's purpose for the Christian.
However...
God does not make it impossible for the Christian to
sin. He makes it possible for them not
to sin. (Alan Redpath)
The Cause of Failure.
What caused the failure?
A weak army? A strong enemy? Poor leadership? Lack of training? No!
No! No!
1. Self-confidence
(v3). The city was small. Since they conquered Jericho they could win
here. But had they conquered Jericho? The intoxication of victory had caused them
to be self-confident.
2. Lack
of prayer (v2). Joshua failed to wait on
God. Joshua prayed after the defeat, but
God said this was no time to pray but to act (v10). "If we pray in time of victory you will
never have to plead in time of defeat."
3. Hidden
sin. One man stole property. One man failed God. Yet God said Israel had sinned (v11). No
individual can sin without affecting the whole church. See how far-reaching is one man's sin: 36
dead, his whole family dead, Israel defeated, God's name dishonored.
The Cure for Failure.
ƒ Get
thee up (v10). This was no time to pray
and abandon ourselves to discouragement.
ƒ Rise
up early (v16,22). Don't let sin go on
for one moment. They ran to uncover it.
ƒ Lay
it before the Lord (v21,23). Do not
cover but confess it. Note Achan's
confession (v21)...I saw...I coveted...I took.
ƒ Put
away sin forever (v25,26). Stone it with
stones. Burn it with fire. Heap it up with stones.
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