And why is this interesting? The name Petah
Tikva is is the Hebrew phrase used in Hosea 2:15 that the NKJV translates door of hope. The Valley
of Achor referred to in the same passage is that valley near Jericho where
they first wanted to establish their city.
It is the valley where Achan and his family were stoned for troubling
Israel, causing the death of thirty-six soldiers by their disobedience at
Jericho (Josh. 7:24).
The prophet Hosea wrote his words many years
after Israel had been in the land, around the time of Kings Hezekiah and Jeroboam
II. The LORD promised that at a future
time that valley known for sin and judgment would be for a returning Israel a
door of hope. Certainly this is what
those Jewish pioneers had in mind when they wanted to put Petah Tikva in that
valley.
I have included a photo
taken from the Eli Observation Point in the Jewish village of Rimonim. The photo looks down towards Jericho, across
the Valley of Achor. You might note that
it is not, at this point, the nice vineyard God promised or even the place
where herds like down as Isaiah promises (Isa. 65:10). That is because the return Hosea was talking
about has not yet happened. It is when
Israel returns from the desert (Hos. 2:14ff) and sounds to me more like the
return mentioned in Rev. 12:13-17.
I like that particular observation point. For one thing it is not seen by most tourists
to Israel as it is off the beaten path. When
there is not too much dust in the air (which is rare) you get a great view into
the Jordan Valley and beyond to the mountains of Moab. But what I really like is that there is one
of those “loud speaker” explanations you often see in Israel where you can push
the button for English or Hebrew. And
the explanation is excellent, explaining the story of Achan quite
accurately. It was not a high point in
Israel’s history, although the promise of God in Hosea raises it to a high
point in Israel’s future.
Concerning
the story of Achan let us make a few simply observations.
·
Faith is never about the numbers (we only need a
few soldiers, v3).
·
Faith is never about the wisdom of man (if we
send a few the others can rest for the many battles still ahead, v3).
·
I find v7 almost unbelievable, that it is Joshua
who sounds like the Israelites did often in their wanderings. Why did
you bring us across the Jordan, LORD? Just to destroy us? He is a man of like-passions with me!
·
Yet in v9 Joshua sounds like Moses, interceding
for the people. What will You do for Your great
name?
·
Faith is about, as an old hymn says, nothing between my soul and the Savior. What happened was no small matter. Thus Joshua needed to get up from prayer and
act.
·
The command was to destroy the accursed (v12). If
you think this drastic than likely you will consider the commands in Col. 3:5
and Rom. 8:13 drastic where we are told to annihilate the sin in us. There can be no tolerance, and at this point
early in Israel’s time in the land they needed to learn obedience.
·
Joshua’s conversation with Achan is actually
quite encouraging on both parts. My son Joshua calls him, recognizing the
brotherhood. Give glory to the Lord gets at the heart of the problem: we have
dishonored the God who brought us out of Egypt to bring us in so as to fulfill
His promises. I have sinned against the Lord; Achan also realizes that the sin
was against God. I coveted … I took; Achan was specific in his confession.
The place of repentance, confession and
judgment will become Petah Tikva, the door of hope. When sin is dealt with in a manner that
acknowledges the glory of the Lord it can always lead to hope. Remember: if
by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Rom.
8:13).
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