We also see that in the sin of Achan the
“children of Israel” also sinned (7:1).
The anger of the Lord burned against the “children of Israel.” The nation suffered (36 died in the failed
attack on Ai) until the nation resolved the issue. (Today, abortion, though perpetrated by a
few, is a national sin, being permitted by law.)
Here are a few
additional thoughts about this story.
1. Faith
is never about the numbers, nor is it about the wisdom of man (v3). Faith is always about our relationship with
God. In this case I am reminded of an
old hymn: nothing between my soul and the Savior. And in this case, those who sinned must be
eradicated. Neither will I be with
you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed among you (7:12). The NT tells us that evil must be
destroyed. Put to death your members
which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry (Col. 3:5; cf. Rom. 8:13, put to death
the deeds of the body).
2. At
first the prayer of Joshua is unbelievable (v7). At the first turn of events,
he sounds like Israel in the 40 years of wandering. But then, he sounds like Moses making
intercession for the people, pleading with God to glorify Himself (v9).
3. Note
the gracious and firm conversation of Joshua with Achan:
o
My son: Joshua didn’t deny that Achan was
an Israelite. This was a family issue.
o
Give glory to the Lord: This is always
the issue for us, in every situation. We
must do that which glorifies God. Joshua
does not tell Achan how to glorify God; he instead lays the issue on Achan.
o
I have sinned against the LORD: Achan
responds properly. When we sin, we do
not glorify God if we tell half-truths or make excuses. We glorify God by open and clear confession.
o
I coveted – and took: God is glorified
when we acknowledge details. Confession
is not only making a statement of good theology (my sin was against the
LORD). It is also a statement of
honesty.
4. The
Valley of Achor (7:24,26): “Achor” means
trouble or disturbance. It is spoken of three
other times in the OT. First, it was part
of Judah (Josh. 15:7). Second and third,
the prophets spoke of it in a very positive manner in Messiah’s reign, that it
would be a place where herds lie down (Isa. 65:10) and that it would be a “door
of hope” (Heb. Petah Tikvah) in the regathering of the nation (Hos 2:15). We will include a photo from Rimonim Lookout
that overlooks the area. The Valley is
in the middle of the photo with the Jordan River beyond that. Jericho is just out of view to the right.
No comments:
Post a Comment