Scripture: The LORD helped Joshua in everything he did, and Joshua was famous everywhere in Canaan. Joshua 6:27

If I had written the book of Joshua, I would have left out chapter 7. It is an uncomfortable chapter. It dashes cold water on our Christian experience. It is like finding the serpent in the Garden of Eden. It ruins everything. Finding Achan in Israel is like discovering Judas among the disciples. But we can learn something from it. To understand what I am talking about first read Joshua 7 and if you need to the context in chapter 6 as well.

The people had a marvelous victory at Jericho. They were entering their promised land that God had promised them. God had said they were not to take any booty for themselves, but were to set aside certain valuables for the treasury of the Lord (see Joshua 6:18,19). But Achan, in direct violation of what God said, chose to keep some things. He found a beautiful garment and some pieces of silver and gold so attractive to him that he took them and hid them in his tent. Nobody knew about it except himself—but suddenly calamity came crashing down on the people of God. Israel was humiliated and defeated at the battle over Ai. Have you ever had a humiliating experience at work? Well I have! Let’s read on.

Joshua went into a state of depression, fell on his face and said, “Oh Lord, why didn’t we just stay on the other side of the Jordan River? What are you doing to us? God told him to, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face? Listen to what I have to say to you; there is sin in your camp and you must ferret it out and destroy it. Then my blessing will return.”

That is what happened. Lots were cast in some fashion. Joshua worked his way through the tribes and families and households and individuals until the lot rested by divine appointment upon Achan. It was not until that point, until he was caught red-handed, that Achan finally confessed and the judgment of God fell upon him.

It is startling to read in the last part of Joshua 7:1 that God was angry. “The anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.” God is so often described to us as a God of love and great compassion. We cannot overlook this characteristic that God has the capacity to become angry. God is pure holiness and so hates sin and cannot tolerate it among his people. Even in this age of grace (God’s unmerited love and favor) we must realize that God can still be disappointed in his adopted children.

Can you begin to see why pastors all over the world invite people each week to seek the Lord voluntarily at the alter of confession to identify our shortcomings? Once we do that, God in his grace, is quick to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all that has made us dirty (I John 1:9). The problem pastors encounter is that too many people want to hold on to their “secret sins”. These problems are so well hidden that no one, not even our closest family members have any idea that there is sin in our lives. God’s Holy Spirit again and again makes us aware of the sin and we find ourselves in a place of feeling guilty, unworthy and just not right before God. We sense remorse and we know we are disobedient before God. Thank the Lord there is hope for us as we call out to the Lord who is always close to us.

Ray Hartman
Cornersville, TN

Prayer: Lord, we invite you into our lives to expose anything that would hinder our ability to make a difference in the life of our families, our church or our community. Give us the courage to live our lives in the power and strength of your unconditional love. Allow us to experience victory in our daily living, overcoming any conflict we encounter. Amen!

Prayer Tip: When we pray, we sometimes do not take time to listen to God speak to us. It’s not supposed to be a one-way conversation. The Lord will give you direction, guidance, and help in your everyday prayer life, if you will just let him speak.

2-27-07