RTW March 24

The Truth About Our Place Of Promise

But Israel violated the instructions…
Joshua 7:1a

 

 

My Takeaways

Something Old

“… I saw…  I wanted them so much that I took them. …”  Joshua 7:21

Oh Lord, protect my eyes and my heart.

Something New

The truth about our place of promise:

  • Obedience is still important. (Don’t take the plunder from Jericho.)
  • Defeat is a possibility. (Israelites are defeat.)
  • Full disclosure is necessary. (Achan’s sin.)
  • Disobedience brings about discipline. (Achan’s sin.)
  • Victory is most likely. (Israelites defeat Ai—but this time you can keep the plunder.)

Something to Do

Follow the instructions that God puts before me, even if defeat is a possiblity.

 

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6 Comments

  1. The Life Application Study Bible helped me to understand the question of why did Achan’s sin bring judgment on the entire nation? Although it was one man’s failure, God saw it as a national disobedience to a national law. God needed the entire nation to be committed to the job they had agreed to do – conquer the land. Thus, when one person failed, everyone failed. If Achan’s sin went unpunished, unlimited looting could break out. The nation as a whole had to take responsibility for preventing this undisciplined disobedience. Achan’s sin was not merely keeping some of the captured goods (God allowed it in some cases), but his disobeying God’s explicit command to destroy everything connected with Jericho. Achan’s sin was indifference to the evil and of the idolatry in the city, not just a desire for money and clothes. God would not protect Israel’s Army again until the sin was removed and the Army return to obeying him without reservation.
    Why did Achan’s entire family pay for this sin? In the ancient world, the family was treated as a whole. Achan, as a head of his family, was like a tribal Chief. If he prospered, the family prospered with him. If he suffered so did they. Many Israelites had already died in battle because of Achan and sin. Now he was to be completely cut off from Israel.
    Why did God allowed the Israelites to keep the plunder and livestock when they fought Ai? Again this was made more clearer to me when I read what the Life Application Study Bible had to say about it. The Israelites laws for handling The Spoils of War covered two situations:
    1. Cities like Jericho which were under God’s band (judgment for idolatry) could not be looted (see Deuteronomy 20:16-18). God’s people were to be kept holy and separate from every influence of idolatry.
    2. The distribution of captured goods from cities not under the ban was a normal part of warfare. It provided the army and the nation the necessary food, flocks, and weapons needed to sustain itself in wartime. Ai was not under the band. The conquering army needed the food and equipment. Because soldiers were not paid, the plunder was part of their incentive and reward for going to war.
    God is not content with our doing what is right some of the time. He wants us to do what is right all the time. We are under his orders to eliminate any thoughts, practices, or possessions that hinder our devotion to him.
    Reading what the Life Application Study Bible had to say about this section in the Bible helped me to understand a little bit better the reasoning behind God’s actions. Maybe by sharing, you too might have some unanswered questions answered.

  2. My Takeaways: Sin has to be dealt with.

    Something Old: Joshua’s army is defeated by Ai.

    Something New: The Lord gave Joshua the city once the sin was dealt with.

    Something To Do: Remember to always carry out God’s will. I must rely on God and communicate with him daily. When new situations come my way I must remember to always seek God’s wisdom and guidance first. I need to learn from my past mistakes.

    1. New situations often bring new requirements…checking with God at each crossroads is always the best way to handle it! Thanks again.

  3. Something Old
    Joshua 7:6. “Joshua tore his clothing and threw dust on his head. He bowed down facing the Ark of the LORD until evening”. He knew where to go in the midst of his dismay. He knew Who to seek for the answers. God was faithful to respond to him and to instruct him.

    Something New
    Proverbs 3:5-6. “Do not depend on your own understanding (or assurances of other people). Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take.” Joshua neglected this basic principle and fell into deception. (Joshua 9:14b). I struggle with this so much….often trying so hard to “hear” God in the particulars of my life.

    Something To Do
    Joshua 713b. “Hidden among you are thing set apart for the Lord. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things.”

    We must be honest with God and willing to follow His instructions. It is not that He will not forgive us if we confess. (Because of what Jesus has done for us), but it is because we are not “open and clean vessels” through which He can pour His blessings and victories if we are bound by sin and hidden agendas.

  4. I’m glad I’m in good company ! We took the door off our son’s room for disobedience. Obedience allows for blessings.

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