Trouble With Sin

6 Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay (sadness), threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the Lord until evening. 7 Then Joshua cried out, “Oh, Sovereign Lord, ....” 10 But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11 Israel has sinned and broken (disobeyed) My covenant (commandments)! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for Me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied (acted deceitfully) about it and hidden the things among their own belongings. 12 That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer . . .  13 Get up! Command the people to purify  (santify or make holy) themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the Lord. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things (sin) from among you.” Joshua 7:6-7, 10-13 (NLT).

Jericho was the first city Joshua and the people of Israel came to in the Promised Land of God. The Promised Land was God’s property. This city protected entrances into the heart of the Promised Land (or Canaan) and was well defended with two strong walls.  Yet the people of God did not come against Jericho with weapons. God was with Israel. God had told Joshua that He had already given the city of Jericho into Israel’s hands and their enemies were defeated (Joshua 6:2; see also Romans 8:37-39; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8). In essence, Israel’s battle with Jericho was already won (see also 2 Chronicles 20:15). All Joshua and the Israelites had to do was to faithfully obey God’s instructions to reclaim God’s property, the Promised Land!  

God instructed Joshua to “march around the city” (Joshua 6:3) carrying the Ark of the Lord. Seven priests with seven rams’ horn were to precede the Ark of the Lord. The Ark of the Lord symbolized God’s holy presence with Israel (see Exodus 25:10-40; Numbers 7:89) and symbolized that God Himself would fight against Jericho. Israel only needed to march around the city, then shout, and observe God’s deliverance of the city into their hands. God wanted Joshua and Israel to clearly know that the battle would depend absolutely upon God for victory and not their weapons, know-how, or military might (Numbers 10:9).

Joshua 6:11-14 emphasizes the presence of the Ark of the Lord circling Jericho. For six days, Israel marched around Jericho with the Ark of the Lord (God’s Presence). With the Ark of the Lord leading, Israel circled once around the city with trumpets blowing and voices silent for six days.  On the seventh day, Israel did as they had done the previous six days, but this time circled Jericho seven times. Seven equals the number of perfection. So, Israel circles Jericho a total of thirteen times with only the sound of trumpets. Then, Joshua gave Israel the command to “Shout!” to announce God’s victory (Joshua 6:16).  The walls of Jericho came tumbling down! Jericho was the first city taken by God for Israel. Thus, Jericho and all Jericho’s gold, silver, bronze, and other possessions belonged to God as God’s first-fruits (Exodus 13:2; Exodus 23:19; see also 1 King 16:34; Joshua 7:1-26). After Jericho’s defeat, Joshua and Israel’s continued success depended upon their wholehearted obedience, devotion, and commitment to God.

Then, Israel moved to the next city for battle called Ai. However, Israel became over confident. Joshua and Israel did not seek God’s guidance and plans in their attack against Ai (Joshua 7:3-4; Matthew 6:33). Instead, Israel sent a small delegation to scout out the small Ai city without getting God’s direction. Even more, Israel’s sinned continued with Achan of the tribe of Judah. Achan disobeyed God’s commandments by lying (Exodus 20:16), stealing (Exodus 20:15), and coveting (Exodus 20:17) God’s possessions from Jericho (Joshua 7:10-12; 20-21). Because of these sins, Israel suffered defeat and death at Ai (Joshua 7:4-5).
Israel’s sin and disobedience demonstrated the seriousness of God’s commandments (see Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5). God loves and welcomes everyone who wholeheartedly turns to Him in faith and obedience and turns away from sin (John 3:16-18). Rahab and her household, non-Israelites, are an example of God’s open acceptance and welcome to all who places their trust and obedience in Him as God. However, Achan of Judah along with his household was ex-communicated from God’s family and presence because of their sin and greed (see also 1 Timothy 6:9-10).

After the initial defeat at Ai, Joshua and Israel cried out to God for forgiveness and repented of their sins (Joshua 7:6-7). Also, Joshua and Israel removed Achan's sin from their encampment (Joshua 7:24-26). With this confession and turning from sin, God’s holy presence, favor, and victory returned of Joshua and Israel (Joshua 8:1). Even more, Joshua and Israel succeeded in their second attack on Ai because God directed and guided their battle (Joshua 8:7). 

Now, Joshua and Israel sought God first and re-committed themselves to wholeheartedly obeying God’s directions (Matthew 6:33).  We too must obey God's commands (e.g., Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31). Moreover, we must also communicate by talking to God daily to discover His ways and directions. Like the generation of Joshua, we too must wholeheartedly seek to love, obey, and trust God and stay free of sin and sins influences (Joshua 1:5-9). God’s physical and spiritual blessings come to those who wholeheartedly love and obey Him (Deuteronomy 28).

God is holy (Leviticus 19:2), and He also want His people to be holy (1 Peter 1:16). Israel and Achan’s sin and its consequences reveal how serious God takes sin and disobedience (Joshua 7:24-26). Holiness means being wholeheartedly devoted to God and set apart from sin and sin’s influence. God’s holy presence, favor, and blessings will not remain with the presence of sin and evil. Yet, if you do sin, God offers a way out by genuinely confessing your sins to Him. As a loving God, He promises to forgive you (1 John 1:9; see also Joshua 7:6-7). Never forget that God is faithful and His loving kindness never ends (Lamentations 3:22-25). 

 

9 But if we confess our sins to Him (God), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness (wrongs). 1 John 1:9 (NLT).

Reference
Coleson, Joseph. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary. Carol Streams, IL:  Tyndale House Pub., 2012.