Israel Defeated at Ai

 

October 15, 2020

 

Joshua 7: 1-5

 

Israel Defeated at Ai

But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.

Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai.   And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not have all the people go up but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.”   So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai,  and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.

 

How often have you heard this lame excuse; what I do has no effect on others, why vote, my vote doesn't count.  That is not true in the world economy nor is it true in God’s.  

As a dad, it became very clear that my actions had an impact on my family, at work, the way I represented my company had an impact on the way our customers respected or disrespected our Company.  And most of all as a chosen Follower of Christ, my action impacted my neighbors and friends.

 

One man’s sinning against God cost a nation to go into battle without God fighting for them, and they suffer the loss of 37 fighting men, and the nation, that had seen God fighting for them, and believed He would do so everywhere they went, got blindsided by one unrighteous man, who wanted gold and silver more than God’s blessing.

 

First, we see Joshua and the leadership bowing and looking to God, and He tells them unless they do as He directed, He will not go with them.  Now Joshua was God’s man and he was not about to not follow all that God commanded, now or in the future.  So, as you read the remainder of Chapter first you will come to an understanding that Achan's sin not only cost him but his family a price much higher than he would have been willing to pay.  You will also see that what is done in secret will be exposed in the light for all to see.

 

And last you will see the value God put on sin and the items that drove his greed, a gold bar, and some silver, that cost the lives of 36 men, and his entire family died because of Achan's sin.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice