The Sin of Israel

"But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel. Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the country.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not weary all the people there, for the people of Ai are few.” So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore the hearts of the people melted and became like water. Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. And Joshua said, “Alas, Lord God , why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?” "(Joshua 7:1-9, NKJV) 

The outcome of the first battle between Israel and Ai was unexpected. About three thousand men of Israel went up against the people of Ai confident that it would be a technical knockout, so to speak. They hardly expected to encounter much resistance, talk less of defeat. 36 men of Israel were killed by the men of Ai and they pursued Israel across the terrain. The defeat of Israel sent shock waves through the camp of Israel. The Bible says that the heart of the children of Israel melted and became like water. It was as if they were watching a fantasy movie or a mirage sweep through their camp. Yet, it was real. How did this happen? How did they get there? What went wrong?

We have to consider the fact that previously the children of Israel overran Jericho; the walls of Jericho had tumbled down by the mighty power of God injected into the sounds of trumpets and the praise of His people. It was a spectacular and magnificent display of the irresistible power of God. The Bible says consequently, "So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout all the country." (Joshua 6:27). However, soon after that mighty victory, Israel suffered a humiliating defeat. God allowed it to happen because sin was found in the camp of Israel and God is no respecter of persons. 

Thank God for Joshua who discerned that there was a spiritual problem which led to a physical defeat. He sought the face of God in humility, knowing that God knew what the problem was and that He had the solution for the problem. Quite remarkable! No undue assumptions were made. No reckless declarations or decrees were sounded. No presumptuous statements were voiced in the face of what was a catastrophic defeat. The prospect of their other enemies hearing of such a humiliating dismissal by Ai and the possible consequences of a renewed effort by them towards the obliteration of Israel was too much to even think about, let alone give some credence. What a defeated nation they had become in just a short space of time!

Do we think God has changed? Do we realise that God will punish His people if they compromise, indulge in idolatry, become consumed by the temporary, flashy things of this world? In Christendom, we hear some people say that God is transferring the wealth of the wicked to the righteous. Really? Is this a Scriptural principle? Did Jesus ever mention anything like that? Why are we obsessed with financial wealth? We seem to be striving for the very things the unbelievers strive for except that we wrap our desires with misquoted, misinterpreted portions of Scripture. That is not going to change anything and God does not need to dispossess the wicked and unbelieving folk to supply our needs. As Joshua sought the face of God, God responded, 

“Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you." (Joshua 7:10-12)

Eventually, it was discovered that Achan coveted the spoils of war and hid them in his tent. Those things were accursed and the sin of Achan brought defeat upon Israel. It is quite revealing that God held Israel responsible for the sin of Achan. Israel was guilty, not just Achan. Achan brought death to his family and disgrace to Israel. Have you identified the sins of your nation? Have you gone before God in repentance? Or have you dissociated yourself from the deplorable spiritual situation in which we find ourselves today? Sure enough, many believers are serving the Lord honourably but our nations are dying. Many nations are on the brink of collapse. Unrighteousness runs rife in many nations. The truth of God's Word is discounted, minimised or trashed as nonsense and many believers are comfortable with the situation. They are afraid of speaking the truth for fear of this or that. The big question is: Who do we fear most - man or God? The reality is that if we do not come before God in true repentance, we should be prepared for God's judgement. God will never condone sin. Righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34).

Achan and his whole family were stoned to death and thereafter Joshua and the men of Israel secured a resounding victory over Ai. There are lessons to be learned, one of which is the fact that there is nothing hidden from God and that He is no respecter of persons. He will punish severely those who deliberately contravene His commands, especially those who should know better. Let us come before God in genuine repentance, wait upon Him and get instructions from Him as to what we should do. There is definitely an accursed thing in the camp of God's people. God will reveal what it is if we humble ourselves before Him. God is the same, yesterday and forever. The biblical principle of repentance holds even today. God says, today:

"...if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Would we  humble yourself before God, pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways? Bear in mind, God was addressing His people, not Gentiles at that time. Today this passage of Scripture is applicable to believers. The destinies of nations are in our hands, so to speak. Arise, brethren, arise. Let's come together in prayer and intercession (in our homes, in our churches, in our communities) before our gracious, merciful and faithful Father through Jesus Christ our Lord and He will abundantly pardon. Have a blessed day.