JUNE 12 / JUNE 19, 2016
ISRAEL’S TRESPASS IN THE ACCURSED THING
INTRODUCTION:
1. In light of what we have seen thus far in our study of this book, the first sentence of chapter seven comes as quite a shock. In fact, the first word “But”) announces a contrast, and what a contrast it is, considering the faithful obedience so far exhibited by this people up until now. “But (we) the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing.”
2. Each of the preceding chapters begins with a word that indicates continuous progression, but here we are immediately alerted that there is serious trouble ahead, for a trespass had been committed, and that, in the accursed thing.
3. Although the nature of the trouble is yet to be revealed, we are plainly told the cause of it. “The accursed thing,” or “devoted thing.” (See margin on Ch. 6:18) The spoil of Jericho which was dedicated to the Lord was not to be seized for personal gain. (Ch. 6:18, 19)
4. The warning notwithstanding one among them had taken of those consecrated things for himself, and by doing so, brought a curse on the whole camp of Israel.
I. THE SIN OF ONE MAN KINDLED THE LORD’S ANGER AGAINST THE CHILDREN Of ISRAEL (VSE. 1)
A. NOTICE FIRST OF ALL, THAT SIN CANNOT BE HIDDEN FROM GOD.
1. Nothing about this transgressor was unknown to the Lord. He knew his name, his father’s name, his entire ancestry and tribe; plus He knew what he took, when he took it, and where he hid it.
2. The sin was successfully hidden from his neighbors, and even from Joshua, but not from God. (Acts 5:1-11)
3. Transgressors think they are clever, in that, they imagine their sins are secret, when, in fact, oftentimes they are not hidden even from other people, and never from God.
B. NOTICE SECONDLY, UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES GOD WAS RIGHTEOUS TO CHARGE THIS SIN TO ALL ISRAEL.(VSE. 1)
1. On the principle of their organic unity as a nation, the guilt of one was imputed to all.
a) The moral integrity of the covenant people was compromised by one man. A body is considered diseased even if the malady is in only one of its members.
b) The trespass would rest upon all until by public condemnation it was removed. “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” “Purge out therefore the old leaven…” (I Cor. 5:6, 7)
2. The church also is one body, though it has many members.
a) Sin in the assembly can rob a church of God’s blessing, even when the sin is hidden from the membership. For this reason our teaching and preaching must even include public condemnation of sin, for by such the Holy Spirit exercises discipline within the body. (II Tim. 3:16-4:2)
b) Open sin in the church must be dealt with in the manner prescribed in the New Testament. (I Cor. 5:1ff)
c) Individual believers cannot harbor sin and at the same time expect God’s favor and blessing. (I Cor. 6:19, 20; “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, ..” (II Cor. 6:17)
3. Other situations in which the guilt of one must be shared by others.
a) When an act expresses the prevailing spirit of the community. Peter thus rightly charged the multitude with the death of Christ. (Acts 2:23; 3:14, 15)
b) When the crime of one is used by others for personal gain.
c) When the guilty one holds a representative position.
4. God’s anger was kindled against the children of Israel as a whole because of the sin of one. This we know, but how will He make known His displeasure?
II. BECAUSE OF THE TRESPASS ISRAEL SUFFERED DEFEAT AT AI. (VERSES 2-5)
A. THOUGH ACHAN’S TRESPASS WAS THE INITIAL CAUSE OF ISRAEL’S TROUBLE, THERE WERE SOME DISTURBING ACTIONS ON THE PART OF OTHERS AS WELL. (VERSES 2, 3) Could Achan’s sin, even before it was known to others, have somehow inexplicably had a negative and unwholesome effect on the whole camp? Sin is an infectious evil.
1. Notice, with no thought of anything being wrong, “Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai.” This is not to say that Joshua did not first seek the Lord’s will and direction in this, but we are not told that he did so.
2. Notice also, that the spies, as they returned and gave their report, seem to convey an attitude of presumption and pride.
a) In the first place, these men seem to have overstepped their role as spies, and asserted themselves as counsellors to Joshua.
b) Notice how the advice they gave came from an attitude of self-confidence. We must never allow that our own pride be fueled by what God has done.
c) It is striking that the counsel they gave was completely contrary to that which the Lord would afterward give. (Verse 3; Ch. 8:1)
d) They gave greater consideration to the ease and comfort of the people, than they did to obeying God’s will. “Make not all the people to labor thither.” Was there such a spirit among them?
e) They spoke with great confidence, but sadly, it seems to have been self-confidence, and it was based upon wrong calculations. “…let about two or three thousand men go up AND SMITE AI, …for they are but few.” They saw little Ai as easy prey with or without the Lord’s help.
3. Perhaps even Joshua himself was too much a party to the spirit of presumption that is seen in his spies.
a) After all, he did according to the advice of his men. How is it that he who had been so careful to seek heavenly counsel, now consults only with flesh and blood?
b) How differently things might have turned out had Joshua only acted beforehand as he did afterward. (See Verses 6, 7)
c) Was the defeat at Ai necessary to the discovery of Achan’s sin? Could not the Lord have revealed the problem before the mission was launched? Might the Lord have made it known to Joshua, had He been consulted?
d) Too many times we see the need to deal with sin only after we have been made to suffer for sake of it. Although grieving over what might have been cannot change what is done, it might serve in helping to avoid like future troubles.
B. THE UNEXPECTED DEFEAT WHICH ISRAEL SUFFERED AT AI WAS TRAGIC AND DISHEARTENING. (VERSES 4, 5)
1. Joshua, it appears, went with the ill-conceived plan that was recommended by his spy team. (Verse 4)
2. He sent about three thousand troops, but they were made to flee from the battle. In the retreat thirty-six men lost their lives, and the rest lost their courage. (Verse 5)
3. When God’s presence went with them, even the great walls of Jericho could not prevail against them; but when God’s favor and blessing were sacrificed to their sin, little tiny Ai put them to flight.
a) Sin robs God of His glory, and deprives His people of His blessing.
b) At Jericho they learned that it is not by power, nor by might, but by God’s Spirit that battles are won. At Ai they learned again the same truth, only this time by negative example. Sometimes we too must learn this lesson the hard way.
III. THE AWFUL TRAGEDY OF ISRAEL’S DEFEAT AT AI PROMPTED GREAT HUMILIATION AND DESPERATE PLEADINGS ON JOSHUA’S PART. (VERSES 6-9)
A. JOSHUA GRIEVED AND MOURNED IN SILENCE UNTIL THE EVENING. (VERSE 6)
1. He was on his face before the ark. He humbled himself before the Lord. He knew that somehow God’s honor had been compromised.
2. He rent his garments and put dust on his head, as these were signs of mourning. He mourned over the sad defeat at Ai, but more so, over the Lord’s displeasure, and the reason for it.
3. His officers also mourned before the Lord.
B. AFTER A TIME OF MOURNING JOSHUA BEGAN TO PRAY AND PLEAD WITH GOD. (VERSE 7)
1. His prayer was at first more a complaint than a plea. Overwhelmed by grief, he began to speak rashly and faithlessly. (Verse 7) His complaint sounds too much like that spoken by some of his generation in the wilderness. (Ex. 14:11, 12; 16:3; 17:3; Num. 14:2, 3) But, the Lord Who searches the heart knew that they came from another spirit, and was not extreme to mark them.
2. Joshua spoke as one who was at a loss to know the meaning of this tragedy. (Verse 8) “What shall I say?” How is it that Israel, having been promised full possession of the land, should come to flee and even fall before a people so insignificant? Is the Lord’s arm shortened? Are His promises good?
3. Joshua then expressed his fear of the dangers they would now face from the other Canaanites, if Israel’s defense had departed. “…and cut off our name from the earth.”
4. He feared that all of this would reflect on God, His wisdom and power, His goodness and faithfulness. “And what wilt thou do unto thy great name.” This, should have been his first concern, because it is for God’s own great name that He will be entreated.
IV. THE LORD WOULD NOW REVEAL TO JOSHUA THE CAUSE OF THIS DISASTER, AND HOW IT WAS TO BE REMEDIED. (VERSES 10-15)
A. HE MADE KNOWN TO JOSHUA THE REASON FOR ISRAEL’S FAILURE AND LOSS AT AI. (VERSES 10-12)
1. The Lord had not allowed His people to suffer this defeat for no reason, and the implication seems to be that Joshua either ought to have suspected, or did suspect, what that reason was. “Get thee up; wherefore liest thou on thy face? Israel hath sinned…”
2. Joshua was not wrong to be on his face expressing deep humiliation and grief, and crying out to the Lord. However, he was wrong to express his complaint in the manner which he did. (Verse 7) He was wrong to continue expressing his fears about what might come of it, all the while delaying to take appropriate actions to deal with the problem. Only one thing could have caused God to abandon them to defeat. “Israel hath sinned.” They had transgressed the Lord’s covenant, in that, they had taken of the devoted things. Joshua’s present posture was not helpful for doing what needed to be done, therefore the Lord said, “Get thee up.”
3. It appears that after the action, Joshua must have immediately conducted an inquiry into the matter, for the Lord included dissembling among their transgressions. Achan had apparently lied about having stolen items which he had already hidden among his stuff. (Verse 11b)
4. The Lord’s words in Verse 12 leave no doubt about why Israel could not stand before this enemy, and why they turned and fled. “Because they were accursed.” The Lord also made clear that there was but one way to remove the curse from off them, and to regain His favor and blessing. “…except ye destroy the accursed thing.”
B. HE INSTRUCTED JOSHUA WHAT MUST BE DONE TO REMEDY AND REGAIN HIS FAVOR. (VERSES 13-15)
1. He must instruct the people to put themselves in a suitable frame to appear before God on the morrow. “Sanctify the people.” (Verse 13)
2. He must bring them all under the scrutiny of the lot, by which the guilty party would be identified. (Verse 14)
3. He must, when the guilty person was found out, put him to death without mercy. (Verse 1
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