Pride before the fall – Joshua 7 & 8

Pride before the Fall Pride before the Fall – Joshua 7&8– Joshua 7&81Cor 5:6 1Cor 5:6 “Your boasting is not good. Don’t “Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?”batch of dough?”

Friday Meeting 28Friday Meeting 28thth April 2012 April 2012

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Remembering the VictoryRemembering the VictoryThe fall of Jericho: Jos 6:1-5The fall of Jericho: Jos 6:1-51 1 Now the gates of Jericho were Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.one came in.2 2 Then the Then the LORD said to Joshua, said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. its fighting men. 3 3 March around the March around the city once with all the armed men. city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Do this for six days. 4 4 Have seven Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. blowing the trumpets. 5 5 When you When you hear them sound a long blast on the hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”go up, everyone straight in.”

17th Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 2

• Past Victory

• Ai in the Plan

• Obedience• Hidden Sin• Banned and

Devoted• A little yeast1. Revealing

Sin2. The

Consequences

3. Cleansing4. Victory

Restored• Conclusion


Ai in the strategic planAi in the strategic planAi’s strategic location. Ai’s strategic location.

•As with Jericho, its As with Jericho, its conquest was vital to conquest was vital to the conquest of the the conquest of the entire land. entire land.

•Smaller than Jericho, Smaller than Jericho,

•Control of the main Control of the main route that ran along route that ran along the ridge from north to the ridge from north to south along the south along the highlands of the highlands of the central portion of the central portion of the land.land.

17th Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 3

• Past Victory• Ai in the

Plan• Obedience• Hidden Sin• Banned and


Sin2. The

Consequences




Obedience to the CommandObedience to the Command6:17 6:17 Now the city shall be doomed by the Now the city shall be doomed by the LORD to destruction, it and all who to destruction, it and all who areare in it. Only in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who areare with her in the house, because she hid the with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. messengers that we sent. 18 18 And you, by all And you, by all means abstain from the means abstain from the accursedaccursed things, lest things, lest you become accursed when you take of the you become accursed when you take of the accursedaccursed things, and make the camp of Israel things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. a curse, and trouble it. 19 19 But all the silver and But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, areare consecratedconsecrated to the to the LORD; they shall come ; they shall come into the treasury of the into the treasury of the LORD.”.”

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Sin2. The

Consequences




Obedience to the CommandObedience to the CommandFor something to be under the For something to be under the banban meant meant one of two things.one of two things.

1.1.Everything living was to be completely Everything living was to be completely destroyed.destroyed.

2.2.All the valuable objects like gold and All the valuable objects like gold and silver were to be dedicated to the Lord.silver were to be dedicated to the Lord.

•This was evidently to be done as a kind of This was evidently to be done as a kind of first fruits of the land and an evidence of first fruits of the land and an evidence of the people’s trust in the Lord’s supply for the people’s trust in the Lord’s supply for the future (cf. the future (cf. Lev. 27:28-29). ).

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Sin2. The

Consequences



http://net.bible.org/#%21bible/Lev.%2027:28-29


Obedience to the CommandObedience to the Command1 But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in 1 But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for regard to the things under the ban, for AchanAchan, , the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the LORD burned against the sons of Israel. the LORD burned against the sons of Israel. 21 21 When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia,from Babylonia,[[c]] two hundred shekels two hundred shekels[[d]] of of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels,silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels,[[e]] I coveted them and took them. They are hidden I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”underneath.”•He broke the He broke the BanBan and the and the DevotionDevotion

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Sin2. The

Consequences



http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+7&version=NIV#fen-NIV-5998c

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+7&version=NIV#fen-NIV-5998d

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+7&version=NIV#fen-NIV-5998e


Obedience to the CommandObedience to the CommandGod was mercifulGod was merciful•They were a vile people who practiced the They were a vile people who practiced the basest forms of immorality including child basest forms of immorality including child sacrifice. sacrifice. •God had given them over four hundreds of God had given them over four hundreds of years to repent, but now their iniquity had years to repent, but now their iniquity had become full (see become full (see Gen. 15:16; ; Lev. 18:24-28•The one family who did turn to the Lord The one family who did turn to the Lord (Rahab and her family) were spared. (Rahab and her family) were spared.

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Sin2. The

Consequences



http://net.bible.org/




Obedience to the CommandObedience to the Command• As with Sodom and Gomorrah, if there As with Sodom and Gomorrah, if there

had been even ten righteous, God had been even ten righteous, God would have spared the city (would have spared the city (Gen. 18), ), but since he could not find even ten, He but since he could not find even ten, He removed Lot and his family (removed Lot and his family (Gen. 19). ).

• Further, if any city had repented as did Further, if any city had repented as did Nineveh at the preaching of Jonah, He Nineveh at the preaching of Jonah, He would have spared that citywould have spared that city

• Israel as a theocracy was an instrument Israel as a theocracy was an instrument of judgment in the hands of Godof judgment in the hands of God

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Sin2. The

Consequences






Hidden SinHidden Sin7:17:1 But the children of Israel committed a But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the trespass regarding the accursedaccursed things, for things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi,Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the accursed things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel.burned against the children of Israel.

““devoted things/ Accurseddevoted things/ Accursed” (Strong’s H2764: ” (Strong’s H2764: cheremcherem) The Hebrew term refers to the ) The Hebrew term refers to the ֵח�ֶר�םֵח�ֶר�םirrevocable giving over of things or persons to irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them;the Lord, often by totally destroying them;

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Sin2. The

Consequences




Hidden SinHidden SinAfter such a tremendous victory at Jericho, After such a tremendous victory at Jericho, Joshua chapter 7 is surprising to say the least. Joshua chapter 7 is surprising to say the least. •Suddenly we are presented with a series of Suddenly we are presented with a series of failures that stand in striking contrast to the failures that stand in striking contrast to the wonderful victories of the past six chapters. wonderful victories of the past six chapters. •The distance between a great victory and a The distance between a great victory and a terrible defeat is terrible defeat is one stepone step, and often only a , and often only a short one at that. short one at that. •One moment we can be like Elijah standing One moment we can be like Elijah standing victoriously on Mt. Carmel, and the next hiding victoriously on Mt. Carmel, and the next hiding out in a cave, fearing for his life, and out in a cave, fearing for his life, and complaining to God (complaining to God (1 Kings 19:10).).

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Sin2. The

Consequences



http://net.bible.org/#%21bible/1%20Kings%2019:10


Hidden SinHidden Sin

17th Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 11


Plan• Obedience• Hidden Sin


Banned and DevotedBanned and Devoted1.1. Everything living was to be completely Everything living was to be completely

destroyed.destroyed.– As children of God and the Body of As children of God and the Body of

Christ there are things that we are Christ there are things that we are Banned Banned from.from.

2.2. All the valuable objects like gold and silver All the valuable objects like gold and silver were to be dedicated to the Lord.were to be dedicated to the Lord.

– As children of God and the Body of As children of God and the Body of Christ there are things that we are to Christ there are things that we are to devote to the Lord.devote to the Lord.

Q. What are they? Can you give Q. What are they? Can you give examplesexamples

17th Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 12


Plan• Obedience• Hidden Sin• Banned

and Devoted

• A little yeast1. Revealing

Sin2. The

Consequences




A little YeastA little YeastQ. Why was all of Israel held accountable?...Q. Why was all of Israel held accountable?...•There was sin in the camp and God could not There was sin in the camp and God could not dwell among them – remember the dwell among them – remember the ArkArk (God) (God) won them the victorywon them the victory•This does not mean that the rest of the nation This does not mean that the rest of the nation was sinless or that this was the only sinwas sinless or that this was the only sin•but this sin was of such a nature (a sin of but this sin was of such a nature (a sin of direct disobedience and rebellion) that God direct disobedience and rebellion) that God used it to teach Israel (and us) a couple of used it to teach Israel (and us) a couple of important lessons. important lessons.

17th Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 13



Devoted• A little

yeast1. Revealing

Sin2. The

Consequences




A little Yeast: We are His BodyA little Yeast: We are His BodyGod views us as His bodyGod views us as His body

16 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of it not the communion of the body of Christ? Christ? 17 17 For we, though many, are For we, though many, are one bread and one bodyone bread and one body; for we all ; for we all partake of that one bread.partake of that one bread. (1Cor (1Cor 10:16&17)10:16&17)

17th Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 14



Devoted• A little

yeast1. Revealing

Sin2. The

Consequences




A little Yeast: We are His BodyA little Yeast: We are His Body• Achan’s name, the Hebrew, akan, is a play Achan’s name, the Hebrew, akan, is a play

on the word akor, which means “trouble.” So on the word akor, which means “trouble.” So Joshua would declare that the Lord would Joshua would declare that the Lord would bring trouble (akor) on Achan who had bring trouble (akor) on Achan who had become a “troubler” to the nation because become a “troubler” to the nation because of his sin (cf. 7:24-25). of his sin (cf. 7:24-25).

• 15 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause springing up cause troubletrouble, and by this , and by this many become defiled; many become defiled; (Heb 12:15-16)(Heb 12:15-16)

• ““Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?”dough?” 1Cor 5:6 1Cor 5:6

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Devoted• A little

yeast1. Revealing

Sin2. The

Consequences




A little Yeast: We are His BodyA little Yeast: We are His BodyQ. Is it right that one believer in the body can Q. Is it right that one believer in the body can impact the whole?impact the whole?

The Apostle St. Paul saw the same principle of The Apostle St. Paul saw the same principle of solidarity at work in the church (solidarity at work in the church (1 Cor 5:6-13). ). Unjudged sin contaminated the whole Unjudged sin contaminated the whole assembly—“Don’t you know that a little yeast assembly—“Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?” (v. works through the whole batch of dough?” (v. 6)6)

17th Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 16



Devoted• A little

yeast1. Revealing

Sin2. The

Consequences





A little Yeast: We are His BodyA little Yeast: We are His BodyQ. Is it right that one believer in the body can Q. Is it right that one believer in the body can impact the whole?impact the whole?

The Apostle St. Paul saw the same principle of The Apostle St. Paul saw the same principle of solidarity at work in the church (solidarity at work in the church (1 Cor 5:6-13). ). Unjudged sin contaminated the whole Unjudged sin contaminated the whole assembly—“Don’t you know that a little yeast assembly—“Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?” (v. works through the whole batch of dough?” (v. 6)6)

17th Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 17



Devoted• A little

yeast1. Revealing

Sin2. The

Consequences





Revelaing SinRevelaing SinGod teaches us some great steps in this God teaches us some great steps in this passage:passage:

1.1.Revealing SinRevealing Sin

2.2.The ConsequencesThe Consequences

3.3.CleansingCleansing

4.4.Victory restoredVictory restored

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Sin2. The

Consequences




The ConsequencesThe ConsequencesFrom Verse 12:From Verse 12:12 12 Therefore the children of Israel could not Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, stand before their enemies, butbut turned turned theirtheir backs before their enemies, because they backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you.the accursed from among you.•Defeat: Can’t stand before your enemies.Defeat: Can’t stand before your enemies.•Fear: They run from their enemies.Fear: They run from their enemies.•Accursed: Grace is withdrawn. Accursed: Grace is withdrawn. •Ongoing: Continue on until repent & obey.Ongoing: Continue on until repent & obey.

17th Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 19




Sin2. The

Consequences




CleansingCleansingFrom Verses 13-15:From Verses 13-15:13 13 Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the LORD God of Israel: “God of Israel: “There isThere is an accursed thing in your midst, an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.” you take away the accursed thing from among you.” 14 14 In the morning therefore you shall be brought In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes. And it shall be according to your tribes. And it shall be thatthat the tribe the tribe which the which the LORD takes shall come according to families; takes shall come according to families; and the family which the and the family which the LORD takes shall come by takes shall come by households; and the household which the households; and the household which the LORD takes takes shall come man by man. shall come man by man. 15 15 Then it shall be Then it shall be thatthat he who he who is taken with the accursed thing shall be burned with is taken with the accursed thing shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because , and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.’”he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.’”

17th Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 20




Sin2. The

Consequences




CleansingCleansingGod is so loving – he takes them step by step God is so loving – he takes them step by step through what they should do.through what they should do.•Do we help others and patiently tell them Do we help others and patiently tell them what is wrong? what is wrong? •Or do we expect them to read our minds?Or do we expect them to read our minds?•Are we harsh with our loved ones without Are we harsh with our loved ones without instructing them?instructing them?•Are we harsh with those at work maybe that Are we harsh with those at work maybe that we manage?we manage?

17th Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 21




Sin2. The

Consequences




CleansingCleansingChapter 8:Chapter 8:

Now the Now the LORD said to Joshua: “Do not be said to Joshua: “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. people, his city, and his land. 2 2 And you shall And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shall its king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shall take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it.”for the city behind it.”

17th Feb 2012 Joshua 7 & 8 22




Sin2. The

Consequences




ConclusionConclusionA.A. Falling into Failure (Joshua 7:1-5)Falling into Failure (Joshua 7:1-5)

– Do you trust God when making plans?Do you trust God when making plans?– Are you staying away from what is Banned?Are you staying away from what is Banned?– Are you devoting to God what is His?Are you devoting to God what is His?

B.B. Staying in Disgrace (Joshua 7:6-10)Staying in Disgrace (Joshua 7:6-10)– Are you living in defeat from some sin? Are you living in defeat from some sin? – Are you refusing to repent?Are you refusing to repent?– Are you hiding from the Lord?Are you hiding from the Lord?

C.C. Road to Recovery (Joshua 7:11-15)Road to Recovery (Joshua 7:11-15)– Rise upRise up– Repent and burn the remnants of sinRepent and burn the remnants of sin– Graciously lead people out of sin because we Graciously lead people out of sin because we

are one Bodyare one Body

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Sin2. The

Consequences




ReferencesReferences• http://bible.org/article/agony-defeat-joshua-71-26• http://

www.enduringword.com/commentaries/0607.htm• http://

souljournaler.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/examining-scripture-xxxv-rooting-out.html

• http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net/References/OT/Historical/Joshua/Joshua06-12/Joshua07-d_11-15_Road_to_Recovery.html

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Sin2. The

Consequences



http://bible.org/article/agony-defeat-joshua-71-26

http://bible.org/article/agony-defeat-joshua-71-26

http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/0607.htm

http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/0607.htm

http://souljournaler.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/examining-scripture-xxxv-rooting-out.html



http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net/References/OT/Historical/Joshua/Joshua06-12/Joshua07-d_11-15_Road_to_Recovery.html





Spiritual

Pride before the fall – Joshua 7 & 8