Year 1, Week 24, Day 3 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 24, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Joshua 7-8.

Today’s reading, quick on the heels of a miraculous victory over the city of Jericho, records a devastating military defeat. Israel is resoundingly beaten as they attempt to go up against the town of Ai. Joshua 7 describes not only the fact that Israel is defeated as they go up against Ai, but, perhaps most importantly, it describes the reason for the defeat: “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 7:1). The first thing we are told as the chapter begins is the displeasure of the LORD against His people due to their sin. As this sin gets addressed, Joshua 8 describes the second attempt to go up against the town of Ai. This time, the LORD gives assurance of victory: “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land” (Joshua 8:1). Israel’s success militarily was solely located in their obedience to the LORD.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the LORD’s displeasure toward the disobedience of His people and the discipline that He puts in place toward His people when they disobey: “O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure. You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!” (Psalm 80:4-7). The reason Israel won the battle of Jericho was because the LORD was for them. Now the reason that Israel lost the battle of Ai was because the LORD was against them. This is not fickleness on the LORD’s part, but absolute consistency. It is Israel who is vacillating between faithfulness and unfaithfulness. The LORD operated with the consistent pattern of obedience is blessed while disobedience is cursed. The LORD can be counted upon to act in accordance with His nature and in conformity with His promises and warnings. The LORD can be counted on. That is very good news for it is His favor that we need more than anything else. However, His favor flows in conjunction with walking in His ways. The sole reason for the defeat of the people was their own sin.

The LORD told the Israelites to destroy all of the things they encountered in their battle victories: “But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD.” (Joshua 6:18-19). But Israel has disobeyed these instructions: “Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies.” (Joshua 7:11-12a). While it was just one man who sinned, the whole nation was affected: “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (1 Corinthians 5:6). Thus, the LORD declares: “I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you” (Joshua 7:12b). If they wanted the nearness of the LORD they would need to not be near sin.

Through a search to determine the one who sinned, Achan was discovered. When it was determined to be Achan, he confessed: “Truly I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I did: when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” (Joshua 7:20-21). What is intriguing about Chan’s confession was how he described the process. Reminiscent of Eve’s process in the Garden, Achan “saw”, “coveted”, and “took”.

Achan was severely judged: “And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones. And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor.” (Joshua 7:25b-26). Just as the stones of remembrance were put in place to commemorate how the LORD guided Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land, now the Valley of Achor would commemorate the LORD’s anger toward disobedience. But this is not the last time that the Valley of Achor is referenced. The Prophet Hosea refers to the Valley of Achor as a picture of the truth that the LORD will change the judgment upon Israel with mercy: “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.” (Hosea 2:14-15). The LORD is true in His justice and He is abundant in His mercy. It is through the work of Christ on the Cross that justice and mercy are both displayed.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe