DId God Really Say…

May 27, 2024

Read Joshua 7, Proverbs 22, 1 Corinthians 6

Sin is destructive. Unfortunately, sin can affect more than just ourselves. In Joshua 7 we see some different ways in which sin spills over from our lives to the lives of others.

First and foremost, sin is an affront against God. It is missing the mark of how God intended us to live. “But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD’s anger burned against Israel” v. 1. God saw and knew about it before anybody else did.

Second, our sin affects the nation in which we live as a whole. Joshua had sent a small army to take care of the city of Ai, a much smaller city than Jericho. But because of Achin’s sin they faced defeat. “So about three thousand men went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, ⁵ who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water” vv. 4-5. When the individuals in a nation sin, it affects their nation altogether. When multiple people continue to sin in the same manner it becomes a corporate sin of the nation. In America today we might say that her corporate sins would be materialism, greed, the destruction of the family, and other sins that we are committing in large scale amounts.

Finally, our sin affects those closest to us, and the ones we love. Achin’s sin not only got himself killed but his family as well. “Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold wedge, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor. 25 Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The LORD will bring trouble on you today.” Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them” vv. 24-25. This might come across as very strict to us today, but we should remember that the same thing happens to us today. We might not face a family stoning like Achin’s family did, but the decisions and choices we make as parents will either led our family away from God or bring them to Him. If we hold no regard for the Lord, it’s likely that our influence will have a similar affect on our family as well.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.