AUGUST 21, 2011 Today s Scripture: Joshua 7 OVERVIEW Joshua 7 Israel is defeated at Ai and Achan s sin is exposed BACKGROUND o After the battle of Jericho, somewhere along the way, something went wrong. Specifically, a wrong decision was made. With devastating consequences. o Wrong decisions have a way of causing lots of problems. Have you ever made a decision that seemed right at the time, but later you realized it got you into a big mess? If so, welcome to the fallen human race! o Are there some lessons we can learn to guide us when we ve made a wrong decision? Or better yet lessons to help us not make a wrong decision in the first place? Yes! So today let s talk about......how TO DEAL WITH WRONG DECISIONS Understand that wrong decisions often have a far reaching impact. (Vs. 1-5, 10-12) Joshua 7:1-5 (NIV) 1 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. [Even though not all of Israel sinned, God viewed them as one unity. God s dealing with Israel in the O.T. included individual sin leading to national guilt. This is called corporate solidarity ] 2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai [10 miles to the northwest of Jericho], which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, Go up and spy out the region. So the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, Not all the people will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary all the people, for only a few men are there. [Actually Joshua 8:25 says there were 12,000 men in women in Ai...therefore perhaps around 6,000 men. However, Israel could have send their entire military force and they would have been defeated.] 4 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. [After the battle, Joshua is so confused and distraught he tears his clothes and falls face down before the Ark of the Covenant.] Joshua 7:10-12 (NIV) 10 The LORD said to Joshua, Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
o People say, It s my life...i ll do what I want as long as it doesn t hurt anyone else. o This is not true especially in the church and family (closer proximity) Referring to the church ---1 Corinthians 12:26 (NIV) 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. o Knowledge of the truth of the impact of our decisions will motivate us to get back on track. Another important key in how to deal with wrong decisions is... Don t blame God for negative situations. (Vs. 6-9) Joshua 7:6-9 (NIV) 6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, [Here come four common sentiments expressed in negative situations] Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? [1. Why did you allow this to happen to me?] If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! [2. If only things were different. God, why did I ever follow you?] 8 O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?[3. What should I say now? In other words, people are counting on me and things have gone badly- again the implication is that God made it go badly.] 9 The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name? [4. You blew it God. Your reputation is going to take a hit.} o NOTE: There is no word from Joshua about a possible wrong decision causing this negative situation. All along, one of the Israelis was harboring sin. Achan had made a terrible decision and they all had paid for it. God was not the author of the situation. o Israel was (in the person of Achan.) Proverbs 19:3 (The Message) 3 People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does GOD always get blamed? Suffering comes through three channels: 1. The fallen world ( Natural suffering i.e. From earthquakes to terminal illness)
2. Wrong decisions of other people 3. Our own wrong decisions None of these three channels of suffering come directly from the hand of God. o I believe that even God s discipline seems to be mostly through these channels. He seems to allow certain courses of action to do His loving work of discipline. o When we blame God for our own wrong decisions, we re only delaying the solution for the trouble we re in. The solution first starts with taking personal responsibility. And secondly, seeking God s help. Verse 21 reveals a way to avoid wrong decisions before there even made...and that is to... Be aware of the process of wrong decisions. (V. 21) Joshua 7:21 (NIV) 21 When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath. o I saw tempting situation o I coveted Sin in thought o I took Sin in behavior o I hid Secrecy and isolation Eve took the same tragic steps in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:6), as did David with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11:2-4). Let s say the mistake has already been make, the damage is done, what now? Do whatever it takes to correct the wrong decision. (Vs. 22-26) Joshua 7:22-26 (NIV) 22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. 23 They took the things from the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites and spread them out before the LORD. 24 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 [ Trouble ]. 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. [Why was Achan s family and animals also stoned. Couple theories: 1. Only Achan and the animals were stoned while his family was called to witness the execution. This is held by Jewish rabbis There is no penalty of burning people. Therefore the burning must refer to the animals and possessions.] 2. Achan s family was stoned because they participated in hiding the items in and under the tent. 3. The animals were stoned and all of Achan s possessions because of the lesson of stealing Taking from what is Gods will lead to your possessions being taken from you. 26 Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since.
This was some pretty radical correction to the wrong decision. Life Application Have you made a wrong decision? Make a list of people your decision has hurt: 1. 2. 3. 4. Ask God to give you wisdom in how to make amends to the above people. Do whatever it takes to make things right to the best of your ability. Even if it costs you. Within the parameters of righteous behavior. The A B C's of Salvation A. Accept you are a sinner. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) B. Believe Jesus died for your sins. If you confess with your mouth, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) C. Confess your sins.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) For further study - A more detailed copy of this sermon and maps/charts/photos can be found at www.thebibleexpedition.wordpress.com (Posted by 4 P.M. today) THIS WEEK S STUDY: JOHN 13:1-17