Joshua 7 (1)

But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel. Joshua 7.1

Reflect.
1.  One sin, and all this trouble? Is sin really that big a deal? 

2.  What made this sin particularly heinous? 

Think about it.
We should note that, even though Israel was the people of God, and even though He had abundantly blessed them, His anger could quickly flare against them (cf. Ps. 2.12; Heb. 12.3-11). Just because we believe in God doesn’t mean we’re immune from His wrath, and, this being the case, we do well to make sure we understand what ticks God off.

We can assume that Achan said to himself that his transgression was “no big deal.” Perhaps he even reasoned that God would not see it (had he forgotten about the Jordan stones?). Or he might have considered that the camp of Israel could tolerate a little transgression, as long as no one found out – or maybe even if they did.

But, as we shall see, we never sin alone. That is, our sin never ends with us alone, but always affects others. When temptation presents itself, we should remember that if we give in and fall through temptation into sin, we will betray others and possibly bring them with us under the wrath of God (cf. Ps. 73.15).

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Looking at what Achan did, in the light of what Joshua had commanded (6.18, 19), how would you define the word trespass(Hebrew: מַ֖עַל, an unfaithful, treacherous act)? Is all sin a trespass? Explain.

2.  Should our attitude toward sin be the same as God’s attitude toward sin? What should that attitude be? 

3.  Meditate on Psalm 97.10. Would you say that you hate sin?

“Where then there is such impiety as this going on, what dreadful calamity must we not expect? And to be assured how severe vengeance they incur who are guilty of such sins as these, consider the examples of old. One single man, a common soldier, stole the sacred property, and all were struck.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

Help me to hate all sin, Lord, and guard me against…

Pray Psalm 97.
Thank and praise God for His sovereignty and His salvation. Call upon Him to light your way today and to give you gladness and rejoicing in obeying Him.

Psalm 97(Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King!)
Rejoice, the Lord is King! O earth, lift up your voice; 
Be glad, you islands, shout and sing: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Refrain v. 9
Beyond, above
All gods and nations be exalted, God of love!

His just and righteous throne ‘mid clouds and darkness stands; 
His fiery wrath consumes His foes in every land.
Refrain

Earth trembles at the sight of Jesus’ holy face; 
The mountains melt before His might and praise His grace.
Refrain

The heav’ns above declare His glorious righteousness; 
And tribes and peoples everywhere His Name confess.
Refrain

While Zion gladly sings, let all be brought to shame
Who to vain idols worship bring and scorn His Name.
Refrain

All you who love the Lord, despise sin’s wicked ways!
Praise Him Who guides us by His Word through all our days.
Refrain

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).