Joshua 7 (3)

Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. And Joshua said, “Alas, Lord GOD, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?” Joshua 7.6-9

Reflect.
1.  How like Joshua we are! Something goes wrong, and immediately we want to blame the Lord. Have you ever done this?

2.  Do you detect a little distance from God in Joshua’s use of “Lord GOD” and “Lord” in addressing Him, instead of “LORD”? Explain.

Think about it.
Well of course Joshua couldn’t have done anything wrong. He was famous! And of course the problem wasn’t with Israel. They followed Joshua, who was famous.

So it must be God’s fault that the wheels were coming off.

Just for good measure, though, Joshua “tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face” before the Lord. He would rebuke the Lord honorably, at least.

Notice also the self-protectiveness: “O Lord, what shall I say…?” Joshua was fearing that he would look bad! Thirty-six people were dead, the expedition was coming apart, the people’s hearts were melting like water, and Joshua is trying to save face!

And so, Lord, when we’re all lying here on the plains of Gilgal, broken and dead, “what will You do for Your great name?” Joshua is indignant at the Lord. He is convinced that God has let them down. Here we see none of the humility of Moses or Daniel. Joshua’s neck is on the line. His fame is in jeopardy. And he wants to know what God is going to do about it. He has become so consumed with himself, that he can’t even pray civilly to the Lord.

Joshua sounds a lot like some of us, doesn’t he?

Meditate and discuss.
1.  It’s very easy to allow our walk of faith to become clouded with self-importance and self-interest. How can we tell when this is beginning to happen?

2.  To his credit, Joshua came to the Lord. God wants us to come to Him in prayer regardless of how we’re feeling or what our concerns may be. Apply this lesson to your own prayer life.

3.  Notice the hubris of that “our name” and “Your great name” (v. 9) – as if God’s greatness and glory depended on them! Do Christians sometimes fall into this trap? Explain.

Joshua oversteps the bounds of moderation when he challenges God for having brought the people out of the desert; but he proceeds to much greater intemperance when, in opposition to the divine promise and decree, he utters the turbulent wish, Would that we had never come out of the desert! That was to abrogate the divine covenant altogether.” John Calvin, Commentary on Joshua (1509-1564 AD)

Keep me, Lord, from presumptuous thinking and ways, and help me always to depend on You, look to You, and…

Pray Psalm 51.1-13.
Listen for the Lord to convict you of any sin, and pray for the humility and repentance of David.

Psalm 51.1-13 (Passion Chorale: O Sacred Head Now Wounded)
Be gracious to me, Savior, according to Your love!
According to Your mercy, my sins, my sins remove!
O wash me, precious Savior, and cleanse me from all sin; 
Look on me with Your favor, and cause my grief to end.

Against You only, Savior, have I become unclean; 
Thus just the condemnation which You pronounce on me.
Lord, I was born to sinning, while You seek truth within; 
To wisdom my heart winning, release me from my sin!

In Jesus’ blood and mercy, Lord, cleanse my evil heart!
Let me washed, cleansed, renewed be and pure in whole and part.
Bring joy again and gladness; look not upon my sin.
Deliver me from sadness; renew me yet again!

Create in me a clean heart, renew me from within!
Take not Your Spirit from me because of all my sin.
Salvation’s joy restore, Lord, and keep me in Your hand;
Thus shall I tell Your strong Word to sinners in the land.

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here.

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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).