Victory To Vulnerability

Victory To Vulnerability

Text: Joshua 7

Introduction

The story of Ai and Achan is really all about learning to avoid spiritual defeat. Israel is in the fresh flush of victory suffering a temporary defeat and being restored once again to victory. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 122–123.

Joshua 6:18-19 “18 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. 19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.”

Joshua 7:1-2 “1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel. 2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.”

God seeing the hidden sin of ‘one man,’ became angry with ‘all’ the people of Israel.

Joshua knowing the value of not going forward blindly, sent spies to get an understanding of what they were up against.

1) The Opportunity Of Vulnerability (vv3-5)

When I am struggling, I am much more dependent upon the Lord. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 124.

It has been said, “The reason we Christians are in trouble so much is that this is the only time God hears from us.” Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 124.

After learning the weakness of Ai, Joshua only sent a small number between 2,000 and 3,000 men to take the city.

So Joshua acted quickly, thinking it would be an easy battle. He didn’t even think to pray. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 125.

You can understand their reasoning. If we can defeat a powerhouse city like Jericho, Ai would be nothing.

AP — An opposition may be weak, however their sin had secretly made them publicly weaker.

Confidence in God, which produces success and victory, can very quickly turn to self-confidence. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 125.

Quote: Yesterday’s victory will not bring victory today Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie

The point of learning their weakness was at the cost of 36 men and the loss of the people’s courage and strength.

What we have before us is an lesson about the imperative nature of being unified toward fearing and obeying God.

Here we can see the difference in outcome when God goes with us and when He does not (6:27 & 7:1)

Ai’s people may have been fewer, but without God’s presence, the children of Israel were outnumbered.

To be without God’s favor is to always be outnumbered.

AP — These principals can be applied broadly: individually, family, church, nation, etc.

2) The Path To Victory (vv6-9)

One generous perspective to observe here is that God permits us to be open to Him about how we feel.

The response of Joshua and the elders was in the right direction.

Sadly, Joshua entered into a prayer that developed into blaming God and being confused about the real problem.

Here are some observations of Joshua’s prayer:

It was almost like God was for some vain reason allowing them to be in a position of great vulnerability and therefore lead to jeopardizing His own great name.

Joshua’s heart was in the right place; a love for God and God’s people. However, he was quick to look outside themselves for the source of the problem.

The proper direction for the last question was not towards God, but towards himself and the people (v9)

Even though Joshua was open to communicate his personal feelings to God, he was at the same time open to God for clarity on the real issue.

3) God’s Answer To The Problem (vv10-15)

GET UP!!!

God’s question was not a result of God not knowing the reason Joshua was postured in personal defeat and doubt.

God was posing this question to get Joshua to re-examine the issue.

The problem was NOT GOD! The problem was SIN!!!

The people had once again broken God’s covenant.

Defeat, retreat and failure is always rooted in personal sin.

It is always man who breaks God’s covenant.

Joshua made the mistake of going into battle without having consulted the Lord. He was vulnerable in his moment of victory at Jericho. But Joshua was also sensitive to the Lord. He was open to learn, modeling for us what it is to keep close accounts with God. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 130.

Notice the results of hidden sin:

God does not wink at sin. Sin corrupts, and what is done in private has a public effect. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 130.

Hidden sin is as deliberate as open sin. It is always open to God.

First, they could not stand.

Second, Experienced destruction.

Third, God’s presence was removed.

4) Sin comes with a steep cost (vv16-26)

Joshua brings every tribe, family, and individual before examination and judgement.

Joshua wasted no time searching out where the accursed thing was hidden (v16)

Achan, however, represents that spiritual malignancy, that cancer, which, if allowed to grow, can choke the vitality of an individual, of a family, of a church, and even of a nation. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 130.

A much deeper truth comes out, though, than just that of Achan’s sin.

Disobedience to God is a contagious disease that has serious effects on the broader community.

My sin cannot be isolated from you, and your sin cannot be isolated from me.

There are corporate implications for our sin. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 131.

APPLICATION:

Where one member of a local fellowship is guilty before God of sin, the verdict from heaven is, ‘My people have sinned.’

When one man steps out of blessing and does something contrary to God’s will, the verdict of the all-searching eye of our Master is, ‘My people have sinned.’ ”

A church family can be defeated by the malignancy of an individual’s unconfessed sin. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 131.

Notice Achan’s confession:

“I have sinned” — Unfortunately, the sentencing was already established by God.

A late confession is a costly one!

Notice the path to sin: Vision, coveting, and finally open public sin (I saw, I coveted, I took, and I hid).

What destroys the joy of a Christian is Covetousness.

Grass is always greener.

When always looking over the fence means you don’t spend time looking at what you have.

You miss seeing God’s generosity in your own life.

What was once something in the distance, now was in the midst!

What was a dead object, no became and object of living sin.

Philippians 4:11 “11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

God loves His people enough to remove a sinful cancer!

There is no clear record of repentance.

No doubt Achan’s family assisted in covering up the crime.

The ultimate end is not living with your sin, but dying with and regret for your sin (v23).

God’s favor comes when His people favor Him over their sin!