A Tale of Two Fathers

Introduction- Joshua 7:19-26 & Joshua 24:14-15

Today we celebrate Father’s Day and I want to take this opportunity to challenge the fathers who are here today with a study from the scriptures.

I want today to draw your attention to two fathers in scripture and the priorities they held, the choices these priorities led them to make, and then to see the consequences/rewards that ultimately came as a result.

Though this message will be primarily directed towards fathers there are certainly important lessons to be learned for anyone who will carefully consider the lives of these two men.

The sad reality is that far too many fathers have failed to lead their families and in most churches today women are forced to take the lead because men have failed to do so.

The truth is that there are many fathers and men in general who lack in spirituality and who have forsaken the leadership role that God has given to them.

It is time that we as fathers and as men recognize the responsibility that God has given to us and once again lead the way in spirituality.

Today I want to present to you the scriptural record of two fathers and I would ask you who are fathers here today which of these is most representative of you to this point as a father.

I want you to consider their priorities, their choices, and their ends as you determine the direction you will lead your family in the future.

First let’s take a look at their...

Their Priorities (Joshua 7:21 & Joshua 24:14 ) (Selfish/Spiritual)

Joshua’s priority was obviously pleasing God while Achan’s priority was personal gain.

Matthew 6:33 KJV 1900

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Joshua had dedicated his life to serving the Lord beginning during the time of Moses leadership as he faithfully served Moses and continuing on to the time after Moses had died.

Joshua was not concerned with what others thought or with keeping up with the Joneses as we might say today.

Joshua was not interested in gaining wealth or pursuing popularity as a leader, his highest priority was to live and to lead in a manner that would honor God.

There was nothing that was of greater importance to Joshua than pleasing God through obedience to Him.

Achan had a very different priority. He knew what God had said concerning the spoils of Jericho and yet he disobeyed God for his own personal gain.

Joshua 6:18–19 KJV 1900

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. 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.

He was more concerned with having the valuable items he had taken than he was with honoring God.

It may be that this priority was entirely self-centered but it is also easy to imagine that Achan actually intended to take these valuable items and provide a better life for his wife and children.

It may be that his wife and children had expressed a longing for the finer things in life and he was determined to give it to them.

It may be that Achan was consumed with a desire for a lifestyle that was presently beyond his means.

Whatever his motivation, it is clear that Achan’s desire for personal gain took prioity over his desire to please God.

The priorities each man had led him to make certain...

Their Choices (Sin Against God/Service to God)

Joshua chose to serve God even if it did not bring him personal gain because his greatest ambition was to please God.

Achan chose to sin against God because his ambition was to gain wealth rather than to please God.

The priorities that you have will always lead you to make choices either to please God or to sin against Him for selfish gain.

The choice to serve God for Joshua certainly came at a cost but he was willing to make whatever sacrifices were necessary because his priority was to please God.

Notice here Joshua wasn’t interested in merely the appearance of honoring God but was actually intent on being actively engaged in service to the Lord.

He would lead his family by example first serving the Lord himself.

There are many fathers who want to appear spiritual so they take their family to church on Sunday and yet they never become actively involved in service to the Lord.

Fathers don’t expect your children to have a desire to serve God if you have never set an example through serving God yourself.

1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV 1900

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Achan on the other hand was driven by a selfish desire for personal gain and this caused him to take the spoils even though he knew that he was doing so in direct disobedience to God.

There are many men today who make similar choices. They choose to disobey God and to neglect their relationship with Christ because of their own desire for personal gain.

There are many fathers who have led their families away from God and into sin because of their own selfish pursuit of wealth, pleasure, and prestige.

We must understand that the priorities we have will lead us to make choices that will either help or harm us and and our families.

Their Ends (Ruin/Reward)Joshua 7:24-25/Joshua 24:31

Ultimately the choices we make will have consequences and this was certainly the case for these men.

Notice first the end for Achan and his family.

Achan probably never imagined that the cost of his disobedience would be so great. He probably never dreamed that it would impact his wife and children as it did.

Notice that everything that was so valuable to Achan was ultimately brought to ruin.

This should serve as an important reminder that when our focus is on temporal gains whether in this life or the life to come it will ultimately all be lost.

Luke 12:20–21 KJV 1900

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

When this life is over you will not look back with regret wishing you had made a few more dollars, you will not be longing for just one more ride in that luxury car or for one more night in that luxury home.

Yet there will be many men and fathers who look back with regret at the time and energy they wasted in the pursuit of things that ultimately only brought ruin to their home and family.

Your poor spiritual leadership may not have immediate consequences as Achan’s did. It may be that your children even turn out to be successful in the eyes of the world, but what really matters is are they successful in the eyes of God?

Joshua 1:7–8 KJV 1900

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Now let’s turn our attention to Joshua. In verse 31 of chapter 24 we have a strong indication of the results of Joshua’s determination to serve the Lord.

We do not have a detailed record of how Joshua’s children turned out and the truth is ultimately every child will grow to be an adult and will have to take responsibility for their own actions.

The one thing that is key is that we as fathers give them the best chance of success that we can.

Joshua lived in such a manner as to leave a lasting impression upon his children of what it was to serve the Lord and to live for Him.

I suppose it is possible that Joshua’s children may have rebelled against God but if they did Joshua was not to blame for he was determined that he and his house would serve the Lord.

They may not have always been thrilled with the choices their father made but there was no denying that God came first in their home.

Conclusion

Today I want to encourage each of you to examine your life, where do your priorities lie, what choices are you making as a result, and where does the path you are on now ultimately end?

I want to challenge the men and fathers here today to consider how you are leading your wife and your children and even in many cases your grandchildren.

Does God come first in your life or are you allowing other things to take priority over serving Him?

Take a hard look at the choices you have made for these will indicate where your priorities really lie.

What is your goal for your family? Success in the eyes of the world or success in the eyes of God?