Decisions and Destiny
Joshua 7:1-26
Deuteronomy 30:15 19b (NLT)
"Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. Oh, that you would choose life!”
Joshua 6:16 (NLT)
The seventh time around, as the priests sounded the long blast on their horns, Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the town! Jericho and everything in it must be completely destroyed as an offering to the LORD. "Do not take any of the things set apart for destruction, or you yourselves will be completely destroyed, and you will bring trouble on the camp of Israel. Everything made from silver, gold, bronze, or iron is sacred to the LORD and must be brought into his treasury."
1st The principle of first things
1. The first part of all that God gives us is to be given back to Him.
Leviticus 27:30 (NLT)
"One tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD and must be set apart to him as holy.
Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
Exodus 34:19 (NIV)
"The first offspring of every womb belongs to me, including all the firstborn males of your livestock, whether from herd or flock.
Exodus 34:26a (NIV)
The best of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God.
Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
2. What we do with the first part determines what happens to the rest
Exodus 34:20a
The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck.
Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Joshua 7:1 (NLT)
But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the LORD. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the LORD was very angry with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimri son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah. Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the town of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. When they returned, they told Joshua, "There's no need for all of us to go up there; it won't take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don't make all our people struggle to go up there." So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away. Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the LORD until evening. Then Joshua cried out, "Oh, Sovereign LORD, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side! But the LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings.
Malachi 3:8-10 (NIV)
That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not 5 remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.
2nd The problem with prayerlessness
Joshua 7:2-5
Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the town of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. When they returned, they told Joshua, "There's no need for all of us to go up there; it won't take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don't make all our people struggle to go up there." So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away.
Joshua 7:10-11 (NLT)
But the LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings.
3rd The process of coveting
In our members there is a slumbering inclination toward desire, which is both sudden and fierce. With irresistible power desire seizes mastery over the flesh. All at once a secret, smouldering fire is kindled. The flesh burns and is in flames. It makes no difference whether it is sexual desire, or ambition, or vanity, or desire for revenge, or love of fame and power, or greed for money.... At this moment God is quite unreal to us, he loses all reality, and only desire for the creature is real. Satan does not here fill us with hatred of God, but with forgetfulness of God.The powers of clear discrimination and of decision are taken from us.
--Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Creation and Fall & Temptation: Two Biblical Studies (New York, NY: Touchstone, 1997) p. 132
Joshua 7:1 (NLT)
But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things,
Joshua 7:19-21 (NLT)
Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don't hide it from me." Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest."
Joshua 7:21 (ESV)
when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them.
4th The priority of repentance
Joshua 7:1 (NIV)
But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things.... And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.
Joshua 7:26 (NLT)
So the LORD was no longer angry.
Psalm 139:23 (NLT)
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
