In our Daily Devotional on Joshua 7, following their victory at Jericho, Israel faces a sudden defeat at the hands of the much smaller city of Ai. This unexpected turn of events raises the question: why did Israel, fresh from witnessing God’s miraculous power, suffer such a devastating setback? The answer lies in a tale of disobedience and consequence. A single act of disobedience by Achan, who secretly took forbidden spoils from Jericho, defiled Israel before God. Despite Joshua’s unawareness of this transgression, the Lord’s anger was kindled against His people, leading to their defeat at Ai. Explore if you are willing to follow the plan God has given you in the Daily Devotional on Joshua 6.
Joshua, a leader who had experienced God’s faithfulness throughout the wilderness journey and the crossing of the Jordan River, found himself bewildered and broken before the Lord. His plea in Joshua 7:7-9 reflects his anguish and confusion as he questions why God allowed Israel to suffer defeat. Joshua’s desperation underscores a fundamental truth: sin disrupts the divine favor and protection promised to those who walk in obedience. God’s response is swift and severe, declaring that His presence will depart unless the sin is exposed and dealt with.
This pivotal moment serves as a stark reminder that God’s covenant with His people is predicated on obedience and purity. The incident at Ai teaches profound lessons about accountability, repentance, and the consequences of disobedience. It challenges us to examine our own lives, ensuring that we do not harbor hidden sins or compromise our commitment to God’s commands. Just as Joshua and Israel learned, maintaining fidelity to God’s standards is essential to experiencing His continued guidance and blessing in our lives.
Joshua 7 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In Joshua 7, after a great victory at Jericho, Israel falls at Ai. What happened? When you win, do you follow with a loss and wonder why? Please read or listen to Joshua 7.
After reading chapter 7 in 1995, I wrote, “Achan keeps spoils. God picks him out of all of Israel. He knows us by name and what we do. He knows our secret places.”
In 2004, I read Joshua 5-8 on the same day. Concerning chapter 7, I wrote, “Ai routs Israel because one man in a million disobeys and takes a few items under the ban. He wants a pure heart. Lord, help me walk according to Your ways.”
What Is the Lesson of Achan?
In 2013, I wrote, “First, the human heart is naturally disobedient; Achan is proof. Second, God is always watching our individual behavior. Out of all Israel, He knows Achan’s actions. I am naturally self-centered and disobedient. God keeps track of my behavior. God’s anger burns against disobedience. Never take the Lord for granted like Israel did Ai. Do not go without the Lord, in my own strength.”
What Was the Sin of Achan in Joshua 7?
I continued, “I never saw anything negative about Joshua before, but in 7:6-9, he completely falls apart before the Lord.” He is basically saying, “We were better off on the other side of the Jordan like the people in the wilderness thought they were better off in Egypt. The Lord lights up Joshua, ‘Get up!’ (vv. 10,13). God makes it clear, ‘I will be with you no more, unless’ (v. 12). We cannot defeat the enemy with sin in the camp. No forgiveness for Achan.” Let’s take a look at chapter 7. Why did Israel lose the battle against small Ai? Verse 1 explains, “But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things . . . And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.” Joshua does not know this has happened. He sends a small band to defeat Ai and they get routed. This was not supposed to happen
What Is the Prayer for Joshua 7?
In the second battle, the wheels come off. Look at Joshua, verses 7-9:
And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord God, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?”
This is Joshua. He had been with Moses when things did not go well. He had seen the wrath of God on Mount Sinai. But now, it happens to him. Like us, we can see God act on behalf of other people or against other people. But when it comes to our front porch, it is a whole new story. As mentioned in one of my journals, Joshua falls apart. In verses 10 and 11, God answers Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them”.
What Is the Meaning of Joshua 7?
There is a great lesson right here. It is never God’s fault; it is always our fault. From chapter 1, where the Lord said, “I will not leave you or forsake you” (v. 5), to chapter 7, “I will be with you no more, unless” (v. 12), things have drastically changed for Joshua and the people of Israel. I hear[AH1] Christians say, “The Lord will never leave me nor forsake me.” Really? He said that to Joshua in chapter 1. But here in 7:12, He says, “I will be with you no more, unless”. God will not leave us or forsake us as long as we walk with Him and obey Him. When we sin, when we transgress the covenant, the Lord can walk away from us. Fortunately, He gives Joshua a way of escape. He does us as well. Joshua follows the instructions God gave him and he uncovers the perpetrator.
I mentioned in my journal, God sees our secret places. Do not think for a minute you can hide your stuff underneath your tent. God knows. He always knows. Sin had to be removed from the camp. Achan and his family were destroyed. God is serious about His covenants. He is serious about obedience. To have an attitude like, “I can do as I want because God has to forgive me,” cheapens God’s grace.
Joshua learned a great lesson here. Israel learned a great lesson here. I hope we learn a great lesson here. First, do not break faith with God. Second, do not find yourself disobeying God’s covenant, His laws, His rules, His scriptures. Third, do not stir the anger of the Lord against you or those around you. And fourth, before you are ever even caught, confess your sins to the One who knows. And may the Lord turn His anger away from you.
Prayer
Father, forgive us for we have sinned. We, like Achan, are a sinful, selfish people. I know that is true in my own heart, it is my sin nature. But thank You for Your great gift of forgiveness. If we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If there is sin in the camp today, may we bow our heads, confess our sins to You, repent, and ask for Your forgiveness. And by Your grace, might You receive our prayer, forgive our sins, and heal our hearts. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.
