Joshua 7.
THE first verse tells us that there was sin in the camp of Israel, and though only one person had done what God had forbidden, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the nation. It is plain that Joshua and all the people had become somewhat self-confident after the fall of Jericho. They too, had lost a true sense of the holiness of God. To a large extent a parallel case is found in 1 Corinthians 5. The cases are alike in that the assembly was looked upon by God as responsible for unjudged sin within it, and only was cleared of guilt when the sin was judged and put away; alike also in being in a state of soul, not unlike that of the world around them.
Joshua was at Jericho (verse 2); he might better have been back at Gilgal, considering again the lessons of the river Jordan which we noticed in connection with chapters 3, 4 and 5. But it was from Jericho that he sent men to Ai which was beside Beth-aven (“house of iniquity”), and near Bethel (“house of God” but in Satan’s possession now). The names speak for themselves.
The men return with a confidence that left God out of consideration. It was not necessary that many of the people should go there to attack the little town, they said, but did not inquire of the Lord, and so the three thousand who went against Ai, were driven back with a loss of about 36 men.
Out of communion with God, Joshua, instead of inquiring of Him for the cause of this humbling reverse, mourns over what God had done when He brought them, over the Jordan! The three verses of his lament (7, 8, 9) are all concerned about Israel, except at the end when God’s great name is mentioned. But when God answers, He discloses to Joshua that which he might have learned before: Israel had sinned. It was on this account that they could not stand before their enemies, nor would God be with them anymore, unless they destroyed the accursed from among them.
There must then be a separation; and a heart searching follows under the searching eye of God Himself. The guilty one must be punished, but all Israel is first dealt with because all were responsible; they were one in privilege and in responsibility, and the sin of one was the sin of all. Practical corporate holiness, much forgotten in these days of growing lukewarmness, is as important as individual holiness.
“A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.” 1 Corinthians 5:3, 73For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, (1 Corinthians 5:3)
7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: (1 Corinthians 5:7).
The Christian must stand clear of connection with everything contrary to the expressed mind of God.
It was a painful thing indeed to put away the evil, but there could be no advance in the war against Satan’s hosts until it was put away. God requires holiness in His people, as we see also in the case of Ananias and Sapphire in Acts 5:1-111But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. (Acts 5:1‑11).
This valley, the witness and memorial of the first sin committed after entering the land, is promised in Hosea 2:14, 1514Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. 15And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. (Hosea 2:14‑15) for a “door of hope” in the day when God in sovereign grace will take Israel in hand again. What marvelous grace!
ML 07/12/1925