Presentation Transcript
Slide 2 :The story so far…
The command to be strong & very Courageous
Scouting Jericho & the belief of Rahab!
The miraculous crossing of the Jordan.
Rededication to God of Israel via circumcision
The miraculous victory at Jericho….
Slide 3 :The painful lesson that the victory is in God alone!
The plunder of Jericho was sacred to God and whether the nation knew about it or not, they were being held accountable (v1)! The dreadfulness of sin and the justice of God are clearly seen here.
Ai literally means ‘a ruin’, but Joshua and the spies were over confident – no one sought the LORD and 36 people died.
Joshua and the leaders react with grief.
Slide 4 :God’s negative response!
Joshua is given a response that is perhaps even more terrifying than the defeat they had just endured!
I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
Consecration was required; this judgement is framed not in anger but in the place of worship.
He who is caught with the devoted things shall be destroyed by fire, along with all that belongs to him.
Slide 5 :The judgement of Achan!
The instructions for the judgement come from God Himself, which Joshua makes clear (v19) in his response to God’s accusation.
Achan confesses (I saw, I coveted, I took), but there is no mercy, no forgiveness…
His confession is not indicative of repentance because he would not have confessed if he had not been caught. True confession goes beyond the admission of what one has done. It includes recognition of guilt and true remorse.
…justice must be done and also seen to be done (v25).
Slide 6 :So what does all this mean to me today?
God is in charge; He uses circumstances (lots) to bring about his will, but there is still room for human responsibility.
God is Holy so should our worship be – not taking Him for granted, not self gratifying and above all not being disobedient.
Membership requires discipline – the ecclesia of Jesus Christ is not a club, but a family of believers and sometimes, just sometimes, we have to deal with unpleasant stuff!
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