One=All

ONE=ALL

Joshua 7:1

“But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.”

The opening Scripture names Achan as the guilty one who took some of the devoted things. Why is all of Israel guilty because of one man’s sin? Because when one person disobeyed God—everyone was affected—and God was dishonored. What’s their story?

Forty years before, God directed Moses to bring His Hebrew people out of bondage in Egypt. Joshua took over leading the people to the land God promised them after Moses died. But they had to claim the fortified city of Jericho first. Check out Joshua, chapter six.

In Joshua 6:16, the Lord directed the Israelites to march around Jericho seven times. Then, the priests were to sound the trumpets and the people were to shout. Jericho’s wall fell down flat! What an awesome victory! God declared in Joshua 6:17-19 that the city and everything in it were to be devoted to the Lord.

“But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. All the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into His treasury.”

God’s command was clear. What was Achan thinking? Who will see? Who will know? were probably Achan’s thoughts before he stole some things for himself from God’s bounty. How about you? Suppose your mom gave you her wallet and asked you to bring home a loaf of bread.

You check out her wallet, and think of the candy you could buy. You grab a loaf of bread, and check out of the store. Did you also buy a candy bar? Did you tuck a couple quarters into your pocket before returning mom’s wallet? Were you tempted in any way?

God’s serious about honesty and faithfulness. Obviously Achan couldn’t resist stealing a couple things. God warned all of Israel that destruction would come if the devoted things didn’t make it into His treasury. Why do humans naturally want to disobey direct commands? Check out the lesson, linked below, to see what Achan’s sin caused.

Take Home Nugget

The recent devotion, Foul Not, showed God as a jealous God. He won’t tolerate people worshipping any other god. He’s jealous of His most precious possessions—US. Believers are to look out for one another with godly jealously. Let’s not sin like Achan, and bring God’s wrath on everyone.

Private sins invariably have public impact.

J.D. Griffith

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