It Takes A Village – Week 6
The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
Joshua 7:10-12
Land. Land flowing with milk and honey as described in the book of Joshua. It was the promised land to God’s chosen people and with Moses passed, Joshua is called to lead them into battles of greatness declaring what is now rightfully theirs after five hundred years of being without land.
This was a time when the common good should have shaped the minds of the people. But the stress of holding onto such a prosperous land was taxing on the Israelites causing weakness in their community and fighting to filter amongst the tribes. Tent after tent of families- men, women, and children- slowing losing sight of the greater promises given by their God instead turning against Him living as though He were irrelevant in their lives. Their sense of community slowly poisoned by a mob mentality.
In Joshua chapter 7 we find a man named Achan. Israel had suffered a horrific defeat by the army of Ai. Late into the evening, as Joshua and the elders lamented to God for their loss, God reprimanded Joshua for his grievance revealing that Israel had sinned against him. Someone within the camp had taken plunder from the victory of Jericho and hidden it in the camp. Israel could not stand against their enemies when sin and defiance had rippled throughout the people. This man named Achan had stolen some pretty extravagant things and hidden them in a dirt hole beneath his tent. When his transgression had been uncovered, Achan and his family suffered greatly and were stoned and burned to death by the Israelites. People riled in anger, unwilling to recognize their sinful hearts turned against God’s command, slowly poisoned by a mob mentality.
Life Application:
The company we keep and those with whom we align ourselves in our community and village is of the upmost importance in how we stand firm in our beliefs believing in the promises of God. Because of Christ- God’s great sacrifice for us- we no longer suffer under God’s justifiable and righteous anger for our sin. But if we are not careful with the choices we make in regards to where we spend our time- and who we spend it with- the transgressions of others have the sneaky ability to slowly poison our thoughts creating a mob-like mentality among us. We must seek fruits of the Spirit in those we choose to devote our time, and more importantly seek the Holy Spirit at work within ourselves revealing good and healthy fruit in our own lives. Let us ask ourselves this: do we trust in God’s promises upholding our beliefs with others who are like minded? Are there those among us who are devoted to destruction?
Father, help me to seek your Spirit at work within my life and bear witness to your mighty works. Search my heart and life revealing to me the enemies poison in areas of which I might not be aware. May my community be made of those who honour your Word upholding your commands. In Jesus name, amen.
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