Day 2: A Prayer of Defeat

Joshua 7:3-13

We read here the prayer of a desperate and panicked leader. Following the famous fall of Jericho, the liberated Israelite nation has suffered a surprise defeat against the city of Ai. The spies sent expected the city to be a pushover, but that was not the result. Joshua pleads with the Lord for an answer. A shrewd and wise leader, Joshua fears that news of this defeat will strengthen the resolve of other enemies and encourage attack, preventing the conquest the Lord has promised them. The Lord gives the answer. There is wickedness among the people. Despite the instruction of the Lord not to take certain things from Jericho (Joshua 6:18-19), a man named Achan disobeyed this “ban” (7:1). In Joshua 8:34-35, Achan admits to the mantle, silver and gold he kept against the command of the Lord. He is killed for his transgression.

What can we learn? Wickedness cannot be present in His chosen people today, the Body of Christ. Galatians 5:9 tells us how a little leaven affects the whole loaf. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul, thorough the inspiration of the Lord, explains to the church in Corinth how to handle the wicked found in their midst. He quotes from several places in Deuteronomy (13:5; 17:7, 12; 21:21; 22:21), and in verse 13 teaches that the wicked man must be put out of your midst. This teaching is difficult and one no group of Godly elders hope to ever have to deal with, but if the situation arises, it must be addressed. We are not to be proud or haughty in our correction of a brother or sister in Christ (Matthew 7:3-5, Galatians 6:1-5). We must however not be associated with evil in an unrepentant sinner (2 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:17). The reason for this is that one bad apple can indeed affect the whole barrel. We should be prayerful for any sinner who is struggling. Love and compassion can be shown, but the Body cannot risk being weakened by a brother/sister who has departed from the teaching of the Lord.

We can also learn that we should seek God’s help in times of need. He knows that we will, at times, panic and be stressed about situations in our lives, just like Joshua. He also has a plan to deal with that-humility and submission to him for guidance and wisdom (James 1:5).

Written by Tim Martin, a deacon at Mt. Juliet

# posted by JP @ 12:01 AM on Monday, November 15, 2010

Comments:

Great study! It makes us think about how important it is to remove evil to be blessed by God. It seems that many people today think of prayer as something God owes all man kind. Instead it is a spiritual blessing for those who live "in Christ." This O.T. story reminds us of this age old principle.

Tim, that is a great article. Thanks, David

# posted by  Anonymous : November 15, 2010 at 8:32 AM

 

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