~Sin in the Camp~ ( Part II)

by Dewey Fox

" Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things. [JOSHUA 7:11] [NAS]

Remember, as we covered yesterday, the Lord told Joshua that no man would be able to stand against him and that He would not fail or forsake him. (Joshua 1:5) But Joshua lost the battle at Ai. This was the battle after the conquest of Jericho where the city was utterly destroyed. I may cover this battle in some future writings. Look for it.

The Lord told Joshua that Israel has sinned, look above at the beginning verse, 7:11.

The Lord also told Joshua that He would not be with him so long as there was sin in the camp, as He put it, “unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.” "Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst. [JOSHUA 7:12] [NAS]

Now the Lord let Joshua know that he could not stand against his enemies and win the battles without Him and they were to purify themselves before the Lord. (Get rid of the Sin in their nation.) .................You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst." [JOSHUA 7:13b] [NAS]

As you can now see by this story in Joshua, there was SIN in the camp and it caused the whole nation to be defeated at Ai. Just as you and I cannot win the battle of life and the battles that are put before us without the Lord and His Holiness. What am I saying? “Put God first in your life.” Consult the Master.

When Joshua questioned Achan about what he had done to cause them to lose the battle at Ai, he referred to him as “son,” with a fatherly family attitude. He asked Achan to tell the truth (give glory to God) and to confess to him (give praise to Him). [JOSHUA 7:19] Then Achan confessed that he had taken a beautiful mantle from Shinar , two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight. Achan said that, “he coveted them and took them.”

For a mantle, five pounds of silver and one and one-fourth pounds of gold, Achan along with his family and livestock were stoned and with his possessions burned with fire for this sin in the camp. This was a big price to pay for his disobedience to God’s commandments. This is just a reminder that Judgment Day is coming, so be ready.

Another thing you may notice that only Achan sinned, but the whole nation of Israel suffered because of his disobedience. The whole nation of Israel was in this battle together and when one failed, they all failed. When we sin, it affects family, friends, associates and even the nation. We do not sin alone.

Tune in tomorrow for a “Personal Story.

Will be continued tomorrow, see “Sin in the Camp,” part III

Brother Dewey E. Fox