“But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, 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. Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold bar, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor. Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since.” (v1,24,25b-26)
Joshua mourns when Israel is defeated in their second battle in Canaan, a battle which looked to be simple and easy. God informs Joshua that someone has brought the trouble upon them by keeping some of the “devoted things” (valuables that were meant for Israel’s treasury). Through a discernment process the guilty party is found and executed so Israel may move forward. A little trivia for you – the “Valley of Achor” means “Valley of Trouble”, because Achan had brought trouble upon Israel.
God deals with sin very directly, and very harshly. In fact, He put sin to death on the cross because it is such an abomination to Him. I think Paul captures this very well: “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
Not only does Paul emphasize the true nature of sin (evil and wicked), he gives us the hope that sin is no longer our master or goal because Jesus extended God’s grace over us. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:21) God put Jesus, who became our sin, to death on the cross, so we could be forgiven and become righteous in the eyes of God.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Col 3:1-4)
My encouragement today is this: since our sinful flesh died on the cross, let’s turn our eyes and hearts to “the things above” (God and His Kingdom) and disregard “the things of this earth” (that which is still of the sinful flesh) so we will one day appear with Him in glory. Israel had to life their eyes from “the things of this world” (eg. lust and greed) in order to bring glory to their God in heaven – let’s do the same.
Father God, Almighty Lord and King, holy and righteous is Your name. You have set us the captives free from slavery to sin through the death of Your Son – hallelujah! Please continue to put our flesh to death every moment of every day so that we may continue to love and obey You. Father may we bring glory and honor to You through our obedience, so all may see and come to know You. May Your Kingdom come and will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. In the name of the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training