in ways that may seem extreme to us. The children of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for forty years. They had experienced God’s provision of their every need. Now the Lord was preparing to put the people to the ultimate test.
Joshua was ready to lead the people against the city of Jericho. Before the battle God specifically stated that everything in the city must be totally destroyed as it was to be an offering for the Lord (Josh 6:17). The city was routed but a man named Achan stole some precious items from the city (Josh. 7:1). Because of this sin Israel was defeated when they next attacked the smaller city of Ai. The reason for the defeat? The sin of Achan! God tells Joshua that unless he destroys the stolen items he will not remain with him any longer (Josh. 7:12).
The next day Joshua sets in motion a plan to discover the culprit. Finally, Achan is isolated as the thief. He admits his crime and indicates that the items are buried in his tent. Now comes the punishment. "Then Joshua and all the Israelites took Achan,...his sons, daughters,....and everything he had...And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies" (Josh. 7:24,25). Why the need to destroy the whole family? Because it would have required family compliance to hide the stolen goods and perpetrate the ensuing cover-up.
Another example relates to Aaron the High Priest. His son’s Nadab and Abihu had been made his assistants. These two men were among those who were in God’s actual presence for the ratification of the Covenant on Mount Sinai (see Ex. 24:9-11). At the initial Tabernacle offering they had witnessed fire blaze forth from the presence of the Lord (Lev 10:24).
In spite of these experiences the sons were careless in their duties. They disobeyed God’s instructions given to Moses by burning the wrong kind of fire before the Lord (Lev 10:1). Their punishment was severe. Fire blazed forth from the presence of the Lord and so they were burned to a crisp (Lev 10:2).
During the early days of the church in Jerusalem many people were selling possessions and giving the money to the work of the Lord. A couple named Ananias and Sapphira sold some land. They wanted the Apostles to think that they were giving the total proceeds of the land as a gift. Actually they held some back for themselves.
Ananias told the Apostle Peter they were giving the entire amount However, the Holy Spirit advised Peter this was not the case. The apostle confronted him with the words "You lied to the Holy Spirit" (Acts 5:3). The result? Immediately upon hearing these words Ananias fell dead at the feet of Peter. (Acts 5:5). The same deadly scenario was acted out three hours later with Sapphira his wife (see Act 5:7-10).
Does God always deal with sin in such a dramatic way? Fortunately, for us he doesn't. If he did we would all be dead. In each of these cases major sin occurred at historical turning points. Therefore, God needed to make definitive statements about the importance of avoiding willful disobedience. God never messes around where sin is concerned. Sooner or later he will deal with it! It is our personal responsibility to keep our lives free from the filth of sin.
Copyright. Bruce September 2006
Joshua was ready to lead the people against the city of Jericho. Before the battle God specifically stated that everything in the city must be totally destroyed as it was to be an offering for the Lord (Josh 6:17). The city was routed but a man named Achan stole some precious items from the city (Josh. 7:1). Because of this sin Israel was defeated when they next attacked the smaller city of Ai. The reason for the defeat? The sin of Achan! God tells Joshua that unless he destroys the stolen items he will not remain with him any longer (Josh. 7:12).
The next day Joshua sets in motion a plan to discover the culprit. Finally, Achan is isolated as the thief. He admits his crime and indicates that the items are buried in his tent. Now comes the punishment. "Then Joshua and all the Israelites took Achan,...his sons, daughters,....and everything he had...And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies" (Josh. 7:24,25). Why the need to destroy the whole family? Because it would have required family compliance to hide the stolen goods and perpetrate the ensuing cover-up.
Another example relates to Aaron the High Priest. His son’s Nadab and Abihu had been made his assistants. These two men were among those who were in God’s actual presence for the ratification of the Covenant on Mount Sinai (see Ex. 24:9-11). At the initial Tabernacle offering they had witnessed fire blaze forth from the presence of the Lord (Lev 10:24).
In spite of these experiences the sons were careless in their duties. They disobeyed God’s instructions given to Moses by burning the wrong kind of fire before the Lord (Lev 10:1). Their punishment was severe. Fire blazed forth from the presence of the Lord and so they were burned to a crisp (Lev 10:2).
During the early days of the church in Jerusalem many people were selling possessions and giving the money to the work of the Lord. A couple named Ananias and Sapphira sold some land. They wanted the Apostles to think that they were giving the total proceeds of the land as a gift. Actually they held some back for themselves.
Ananias told the Apostle Peter they were giving the entire amount However, the Holy Spirit advised Peter this was not the case. The apostle confronted him with the words "You lied to the Holy Spirit" (Acts 5:3). The result? Immediately upon hearing these words Ananias fell dead at the feet of Peter. (Acts 5:5). The same deadly scenario was acted out three hours later with Sapphira his wife (see Act 5:7-10).
Does God always deal with sin in such a dramatic way? Fortunately, for us he doesn't. If he did we would all be dead. In each of these cases major sin occurred at historical turning points. Therefore, God needed to make definitive statements about the importance of avoiding willful disobedience. God never messes around where sin is concerned. Sooner or later he will deal with it! It is our personal responsibility to keep our lives free from the filth of sin.
Copyright. Bruce September 2006
Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.
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