March 3rd

March 3rd -- Joshua 7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%207&version=NIV)

Ai defeats the Isrealites, and Achan's sin.

So recall there were things set aside for God taken from Jerusalem? Well, one man, Achan, decided to take some, making God angry with the Israelites.

So, Joshua sends some men to scout out Ai, and they come back saying only to send 2 or 3 thousand men. 3000 are sent and defeated. Joshua and the elders cry out to God asking why this has happened, after everything He promised them. God tells Joshua to get up, explaining the covenant was broken because Israel stole from Him. He tells Joshua to tell the people to purify themselves so they can remove what has been taken. In the morning, they will be presented by tribe and God will point out who is guilty of stealing. The person who stole it will be burned because he broke the covenant and did something terrible to Israel.

That next morning, this process happens. The tribes narrow to Judah and then the clan to Zerah. Zimri's family was singled out and from it, Achan. Joshua tells Achan to tell the truth and confess. Achan does so. Men search his tent and find what Achan listed he stole. They take all those things and Achan to the valley of Achor. Joshua asks why he had to bring trouble upon the Israelites because now God will bring it on him. So Achan and his family are stoned and burned. The valley has ever-since been known as the Valley of Trouble.

I find this whole story interesting, only because I can't quite understand some of it. One part is the punishing many innocent for the wrongs of one man. Achan sinned and Israel as a whole was punished. More specifically his family was horribly punished (death). I don't really understand that, to be honest. I used to hate it when in school the whole class would miss recess or get a lecture because one kid was bad. I never understood it. Apparently it had something to do with hoping the class would positively reinforce good behaviour by looking down on their peer for their wrong behaviour. I think it more often worked the other way in that it became a challenge of who could get into the most trouble without being expelled. I don't know... God had a reason I'm sure. Maybe it was more that He had to show the people He meant what He said in the covenant. If they broke those laws, He HAD to go through with the promised punishments because He ALWAYS keeps His word. Either way, it's just a reminder to be careful what you do even so that you don't bring harm to those around you.

Well, that will be all! God bless! Shalom!