It’s the Little Unimportant Things
Joshua 7:4-13
Synopsis Joshua 7:4-13 4/19/2018
Joshua sent 3,000 men to attack the city of Ai. But the soldiers lost the battle to Ai’s forces and 36 Israelites died.
Joshua and the leaders of Israel grieved the loss and lamented before the Lord at the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord then spoke to Joshua informing him that the reason for the loss in battle was because Israel had sinned against the ban at Jericho.
God told Joshua that Israel could not stand before it’s enemies as long as unrighteousness remained in their midst.
God’s Protection Depends on Israelite Righteousness
“If the Israelites cannot stand up to their enemies, but must turn their back to them, it is because they are under the ban.”
In taking the banned objects, Achan joined himself to the ban. He became part of what was banned. So, the requirements of the ban reflected back on the thief. And somewhoat vicariously to the entire nation. Thrity-six men died needlessly in the failed attack on Ai. Joshua worried that news of the loss would embolden other cities to either resist Israel with more determination or to possibly attack the Israelites before they were settled. The loss made Joshua and all Israel feel vulnerable.
It’s the Little Unimportant Things
The justifications I use for my moral failures – for my sins, are completely lame. I know it. Yet, time and again, I justify my moral failings. “This bit of the law doesn’t really matter,” I tell myself. Don’t want to become overzealous or “legalistic”.
In Jesus’ parable, the priest left the half-dead man by the roadside where he lay until a Samaritan picked him up. He justified the decision. It wasn’t that big of a deal.
I have tasted enough regret to know that justifying the evil and repressing the truth won’t solve any problems. Eventually the small things catch up to us. The little episodes grow up to become epics.
“The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.” Luke 16:10
