Nations have long struggled with corruption in government. What if organized crime bosses are paying bribes to the police so officers will look the other way? Who will police the police? What do you do when the justice system is unjust? What can you do when men of God are ungodly? Peter says, “It is time for judgment to begin with the house of God” 1 Peter 4:17.
After using the wilderness to train his people, God sent the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. Their instructions were to rid the land of the idol worshippers who lived in it. When Israel captured Jericho, the Hebrews were to gather silver, gold, brass, and iron for the Lord’s treasury. Everything else was off-limits. Joshua 6:17-19. The battle of Jericho was a triumph for Joshua and his people. But when they attacked Ai, thirty-six were killed and the rest “ran away like a scalded dog.” Suddenly the nation was terrified “and the hearts of the people melted, and became as water” Joshua 7:5.
Where did they go wrong? Joshua cried out to God and God revealed to Joshua that Achan had stolen plunder from Jericho for himself:
“Achan … took of the accursed thing and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel” Joshua 7:1.
What was the solution?
I’ll give you a clue: God will not tolerate corruption in police, in governments, in the halls of power. And particularly among his people. God told Joshua that Achan must be burned with fire, he and all that belongs to him.
“And all Israel stoned him with stones and burned them with fire … and the Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger” Joshua 7:25-26.
What happened after Achan’s sin was adjudicated?
Israel defeated Ai, Joshua 8:25. The nation went on to win thirty battles in a row, for a total of thirty-one victories under Joshua (including Jericho), Joshua 12:24.
But before Israel could attain those victories, the nation had to be purified. The sin of Achan had to be addressed.
Has God revealed sin to you that you must address? “It is time for judgment to begin with the house of God” 1 Peter 4:17.
Believers walk in grace, of course. I am not interested in shame, guilt, or condemnation. But God expects us to pursue holiness. May we do our best.
“Be holy as I am holy,” 1 Peter 1:16.
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