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Joshua Study 5

Hidden sin means defeat

Read Joshua Ch 6 v 15 - 19 & Joshua Ch 7 v 1 - 15 & 19 - 26

Jericho has been defeated next stop Ai. Joshua is unaware that someone has disobeyed God's command and taken devoted things.

Ch 6 v 18 People told not to touch the devoted things.

God wanted the people free of tainted things. Not to be affected by the things from the city - this would take their eye off the target. This isn’t what God wanted.

Ch 7 v 1 Achan knew better than God. Couldn’t resist - took things God prohibited.

Q How often do we think we know better than God ? Yes we know what His word says but we choose to ignore it. We know best.

Q How many of us ignore God in our relationships, our work, our study, we can’t let go of hurt from the past, we can’t look someone in the eye because of guilt.

Achan buried the treasure in his tent - beautiful robe, gold & silver.

Q How do you think he felt every time he walked into the tent ?

Frightened someone would find out ?

Guilty about what he had done ?

Couldn’t care less - he was o.k. - stuff the rest of the people.

Q When we have disobeyed God in relationships or with other things how do we feel when we come face to face with the situation ?

Are we afraid to face up to the problem ?

Do we avoid the situation or person ?

Q Can you think of a person who you avoid because of something you said or did that was your fault and not the way a Christian should behave ?

Ch 7 v 3 - 5

Ai was checked out by the spies. No problem to capture. A piece of cake as far as battles go. Should be a walkover.

Send a small army that will do.

36 men killed the rest sent scurrying away. Total defeat and failure.

Were not experiencing the victory because of Achan’s disobedience.

 Q Are we living defeated lives because of disobedience to God ?

Maybe sin not confessed but secretly harboured in our lives.

Maybe our language or behaviour when away from other Christians.

Maybe a relationship with someone not a Christian - know it’s not right but it feels good.

Because of this we have no peace with God, not enjoying Gods presence with us - no relationship with Him. Feel spiritually defeated and spiritually at rock bottom.

V 7 & 8

We start to doubt God.

If only we had stayed over the river, we’re going to be wiped out ! Winge Winge !

They had forgotten the memorials ! Forgotten what God had done in the past.

Q What happens as we experience failure and lack of power in our lives ?

Do we doubt God ?

Question he has been their for us - must have abandoned us ?

Question what is going on.

We start to live defeated lives.

V 10 God tells Joshua to stop grovelling with dust and ashes and stand up.

I think God would shout this in frustration STAND UP !

God hasn’t abandoned him or deserted him

Q Are we prepared to stand up before God and listen to what he says to us ?

V 11 God reveals to Joshua the reason for defeat - sin in the camp.

V 13 People again told to consecrate themselves. You cannot stand against your enemies unless you remove it.

Remove the sin before you experience victory.

Remember Study 1 - Joshua 3 v 5.

Q Are you experiencing defeat spiritually ?

Need to confess your sin, repent (turn around) and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with His power.

You will not be able to move forward spiritually until this is dealt with .

V 25 Achan was punished for his sin. Sad end to a story.

God had warned the people but Achan ignored Him.

Romans 6 v 23 ‘The wages of sin is death but gift of God is eternal life’.

 

When we stand before God we see the cross of Jesus. We see Jesus taking the punishment in our place. It’s amazing but Jesus has already paid the penalty in full for our sin - even the hidden sin that is troubling us now.

Hymn says ’He breaks the power of cancelled sin he sets the prisoner free

His blood can make the foulest clean

His blood availed for me’

God wants you to be free to experience his amazing love, power and grace or favour and forgiveness.

Read 1 John Ch 1 v 5 - 9 What is this saying to us ?

 

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