Text: Joshua 7:1-26
Israel’s next battle is against the city of Ai, located several kilometers North West of Jericho. Joshua does not know about Achan’s sin (taking treasure from Jericho), so Joshua makes plans for the next battle. Even though Achan was the only one who broke Yahweh’s command, God says the entire nation transgressed the Covenant. That’s because all God’s people are one body! Once Achan was executed, Israel was at peace with God. God’s people must be holy as He is holy.
We should then say, “We all are sinners, faithless, and deserve to die. How can we escape?” But fear not, we are safe. Jesus Christ was perfectly faithful to God’s Covenant. Just as Achan’s sin brought trouble on all God’s people, Christ’s perfect obedience brings salvation to all God’s people. Because we are united to Christ, all His accomplishments are ours. This does not give us permission to sin. But when we sin, we can have confidence that our Heavenly Father will forgive us and restore us – Jesus already paid our penalty. We are safe!
Meditate on verse 11. Why is God saying that Israel sinned when actually it was only Achan who sinned?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, please forgive me and do not judge my family and the community I am in because of my disobedience to your Word. Amen