Bible Studies for Life Series for September 17: Responding to the agony of defeat

Posted: 9/07/06

Bible Studies for Life Series for September 17

Responding to the agony of defeat

• Joshua 7:6-7,10-13,16-21,24-26

By Kenneth Lyle

Logsdon School of Theology, Abilene

For most Christians, recollection of spiritual failure comes too often and too quickly. Unlike last week’s lesson, where the account of God’s victory at the crossing of the Jordan River provides opportunity for an appropriate response by God’s people, the narrative in Joshua 7 recounts the circumstances surrounding the people’s defeat at the city of Ai. How do God’s people respond appropriately to spiritual defeat? How do leaders appropriately lead during times of apparent spiritual failure?

The context and progression of the story of Israel’s defeat at Ai provides essential narrative detail and raises some difficult questions.

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The story begins with a cryptic revelation about Achan’s theft of some of the “devoted things” (Joshua 7:1). Prior to the final victory over the city of Jericho, God commanded, “The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord” (6:17). Joshua, unaware of Achan’s violation of the Lord’s command, bolstered by the overwhelming victory over Jericho, sends spies to assess the situation at Ai.

Hearing the spies’ report, Joshua, confident of victory, sends out a relatively small detachment of soldiers that suffers a horrible defeat (7:2-5). Joshua, filled with confusion and grief, comes before the Lord. God reveals to Joshua, “Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant … they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions” (v. 11).

Joshua then implements God’s instruction to examine each tribe, clan by clan, as they present themselves. In turn, Achan and his family come before Joshua. Achan reveals his sin, and he and his family suffer the horrible consequences (vv. 14-26). Purged of the offender, Joshua and Israel, encouraged by the Lord, attack and defeat Ai (Joshua 8).

The story raises interesting questions. What special status did the items stolen by Achan hold? If God knows the offense, why the dramatic requirement of having all the people come before Joshua? Why in this case does theft require capital punishment? Perhaps the most disturbing question raised by the story surrounds the apparent corporate punishment of an individual sin. Why does Achan’s family suffer the same horrible punishment as Achan? Finally, how does Joshua function as leader in this situation?

The narrative gives a full accounting of the items stolen by Achan: a robe, some shekels, and a wedge of gold (v. 21). The punishment for his crime seems to outweigh its severity.

In The Nine Commandments, David Noel Freedman reminds us punishment here come from the Hebrew word karet, which literally means, “to cut off.” Freedman describes karet as the “apex of penalties” reserved for the worst offenders. Why such a severe punishment meted out for simple theft? Freedman points out, “Achan’s punishment is the only instance in the Hebrew Bible of an Israelite’s being put to death for stealing, and it is the only case of stealing from the herem, what is dedicated to God.”

The items taken by Achan had a certain intrinsic value, but more importantly, they are “devoted” to God. Again Freeman: “Achan’s crime is the quintessential example of theft—theft from God.”

It should be evident from the narrative that sin does not occur in a vacuum. Achan acted independently, but all Israel suffered consequences.

Imagine the last thoughts of those who died at Ai. Picture the scene as all of Israel confronts the possibility that one among them had violated God’s command. Put yourself in the place of Achan’s wife, daughters, sons and household as they faced the ultimate punishment for sin.

While the circumstance surrounding the crime and punishment of Achan raise difficult and disturbing questions, the narrative makes the essential point that sin produces consequences that resound beyond the life of the guilty party. Our own experience confirms for us that the consequences of sin almost always involve other people. The assertion “What I do is my own business” may make us feel better, but it does not reflect reality.

Scripture presents the strong and persistent truth that we live in a fallen world where sin and death hold sway. Equally true, however, Scripture presents the truth that for the Christian, God has won the victory over sin and death. Because of what God has done in Jesus, no longer is death a necessary consequence for sin.

Finally, Joshua’s handling of the situation at Ai provides insight into how we might handle spiritual failure. Initially, Joshua erroneously blames God for the defeat at Ai, but he at least feels free to come before God to complain. As leader, Joshua does not turn away from God; rather, he falls before, speaks to and hears from God.

Joshua’s actions are instructive. When spiritual failure comes, we have access to God. We can question or even complain. However, like Joshua, we must not end the conversation prematurely. We must listen to God and respond to the call to examine and consecrate our lives. We must confront sin, moving toward confession, repentance and reconciliation.

The “apex of punishments” for sin no longer faces those who are in Christ (Romans 6:23), but we must acknowledge that sin left unchallenged or unquestioned leads to spiritual failure with consequences reaching beyond the individual involved. Likewise, confession, repentance and reconciliation result in healing and wholeness not just for the individual involved, but for the body of Christ.

Discussion questions

• How do you respond to spiritual failure?

• Has the role of repentance been lost in modern culture? Is it symptomatic of a people who refuse to take responsibility for their actions? How can this be turned around?