In today's chapter we read about the marvelous victory at Jericho when God's people marched around the city for six days and how on the 7th day, after marching seven times and a big shout, the walls came down!
This was the first victory in Canaan, and as the first victory God asked for the first fruits to be His. In other words, the gold and silver were to be for His treasury. The Israelites were not to take any loot for themselves. However, someone disobeyed and because of his greed, the whole nation suffered!
Ellen White writes:
Achan’s sin brought disaster upon the whole nation. For one man’s sin the displeasure of God will rest upon His church till the transgression is searched out and put away. The influence most to be feared by the church is not that of open opposers, infidels, and blasphemers, but of inconsistent professors of Christ. These are the ones that keep back the blessing of the God of Israel and bring weakness upon His people.
When the church is in difficulty, when coldness and spiritual declension exist, giving occasion for the enemies of God to triumph, then, instead of folding their hands and lamenting their unhappy state, let its members inquire if there is not an Achan in the camp. With humiliation and searching of heart, let each seek to discover the hidden sins that shut out God’s presence. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 497)We each need to cry out for God to search our hearts lest WE be the Achan in the camp. "Search me oh God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Ps. 139:23,24
Tomorrow's Reading: Josh. 8-9 and Romans 12
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