Author's Note: I've served in two churches, a mother church (6 years) and a daughter church (27 years). I have been involved in the process from different sides. Here are some of my thoughts. I'm not sure that I would directly ask each and every question, but I think I'd be looking for the answers to these questions.

The Pastoral Search Process

1. As elders, are you all in full agreement with what you want of a senior pastor? If not, please explain. Are there different sets of expectations outside of the elders?

2. How many pastors has this church had in the past, and how long has each stayed?

3. Why did the previous pastor(s) leave?

4. How long has this position remained vacant?

5. Would you mind sharing with me some of the guidelines you are following in your search process?

6. Where are you looking for your candidates for a new senior pastor? (From what sources are you seeking a pastoral candidate?)

7. Have you been turned down by any candidates to whom you have offered this job?

8. How will you reach a decision as to whether or not you will invite a man to be your pastor?

9. What will some of the deciding factors be in your decision to invite or not invite a man to serve as senior pastor?

My (Your) Ministry

1. Is there a job description for the position of senior pastor?

2. What role do you expect me to play with other staff members?

3. Are there other staff members who have applied for this position? If so, why did you turn them down?

4. Is there anything I need to know about any of the staff, or their relationships with each other and the congregation?

5. What strengths are you looking for in a senior pastor?

6. What spiritual gifts are you looking for in a senior pastor?

7. What is it you are hoping I can do for this church?

8. What do you not want me to do for this church?

9. How do you want me to function, as compared with the previous pastor(s)?

10. Is there anything you haven't told me, that I really deserve to know?

11. What kind of preaching are you looking for?

12. What do you consider as expository preaching?  Who are a few preachers who you feel are good examples of Bible exposition?

13. What is the content that has been taught from the pulpit in the last 5 years?

14. How much time do you want and expect me to spend in sermon preparation?

15. How many times do you expect me to teach or preach each week?

16. How do you feel about my involvement in outside ministry (preaching abroad, serving on the board of a Christian organization, etc.)?

17. What standards will you apply to my ministry to determine whether or not it is successful and effective?

18. Do you assume that I will immediately be an elder? How do you expect me to relate to you as elders? (How do you see my relationship to you?)

The Vision Of The Church

1. Are you in full agreement as elders in regard to your vision for this church?

2. In terms of your vision regarding the mission of this church, what are your top priorities?

3. What efforts have already been made to pursue these?

4. What role do you expect me to play to help the church get there?

5. What role are you willing to play to help the church get there?

6. What do you see for this church in the future?

7. Strengths and weaknesses of the church:

8. What are the strengths of the church (things from which other churches might benefit, and thus they might ask for your advice or help in this area)?

9. What are the greatest weakness of this church (things for which you may need outside help)?

10. How has this church changed in the last 25 (you may wish to adjust this number) years? Would you call this progress or otherwise?

11. What issues have been the source of disagreement or strife in the past several years? Where do these issues stand at this moment?

12. What is the biggest problem this church has ever faced? What is the most recent problem this church has faced? How were these problems deal with?

13. Has this church ever exercised church discipline? When, and for what? How was it carried out?

Leadership

1. Who are the dominant leaders in this church?

2. Put differently, what people exercise the most influence and control? Are they in formal leadership positions? (In other words are there those whose approval and support you will need to succeed, even if they are not formal leaders?)

3. Describe what a typical elders meeting looks like? What do you do? Who does it? How long do they last? How often do you meet? How are decisions reached? How do you resolve differences within the leadership when decisions must be reached?  Who sets the agenda for the elders meeting?   Who chairs the meeting?  Who can (and normally does) write checks?

4. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of each elder.

5. If you were to add additional elders, what kind of men would you look for?

6. How long has it been since you appointed a new elder?

7. How many people do you think there are who are qualified to be a leader, but are not functioning as a formal leader at this moment? (What is your pool of potential leaders?)

8. What spiritual gifts are evident and operational in this church? What gifts are not?

9. What gifts do you wish were manifested in the church, but are not at present?

Change causes everyone a certain amount of anxiety. We become very comfortable with the way things are - new situations can be unsettling and stressful. Generations change, leaders change, governments change, circumstances change; church leaders change. Whenever there is a change in leadership this causes a certain amount of instability, of wondering “what will happen now?” Many evangelical churches are at that place, in a time of change. It’s right and proper to remember and celebrate our church leaders who have gone before us. There is a time to reflect on the past and a time to face the future.

Change is scary for some and a challenge for others. But change for the right reasons is good. Sometimes we must change in order to accomplish God’s will. Indeed, it’s also right and proper to face the future in faith.

This is a continuation of my series of expository sermons on O.T. characters. We have studied various significant events in the lives of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and now “Joshua, A Faithful Warrior.” I have titled this message, “Facing the Future in Faith.” The subject of this message is specifically the courage of faith - moving forward in times of change. The overall principle that we learn from this message is that as we face changes in the future, we have nothing to fear and everything to look forward to when we exercise the courage of faith in the God who is faithful.

Change requires us to exercise the courage of faith in three ways…

I. We Must Exercise The Courage Of Faith In Order To Face Watersheds (Josh. 1:2a)

¹ After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’s assistant: ² “Moses my servant is dead” (1:2a). This is a remarkable and stunning statement. Sometimes, God tells us things we know but refuse to admit. We get so used to the way things were that sometimes we don’t want to face the way things are or will be. It seems this was the case for Joshua and Israel.

In this statement, God is saying, “The time for mourning the loss of Moses and for wondering what you’re going to do next is over! Stop looking back and start moving forward! Now it’s time for change, time to pass the baton, time to move on with the next task at hand.” Because Moses had died did not mean that the Israelites would not move forward into Canaan. It meant that they would have a new leader to lead them into Canaan.

This was a watershed moment for Israel. Moses was 120 years old when he died and he had been Israel’s leader for 40 years. He was the only leader they had known since leaving Egypt. He had been Joshua’s mentor and model. Joshua had worked alongside him, he had seen Moses’ character, decision-making, responses to crises, personality. He had witnessed Moses’ relationship with God and his faith in God. No wonder they were grieving Moses’ death! But now it’s time to face the reality that things are going to change. It’s a watershed moment, a time of change for Israel.

When God directs change it is always for a good reason. For Israel, the time had come for the people to possess the land and Moses was not the man to take them there. Moses had been their intercessor with God. He alone had spoken with God at the top of the mountain. He alone had interceded with God on their behalf time and again. But where Moses was the intercessor, Joshua is the warrior.

Moses stood at the top of the hill with the rod of God in his hand, but Joshua led the people into battle with the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8-16). Moses was the man who spoke with God face to face (Ex. 33:11), but Joshua was the man who will go out before them and come back in before them, and who will bring them out and bring them in, so that the Lord’s community won’t be like sheep without a shepherd (Num. 27:17).

God has his person for every situation. He has a Moses and he has a Joshua, each perfectly suited to the next task. What Moses had done in the past was not the task Joshua would do in the future. And what Joshua is about to do was not the task for Moses. God uses individuals for specific tasks and He equips them accordingly.

As we face our own watersheds (turning points), God supplies those who are gifted for the task at hand, whether it is a special committee for a specific task, or deacons and elders suited to leading the church through a certain time period, or custodians, Sunday School teachers, children’s program workers, kitchen helpers, administrators and the like. He gives unseen and unsung heroes to the church, who work without reward or praise to help the church move forward.

God’s people face change from time to time. In Israel it was time for a new leader and a new home - that was a very significant change. For 40 years they had wandered in the wilderness – that had been their home. Now they face a complete relocation to a new land with a new leader, a land where they would face enemies, giants, and battles, where they would rub shoulders with pagans, where they would be tested in their faith, where they would have challenges that they had never faced before. And in every situation God proves himself faithful.

So, as we face change in the days ahead, we must exercise the courage of faith to follow God’s leading. We must prepare in faith, change in faith, and follow in faith, whether that means changes to our ministry, to our role in the community, or to how we relate to one another.

We must exercise the courage of faith in order to face watersheds. And …

II. We Must Exercise The Courage Of Faith In Order To Move Forward (Josh. 1:2b-6)

Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites (1:2b). I can hear Joshua saying: “Really? I am now the leader? I am Moses’ replacement?” Joshua must have quaked at the thought that he couldn’t possibly measure up to his predecessor.

Joshua must have remembered Moses’ courage dealing with Pharoah, Moses’ determination as he led the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses’ unwavering faith at the Red Sea as he held out his rod, Moses’ meeting with God at the top of Sinai and the radiant glow of God’s glory on his face as he came down, Moses’ confidence as he brought water out of the rock, and as he promised them food from heaven. I can hear Joshua saying: “I can’t possibly do any of that. Surely someone else would be a better choice.”

Joshua must have remembered the criticism and rejection Moses’ suffered from the Israelites. How they accused Moses of bringing them out of Egypt to kill them in the wilderness. How they threatened to stone Moses to death. How they quickly replaced Moses with Aaron when Moses stayed on the mountain too long. The time when he (Joshua) and Caleb spied out the land and how excited they were about the prospects, only to be stonewalled by the Israelites because of their lack of courage and faith. And now Moses, their intrepid leader, was dead!

And God says to Joshua: You and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan (1:2b). The reality of what was happening must have been crushing. The prospect of leading such an unpredictable, rebellious lot of people must have been utterly daunting. And God knew that. He knew that at such a time as this Joshua needed words of comfort, encouragement, and affirmation.

When God orders his people to exercise the courage of faith and move forward…

A. He provides us with reassurance. First, God reassures us of his provision. I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads (1:3a). God renews his covenant, reaffirms his commitment, and restates his provision of the land for them to inhabit. What he had said to their previous leader is still true. And just to be sure that Joshua got it, God spells out exactly the boundaries of the land he had given them in Joshua 1:4.

Second, God reassures us of his promise. Just as I promised Moses (1:3b). God does not change; He is fully trustworthy. The very same possession promised to Moses he now gives to Joshua – just as I said to Moses. Those must have been sweet words to Joshua. He had no reason to fear. Yes, Moses was dead but Moses’ God was alive and all the promises and assurances and affirmations that God gave to Moses, he repeats now to Joshua.

Joshua could count on God just as Moses had. Their possession of the land was as secure now as it ever was, whether under Moses leadership or Joshua’s, because it is God’s provision and He is fully trustworthy!

When God commands us to exercise the courage of faith and move forward, he reassures us with his provision, he reassures us with his promise. And…

Third, He reassures us with his protection. No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live (1:5a). Any fears they might have are put to rest. They can go forward boldly. Any new situations they may face should cause them no alarm. They would be invincible and untouchable - no one could overpower them. And the promise was good for the rest of Joshua’s life! God gave him a lifetime guarantee: As long as you live.

So, when God commands us to exercise the courage of faith and move forward, he reassures us with his provision, his promise, his protection. And…

Fourth, He reassures us with his presence. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or abandon you (1:5b). Under Moses their shoes had not worn out, they had received food from heaven and water from a rock, the cloud shielded them by day and the pillar of fire gave them heat and light by night. God had been faithful despite their unfaithfulness. And God says: “Just as I have been with you for the past 40 years, so I will be with you in the future. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”

In Hebrews 10:23, God gives us a similar assurance of his faithfulness to his Word: Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. Similarly, in Lamentations 3:22b-26, ²² Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. ²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! ²⁴ I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.” ²⁵ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him. ²⁶ It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.

The Israelites could go forward with the courage of faith in the God who never changes and who is always with them, the God who is always trustworthy and always keeps his word.

When God orders us to exercise the courage of faith and move forward, first he provides us with reassurance. And, second, when God orders us to exercise the courage of faith and move forward…

B. He provides us with encouragement. Three times God repeats the same words of encouragement. Be strong and courageous (1:6)… Above all, be strong and very courageous (1:7)… Be strong and courageous (1:9). These were the same words Moses had said to Joshua in Deut. 31:7-8. But that was then and this is now. Then it was in the future; now it is reality and Joshua is understandably fearful.

We all need encouragement, especially in times of change and uncertainty. There are enough things to discourage us and often not many to encourage us, so we all need encouragement. We need encouragement especially in those times when we are fearful of the future: “What’s going to happen now? How is it all going to work out? How long will it take?” We all need encouragement…

And we all need affirmation that what we are doing is good and appreciated – “You can do it!” A young woman I know had been training to run a half marathon. On one of her practice runs she only completed 11.5 kilometers instead of the full 20 kilometers. She told me that she wasn’t able to complete the course because she made some mistakes that day: (1) she hadn’t eaten enough before starting; (2) she hadn’t practiced for 2 weeks; and (3) she started out running too fast. Perhaps what she also needed at that time was someone to encourage and affirm her: “You can do it!”

It’s certainly understandable that Joshua would have needed encouragement and affirmation at this time. After all, he’d never been in this leadership position before, even though he had been told it was coming, and even though he had had considerable leadership responsibilities like spying out the land. Now, reality was hitting home. The prospect was daunting to say the least, even to such a brave man as Joshua.

This was an intimidating task, leading this ragtag bunch of refugees from Egypt, leading this fickle group of rebels, who might oppose you at any moment. How would you feel if you were in Joshua’s position? It might be like being told that you are going to lead the Syrian rebels, or even Hezbollah. “Are you crazy? If Moses the greatest prophet ever (Deut. 34:10) had a hard time, how do you think I can do it?”

It takes strength and courage to face such a task. Our strength and courage are rooted not in ourselves but in God – faith in the God who is all-powerful and fully trustworthy; faith in the God of Moses and Joshua. Remember: Their God is our God.

The courage of faith is rooted in (1) God’s provision: ^3a I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads; (2) God’s promise: ^3b just as I promised Moses; (3) God’s protection: ^5a No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live; (4) God’s presence: ^5b I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or abandon you. God completes what he starts. His word is infallible and unfailing. That’s why we can be strong and very courageous.

Only through the courage of faith can we face the future confidently in times of testing and change. When it’s time to move forward, God says, “Be strong and courageous. You’re going to start moving forward now, Joshua. The time for grieving for Moses is over. Things are changing so don’t be fearful or weak-kneed now. Don’t give up when the going gets tough. Don’t turn back or lose heart. Don’t turn away from Me. ‘Be strong and very courageous.’”

Why do we need special strength and courage when we move forward in faith? Here’s why. When we move forward, we need to be strong and courageous in order to accomplish God’s purposes. God’s purpose for Joshua was to distribute the land I swore to their ancestors to give them as an inheritance (1:6). For that, he would need supernatural strength and courage. The enemy was still there – those they had seen when they spied out the land; those giants in whose sight they were like grasshoppers! They were still there. “Remember, Joshua, what you said back then: ‘We can do it! We can overcome them and take this land.’ Well, now’s the time, Joshua.” That’s why we need supernatural strength and courage in order to accomplish God’s purposes.

So then, first, we must exercise the courage of faith in order to face watersheds. Second, we must exercise the courage of faith in order to move forward and…

III. We Must Exercise The Courage Of Faith In Order To Stand Firm (Josh. 6:7-8)

Moving forward requires that we stand firm. That sounds like an oxymoron, but it isn’t. We need to move forward in order to accomplish God’s purposes and we need to stand firm in order to be faithful to God’s word. Above all, be strong and very courageous to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go (1:7).

Only by exercising the strength and courage of faith can we fulfill the purposes of God and be faithful to the word of God. Change is tough – it challenges us. It can be so disruptive that we want to give up. That’s why we need these words of encouragement. That’s when we need to be focused on fulfilling the purposes of God and being faithful to the Word of God. And that takes strong courage to stand firm.

Facing watersheds and moving forward create insecurity, but stand firming on the Word of God gives us stability. In order to stand firm for God…

A. God’s word must characterize our speech. This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth (1:8a). We must talk about it with our family and friends. We must teach it to those who don’t understand. We must explain it to those who are not Christians.

B. God’s word must control our thoughts. You are to meditate on it day and night (1:8b), by reading it regularly so that we know it and understand it, by meditating on it deeply so that it becomes part of who we are - shaping and directing how we think, act, feel, relate, react, make decisions and choices. May the word of God fill our minds and always be on our lips. Let’s delight to talk about it with one another and demonstrate it to one another.

C. God’s word must direct our behavior. You must carefully observe everything written in it (1:8c). You can only practice God’s word if you know it and understand it. And when you know it and understand it, then our obligation is to obey it, practice it – carefully observe everything written in it - so that it becomes part of our everyday thinking and behavior. Notice that these instructions are so important that God repeats them twice in verses 7 and 8.

What does it mean to obey and practice God’s word? It means not veering away from it to the right hand or the left, not deviating from its truth a single iota. Just because there’s going to be a change, don’t start to compromise the truth, don’t think this is an opportunity to lower the standard. Just because things are going to be tough for a while, don’t start to get soft on obedience. Let’s keep our eyes straight ahead with no deviation. Let’s keep on the straight and narrow path of God’s word. It takes courage to carefully observe everything written in it (1:7b, 8c). It takes courage to be unyielding, turning neither to the right or the left (1:7c).

If you stand firm for God - fulfilling his purposes and keeping his word - then you will have success wherever you go (1:7d)… then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do (1:8c). The assurance of success for Joshua and the Israelites was based on their obedience to the word of God. And this is the assurance for our prosperity and success - fulfilling the purposes of God and keeping the word of God.

Biblical prosperity has nothing to do with financial increase. It has everything to do with fulfilling God’s purposes and keeping God’s word. It takes courage to stand firm for what’s right but that’s the recipe for a “prosperous and successful” Christian life. It will be prosperous because we will grow spiritually. It will be successful because we will influence others and see fruit for God.

Final Remarks (1:9)

Remember our thesis: As we face changes in the future, we have nothing to fear and everything to look forward to when we exercise the courage of faith in the God who is faithful.

Courage lies at the root of dealing with change successfully. Without courage, we will be weak and give up at the first obstacle. So, be courageous! Be assured of your convictions! Don’t let circumstances discourage you! Satan uses discouragement to weaken Christians. He knows that without courage he has stripped us of the most important tool in our arsenal and he has effectively taken us out of the battle.

Why should we do this? Because God has commanded it. Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged… (1:9a).

But, how can we do this? We can do this because God is with us: …for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (1:9b). The opposite of strength and courage is fear and dismay. But, remember, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Tim. 1:7). Fear is the product of trusting self and not God. Dismay is the product of anticipated failure rather than success.

We so easily get down in the mouth when adverse circumstances assail us. We think we’re beaten. We can’t see how God can deliver us and discouragement takes over. But God says: Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (1:9b). He doesn’t prosper us one minute and then abandon us the next. He never leaves us nor forsakes us (Heb. 13:5). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). The antidote for fear and dismay is strength and courage – not in ourselves but in God.

Like Joshua, we all face fears and inadequacies at times. God knows that in advance and he encourages us and reassures us of his faithfulness and trustworthiness. So, we need to trust God to enable us to become all that he wants us to be, to expand the borders of our ministries both here and around the world. One of my colleagues in Burkina Faso (West Africa) trusted God about impacting a rural area of the country with the gospel. In faith he acquired a piece of land, not knowing how he would develop it or what it would be. Today, his faith that God would use that property to impact that entire community has come to fruition with a vibrant primary and secondary school, a church, a medical clinic, and a vocational trade school. All because in faith he claimed God’s promises for that project.

We need to trust God’s promises, power, and presence, that he will never leave us nor forsake us, that his love and commitment to his people are unchanging. We need to trust God for the prosperity of our churches. Biblical prosperity is found in walking worthy of the gospel, trusting God in faith for the future, walking in submission to God’s word - studying it, knowing it, meditating on it, teaching it to others, and obeying it. If we are obedient to God’s word, he will guide us, empower us, comfort us. And that gives us the ultimate strength and courage to go forward for him in faith.

God reminds us of his character and the truth of his word. This gives us strength and courage to face the future in faith, to face watersheds and, at the appropriate time, to move forward and always to stand firm.

God knows us through and through. For he knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust (Ps. 103:14). The apostle Paul dealt with fear and weakness when he was opposed by the messenger of Satan, his thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7). And God empowered him, encouraged him, and assured him so that he could meet that enemy head on – My power is perfected in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).

The unmovable foundation for our lives, especially when facing an unknown future, is faith in God – his promises, his purposes, his presence, his power. The key to successful Christian living is keeping God’s word - reading it, knowing it, inculcating it, practicing it. If we are active in fulfilling God’s purposes and faithful in keeping God’s word, we will face watersheds with confidence - confidence in God’s character, his trustworthiness, his faithfulness, and his comfort. And we will move forward in the strength and courage he provides. We will stand firm on our convictions concerning the Word of God.

Remember: As we face changes in the future, we have nothing to fear and everything to look forward to when we exercise the courage of faith in the God who is faithful

At various times in our lives we all face obstacles – spiritual, psychological, moral, and physical. To face them is one thing; to overcome them is another. Obstacles that we face can easily instill a certain amount of trepidation in our hearts as we think about the possible unknown dangers and anticipate the challenges. To face such obstacles without fear, we need confidence - confidence that God is in control and will mark out our path as we move forward in faith. To overcome obstacles, on the other hand, we need courage – courage to make a plan, trust the Lord, and move forward in wisdom and dependence on God.

In our expository sermon series on O.T. characters, we are continuing our study of “Joshua – A Faithful Warrior.” Our subject in today’s passage is: Facing obstacles with courage and faith. And the primary theological lesson is that God opens up the way for us when we are obedient to him, even when there are significant obstacles.

Last time we considered the experience of the two spies whom Joshua sent into Jericho to check out the place before the Israelites enter Canaan (Josh. 2). This was wise planning since Jericho, a strongly fortified city, was the first obstacle they would face in taking possession of the Promised Land. Earlier, God had assured Joshua that (1) He was giving the land to the Israelites 1:2); (2) that no one would be able to stand against them (1:5); (3) that I will be with you just as I was with Moses (1:5); and (4) that they were to be strong and very courageous (1:6-7, 9). These must have been very encouraging and motivating words. But nonetheless, they still faced the reality of the challenges that taking the land would incur. Now the time has come for the Israelites to face their biggest challenges yet – crossing over the Jordan into Canaan and fighting their first battle against Jericho, which, with all its fortifications and troops, posed a formidable obstacle.

Remember that, other than Caleb and Joshua, most of the Israelites who are now crossing over the Jordan into Canaan have not faced obstacles like this before. Most of them can only remember, at most, the last 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Most of them had not experienced God’s powerful deliverance at the Red Sea crossing. And for those who had, they were probably either too young to remember the experience or it was just a distant memory. Now, all those years of wandering because of their unbelief at Kadesh Barnea, in which all those 20 years old and above died under God’s judgement (Num. 14:27-30), are over and the land that God had promised to them is before them. All they need to do is cross the Jordan and fight Jericho. That’s all! Surely that must have caused them a certain degree of fear, understandably – fear of the unknown and the future. But surely, at the same time, it must have filled them with a sense of excited anticipation that their long looked-for destination is at hand. Their days of wandering are coming to an end. They are about to cross over into Canaan, the Promised Land. This would be the beginning of a whole new way of life, which would bring with it a whole new set of challenges.

These two conflicting emotions (fear and excitement) are hard to reconcile sometimes, aren’t they? They are both emotions that are given to us by God to act as response mechanisms. Fear wants us to hold back – that’s caution; and excitement pushes us forward – that’s courage. When we face obstacles and difficulties, let’s try to experience both those emotions in godly and wise ways - on the one hand, caution because we have not travelled this way before (1:4), and on the other hand, courage because God is in control and leading us to our promised destination.

When we face challenges in our Christian lives, first of all…

I. We Need To Be Prepared By God (3:1-13)

Early on the morning after the spies returned with their positive report (2:24), Joshua leads the Israelites to the river Jordan where they stay three days before crossing (3:1). These are evidently days for preparation and instruction. After all, organizing perhaps 2 million people to cross a river is a huge task. But consider that, at that time of year, the river floods over its banks and the task just becomes a whole lot more difficult, if not insurmountable to human capabilities. The preparations seem to have two stages…

A. Instructions concerning the ark of the covenant (3:3-6). First, the instructions from the officers to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God carried by the Levitical priests, you are to break camp and follow it” (3:3). Previously, throughout their wanderings in the wilderness, the people were guided by the cloud during the daytime and the pillar of fire at night. But not anymore. Now, they are to follow the ark of the covenant carried by the Levitical priests. When the priests carry the ark forward, the people are to follow. This would be their signal that they are to move on. But they are to keep a significant distance, “about a thousand yards” (3:4a), between themselves and the ark. Three factors come to mind for the purpose of this separation between the ark and the people:

1. Spiritually, the separation between the people and the ark remind them that God is utterly holy and they were sinful. Thus, they must maintain a respectful distance between themselves and God so that they never trivialize nor take for granted his presence among them. This separation between them and the ark is a reminder of the previous demarcation between the people and Mount Sinai where God met with Moses (Ex. 19:12, 23-24).

While there is intimacy between God and his people (he dwells among them), nonetheless we need to be constantly reminded that he is utterly other than we are.

2. Practically, it would allow people far back in the crowd to “see the way to go” (3:4b), so that they could have a clear view of the priests up ahead, holding up the ark to encourage and guide them as they enter the Jordan river.

3. Wisely, it would help to prevent the people from stumbling or falling, “for you have not travelled this way before” (3:4c). This is unfamiliar territory in two senses:

(a) It is unfamiliar geographically - they are crossing the boundary into foreign territory.

(b) It is unfamiliar spiritually - they need even more to depend on and trust the Lord as they venture into pagan country. In other words, the officers are instructing the people to move forward with boldness but exercise caution because this is new territory for them.

That is wise advice for them and for us. The admonition that “you have not traveled this way before” (3:4) rings loud and clear in our ears. This isn’t intended to create fear but to advise caution. Caution is wise when we face unknown obstacles, isn’t it? Tread slowly and carefully along paths where you have not travelled before, seeking God for wise discernment, insight, clarity, and courage.

The ark of the covenant takes centre stage in this passage. The ark contained (1) the stone tablets on which were inscribed the 10 commandments that Moses had received on Mt. Sinai from the Lord (Ex. 25:16); (2) Aaron’s rod (Numbers 17:10); and (3) the jar of manna (Exodus 16:33-34; see also Heb. 9:4). Thus, the ark of the covenant symbolized God’s presence among his people. It reminded the people constantly of their covenant relationship with God and how God had faithfully led them and provided for them during their long years of wandering in the wilderness. This reminder would accompany them across the Jordan in this new venture. Just as God had faithfully protected them in their journey from Egypt to Canaan, so now he would protect them and direct them as they entered the Promised Land.

Second, Joshua’s instructions to the people: “Consecrate yourselves, because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow” (3:5). Little do the Israelites know what they are about to experience. They are about to cross over the Jordan river into Canaan and begin a whole new way of life in a brand new country – the Promised Land. But in order to do so they need to “consecrate” themselves to the Lord, cleanse themselves ritually and spiritually from anything that could defile them and thus interrupt their relationship with God. They need to separate themselves from the sinful culture around them so that they are holy and acceptable to God (cf. Ex. 19:10-11).

Consecration has in view the “wonders” which the Lord will do the next day when he stops the waters of the Jordan from flowing, a miracle that would quickly be followed by the miraculous demolition of the walls of Jericho. These are acts which could only be performed by God and which cause wonder and worship (e.g. the 10 plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea).

Like the Israelites, we also need to consecrate ourselves to God. God calls us to be a holy people because He is holy (e.g. Lev. 11:44-45; 1 Pet. 1:16). It is hypocritical of us to claim to be followers of Jesus if we are knowingly living with unjudged sin in our lives (1 Jn. 1:6-10). God’s people must be a separate people, set apart from the world around us, so that our lives reflect the life of Christ. We cannot expect the Lord to do wonders in us and through us and for us if we are not living according to his commandments, according to his nature and character.

From time to time, we all face experiences like the Israelites here at the Jordan river, don’t we? Those times when we take steps that radically change our lives. Perhaps it’s getting married. Or, perhaps it’s moving to another country for your job. Or, perhaps it’s transitioning into fulltime vocational ministry. Whatever it might be, those are the times when we are at the edge of a Jordan, when we need to exercise both caution and courage. Probably for most of us, courage is what we often lack – courage that we have made a good decision as before the Lord; courage that He will enable us to face whatever obstacles might be ahead; courage to adjust and adapt to our new circumstances.

At times like this, we need to remember the comforting words of Isaiah 43:16-21, where Isaiah reminds us that the Lord is the One who ¹⁶ makes a way in the sea, and a path through raging water, ¹⁷ who brings out the chariot and horse, the army and the mighty one together (they lie down, they do not rise again; they are extinguished, put out like a wick). Then come these words of comfort and encouragement: “¹⁸ Do not remember the past events; pay no attention to things of old. ¹⁹ Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. ²⁰ Wild animals—jackals and ostriches—will honor me, because I provide water in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people. ²¹ The people I formed for myself will declare my praise.”

What a comfort this promise is to us whenever we face major changes in our lives, those times when we are prone to think back to “past events” and long for the “things of old” (the “good old days”), because we have a certain fear of change and the unknown future – we prefer the old and the familiar. But God says, “I am about to do something new.” Let’s have the courage before God to embrace new challenges and face them with the courage that God provides. I have had many of these experiences throughout my life. Sometimes I have wondered whether I made the right decision to cross over this “Jordan” or whether I should have stayed on the other side where I was. But each time, God makes a way and shows us his powerful hand, just when we need it.

Then Joshua’s instructions to the priests: “Carry the ark of the covenant and go on ahead of the people.” So they carried the ark of the covenant and went ahead of them (3:6). Thus, the move forward into the Promised Land finally begins. The priests go first and the people follow. It’s always nice to follow someone who can show us the way. Of course, at a spiritual level this means following the Lord. But at a practical level this may mean obtaining advice from someone who has had more experience than us, someone who has gone this way before.

The instructions concerning the ark of the covenant are followed by…

B. Instructions for crossing the Jordan river (3:7-13). Before any action is taken, God affirms and instructs Joshua. ⁷ The Lord spoke to Joshua: “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they will know that I will be with you just as I was with Moses. ⁸ Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant: When you reach the edge of the water, stand in the Jordan” (3:7-8).

Joshua is Moses’ replacement in the leadership of the Israelites and the intermediary between God and his people. And God is now going to affirm Joshua and his authority over the people through the miracle that is about to take place, just as He had, on many previous occasions, affirmed Moses in the eyes of the people. God’s exaltation of Joshua takes place entirely through God’s sovereign, powerful act and no action on the part of Joshua other than obeying the Lord. The purpose of God’s affirmation of Joshua is that “they will know that I will be with you just as I was with Moses” (3:7). God’s exaltation of Joshua is not for Joshua’s sake but for the people’s, so that they will have confidence in Joshua’s leadership, knowing that God is with him.

The first step in this marvelous endorsement of Joshua is for him to exercise his God-given authority by commanding the priests to stand in the Jordan when they reach the edge of the water (3:8). In other words, they are to enter the edge of the water and to stand in it. As the readers of this narrative, we might ask “Why? What is the point of this instruction.” The purpose of this instruction is not disclosed right away but will become clear soon. We do not find out until 3:13 that God will miraculously stop the downstream waters of the Jordan so that the people can safely pass over. Clearly, the narrative is designed to build up tension about what is going to happen as this event progresses.

After God instructs and affirms Joshua, Joshua conveys the words of the Lord to the people. ⁹ Then Joshua told the Israelites, “Come closer and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” ¹⁰ He said, “You will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly dispossess before you the Canaanites, Hethites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites ¹¹ when the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth goes ahead of you into the Jordan” (3:9-11).

How the entrance of the ark into the Jordan is going to give them comfort and assurance that God will dispossess the land of these seven pagan nations is still not disclosed. Nonetheless, Joshua assures them that, by what is going to happen “you will know that the living God is among you” and that he will drive out the inhabitants of the land “when the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth goes ahead of you into the Jordan” (3:10-11). The power of God will be so evident and demonstrated so clearly and miraculously that they will know without any doubt that the living God is among them. In other words, what God is about to do is designed to do far more than just aid the Israelites across the Jordan. It’s primary purpose is to assure the Israelites of God’s presence among them. And they would know this certainty “when the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth goes ahead of you into the Jordan” (3:11). Although what will happen has not yet been disclosed, that will be the moment when all will become clear. The “wonders” of 3:5 will be performed in front of their eyes.

Undoubtedly, the term “the living God” is used purposely to contrast with the dead gods of the pagan nations. The inhabitants of the land are divided into seven nations but the people of God are united. The people of the land are godless but the God of Israel is alive and dwelling among his people. The pagan gods are powerless but the God of Israel is all-powerful. God is going to demonstrate to the Israelites that his power at the Jordan is more than sufficient to act on their behalf to drive out their enemies from the land that he is giving them. Their God is “among” them and “goes ahead” of them. His presence is with them and leads them in this campaign. As a result of what God is about to do, “you will know that the living God is among you.” This will instill in them confidence in God’s presence. This will give them courage to move forward in God’s power. And this will generate in them respect for, and obedience to, the leadership of Joshua whom God is affirming by what is about to happen.

When God calls us into new experiences and environments, trusting God for his provision, protection, and guidance are paramount. This gives us confidence and courage in the midst of change, for He does not change nor does He fail. And, for our benefit, God gives us trustworthy, godly leaders, who are called and gifted by God for just this moment and experience. We are not lone rangers - God has given us leaders who instruct us, go ahead of us, and mark out the way.

Finally, Joshua reveals a glimpse of the first “wonder” to take place (3:12-13). In addition to Joshua and the priests, the Israelites will be led by a representative from each tribe: “Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe” (3:12). These men will lead the way as they cross the Jordan and enter the land. This would undoubtedly have been a nervous time for the Israelites. They had never travelled this way before. In fact, the last time they had come close to this was when Moses sent the twelve spies into the land, ten of whom came back with a bad report, which convinced the people to not go in (Num. 13-14). That decision cost them another 38 years of wilderness wanderings under God’s judgement. Now, they are back here again and this time they will enter into the land God had promised to them. This time they will confidently follow their leaders.

The first obstacle in their journey forward was crossing the river Jordan. For that the instructions are clear: “When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of the whole earth, come to rest in the Jordan’s water, its water will be cut off. The water flowing downstream will stand up in a heap” (3:13). Notice that the focus shifts back again here to the ark in 3:11 and 13. It’s “the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth” (3:11), “the ark of the Lord, the Lord of the whole earth” (3:13). The ark and the Lord and his covenant are deeply and inseparably intertwined. Thus, the ark not only symbolizes God’s presence among them but also his power – He is “the Lord of the whole earth,” the Creator and Sustainer of all things (Col. 1:15-20).

When we face challenges in our Christian lives, first of all we need to be prepared by God. Second…

II. We Need To Move Forward In Obedience (3:14-17)

When the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of the people (3:14). This is the sequence of how the crossing will take place, the details and the purposes for which had been described earlier (3:3-6). To add further tension and to heighten the extent of the miracle, this background note is added: Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season (3:15). This will be no ordinary crossing – they are facing a flood! They could never cross over by wading or swimming. What they need is a miracle, for only a miracle could give the people passage over the Jordan at this time of year.

A. When we move forward in obedience, God acts on our behalf at just the right time. Notice what happens now. Despite the time of year and the flooded conditions, as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan, their feet touched the water at its edge (3:15b) and two miraculous events happened:

1. The water stopped flowing in both directions.

a) It stopped flowing downstream from higher up. The water flowing downstream stood still rising up in a heap that extended as far as Adam, a city next to Zarethan (3:15b-16a).

b) It stopped flowing downstream to the Dead Sea lower down. The water flowing downstream into the Sea of the Arabah—the Dead Sea—was completely cut off, and the people crossed opposite Jericho.

2. The people crossed over. The priests carrying the ark of the Lord’s covenant stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed on dry ground until the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan (3:17).

The detail that “as soon as” the priests’ feet touched the edge of the water it stopped flowing (3:15b) leaves no room for debate as to the cause and effect of this miracle. This is the moment to which the prior thirteen verses have pointed. What Joshua had predicted in 3:13 comes to pass in 3:16-17. This is the “wonder” that Joshua promised the people in 3:5. Now the presence of God among them and the power of God for them is revealed in all its splendor and awe. The people cross the flooded Jordan on dry land by God’s miraculous intervention. By this miracle, not only do the people cross an otherwise unnavigable river, but, more importantly, they witness the goodness of God on their behalf. The focus here is on the miracle more so than the crossing. Their crossing was the consequence of the miracle. Everything points to God’s work on their behalf.

Notice also the repeated and emphatic wording in these two verses. First, the comparison between the waters and the priests. The water flowing downstream from above stood still…rising up in a heap (3:16a), and the water flowing downstream to the Dead Sea was completely cut off (3:16b), while at the same time the priests stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan (3:17).

Second, the contrast between the priests and the people. The priests stood firmly on dry ground and the people crossed over on dry ground (3:17). The priests were stationary like soldiers guarding the way, while the people moved across in front of them. That the priests stood still, during what would have undoubtedly been a long period of time, indicates that they had no fear – no fear of the waters returning and drowning them; no fear that this was a temporary phenomenon in nature. This was not merely an aberration in the normal course of weather patterns. No! This was a complete overriding of nature by the God of creation himself. They were in God’s hands completely.

Third, the repeated emphasis on the entirety of the Israelite nation moving into the Promised Land – all Israel crossed on dry ground until the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan (3:17).

B. When we move forward in obedience, God tends to every detail. The author emphasizes the fact that all Israel crossed on dry ground…the entire nation. No one was left behind, no one got wet, and no one drowned. No one had to try to wade across the raging torrent nor did anyone have to try to swim across – that would have been deadly. No, miraculously, what had moments before been a raging flood is now dry ground both for the priests and for the people. And it remained that way until the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan.

Of course, what the author also wants us to do is reflect back on the Red Sea crossing. What had been experienced by the former generation of Israelites at the Red Sea is now experienced by the current generation at the Jordan. Both instances are designed (1) to reveal God to them in a spectacular way, giving them assurance of who He is and what He can do, and (2) to affirm Joshua as their leader, the one appointed by God for this new venture.

I think the point that the author is making with these details is to emphasize the supernatural aspect of this event, that only God could do this, and that God cares about every person individually and the nation collectively. Isn’t it wonderful how God gives them such a miraculous demonstration of his power even as they cross the river and before they ever face Jericho? What a boost to their faith and courage this must have been.

When we face challenges in our Christian lives, first of all when need to be prepared by God. Second, we need to move forward in obedience. And third, when the challenge is complete…

III. We Need To Remember What God Has Done (4:1-24)

Here the details of the story of crossing the Jordan are reiterated and fresh details are added. Such an awesome event as this had to be memorialized as a testimony to the present and future generations of the mighty power of God.

In the grammatical construction of 4:1, the author not only connects back to 3:17 but also indicates progression to the next stage of the narrative: After the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord spoke to Joshua (4:1) concerning...

A. The memorial stones gathered from the Jordan for Gilgal (4:1-8). ² “Choose twelve men from the people, one man for each tribe, ³ and command them: Take twelve stones from this place in the middle of the Jordan where the priests are standing, carry them with you, and set them down at the place where you spend the night” (4:2-3).

While the author had earlier made reference to choosing twelve men (3:12), seemingly without connecting them to any specific task, it seems that now in 4:2 he describes what their task is - to select twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan and carry them with you, and set them down at the place where you spend the night (4:3). Soon we will discover where their camp is and what the stones’ purpose is (cf. 4:20-24). By splitting the story into these non-chronological segments, the author not only heightens the tension of the narrative as we wait for it to unfold, but he also expands the details as the story progresses.

In all of the movement of people and stones that is taking place here in and across the Jordan, everything and everybody is protected from the return of the waters by the ark, held by the priests who are standing in the middle of the Jordan right where the stones are to be selected (4:3). Thus, the ark, the symbol of God’s presence, does not move so long as the waters are cut off. God dwells with his people; he does not abandon them.

In 3:7-8, the Lord gives Joshua the instructions for the priests to carry the ark to the edge of the Jordan. When Joshua repeats this to the Israelites, he adds the details about the waters of the Jordan being cut off when the priests’ feet come to rest in the river (3:13). Similarly, now the Lord tells Joshua to choose twelve men who are to select twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan “where the priests are standing” and to carry them to their camp (4:2-3). But, again, when Joshua repeats this to the twelve men (4:4-5), he adds the details as to the purpose for, and significance of, these stones: “⁶… so that this will be a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ ⁷ you should tell them, ‘The water of the Jordan was cut off in front of the ark of the Lord’s covenant. When it crossed the Jordan, the Jordan’s water was cut off.’ Therefore these stones will always be a memorial for the Israelites” (4:6-7).

Now we know the purpose for these stones. They would be a “sign among you” (the current generation), pointing them back to, and constantly reminding them of, this moment and this experience of God’s grace and presence and power. And these stones would also be a permanent memorial for future generations (“your children”) when they ask: “What do these stones mean to you?” (4:6). The current generation is thus charged with the responsibility of telling and re-telling the story of their experience here to future generations who did not experience or cannot remember this moment. These stones would “always be a memorial for the Israelites” (4:7), giving the current participants of this mighty deed the opportunity to testify to the saving grace of God - who God is and what He did at the Jordan.

That’s what memorials do – they give permanent visual and verbal reminders of the past. Such reminders are so vitally necessary for us, not only to remember what God has done and who He is but also to encourage us when circumstances get tough. The Israelites would need this reminder when they face tough times ahead as they take possession of the land. And it’s a good practice for us to remember our past experiences with God, to look back constantly at what God has done in our lives. It’s so easy to forget how God has intervened, provided, defended, and guided us over the years. This, of course, is what our church communion services are all about. They are designed to remind us of what the Lord has done for us at the cross so that we never forget.

Notice that, even though 2¹/₂ tribes of the Israelites had been assigned their land inheritance on the other side of the Jordan (in accordance with Moses’ agreement with the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh in Numbers 32), Joshua makes clear by the selection of these twelve men from each tribe and the number of stones to be collected that Israel is still one people.

So, the Israelites did just as Joshua had commanded them (4:8a). Joshua was God’s mouthpiece to the people, just as Moses had been before him. Notice the chain of command here: God commanded Joshua, Joshua repeated those commands to the people, and the people (through the agency of the twelve representative men whom Joshua had chosen) carried them out. The twelve men took stones from the middle of the Jordan, one for each of the Israelite tribes, just as the Lord had told Joshua. They carried them to the camp and set them down there (4:8b).

After gathering the memorial stones from the Jordan for the camp at Gilgal, another set of stones is set up.

B. The marker stones set up in the middle of the Jordan (4:9). It has been suggested that both these sets of stones are actually only one set, but I don’t think that suggestion fits with the text. The text specifically states that the first set of twelve stones was carried by the twelve men from the middle of the Jordan to the camp (4:8), where they would be set up as a permanent memorial (4:20). Whereas the second set of twelve stones was set up by Joshua as a marker in the middle of the Jordan where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant were standing (4:9a). Furthermore, the text states that those stones (the second set) are still there to this day (4:9b) – i.e. in the middle of the river, not at Gilgal. So, these are two different sets of stones. The first set would be a permanent memorial to remind the people of this experience and what God did, and the second set would be a permanent marker of the very place where God stopped the waters of the Jordan from flowing, the very spot where the priests stood holding the ark of the covenant while the people crossed over.

In conclusion (and by way of summary), 4:10 states that the priests carrying the ark continued standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything was completed that the Lord had commanded Joshua to tell the people, in keeping with all that Moses had commanded Joshua. The priests were obedient to God’s word, which was communicated to them through Joshua and which, at the same time, fulfilled Moses instructions to take possession of the land (cf. Deut. 31:3-8; Num. 32:28-30).

Having established the marker stones in the middle of the Jordan and the memorial stones at the camp at Gilgal…

C. The people cross the Jordan (4:10b-14). In keeping with earlier evidences that this author’s account does not necessarily follow a chronological sequence, what is described in 4:2-9 seems to have taken place after the people crossed over and before the priests crossed over and the waters returned. Thus, connecting back to 3:17 (all Israel crossed on dry ground) and 4:1 (After the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan…), the text now says, ^10b The people hurried across ¹¹ and after everyone had finished crossing, the priests with the ark of the Lord crossed in the sight of the people (4:10b-11). Now, the attention now shifts from the stones (4:2-9) back to the crossing, the last step of which was the crossing of the priests.

This step highlights the climax and completion of this marvellous and miraculous crossing, pointing forward to the battle of Jericho to come. The question it raises in the minds of the readers is, “Will the Israelites’ possession of the Promised Land be as miraculous as the crossing of the Jordan? Will the taking of Jericho be as powerful and dramatic as the crossing of the Jordan? Will God give the people victory over the walls of Jericho as he gave them victory over the waters of the Jordan?”

In accordance with their earlier agreement with Moses, the 2½ tribes, who received their inheritance from Moses on the other side of the Jordan (cf. Josh. 1:13-18; Num. 32), now assemble near Jericho, ready to assist their brethren in the assault on that city. ¹² The Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh went in battle formation in front of the Israelites, as Moses had instructed them. ¹³ About forty thousand equipped for war crossed to the plains of Jericho in the Lord’s presence (4:12-13). As we have seen repeatedly in this episode, the emphasis seems to be (1) on the people’s obedience to God’s word, to Joshua’s word, and here to Moses’ word, and (2) on the people’s unity, despite geographical separation on either side of the Jordan.

D. God exalts Joshua (4:14). What God had promised Joshua in 3:7 now is confirmed. On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they revered him throughout his life, as they had revered Moses (4:14). Everything comes about just as God said. It’s instructive to see not only the people’s obedience to commands from God and Joshua, but also that God himself always keeps his word. God must be obeyed because his word is totally trustworthy.

After setting up the marker stones in the middle of the Jordan and the memorial stones at the camp at Gilgal, the people cross the Jordan. This is followed by God exalting Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and…

E. Then, the waters of the Jordan return (4:15-18). Again, the narrative seems to back up in order to make connection with what has already been mentioned (i.e. the priests’ crossing in 4:11) and to complete the chronological sequence of events. In accordance with the Lord’s instructions, Joshua commands the priests to “come up from the Jordan” (4:17).

This is the final step of the crossing and its dramatic finale when the priests carrying the ark of the Lord’s covenant came up from the middle of the Jordan (4:18a). The priests are still faithfully carrying the ark, that visible and powerful testimony to the Lord’s presence among them and his covenant with them.

That the Lord had supernaturally withheld the waters of the Jordan and not any other “natural” explanation is evident in that as soon as the priest’s feet stepped out on solid ground, the water of the Jordan resumed its course, flowing over all the banks as before (4:18b). When the Lord withdrew his presence, his intervention was also withdrawn – nature resumes her course. And finally…

F. The memorial stones are set up in Gilgal (4:19-24). This episode cannot end until the memorial to God’s power and goodness are set up in Gilgal where the people were camping on the eastern limits of Jericho (4:19b). That this took place on the tenth day of the first month (4:19a) is significant in that it connects this “exodus” from their wilderness wanderings on the east side of the Jordan to their earlier exodus from Egypt at the time of Passover (cf. Ex. 12:3).

²⁰ Then Joshua set up in Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan, ²¹ and he said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ ²² you should tell your children, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground’” (4:20-22). Joshua mentions three distinct purposes for this memorial at Gilgal…

First, this memorial would be a permanent testimony to future Israelite generations of the miracle God performed in stopping the waters (as Joshua had mentioned before in 4:6-7), just as He had at the Red Sea: “For the Lord your God dried up the water of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up before us until we had crossed over” (4:23). Now Joshua links together the stopping of the waters of the Jordan with the dividing of the waters of the Red Sea, both of which made possible the Israelites’ crossing from one side to the other. This is a testimony to God’s goodness to them and his miraculous intervention on their behalf, an experience that would surely give them courage in the imminent battle of Jericho and all the subsequent battles as they take possession of the land.

Second, this memorial would be a permanent testimony to the world (i.e. the Canaanites) of the power of Yahweh: “…so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord’s hand is strong” (4:24a). Let all nations and enemies beware that if they oppose God and his people, they do so to their own peril for the God of Israel is all-powerful; no one can withstand him.

Third, this memorial would remind the Israelites to bow before God: “…so that you may always fear the Lord your God” (4:24b). It’s so easy to forget who God is and what He has done, even after an experience as dramatic as the crossing of the Jordan. It’s so easy to fail to give God thanks and to attribute such experiences to His intervention on our behalf. This memorial would never let the Israelites forget and, in so doing, it would cause them to bow before Yahweh in reverence and to worship Him, the one true God who alone is worthy of all praise.

Final Remarks

I hope that this study has given you a greater understanding of what is involved in facing challenges in our Christian lives. Remember our summary statement for this message: God opens up the way for us when we are obedient to him, even when there are significant obstacles. Here are three principles we have learned from this episode in the Israelites’ experience...

First, in facing challenges, we need to be prepared by God (3:1-13). Preparation means spending time in prayer and reading God’s word. Perhaps it also includes wise and godly advice from a trusted friend. Here we need to exercise caution and dependence on God before making any decisions or taking any action.

Second, at the appropriate time we need to move forward in obedience (3:14-17). When the preparation work has been done and we see with clarity the way God is leading us, then we need to move forward with courage, trusting God for the outcome and that he will see us through.

Third, we need to constantly give God thanks for what He has done (4:1-24). When the trial or challenge is over, we need to establish “memorial stones” to remind us of his intervention on our behalf and to give him the thanks. Knowing how easily we forget, Jesus instituted the memorial supper (the Lord’s table) for us, to constantly remind us of what He has done at the cross.

How easy it is for us to get through a particular challenge and promptly forget what happened – forget how God prepared us and enabled us to face the challenge; forget how God laid out the path ahead for us to move ahead in obedience and faith; forget the evidences of God’s mighty power which he exercised on our behalf. That’s how prone we are to accept God’s blessings – his deliverance, his provision, his power - without ever remembering to give God the glory (cf. Lk. 17:15). May this never be true of us. We are to be grateful people (cf. 1 Thess. 5:18; Phil. 4:6); yet, sometimes I think we are so ungrateful. God intervenes for us time and time again, and yet we do not erect memorial stones as a reminder to ourselves and as a testimony to others who ask, “What do these stones mean?”

Worse yet, perhaps other people don’t ask us that question because they don’t see any memorial or marker stones in our lives at all. Perhaps there is no evidence that we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7); no evidence that we are seeking to be obedient to the Lord (1 Jn. 5:2-3). In fact, perhaps there’s no evidence in your life that you are a Christian at all! If that’s the case, according to the Bible, you’re not a Christian for the Bible says that “you will recognize them by their fruit” (Matt. 7:16). I think that there are so many people who go to church regularly, talk like Christians, look like Christians, enjoy fellowship with other Christians, listen to the preaching of God’s word, think they are Christians but they are not regenerate – they do not have spiritual life in them (cf. Heb. 6:1-8; 1 Jn. 3:6, 9; James 2:19-22). Well, if that describes you, may this study encourage you to get right with God through repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:21).

We continue on with our study of some experiences of O.T. characters. We are currently studying the life of Joshua: A Faithful Warrior. In the last article we learned about “Victory at Jericho” (Josh. 6:1-27) as the Israelites began their assault on the Canaanites in their quest to subdue and take possession of the land that God had given them. But, sadly, immediately after that miraculous victory, the Israelites suffer a crushing and humiliating defeat from a seemingly insignificant enemy, Ai.

The subject of this study is: God’s anger against, and judgement of, sin. What we learn in this study is that God does not tolerate sin amongst his people. God is a thoroughly holy God, separate from evil. God’s eyes are too pure to look on evil (Hab. 1:13). That’s why our approach to God as believers is only on the basis of the mediation of his beloved Son, our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who did not commit sin and no deceit was found in his mouth…(who) himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness (1 Pet. 2:22-24). Only on the basis of Christ’s redeeming, cleansing work on the cross can we draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water (Heb. 10:21-22).

Let’s try to identify the theological principles in this passage. First note that…

I. Pride Comes Before A Fall Into Sin (7:1-5)

Barely have the Israelites victoriously demolished Jericho than warning bells are sounded: The Israelites, however, were unfaithful regarding the things set apart to the Lord. Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart, and the Lord’s anger burned against the Israelites (7:1).

This first verse sets the tone for what is about to happen in the rest of the chapter. Trouble for Israel is brewing because of one person’s sin. Even as the Israelites waged war against the city of Jericho, sin was at work in Achan, who stole for himself some of the things that were to be set apart for the Lord, things that Israel had been expressly told not to take for themselves (cf. 6:17-19).

Here at the outset, we learn two important factors that help us understand the rest of the chapter. First, Achan’s sin is named and is attributed to the Israelites as a whole – they “were unfaithful” even though it was Achan’s individual sin. We will examine this in more detail later in our study. Second, unlike the report of the men who spied out Jericho, the spies whom Joshua sent to Ai came back and gave him some fatal and false advice: “³ Don’t send all the people, but send about two thousand or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, don’t wear out all our people there.” ^4a So about three thousand men went up there (7:3-4a).

The tone has subtly changed. Unlike before at Jericho, the spies do not report everything that had happened to them (2:23), nor do they express their conviction that “the Lord has handed over the entire land to us” (2:24). No, now, without any mention of the Lord in all of this, they confidently state that Joshua does not need to send all the Israelite troops to attack Ai, because they are “so few.” In other words, “Don’t weary all our people, Joshua, with such an easy target. They are sitting ducks. We can overcome this place with only two or three thousand men.” Also, this differs from the attack on Jericho in that, noticeably, Joshua receives no communication from the Lord to take this action (cf. 6:2). Confidence in God has been replaced by confidence in self. As Proverbs 16:18 says, Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. The truth is that, from the moment they belittled Ai, they were defeated by their pride.

Sadly, Joshua follows their advice: ^4b So about three thousand men went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai. ⁵ The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them and chased them from outside the city gate to the quarries, striking them down on the descent. As a result, the people lost heart (7:4b-5). As we know from 7:1, Israel’s defeat is due to sin in the congregation. Sin in the congregation is so often demonstrated in self-confidence. And self-confidence leads to lack of dependence on the Lord. That’s the pattern that happened among the Israelites in this story> And it’s a pattern that is repeated so often in our churches, para-church ministries, and mission agencies today. What starts out with utter confidence in the leading of God and dependence upon God to provide the resources needed for the ministry soon changes into self-confidence and lack of prayerful dependence.

No wonder that the Lord’s anger burned against Israel (7:1). God knew what had happened with Achan and the presence of sin among the congregation, not to mention their self-confidence and absence of communication with Him. Because God was not honored among them, he withdrew his power and they are resoundingly defeated by “so few” people in Ai. This reminds me of the story of the feeding of the five thousand in John 6:1-15. Faced with only five barley loaves and two fish to feed such a vast crowd, Andrew says to Jesus, “But what are they for so many?” (Jn. 6:9). Little did he know who Jesus was and what He could do with so few resources. And little did Joshua and the Israelites know what God could do with “so few” people at Ai. Their defeat at Ai was the first indicator, surely, that something was drastically wrong. Something had radically changed since their victory at Jericho.

We see this so often, don’t we? Confidence in God that turns into confidence in self. Perhaps it’s a pastor who leads a church through a tremendous period of growth, such that the church exerts huge influence across its community and perhaps around the world. Over time the identity of the church and the pastor become blurred and soon it becomes the pastor’s church. The freshness and vigor of God’s call becomes the success of the pastor. And as his reputation, influence, and power grow, so does his self-confidence. Then, sadly, one day you find out that he has engaged in sexual immorality or some other sin. He is stripped of his credentials as a pastor and fades from view – no longer usable by God; another gifted minister of the gospel robbed from active service by self-confidence and pride. Here in Canada, a number of years ago, there was an evangelist by the name of Charles Templeton, who became very well know, even partnered at times with Billy Graham and co-founded the international ministry called Youth for Christ. Sadly, he became cynical about the gospel message that he had once so dearly loved and so powerfully proclaimed. Eventually he declared himself an agnostic and, later, an atheist. Or, perhaps it’s a youth pastor who participates in an inappropriate relationship with a girl in the youth group and eventually runs off with her and divorces his wife. How many times has Satan robbed the church of gifted pastors through self-confidence and pride.

It’s the little Ai’s that can so easily defeat us, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards (Song of Solomon 2:15), little faults of character or unjudged sins that eventually overpower us. Satan is so clever at tripping us up. Indeed, ministers of the gospel (as well as Christians in general) are prime targets for Satan’s attacks. Satan does not want us doing what we do. No wonder that the apostle Paul warns us about this and urges us to protect ourselves with God’s armor: ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. ¹³ For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, ¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one (Eph. 6:11-16). Notice Paul describes these spiritual attacks as the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:11), the flaming arrows of the evil one (Eph. 6:16).

We are engaged in all-out spiritual war. Our enemy is not human armies but “spiritual forces in the heavens.” Satan and his fallen angels know our points of vulnerability, spiritual weakness, temptation. It’s the temptation when you’re away from home on a business trip, alone in a hotel room at nights, where pornographic films are readily available and openly advertised. It’s the physical attraction of another woman in the office where you work that, when left unchecked, can lead to illicit relations and, potentially, disastrous consequences for your marriage and family and church. That’s what can happen when you take your eyes of the Lord and give in to your own desires, when you give up dependence on the Lord and replace it with confidence in self.

Well, so much for the self-confidence of the spies in our passage whose assessment of the enemy at Ai and their advice to Joshua were just so wrong. So much for their argument that there was no need to “wear out all our people” in attacking such a feeble few (7:3). The consequence of this fatal perspective was that the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them (the Israelites) and chased them from outside the city gate to the quarries, striking them down on the descent. As a result, the people lost heart (7:5). Instead of victory, they were chased away and thirty-six Israelite men died. No wonder the people became discouraged! Their recent success in defeating Jericho is still fresh in their memories, puffing them up with confidence. Then to be defeated by so few men at Ai is humiliating. Immediately, courage is replaced by fear and discouragement.

Pride so often comes before a fall into sin. And…

II. Sin Causes Anguish Before God (7:6-9)

Undoubtedly, Joshua and all Israel thought they were unstoppable after the great victory at Jericho. But instead, great victory is followed by humiliating defeat at Ai. Understandably, Joshua and the elders are distraught about this, as indicated by putting dust on their heads (7:6). And Joshua cries out to the Lord: “⁷ Oh, Lord God,” Joshua said, “why did you ever bring these people across the Jordan to hand us over to the Amorites for our destruction? If only we had been content to remain on the other side of the Jordan! ⁸ What can I say, Lord, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies? ⁹ When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. Then what will you do about your great name?” (7:7-9)

You can understand why Joshua seems mystified by what has happened. Hence, his question #1: “Why did you ever bring these people across the Jordan to hand us over to the Amorites for our destruction?” (7:7a). Joshua begs God to reveal why this has happened. Why would God bring them across the Jordan river into Canaan, the land that he had promised them, only to let them be defeated by the Amorites? But, before we question God’s motives, before we ask God the “why” question, surely we should first consider what God has done in the past and what he requires of us in the present. Had Joshua carefully considered the facts of their recent history – that God had just miraculously brought the Israelites across the Jordan, and miraculously enabled them to defeat Jericho - perhaps that might have caused him to consider that there was something going on here of which he was unaware. There is more to this than meets the eye. Joshua’s question of God is the same as the repeated question of the Israelites in the wilderness: Had God brought them out of Egypt into the wilderness to let them die? The rhetorical answer is: Of course not! And now, had God brought them across the Jordan into Canaan to let them die? The rhetorical answer is: Of course not! “If only we had been content to remain on the other side of the Jordan” (7:7b) he opines. If they had known that this would happen, it would have been better for them to have stayed on the east side of Jordan.

I suppose, in such a situation as this, it’s human nature to say “if only.” Regrets about past decisions surface very quickly when we face defeat. Past actions which we thought were so right and were, in fact, ordered by God, soon take on a whole different perspective when things don’t work out as we expected. We are so prone to hanker after the “good old days.” When things go wrong we long for the past and the familiar and shy away from the future and the unfamiliar, even though the past might have been filled with life-threatening thirst and hunger and the future filled with life-giving nourishment (milk and honey).

Question #2: “What can I say, Lord, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies?” (7:8). Joshua is at a loss for words to explain what has happened. Israel had not simply been defeated – that would have been bad enough. They had actually turned their back and run away from their enemy. This turn of events is inexplicable based on their recent history and God’s promises. Joshua’s fear is that “When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth” (7:9a). Joshua’s concern now turns to Israel’s future prospects. He fears that, when this news spreads throughout Canaan, the Canaanites will take advantage of Israel’s current state of weakness and cowardice and, potentially, destroy them completely. Initially, he seems only to be concerned about the humiliation brought on Israel and the threat of their annihilation. But then his attention turns to how this would impact God’s reputation.

Question #3: “Then what will you do about your great name?” (7:9). Joshua turns from the “why” question to a “what” question, from Israel’s humiliation to its impact on God’s reputation. Joshua rightly infers that Israel’s defeat would be interpreted by the Canaanites as Yahweh’s defeat, which would bring dishonor on His “great name.” It’s bad enough that when the Canaanites hear about Israel’s defeat they will “wipe out our name from the earth,” but the consequences for God’s name are even greater. “Then what will you do about your great name?” How will God defend his honor in the light of what has happened? What will God do to protect and restore his reputation? After all, He won a mighty victory at Jericho but now His people have been utterly defeated at Ai.

Thankfully, Joshua does not rationalize the outcome of the defeat. He doesn’t surmise that they underestimated the number of troops required, or that only thirty-six men died, or that it could have been much worse, or that they would just send more men against Ai the next time. No, from his prayer, it is evident that he not only has concerns for Israel’s reputation and future but more importantly he has concerns for God’s reputation. Thankfully, Joshua is a godly man who in the face of defeat turns immediately to the Lord. Sad that such a godly man who is used so powerfully by God does not consult the Lord before engaging with Ai as they did.

Joshua’s last question is so relevant for God’s people today. Whenever there is sin among the people of God that becomes publicly known, the Lord’s name is dishonored. There is a direct link between what Christians and churches do and say and what the world thinks and says about our God. When Christians act immorally or unjustly, God’s name is tarnished before the world. When Christians adopt worldly ways, God’s name is dishonored before the world. No wonder, when commenting on the death of Saul and Jonathan, David laments: “Do not tell it in Gath, don’t announce it in the marketplaces of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate” (2 Sam. 1:20). Dealing with sin in the assembly is one thing – it’s a paramount obligation - but publishing it before the world brings God’s name into disrepute.

So then, we have learned thus far that (1) pride comes before a fall into sin (7:1-5); and (2) sin causes anguish before God (7:6-9). Now…

III. One Person’s Sin Affects The Whole Congregation (7:10-15)

¹⁰ The Lord then said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen facedown? ^11a Israel has sinned” (7:10-11a). That’s why Israel has been defeated and humiliated. Just as God had warned them, this act has brought “trouble” upon Israel (6:18). That’s why they have no power against their enemy. Achan’s sin is attributed by God to the whole congregation of Israel. “They have violated my covenant that I appointed for them. They have taken some of what was set apart. They have stolen, deceived, and put those things with their own belongings” (7:11b). This is a premeditated violation of God’s covenant with them that they must not take any of the things in Jericho that were set apart for destruction or for the Lord’s treasury (6:17-19, 24). This violation involved theft, deceit, and concealment. “This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they have been set apart for destruction” (7:12a) The people themselves have become what the inhabitants and contents of Jericho were – “set apart for destruction.” They fled before the men of Ai because they are doomed for destruction by virtue of their violation of God’s covenant. For that reason, God says, “I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you what is set apart” (7:12b).

God does not turn a blind eye to sin. God does not minimize, trivialize, or ignore sin. Sin among God’s people denigrates God’s name and holiness. If the congregation does not judge sin in their midst, then God will. God punishes unconfessed sin. But, thanks be to God, there is a way of escape, there is an “unless.” God will remove his presence from them “unless you remove from among you what is set apart.” If judgement is enacted by the congregation on the guilty party and the things that were stolen and hidden are removed from their midst, then God will be gracious. By God’s grace, today, because of Calvary, If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ the righteous one (1 Jn. 2:1).

Some people say that the God of the O.T. is vindictive, that the O.T. is about God’s law and not God’s grace. But that is not true. Here we see an example where God is gracious. Despite punishing the Israelites by causing their defeat, God gives them the chance to put things right. “You will not be able to stand against your enemies until you remove what is set apart” (7:13). In order to do this, the people must be examined tribe by tribe, clan by clan, family by family, man by man until they discover who is responsible for this (7:14). And when they discover who is responsible, “The one who is caught with the things set apart must be burned, along with everything he has, because he has violated the Lord’s covenant and committed an outrage in Israel” (7:15).

All Israel has sinned, but one person is guilty. One person’s sin contaminates the whole congregation. What had been done in secret by one person for his own personal gain must be exposed and judged by the congregation as a whole in order for them to be cleared of this sin and made holy before the Lord. The congregation cannot stand against the attacks of the enemy until sin is expunged.

There is a principle that the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household ( 1 Pet. 4:17). Sin must be dealt with among God’s people – it cannot be ignored, cannot be swept under the rug. Remember, our God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29). Do you want to know why so many churches today are so ineffective in their testimony? Do you want to know why so many Christians are indistinguishable from non-Christians in their behavior, lifestyle, priorities, relationships, and morality? In many cases it’s because of unjudged sin in their individual lives which taints the congregation as a whole. We are not islands to ourselves. How we live and what we do impacts the entire church and Christian community. Sin in one person’s life spreads like yeast which leavens the whole batch of dough (Gal. 5:9).

So far we have discovered wonderful principles from this O.T. narrative that are directly applicable to the Christian life. First, pride comes before a fall into sin (7:1-5). Second, sin causes anguish before God (7:6-9). Third, one person’s sin affects the whole congregation (7:10-15). And then…

IV. Certain Sins Can Easily Ensnare Us (7:20-23)

After carrying out the Lord’s instruction for discovering the person responsible for this calamity, Achan is identified (7:20-21). Immediately, he confesses, “It is true. I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel” (7:20a). In his confession, Achan clearly describes what he did (7:20b) that led to this downfall. First, he was attracted by what he saw – “I saw a beautiful cloak from Babylon, five pounds of silver, and a bar of gold weighing a pound and a quarter” (7:21a). The sight of this bounty, which was to be set apart either for destruction or for the Lord’s treasury, ignited in him this overwhelming lust of the eyes (1 Jn. 2:16). So powerful was it, that he ignored Joshua’s warning to “keep yourselves from the things set apart, or you will be set apart for destruction” (6:18).

Second, Achan “coveted them” (7:21b). What he saw with his eyes led to covetousness in his heart. Covetousness can be such a powerful influence in our lives - that desire for things that you do not have but which you really want; that urge for more things. So powerful was this covetousness in Achan that he could not resist taking the forbidden things. The writer of the book of Hebrews urges us to lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us (Heb. 12:1). For Achan that ensnaring sin apparently was the beautiful, expensive Babylonian cloak and the silver and gold.

Third, Achan “took them” (7:21c). What his eyes saw, his heart lusted after, and he took them. A good principle to remember when we find ourselves in this type of situation is this: “Be sure your sin will catch up with you” (Num. 32:23). This is a relevant and practical warning to remember. The apostle John reminds us that everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world (1 Jn. 2:16).

Four, Achan hid them. “You can see for yourself. They are concealed in the ground inside my tent, with the silver under the cloak” (7:21d). You may try to hide your sins, but remember, all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account (Heb. 4:13). There is nothing you can do or say or think that is concealed from God. Other people may not find out, but God knows. That’s a sobering thought, isn’t it? If you find yourself in Achan’s position, try first to remember that there is One who is observing you - He knows all about you and takes account of everything.

So you see, Achan’s action was all the result of covetousness. When it says “I took them,” Achan really means “I stole them.” These items were not Achan’s to take – they were under the ban. You can see what impact the covetousness of one man had on the entire congregation. One man’s sin became the sin of all. Israel was one community, not just a lot of individuals with common roots and a communal lifestyle. In the western world, I think we have trouble understanding this concept of congregational oneness. But that’s what our church relationship is meant to be. One people of God, joined together inseparably through Christ. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope at your calling – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all (Eph. 4:4-6).

Of course, the antidote to covetousness is contentment (Phil 4:11). Wanting more and more possessions robs us of our joy in Christ. Contentment, for a Christian, is being satisfied with what God gives us, living within our means, and using those things for his glory. The apostle Paul’s perspective is worthy of note: ⁶ Godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. ⁸ If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. ⁹ But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. ¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Tim. 6:6-12).

Finally…

V. Sin Must Be Removed From The Congregation (7:24-26)

God’s judgement is swift. Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, and the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his ox, donkey, and sheep, his tent, and all that he had and brought them up to the Valley of Achor (7:24). This is congregational judgement in action. This is the congregation taking corporate responsibility for judging Achan’s sin and cleansing the congregation. At the Valley of Achor (“Valley of Trouble”) they stoned Achan and his family to death, burned their bodies, and covered them with stones (7:25). It appears that Achan’s family must have been complicit somehow in what he did because it is a biblical principle that children are not required to be punished for their parents’ sins and vice versa: Fathers are not to be put to death for their children, and children are not to be put to death for their fathers; each person will be put to death for his own sin (Deut. 24:16).

Finally, over Achan they heaped a large pile of rocks (7:26a). Undoubtedly this pile of rocks would serve as a constant warning to everyone, a constant reminder of the consequences of sin. Then the Lord turned from his burning anger (7:26b). God’s burning anger at the beginning of the chapter (7:1) is assuaged by the corporate judgement of sin at the end of the chapter (7:24-26). Fellowship with God is restored. The spiritual rot caused by sin has been exposed, judged, and removed.

As in Israel, so in our churches today. Sin must be removed from the congregation in order for God’s presence to be among us, for his holiness to be maintained among us, and for his name to be honored among us. Again, Paul’s instruction governs us: Remove the evil person from among you (1 Cor. 5:13).

Final Remarks

This account reminds us of the principle set out in James 1:15 that after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. We see this amply illustrated for us in the story of Achan and the defeat at Ai. The Bible is clear: The wages of sin is death, but… (thanks be to God, because of the atoning work of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross)…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:23).

The structure of this O.T. narrative sets out the sequence of what happens when someone falls into sin and what the congregation has to do about it, as follows:

1. Pride comes before a fall into sin (7:1-5).

2. Sin causes anguish before God (7:6-9).

3. One person’s sin affects the whole congregation (7:10-15).

4. Certain sins can easily ensnare us (7:20-23).

5. Sin must be removed from the congregation (7:24-26).

May we take heed to the events recorded for us in Joshua 7 – they are very instructive and relevant for us today. Remember that whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures (Rom. 15:4). Through this study, may we be quick to judge our sin (personal and corporate) in order to maintain fellowship with God. Let us avail ourselves of the access we have through Christ in one Spirit to the Father (Eph. 2:18). Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need (Heb. 2:16). May we be alert to the presence of sin and take swift and appropriate action to deal with it so that it does not affect the glory of the Lord’s name.