Avoiding Setbacks on the Road to Victory - Joshua 7
The theme for our study of Joshua is “Victorious Christian Living,” yet chapter 7 reminds us that there can be setbacks. While an unbroken string of victory may have been God’s plan for his people, God does not make it impossible for people to sin. Chapter 7 recounts the initial defeat at small outpost named Ai. A careful reading of the chapter reveals the cause, effect and cure of the setback they faced.
Flush with victory at Jericho, Israel became self-confident. The fall of Jericho was a testimony to the power of God, not the power of his people. They had done nothing more than walk around the wall and yell! Somewhere between Jericho and Ai they began to believe they had accomplished something. 7:3 states they didn’t think it necessary to even trouble the entire army! We do not somehow accumulate strength through victory in the Christian life. We must remember to always be dependent on God!
The second reason for failure at Ai was the neglect of prayer. In Joshua 7, there is no record of Joshua going back to inquire of God until after the defeat in battle. Had he prostrated himself before God prior to the battle, perhaps God would have revealed the sin that had occurred and the entire episode at Ai could have been avoided. We are quick to pray in times of trouble but if we pray in times of victory, we will not have to plead in times of defeat!
The final, and perhaps most obvious, reason for the setback at Ai was Achan’s sin. Achan had taken some of the valuables from Jericho that God had commanded to be destroyed. In Achan’s words, he saw; he coveted; he took; he hid. This adequately describes the way we often find ourselves in sin! The amazing thing here is that God held Israel responsible for Achan’s sin! It was not “Achan has sinned,” it was “Israel has sinned,” a stark reminder God sees us collectively as well as individually.
The remedy prescribed in Joshua 7 is very clear: confession and destruction of sin. Achan was “found out” and never came clean until it was too late. One wonders whether mercy might have been extended to him if he had confessed of his own volition. We must follow the admonition of 1 John 1:5-10 by walking in the light, confessing our sins to one another. Following confession, the sin must be wiped out! The story of Achan is a cautionary tale in the midst of victory. Let us not forget God in the midst of our own victories and always strive to honor and please him.
