Joshua 7:1-15

The hatred of God for sin.

Though God leads His people to Victory, Satan will do his best to rob them of the fruits of victory.

The sad story of Achan illustrates this in our lives. Though we may hide any sin in our lives, no such thing can be hid from God's eyes-Heb.4:13.

God's command to the Israelites concerning Jericho was clear. They should not touch any of the wealth of the city or  appropriate it for their personal property. We may think that was a hard command for warriors who are entitled to the spoils of war.

We think sometimes that we are also entitled to some award for our labour as workers of the Gospel, but God says that 'what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination....' Luke 16:15.

Achan thought that a bit of gold and fancy garments would not matter if he took them. It is the same for any worker for the Gospel. We are called to fight God's battles as the soldiers of God's army. He provides the weapons which are sanctified to be used in holiness and in obedience to His call. Every effort on our behalf must be dedicated to the cause of the Gospel and offered on the altar of sacrifice.

A perfect offering unblemished in the sight of God. Nothing marred or defective would be accepted by Jehovah on the altar of sacrifice.

God was fighting in the midst of the Israelite host. Where sin is to be found, God is not to be found. A Babylonish garment was an offence to God's holiness, therefore His presence was excluded in the Israelite host. Paul the Apostle writing in Corinthians says, 'a little leaven, leavens to whole lump'. Even the smallest sin in the Church can act like a cancer that spreads and mars the whole congregation.

The defeat at Ai warned of disaster for the Israelite force. It had to be dealt severely, lest disaster overcame them. We cannot afford to leave sin unattended in our lives or in the Church.

Jesus said, 'If your eye is single your whole body is full of light'.

The tragic story of Achan is a lesson for us and the whole Church of God. God will not tolerate sin in us or in the Church. If we want to fight God's battles we must do it on God's  terms.