Harsh or Principled?
The Israelites were instructed to utterly destroy Jericho and devote the silver and gold to God's treasury. God warns them that there would be consequences in the wake of disobedience.Unfortunately, a man named Achan, stole a beautiful ornate robe, some silver and some gold. He buried it in his tent - hoping, I imagine, that no-one would notice.
But the consequences were dire:
Israel's next enemy was the city of Ai, which was a minor obstacle compared to Jericho. Joshua rushed in presumptuously (more on this tomorrow...) and the city of Ai not only repelled Israel's attack but inflicted casualties and thus giving Joshua his first defeat.
Joshua is devastated and seeks the Lord's face. The Lord tells him that there has been disobedience and instructs Joshua to go through the Israelites tribe by tribe, clan by clan. When Joshua does this, Achan's sin is uncovered and he and his family are stoned.
This seems very harsh.
We have the same reaction to Ananias and Sapphira being struck dead in Acts 5. But it is when we consider these two accounts together that it all makes sense:
Both accounts take place at the formation of something new. Joshua is leading a "new" Israel into the promised land and the book of Acts is about the "newly born" church. In both cases the importance of integrity and obedience are highlighted. The devastating danger of greed is also highlighted. I believe the "harshness" of these two accounts is meant as a deterrent. Greed, corruption and dishonesty are being confronted right at the outset of the nation and the church. I also think the long term cost of unconfronted greed is even greater...
Our own country's history is blighted by the devastating consequences of greed in political and economic spheres.
Our incoming leaders could learn from Achan and Ananias-Sapphira.
The other aspect to consider is the shocking lack of respect shown by Achan, Ananias & Sapphira - they hide things from people and arrogantly assume that God doesn't see, doesn't care or won't do anything.
Blessing comes with responsibilities and we are called to keep our priorities right. When we flout responsibilities and priorities there are consequences. And we need to respect God...
| 18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury... 7:1 But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel... 7:20 Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: 21 When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath." (Joshua6:18-7:20) |
