Joshua Chapter 7
The chapter begins with the word but. Oh, how I wish there was not that word in any of our lives, because what follows that word, is too often a description of rebellion against God. And the victory that was celebrated with the defeat of Jericho soon became great despair as the second battle at Ai was lost and 36 men were killed.
God had specifically told the people of Israel what to do with the spoils of Jericho. We can see those instructions in Joshua 6:18-19 But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD. It was very clear that all the items devoted to worship of other gods were to be destroyed, and other items made of silver, gold, bronze or iron were to be saved and dedicated to the tabernacle of the LORD. But somewhere in all that chaos, one man thought he would help himself to some of those riches and he thought that no one would know.
Let's Reflect
1. Joshua sent spies to the town of Ai to determine the size of the population there. The spies came back with a recommendation of how many men they would need to defeat the small town of Ai. What number did they recommend and how many men did Joshua send?
2. The men thought that it would be an easy battle but instead had to run for their lives. The Bible says about 36 men lost their lives. How did Joshua react to the news of this battle?
3. Joshua asked God why He had allowed this to happen. We can always ask God why, but He may not tell us the answer. In this instance God was very clear in His answer. The problem was not with God, but the problem was sin in the camp of Israel. According to verse 11 what was the reason? Compare this answer to verse 1. Who did God hold responsible for the sin committed?
4. God explained that He would not go with them in future battles unless this sin was judged. Joshua started calling out tribes and clans and families to come forward until he finally narrowed it down to one man who confessed to the sin. What was that man’s name?
5. The stolen things were found where?
6. The man and his sons and daughters (who must have helped him bury the treasures) were taken outside the camp and stoned to death and all his possessions were burned. What was the name of the place where this judgement happened?
Rocks were piled on top, serving as a memorial of a different sort. It would be a reminder of the sin of one man who decided to disobey God. It was a reminder that God is holy and just. And it would serve as a warning to Israel against the sin of disobeying God’s express commands.
