THE HELMET, SWORD&SHIELD

"Address the Accursed Thing"

“But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.”

Joshua 7:1

Clearly, the first verse of Joshua chapter opens on a somber sentiment; a chord of dissonance; a down beat; a negative tone; or however we might describe the conveyed mood or atmosphere.

This was a complete turnabout sentiment from the joyful emotion and prospective outlook that we perceived to be present having read the last verse of chapter six, where the inspired narrator happily commented: “So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.” (Josh. 6:27)

But, then again Scripture has always stressed the essential conditions under which we can expect to experience the “greater” blessing of divine favor; as well as highlighting for us the situational conditions and exception circumstances where we can expect to lose the driving momentum propelled by the needed influence of the “prevailing winds” of divine favor being abruptly snatched from filling our sails.

When such an instance of painful breech surfaces in our lives, like Joshua and Israel; we become immediately confused; and are quickly prone to distressfully raise the searching question: “What just happened?”

But, then again, the Lord does not leave us “hanging” here. This was not a “cliff hanger” moment given to us in Scripture. But, promptly and definitively the Lord thunders out to us the sole reason why everything dramatically changed

Explicitly He alerted us to the key crippling issue: “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.” (Josh. 7:1)

Now many of us may foolishly question, “Was that the only reason?” And indeed, such an inquiry only serves to highlight the fact that if we were “there” (in that moment), the name being cited for criminal infraction against the Law of Heaven would not be that of “Achan,” but it would be our own.

Unquestionably, by holding such a position of protest (either mildly or loudly) we demonstrate clear proof that presently we possess a heart-attitude of intense “dulled” spiritual sensitivity or one callously layered in gross ignorance regarding the deplorable impact and influence of sin in our lives.

Even today, we must honest confess or admit that we do not always fully recognize the spiritually crippling and potentially lethal nature of “the accursed thing.” Hence, when we foolishly partake of it; likewise, we invite a furious maelstrom or destructive storm of trouble to enter the peaceful circle of our lives.

Scripture repeatedly explains to us that the essential nature of “sin” is crippling, debilitating, destructive and deadly, and not necessarily in that order. Describing the universal dynamic pattern of temptation and sin (which is also clearly visible in the present Old Testament narrative), James 1: rightly outlined: “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Undoubtedly, the narrative of Joshua chapter seven has been documented to fully convey to us that despite the victories of faith that we may have experienced in the past, the path forward can still be jeopardized or derailed if we foolishly choose to dismiss and disobey the Word of God.

Recall, the Lord had declared to Joshua in 1:8, ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

Here let us not miss the key conditional cited regarding the Word of God. The Lord explicitly highlighted to Joshua (and us) the fact that this was the sole dependent and determinative factor that governed the outcome of success and victory of his pending encounters.

He had fully stipulated: “but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

Herein it behooves us to pay close attention to these embedded principle and precept bible truths set forth in the record of Scripture, because despite the elapse of centuries, they are fully applicable to our lives as well. If we expect to prevail over our spiritual foes and life difficulties and challenges; then regarding God’s Word we must also: “observe to do according to all that is written therein.”

But, if we elect to follow “in the footsteps” of Achan, then also, we should expect the same pattern of consequences to surface in remain fully entrenced in the circle of our lives, wholly blocking any prospect of meaningful progress and greater blessings.

Namely, as God had sternly and specifically explained to Joshua in verses 11-12: “Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.

“Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.”

Maybe we have been wondering why we have not been able to overcome that or prevail over the challenges or obstacles that are presently solidly blocking our forward progress. Perhaps we need to dig deep beneath “the stuff” that we have brought into the “tent” of our lives.

Then too, we may not need to look very far because the Spirit of God has already been convicting us and re-warning us to deal with “the accursed thing” (i.e. weight, besetting sin, worldliness) that we have knowingly embraced and attempted to ignore or bury.

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“Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” Malachi 3:16

"Address the Accursed Thing"

“But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.”

Joshua 7:1

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Joshua 7:1-5 (KJV)

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