Sin In The Camp Joshua 7 1 -26

Sin In The Camp Joshua 7: 1 -26

Just thinking. . . • This is about the necessity of discipline – Instructive- involves teaching and training – Punitive- often neglected in the church • When it is not practiced. . . – Those in sin assume they are OK – Growth is hindered (Joshua 6: 7; 7: 13) – It is disobedience (Luke 6: 46)

God’s Use of Discipline • Difference between OT and NT – Direct dealing in past (Joshua 7; Acts 5) – Punishment now reserved (Matthew 25: 46) – Jesus will return to punish the disobedient (2 Thessalonians 1: 6 -9) – Hell is a lake of fire (Revelation 21: 8)

Achan’s Sin (Joshua 6: 18 -7: 26) • • Spoils of Jericho were accursed (6: 18) Riches to go into the treasury (6: 19) Achan took some of the spoil (7: 1) Thirty six died at Ai (7: 5) Joshua prayed; God wanted action (7: 6 -10) Joshua arose early (7: 16) Confession and punishment (7: 25, 26)

Lessons Learned • Sin affects others – Thirty six men died because of Achan – Leaven affects the “lump” (1 Corinthians 5: 6) • Prayer is not a substitute for action – Prayer is important and needs to precede action – A time for action comes (Acts 9: 11; 22: 16; 1 Corinthians 5: 4 -7, 13)

Lessons Learned • Church must live up to its claim – Israel was God’s chosen people – We claim to be God’s people (Titus 2: 14) • We must not postpone action – Some will never want to practice discipline, and condemn sin publicly (Galatians 2: 14) – We cannot stand before God; let’s rise up early (Joshua 7: 13)

Lessons Learned • Establish proof of guilt – Must not act on just rumors (Joshua 7: 12, 13) – Must be able to verify (1 Timothy 5: 19) • Punishment must be administered by all – Note the phrase, “all Israel” (Joshua 7: 25) – The “majority” of the Corinthians obeyed the words of Paul (1 Corinthians 5: 9 -11; 2 Corinthians 2: 6)

Final thoughts. . . • God’s attitude change – Angry at first (Joshua 7: 1; Romans 12: 2) – Turned from His anger (Joshua 7: 26) • This part of His will must be practiced – We cannot pick and choose what we obey – Have faith in God’s plan