Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things, Achan son of Karmi, 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.
So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, who killed about thirty-six of them.
Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell face down to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening.
Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the blunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”
Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. Over Achan they heaped a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from His fierce anger.
– Joshua 7:1, 4, 6, 20, 25
Devotion
God commanded that the Israelites destroy almost everyone and everything in Jericho. Achan disobeyed God’s command and stole a portion of the plunder. Achan’s sin resulted in many Israelites dying in battle, God threatening to withdraw his presence from the people, and Achan and his family being put to death. When Israel eliminated the sin from their community, they were victorious.
The Big Question
Achan disobeyed God’s command to destroy everything connected to Jericho. Achan’s sin was indifference to the evil and idolatry, not just a desire for money and clothes. We are also under God’s orders to eliminate any thoughts, practices, or possessions that hinder our devotion to him. Is there anything in your life that you need to eliminate?
Conclude in prayer and silence, reflecting on what you’ve learned.