Sin & Its Consequences Joshua 7: /02/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles

Sin & Its Consequences Introduction Israel has just been involved in the greatest military conquest in their history. Verse 1 tells us that God was upset with the people. Introduction Israel has just been involved in the greatest military conquest in their history. Verse 1 tells us that God was upset with the people.

Sin & Its Consequences Your spiritual temperature has a deep effect on the entire body of Christ. Sin causes problems. These verses reveal to us the consequences of sin, and the correction that is necessary. Your spiritual temperature has a deep effect on the entire body of Christ. Sin causes problems. These verses reveal to us the consequences of sin, and the correction that is necessary.

Sin & Its Consequences  A Painful Defeat. Israel Was Over-Confident. 2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.  A Painful Defeat. Israel Was Over-Confident. 2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.

Sin & Its Consequences 3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the people will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary all the people, for only a few men are there.” (Joshua 7:2-3, NIV)

Sin & Its Consequences  They already had forgotten that it was God, and not their own ability, that had brought about the wonderful victory at Jericho.  Confidence is a good thing as long as one’s confidence is in the right place.  They already had forgotten that it was God, and not their own ability, that had brought about the wonderful victory at Jericho.  Confidence is a good thing as long as one’s confidence is in the right place.

Sin & Its Consequences Israel Was Defeated. 4 So about three thousand men went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, Israel Was Defeated. 4 So about three thousand men went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai,

Sin & Its Consequences 5 who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water. (Joshua 7:1-5, NIV)

Sin & Its Consequences Note some serious mistakes made.  They didn’t pray.  They didn’t take the Ark of the Covenant into the battle.  Israel had their confidence in their own power and not in the Lord. Note some serious mistakes made.  They didn’t pray.  They didn’t take the Ark of the Covenant into the battle.  Israel had their confidence in their own power and not in the Lord.

Sin & Its Consequences They Were Clueless. 5 … At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water. (Joshua 7:1-5, NIV) They Were Clueless. 5 … At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water. (Joshua 7:1-5, NIV)

Sin & Its Consequences  Nothing is right in the life of a believer while there is sin in his midst!  Israel didn’t know at this point what was wrong.  Nothing is right in the life of a believer while there is sin in his midst!  Israel didn’t know at this point what was wrong.

Sin & Its Consequences  A Painful Discovery. Joshua Reacts in Prayer. 6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads.  A Painful Discovery. Joshua Reacts in Prayer. 6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads.

Sin & Its Consequences 7 And Joshua said, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!

Sin & Its Consequences 8 O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? 9 The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?” (Joshua 7:6-9, NIV) 8 O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? 9 The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?” (Joshua 7:6-9, NIV)

Sin & Its Consequences  After the tragedy happens, Joshua finds himself before the Lord in prayer.  Joshua is going to learn that prayer is the correct recourse in a time of trouble, but that prayer will avail nothing until sin has been dealt with.  After the tragedy happens, Joshua finds himself before the Lord in prayer.  Joshua is going to learn that prayer is the correct recourse in a time of trouble, but that prayer will avail nothing until sin has been dealt with.

Sin & Its Consequences God Rehearses the Problem. 10 The LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? God Rehearses the Problem. 10 The LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?

Sin & Its Consequences 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions.

Sin & Its Consequences 12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction. (Joshua 7: 10-12, NIV)

Sin & Its Consequences  While Joshua and Israel try to figure out what is happening, God in Heaven already knows and tells Joshua all about it.  God gives us some insights into sin, of which we need to take note.  While Joshua and Israel try to figure out what is happening, God in Heaven already knows and tells Joshua all about it.  God gives us some insights into sin, of which we need to take note.

Sin & Its Consequences  God knows about our sins – v. 11  God hates our sins – v. 11  God has a plan for our sins v  God will punish our sins v. 15  God knows about our sins – v. 11  God hates our sins – v. 11  God has a plan for our sins v  God will punish our sins v. 15

Sin & Its Consequences  Sin affects those around us – v  Sin hinders God’s work – v. 12  Sin must be dealt with – v.13  Sin affects those around us – v  Sin hinders God’s work – v. 12  Sin must be dealt with – v.13

Sin & Its Consequences  A Painful Death. The Sinner Is Discovered (7:16-18).  The lesson in this for each of us is this: God already knows our sin, and it will be found out.  We may try to hide and cover it up, but it will be found out!  A Painful Death. The Sinner Is Discovered (7:16-18).  The lesson in this for each of us is this: God already knows our sin, and it will be found out.  We may try to hide and cover it up, but it will be found out!

Sin & Its Consequences The Sinner Destroyed (7:22-26).  Achan and all that he had were taken out and stoned to death by the people of Israel.  It didn’t have to end this way! The Sinner Destroyed (7:22-26).  Achan and all that he had were taken out and stoned to death by the people of Israel.  It didn’t have to end this way!

Sin & Its Consequences  Conclusion A hard lesson to be learned! “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 3:23, NIV) 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. (Gal 6:7)  Conclusion A hard lesson to be learned! “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 3:23, NIV) 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. (Gal 6:7)

Sin & Its Consequences Joshua 7: /02/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles