Defeat At Ai - Joshua 7

 

Joshua 7 – Defeat at Ai

 

Because of one man, Achan, who committed a sin, the whole nation had to suffer. “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.” I Cor.12:26

Jericho represents the world. Ai represents the flesh. The flesh has many people under its charge. They think they are living the Christian life, yet they do not know what it is. The victorious life is His life. He is the One who gets the victory and not us.

They had overcome Jericho, it was God’s victory, but Israel thought of it as their victory. They said, “Ai is nothing compared to Jericho.” Israel was defeated by the men of Ai. You and I are defeated by the flesh. Like us, the Israelites did not recognize their weakness. God wants to live the Christian life through you. It is only when we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God that we can live the Christian life.

Joshua could not understand why he lost the battle. He cried out and torn his clothes. He didn’t know his people had sinned. God told Joshua that sin was in the camp and that he would have to deal with it. The tribe of Judah and the family of the Zarhites were found to be guilty. Achan saw, he coveted, and he took. Gossip, criticism, envy, and jealousy are all sins of the flesh. They cause strife and trouble. Achan confessed his sins.

The thing to do is to keep the communication open between you and God. And the only way you can do it is by confessing your sins. True confession spells it out as Achan did. “I saw them, I coveted them; I took them.” Tell God everything that is in your heart- just open it up to Him. You might as well tell Him because He already knows all about it. There can be no joy in your life, no power, no victory in your life until confession is made.

“For if you live after the flesh you shall die; but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.: Romans 8:13.

 

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.