Crossroads Church - Plymouth, IN
Joshua - Jesus in the Old Testament (Chapter 7)
Worship Gathering
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Crossroads Church
1650 N Oak Dr, Plymouth, IN 46563, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
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https://crossroads-efc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/203/responses/newJoshua 7:1 (ESV) - But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.
The reason for this command was so that Israel would put the Lord first in every aspect of life.
The law of firstfruits helps us understand why the choice of this man named Achan was so tragic and clearly an offense to the glory of God.
The law of firstfruits helps us understand why the choice of this man named Achan was so tragic and clearly an offense to the glory of God.
The people were not held accountable for the sin, but they were clearly impacted by the sin.
Joshua 7:5 (ESV) …And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.
Joshua 7:6 (ESV) - Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads.
Joshua 7:6 (ESV) - Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads.
Joshua 7:10–11 (ESV) - The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? 11Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings.
Joshua 7:12 (ESV) - …I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.
Joshua 7:12 (ESV) - …I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.
Joshua 7:20–21 (ESV) - And Achan answered Joshua, “Truly I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I did: 21when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”
More important than the description of the items taken is the clear process by which sin grips our heart! I saw…I coveted…I took…I hid.
Genesis 3:6 (ESV) - So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
James 1:14 (ESV) - But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
More important than the description of the items taken is the clear process by which sin grips our heart! I saw…I coveted…I took…I hid.
Genesis 3:6 (ESV) - So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
James 1:14 (ESV) - But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
The story of Achan is meant…
1. To expose our love of sin more than the holiness of God.
1. To expose our love of sin more than the holiness of God.
The story of Achan is meant…
2. To establish a high value of the justice of God.
Joshua 7:26 (ESV) - Then the Lord turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor.
2. To establish a high value of the justice of God.
Joshua 7:26 (ESV) - Then the Lord turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor.
The story of Achan is meant…
3. To learn what satisfies the anger and wrath of God.
Romans 6:23 (ESV) - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. To learn what satisfies the anger and wrath of God.
Romans 6:23 (ESV) - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Discussion Questions (A reading of Joshua 7 or brief summary would help acclimate everyone to the context before discussion)
1. Do you think it is possible to commit a sin that affects only yourself? If so, name one such sin.
2. According to Joshua 7:1, what was the true issue that caused Israel to lose a battle to Ai? Why was God angry? What does this teach us about God?
3. Why did God allow the sin of Achan to affect the entire nation of Israel? Are there other biblical examples when the sin of one affected others (you can prepare an example to share from the list following the questions)?
4. Review the progression of sin Achan described in verses 20-21. Discuss each step in a practical way? How is Achan’s description similar to Genesis 3:6? What do we learn about temptation and sin for us today and how can we resist the progression of sin?
5. According to Joshua 7:6-12, Joshua turned to prayer in response to the defeat at Ai. In verse 10, God tells Joshua to “Get up!” and to take action against the one who sinned. This is similar to Exodus 14:15-16 when God tells Moses to stop crying out to Him and go forward through the Red Sea. Discuss when it is time to pray and when it is time for action.
6. Describe your reaction to Joshua’s obedience in dealing with the sin. Does the justice God demanded toward Achan and his family trouble you? Why or why not?
(If you have a little more time, consider any of the following as examples of sin and consequence: Acts 5:1-1; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2; 11:1-32 [especially 29-30]; Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Peter 3:7)
1. Do you think it is possible to commit a sin that affects only yourself? If so, name one such sin.
2. According to Joshua 7:1, what was the true issue that caused Israel to lose a battle to Ai? Why was God angry? What does this teach us about God?
3. Why did God allow the sin of Achan to affect the entire nation of Israel? Are there other biblical examples when the sin of one affected others (you can prepare an example to share from the list following the questions)?
4. Review the progression of sin Achan described in verses 20-21. Discuss each step in a practical way? How is Achan’s description similar to Genesis 3:6? What do we learn about temptation and sin for us today and how can we resist the progression of sin?
5. According to Joshua 7:6-12, Joshua turned to prayer in response to the defeat at Ai. In verse 10, God tells Joshua to “Get up!” and to take action against the one who sinned. This is similar to Exodus 14:15-16 when God tells Moses to stop crying out to Him and go forward through the Red Sea. Discuss when it is time to pray and when it is time for action.
6. Describe your reaction to Joshua’s obedience in dealing with the sin. Does the justice God demanded toward Achan and his family trouble you? Why or why not?
(If you have a little more time, consider any of the following as examples of sin and consequence: Acts 5:1-1; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2; 11:1-32 [especially 29-30]; Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Peter 3:7)