The Closet
June 1
Hidden Treasures.
Joshua 7:1-26
Jesus has been going through our lives room by room. Pushing and shoving, intimating himself in every area of our lives. Sooner or later, he’s going to start asking embarrassing questions. Like, what’s that funny odor? What’s that terrible smell? Then he’s going to go right to the closet at the top of the stairs and say, “I think it’s coming from here. Can I open the door and take a look?” What will you do then?
The Story of Achan Joshua 7.
Joshua is leading the Hebrews to take the Promised land. They had just defeated the city of Jericho. This victory was purely an act of God—his crushing the wall of defense, so the armies of the Israel are able to attack and conquer the well defended city. Now, this conquest wasn’t just about real estate. It was an act of God’s judgment. The cities of the Canaanites were to be totally delivered over to the Lord. The army swore a solemn vow not to keep any of the plunder. Every person and every thing was devoted to the Lord-meaning completely destroyed.
Joshua 7:1 26 a bible study.
V 1—Yet Israel acted unfaithfully—though it was one individual, the entire people is indicted. This is a theme throughout—corporate responsibility.
V 2-5—Because of their victory at Jericho, Israel is confident. They didn’t seek the Lord. They thought that this one little city we can handle ourselves. They are destroyed. Individual sin leads to 36 deaths and widespread panic.
V 6-9—now the leaders call on the Lord. “Lord, why did you do this? This disaster is all your fault!
V 10-15—the Lord responds with a dope slap. What do you mean me? You guys have sinned. You only win because of me, and I won’t be with you if you cling to sin. Therefore, sin and you lose me in your corner. Repent and I’ll draw near again.
V 16-21—the whole community is brought to trial. Everyone is examining their heart. Then they find the man and he admits his sin.
V 22-23—proof is provided.
V 24-26—judgment and sentence are carried out. Achan was given opportunity to repent, which he did, thus saving his soul. But justice is met through his punishment. His disobedience, his arrogance to think that God would not see his sin, or that his love of riches was greater than his love of God. For God to let that sin go is like letting cancer go through the body unchecked. Israel was on the verge of establishing an outpost of God’s kingdom. A small patch of light in a world covered in darkness. The stakes could not be higher.
Reflection
Things are not so different today. Our private sins, our privately treasured sins have public consequences. It could be that the lack of fruitfulness in our community stems from un-confessed sin. As members of this community of faith, we all share the responsibility for its success. Like Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land, the work of establishing a church is impossible apart from God.
But what are we to do? How do we work for holiness, purity of heart? Anyone who has struggled with sin will sooner or later find a sin that can not be removed through our effort and willpower. The work is done through allowing Jesus to clean our the closet for us. How do we do this? The work is coming to him. Admitting to him our weakness and asking for help. We do this through confessing our sin to another in Christ.
Did you get that last point? Confessing our sin to God in the privacy of our prayer closet is good, but if you are serious about repentance, if you intend to rid your self not only of your sin but of any habit of sin, confess your sin to another brother or sister in Christ. Trust me. I practice confession and it works.
So, what have you got stuffed in your closet? Is Jesus knocking on the door? It’s embarrassing to admit to our sin to a friend, but what a relief to have that sin dealt with, to have Jesus clean out the closet. It’s an important key to personal freedom. It is also the key to leading an effective life.
Grace and peace,
James
Hidden Treasures.
Joshua 7:1-26
Jesus has been going through our lives room by room. Pushing and shoving, intimating himself in every area of our lives. Sooner or later, he’s going to start asking embarrassing questions. Like, what’s that funny odor? What’s that terrible smell? Then he’s going to go right to the closet at the top of the stairs and say, “I think it’s coming from here. Can I open the door and take a look?” What will you do then?
The Story of Achan Joshua 7.
Joshua is leading the Hebrews to take the Promised land. They had just defeated the city of Jericho. This victory was purely an act of God—his crushing the wall of defense, so the armies of the Israel are able to attack and conquer the well defended city. Now, this conquest wasn’t just about real estate. It was an act of God’s judgment. The cities of the Canaanites were to be totally delivered over to the Lord. The army swore a solemn vow not to keep any of the plunder. Every person and every thing was devoted to the Lord-meaning completely destroyed.
Joshua 7:1 26 a bible study.
V 1—Yet Israel acted unfaithfully—though it was one individual, the entire people is indicted. This is a theme throughout—corporate responsibility.
V 2-5—Because of their victory at Jericho, Israel is confident. They didn’t seek the Lord. They thought that this one little city we can handle ourselves. They are destroyed. Individual sin leads to 36 deaths and widespread panic.
V 6-9—now the leaders call on the Lord. “Lord, why did you do this? This disaster is all your fault!
V 10-15—the Lord responds with a dope slap. What do you mean me? You guys have sinned. You only win because of me, and I won’t be with you if you cling to sin. Therefore, sin and you lose me in your corner. Repent and I’ll draw near again.
V 16-21—the whole community is brought to trial. Everyone is examining their heart. Then they find the man and he admits his sin.
V 22-23—proof is provided.
V 24-26—judgment and sentence are carried out. Achan was given opportunity to repent, which he did, thus saving his soul. But justice is met through his punishment. His disobedience, his arrogance to think that God would not see his sin, or that his love of riches was greater than his love of God. For God to let that sin go is like letting cancer go through the body unchecked. Israel was on the verge of establishing an outpost of God’s kingdom. A small patch of light in a world covered in darkness. The stakes could not be higher.
Reflection
Things are not so different today. Our private sins, our privately treasured sins have public consequences. It could be that the lack of fruitfulness in our community stems from un-confessed sin. As members of this community of faith, we all share the responsibility for its success. Like Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land, the work of establishing a church is impossible apart from God.
But what are we to do? How do we work for holiness, purity of heart? Anyone who has struggled with sin will sooner or later find a sin that can not be removed through our effort and willpower. The work is done through allowing Jesus to clean our the closet for us. How do we do this? The work is coming to him. Admitting to him our weakness and asking for help. We do this through confessing our sin to another in Christ.
Did you get that last point? Confessing our sin to God in the privacy of our prayer closet is good, but if you are serious about repentance, if you intend to rid your self not only of your sin but of any habit of sin, confess your sin to another brother or sister in Christ. Trust me. I practice confession and it works.
So, what have you got stuffed in your closet? Is Jesus knocking on the door? It’s embarrassing to admit to our sin to a friend, but what a relief to have that sin dealt with, to have Jesus clean out the closet. It’s an important key to personal freedom. It is also the key to leading an effective life.
Grace and peace,
James
posted by Scribe @ 1:34 PM
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