JOSHUA 7:16-9:2
ACHAN, THE "TROUBLER". - (V.1) The path of Temptation: "I saw", "I coveted", "I took". What did he risk his life for? "A Babylonish garment , 200 shekels of silver, and a wedge of 50 shekels of gold." The garment symbolized a Babylonian anointing for wealth. Achan lusted for Mammon. Col 3:5 says that covetousness is idolatry.
THE CAPTURE OF AI: This battle symbolizes the "gates of hell" being given over to the Church. The difficulty was that this was a heavily fortified city that would need to be dislodged from their stronghold. Joshua demonstrated the timing of God, marched 30,000 soldiers 6 hours climbing uphill all night to hide in wait for two nights behind the city. They represent the "great cloud of witnesses" who have already died in Christ. The next night, Joshua led the main force (we who are "alive and remain") toward Ai at midnight, dispatched 5000 to wait in ambush along the road to Bethel. At daybreak, Joshua led a frontal assault, staged a feigned retreat. When the defenders came rushing out of the city to chase them, Joshua signaled the soldiers waiting behind the city, who then rushed into the abandoned positions and burned it. At the same time, Joshua wheeled his army 180 degrees to attack, the soldiers from behind who had captured Ai joined from behind, and the 5000 came charging down the slopes on top. Their fate was sealed and not a single soul escaped.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE? Just this: the Church has only "feigned retreat" to draw the enemy out into the open to a vulnerable position. Their defeat is certain. The king of Ai (Satan) was taken alive to Joshua. He was hung on a tree until evening; he had been judged, found guilty, sentenced and destroyed - "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)
IMMEDIATELY AFTER: After fighting all day, Joshua marched the army 20 miles north in order to hear the Word of the Covenant and to choose blessing, fulfilling Deut 11:29-30. Blessings and cursing can come on the same people, depending on their obedience.
THE CONSPIRACY: ALL the kings west of the Jordan, 6 tribes plus the Gibeonites banded together to fight "Joshua and Israel". Jesus has invaded the Land and men are afraid for their lives (the flesh, fleshly agendas, traditions). We want to make a deal, but Joshua came with a sword. (Mat 10:34)
RESPONSE: My flesh shudders in anticipation just reading this account. Some of it is already burning - can't you smell it? I have seen my flesh get flushed out into the open and then get ambushed by God in conviction. Haven't you? Somehow the flesh gets cocky and acts up in confidence, and then BAM! Here comes the Holy Spirit with a sword and some more fire. We should want to be cleansed. And I do. It is a lot of pressure - but that's only my flesh you hear squealing. I want to complain, but that door isn't even open to me! Rejoice! That's what God wants.
LUKE 16:1-18
THE LINK BETWEEN MONEY AND SPIRITUALITY: The way we "steward" money, is how we will "steward" "true riches". V.10 contrasts one who is "faithful" with one who is "unjust". If we can't be trusted with money, then we can't be trusted with ministry either (V.11-12). Money is the litmus test.
SCOFFING VS SUBMITTING: The old dispensation came to a climax with John the Baptist preaching the COMING King and Kingdom of God. While the Pharisees scoff at Jesus (the arrival of the King and the Kingdom), the outcasts are stampeding to get in! ("pressing" - taking the initiative, showing strong desire and earnest effort - the opposite of being passive and indifferent) There has come a transition from the OT Law to the Gospel, but the Pharisees don't even keep the Law they so highly prize! (The Laws concerning divorce and remarriage). The Pharisees are scoffers because of "love of money" and the other issue was "divorce". By playing loose with God's law, they were adulterers, but were still making an outward show of being righteous before men, which made them an "abomination in the sight of God." Their problem was not really legal, but moral.
RESPONSE: I've noticed that people who want to argue about the Gospel don't really have an INTELLECTUAL problem, but a MORAL one. They don't want anyone telling them what to do and especially what NOT to do! There is nothing wrong with money, but there is plenty wrong with letting your money rule you INSTEAD of allowing God to own YOU AND YOUR MONEY. That's why my adult son was baptized with his wallet in his pocket! The Pharisees were using money to make a display and to buy them position in the community. That's money-abuse! Their money also blocked their way into the Kingdom because they loved it!
PSALM 82:1-8
GOD IS THE SUPREME JUDGE: The world is falling apart because "the children of the Most High" are "gods" (they represent God's power and authority to dispense judgment and justice), yet they know nothing, understand nothing and they "walk on in darkness" (disoriented to Reality). They are ignorant, obstinate and determined to walk in their own way! It is the duty of those in authority to protect the weak from the strong.
PROVERBS 13:2-3.
WATCH YOUR MOUTH! "Keep your mouth": to guard, to watch, to watch over, or better yet, blockade it and keep it shut. "Keep his life": to preserve, to protect, to hedge about. RESPONSE: I used to think that if I were unable to speak, I would never sin! I think most of my sinning is done with my mouth! "He who speaks rashly, or unguardedly, will come to ruin." Ain't that the truth!
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