Rutashubanyuma
JF-Expert Member
- Sep 24, 2010
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- #1,001
Joshua 5:13-7:26
Two types of ground to stand on: holy or hidden
Is there any area of your life that you keep hidden because it is a place of secret sin?
In this passage we see two contrasting kinds of ground. We see Joshua standing on holy ground (5:15). On the other hand, we see Achan standing on the ground of hidden sin (7:21–22).
God’s messenger appears to Joshua. Whether it was an angel of the Lord or the second person of the Trinity (Jesus), we do not know. What we do know is that Joshua ‘fell face down to the ground in reverence’ (5:14) and was told, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy’ (v.15).
There are times in life when the presence of God seems to be so strong that we sense we are standing on holy ground. All we can do is fall down to the ground and worship.
God gave Joshua success (6:1–26): ‘The Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land’ (v.27). His success did not come from the size of his army, the power of his weapons or his skill as a leader; it came from his faith in God, which led him to follow God’s instructions.
Likewise, the prostitute Rahab, her family and all who belonged to her were spared because of her faith, which led to an act of kindness towards God’s servants (v.25).
In the New Testament, both Joshua and Rahab are recognised as heroes of faith: ‘By faith the walls of Jericho fell… By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient’ (Hebrews 11:30–31).
The book of Joshua raises many difficult questions to which we may struggle to find answers. As Christians, again we have to remember to read it through the lens of Jesus and the New Testament.
The book of Hebrews suggests that the promised land is a picture of the blessings you receive by obedience, that is, by faith in Jesus: ‘For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day... Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience’ (4:8–11).
One incident of such ‘disobedience’ is seen in Achan, whose coveting led to him disobeying God and taking silver and gold, which he eventually admits ‘are hidden in the ground inside my tent’ (Joshua 7:21). Sure enough, Joshua’s messengers ‘ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath’ (v.22).
We need to be aware of the danger of compartmentalising our lives. Like Achan’s tent, everything can look respectable on the surface, but underneath, hidden away, there lurks sin. Other people cannot see the compartments of our lives where sin resides, but God can.
Achan’s sin did not just affect him. It affected the whole camp. God wanted a holy people who were consecrated to him (v.13). Sin and disobedience in the camp affected their purity. The Lord said, ‘You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it’ (v.13).
It is a good question to ask: Is there some area that is not consecrated to God, which is stopping me from receiving the blessings and victory God wants to give to his people?
My experience has been that the Holy Spirit continues to shine his light on the ‘hidden’ areas of my life that I need to deal with. The process will probably never be complete this side of heaven.
The good news for us is that we need no longer fear the punishment of sin that Achan faced. Through Jesus, no matter what your failings have been, you are forgiven and restored.
Lord, I consecrate my life to you again today. Thank you that you go with me as you went with Joshua. I choose today the path of your will for my life – holiness and honour.
Two types of ground to stand on: holy or hidden
Is there any area of your life that you keep hidden because it is a place of secret sin?
In this passage we see two contrasting kinds of ground. We see Joshua standing on holy ground (5:15). On the other hand, we see Achan standing on the ground of hidden sin (7:21–22).
God’s messenger appears to Joshua. Whether it was an angel of the Lord or the second person of the Trinity (Jesus), we do not know. What we do know is that Joshua ‘fell face down to the ground in reverence’ (5:14) and was told, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy’ (v.15).
There are times in life when the presence of God seems to be so strong that we sense we are standing on holy ground. All we can do is fall down to the ground and worship.
God gave Joshua success (6:1–26): ‘The Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land’ (v.27). His success did not come from the size of his army, the power of his weapons or his skill as a leader; it came from his faith in God, which led him to follow God’s instructions.
Likewise, the prostitute Rahab, her family and all who belonged to her were spared because of her faith, which led to an act of kindness towards God’s servants (v.25).
In the New Testament, both Joshua and Rahab are recognised as heroes of faith: ‘By faith the walls of Jericho fell… By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient’ (Hebrews 11:30–31).
The book of Joshua raises many difficult questions to which we may struggle to find answers. As Christians, again we have to remember to read it through the lens of Jesus and the New Testament.
The book of Hebrews suggests that the promised land is a picture of the blessings you receive by obedience, that is, by faith in Jesus: ‘For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day... Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience’ (4:8–11).
One incident of such ‘disobedience’ is seen in Achan, whose coveting led to him disobeying God and taking silver and gold, which he eventually admits ‘are hidden in the ground inside my tent’ (Joshua 7:21). Sure enough, Joshua’s messengers ‘ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath’ (v.22).
We need to be aware of the danger of compartmentalising our lives. Like Achan’s tent, everything can look respectable on the surface, but underneath, hidden away, there lurks sin. Other people cannot see the compartments of our lives where sin resides, but God can.
Achan’s sin did not just affect him. It affected the whole camp. God wanted a holy people who were consecrated to him (v.13). Sin and disobedience in the camp affected their purity. The Lord said, ‘You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it’ (v.13).
It is a good question to ask: Is there some area that is not consecrated to God, which is stopping me from receiving the blessings and victory God wants to give to his people?
My experience has been that the Holy Spirit continues to shine his light on the ‘hidden’ areas of my life that I need to deal with. The process will probably never be complete this side of heaven.
The good news for us is that we need no longer fear the punishment of sin that Achan faced. Through Jesus, no matter what your failings have been, you are forgiven and restored.
Lord, I consecrate my life to you again today. Thank you that you go with me as you went with Joshua. I choose today the path of your will for my life – holiness and honour.