In Part 01, we looked at one of the reasons why
life has bends, twists and turns, making the journey longer and harder than
expected. In order to minimise and eliminate these roadblocks, it is important
to learn and apply the lessons of Scripture.
If you are struggling with unanswered
prayer, a roadblock on your normal path, chronically unresolved issues, or a
general feeling of failure, read on. You may be experiencing exactly what
Joshua did.
One of those lessons is that Joshua and the
children of Israel conquered Jericho with ease, even though it was a formidable
fortress. However, at their next destination Ai, which was much smaller and
thus easier to conquer, they suffered a massive defeat.
The reason? Not the strength of the enemy,
but because of corruption in their own heart. Israel sinned because it touched
the accursed things. As long as they embraced that which God rejects, He would
not be with them and they would fall before their enemies. Whether our enemies
are strong or weak, we need God with us at all times.
Let’s learn more about the problem, so that
we can apply the solution.
The Accursed Thing Will Defeat You
The Hebrew word for ‘accursed’ is cherem,
meaning ‘to ban, devote, or design for total destruction.’ The city
of Jericho was cherem, and all within was to be destroyed. However, a
man name Achan, the son of Carmi, from the tribe of Judah, after the fall of
Jericho, saw a Babylonian garment, silver, and gold. He coveted these accursed
things and took them within his own tent. By touching cherem, he brought
a curse upon himself and judgment on the entire nation.
The Bible does speak of blessing and
cursing. These are real life conditions and they come with a price. According
to Deuteronomy 28, when you diligently obey God’s command, you are
blessed; but if you disobey, the curses will rain down on you. There are 14
verses of blessing and 54 of curses in that chapter alone.
In our day, we need to be ‘word-wise’ regarding
God’s principles. Salvation in Christ is by ‘grace through faith,’ but we are
still duty-bound to obey the Lord’s commands (Matthew 7:21). Obedience means
holiness, sanctification, and righteousness. Jude verse 23 says the righteous
would not even touch the garment soiled by the flesh.
However, to willingly embrace that which God
curses will bring terrible consequences, although not necessarily immediately.
We are still in an age of grace and God wants to give room for repentance. But
we must never forget: we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Even if we eventually
come around, we will lose a lot of ground and our call will only be partially
fulfilled, if at all. This is a high price to pay for a few moments of sensuous
pleasure.
The Remedy
The remedy: cleanse oneself from the unclean thing.
Achan’s sin was discovered, he made a full confession, but unfortunately it was
not enough to save him. He and his family were stoned to death in the Valley of
Achor, meaning trouble. Embracing cherem is of the ultimate
condemnation. Joshua 22:20 summaries the situation well:
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a
trespass in the cursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel?
And that man did not perish alone in his iniquity.
Ultimately, Joshua led Israel into corporate
repentance. Once completed, they went up to Ai a second time and prevailed.
On a positive note, let’s take a moment to focus on Rahab,
whose story is in Joshua 2. It was bad enough that she was a harlot. But to add
to her condemnation, she came from the accursed city of Jericho, a Canaanite of
the land. In essence, she was a condemned woman.
Yet, Rahab did not share the fate of Achan.
The reason: she hid the Israelite spies with peace, meaning she exercised
faith. She received commendation in both testaments (Joshua 6:17, 25; Hebrews
11:31; James 2:25); married a man named Salmon, and they had a child called
Boaz, who married another virtuous Gentile, Ruth. Rehab and Ruth are named as
an ancestors of the Messiah.
In short, embrace that which God curses and
condemnation will come. Or, repent and believe the gospel and you will pass
from curse to blessing. Now is the time!
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