Joshua 7:6-11
‘Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the ground on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. And Joshua said, “Oh, Lord GOD! Why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan, only to hand us over to the Amorites, to eliminate us? If only we had been willing to live beyond the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say since Israel has turned their back before their enemies? For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear about it, and they will surround us and eliminate our name from the earth. And what will You do for Your great name?” So the LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also violated My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things designated for destruction, and have both stolen and kept it a secret. Furthermore, they have also put them among their own things.”‘
Very interesting passage. Joshua and the elders had no idea why they had lost their battle against the tiny city of Ai. They had just come off the stunning victory over Jericho. That was a huge confidence boost. Today’s passage allows us to see that one of Joshua’s fighters had stolen some of the booty and kept it for himself. That was the reason for the failure.
Joshua and the elders met to pray before the Lord to see why God abandoned them. That’s how they saw it. There appears to be some blame in their words. In addition to their accusation, they bring up a compromising concept, “If only we had been willing to live beyond the Jordan!” God never wanted them to stop short of the promised land. To do so would be compromising what God had always promised them. The New Testament refers to this as relying on the flesh, not the Spirit.
Joshua is new to this. When he sent his fighters to attack Ai, they didn’t pray and ask God for permission. If he had, God may have told him about the theft and the defeat may not have happened. One big lesson is to pray before actions.
Another big lesson is not to blame God. They abandoned Him, not the other way around. If we feel abandoned, then pray. Don’t act out on those feelings. We can be honest with God. “Lord, I feel alone here. Help me”.
This must have been a shock to Joshua. As he lays out his complaints and the ramifications, he receives an answer that hadn’t entered his mind. It was their fault. I would have been stunned. I have ranted and hinted at blame to others until they give their explanation. I had it wrong. I was embarrassed and apologetic.
I wrote on this issue last week. Joshua was laying out his fears. Like today, they were unfounded. All that was needed was to hear from God. Alarming events will arise from time to time. Here’s what David did in Psalm 61:2, “From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Regardless of where we are, we can call out to God and He will hear. David was all over the place as Saul and his army chased him. He had plenty of opportunities to be overwhelmed.
I’m presently in a discouraged state. I can do no right with some areas of my life. I bring up honest questions and I’m shot down. It’s been over a year. I feel like I’m persona non grata. I know God knows. I know He will bring me through it. I have to say it’s His will. I may have muddled things along the way. I would say God is okay with this. I say that because it hasn’t changed, nor does it appear to happen any time soon.
I do believe God gives us success in some arenas. I am experiencing that. I feel that with my students. I feel success and blessing with my friends and our bible studies. There is sunshine, just not everywhere. I have to be content with that.
Lord, help me to trust You even in the shadowy areas. I know You walk with me through them. You’ve given me blessings in so many areas. Help me not to get down in the shadows.