Theme: SERVING GOD IN SINCERITY AND IN TRUTH
Text: “And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.” – Joshua 7:10, 11.
Comment: There are examples in the Bible of people who were insincere in their service to God. One of them was Achan. Contrary to clear instructions that none of the Jews who went to war at that time should take anything from the enemies, he collected items as booty from the war against Jericho and hid them in his tent. His trespass caused the Israelites to be defeated in a subsequent battle at Ai, leading to the death of thirty six men. When Joshua prayed to God it was revealed to him that Israel had sinned by taking on their accursed thing contrary to the oath that they swore to. (Joshua 7:6-12). Joshua was told that he could not stand before his enemies until the iniquity was removed. When they cast lots it fell on Achan who confessed to his sins in that he collected gold, silver and garments which he hid in his tents. He was subsequently stoned to death and buried along with his property. He died due to lack of contentment, carnal-mindedness. He had a covetous spirit which pushed him into disobeying the instruction from God and thus, died for it. “As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.” – Jeremiah 17:11.