Joshua 7 – 8 Israel and the Battle of Ai / Sin and Consequences

Joshua 7 – 8 Israel and the Battle of Ai / Sin and Consequences
The Lord specified what to do with certain spoils from Jericho. Let’s read about how one person responded to those directions.
Joshua 7: 1-15
One man sinned Achan – What were the consequences?
4 Battle lost to a few Ai-s.
5 36 men died.
5 The people’s hearts became like water.
6 Joshua and the Elders lost faith in God. (Why?)
12 Israel cannot stand before their enemies.
12 Israel has become accursed.
12 I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things in your midst.

Why did Achan’s sin result in consequences for the whole nation?

Let’s spend a few minutes looking at how wide the impact of our sin goes.
I’ll pick something easy. Let’s say that someone makes some bad decisions – like Achan – and sees something he wants – like Meth – and takes it- and gets hooked on the drug. It destroys the person’s body, but what else happens? Family – friends – the public – all suffer.

Now let’s bring it home. What about your sin? How wide are those consequences spread?
Family – Friends-Church- community- work?
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What was Joshua’s concern after the defeat in Battle? Why did you bring us here? What about your (God’s reputation). Why was Joshua concerned about God’s reputation?

What was God’s concern after the battle? –Israel’s sin/ Obedience - how were these two different?

Joshua 7:16-26

More stones – Another reminder

Why do you think God commanded them to kill and burn Achan and all that belonged to him?
Sin is Serious.
Joshua 8:1-13 and 18 and 25-29.
Israel won the 2nd battle of Ai with God’s help.

What was the difference for most of Israel (all but Achan) between Battle #1 and Battle #2?
What do these events say about God’s character?
What does this story tell us about our sin?
If you look at your daily schedule as a battle, how should you prepare for it in light of this story?
8:30-35 – Another Rockpile. This alter, with the commandments written on it, served as a reminder to Israel of the consequences of disobedience. What serves as a reminder to obey God in your life?