The Comeback
This morning I had a visit from my palliative care Nurse Practitioner. The good news at the end of the day is that I will begin my final tapper to be off of prednisone over the next month. I am told it takes 7-10 days to get over a cold and it seems mine was determined not to break any averages. I’m glad I have turned the corner and look forward to feeling better in coming days.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “The men of Ai struck down about 36 [Israelite soldiers] and chased them from outside the gate to the quarries, striking them down on the descent. As a result, the people’s hearts melted and became like water. Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell before the ark of the Lord with his face to the ground until evening, as did the elders of Israel…” Joshua 7:5,6 HCSB
Joshua’s leadership was endorsed, confirmed and validated by the crossing of the Jordan and victory at Jericho. Then it faced an unexpected and challenging defeat. Confidence was running high among God’s people. When the scouts went into the next town; it was found smaller and looked like a much easier victory. Only a portion of the army was sent out to the battle. Such was the confidence of the people.
Then a sudden turn of events, like an overconfident team, playing a weaker opponent, finds the armies come running back to camp with their “tails between their legs.” In a moment, the courage and confidence of the people turns into fear and panic. The “joy of victory has met the agony of defeat.”
Joshua and the leaders go into mourning and crying out to the Lord. But in their prayers their hearts and minds are revealed. “…why did You ever bring these people across the Jordan to hand us over to the Amorites for our destruction? If only we had been content to remain on the other side of the Jordan! What can I say, Lord, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies? When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth….” (Joshua 7:7-9 HCSB)
Their words reveal the true panic about what is happening and concern that they will only have one victory in the “season of conquest.” They begin to play the “if only” game. Then they doom themselves to defeat by the Canaanites in the land, without playing the “second half.”
The Lord’s response is to the point. “The Lord then said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why are you on the ground? Israel has sinned.” (Joshua 7:10,11 HCSB) The problem was not with God and His faithfulness, but the failure of God’s people. As the investigation reveals, it was the failure of one man! One man’s covetousness and disobedience caused an inordinate degree of suffering and despair among the people.
A man by the name of Achan was revealed to have taken some spoils of war for himself. (Joshua 7:20,21) His actions brought trouble on all Israel and in turn all Israel brought trouble on him and his family and stoned them to death. As the sin is revealed and dealt with, the people are now ready to resume their task of entering the Promised Land.
The prior defeat, provides an opportunity for a “trick play” in battle. All the army goes to war, but only a portion confronts the armies of Ai head on. The others lie in ambush behind the city. Israel’s armies run away as if defeated and when all the men leave the city those in hiding run into the city and set the city on fire.
The armies of Israel carry away all the spoils of the war. Borrowing imagery from the Broncos Super Bowl victories, I can see Joshua raising his spear among the rubble of Jericho saying, “This one is for the Lord!” As he stands in the ashes and ruins of Ai, he says, “This one is for the armies of Israel!”
The take away is simply this: When we put the Lord first and honor Him, He brings the victories and rewards to our life for the battles we fight. We never have to be concerned about what has been given to the Lord or putting Him first. He will take care of us in due time and in abundance. When failure comes, it is usually because of “sin” and not the Lord’s lack of faithfulness.
“For a righteous man may fall seven times, And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.”
(Proverbs 24:16 NKJV)