What Are We Hiding?
By: Lynne Conley
Scripture Text: ‘’And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth’’. (Luke 12:15 KJV)
Joshua was the son of Nun from the tribe of Ephraim. He became the leader over the Israelites after the death of Moses. Joshua had the credentials to be a great leader from his past experiences under the leadership of Moses.
The definition for credential(s) is:
- Testimonials or certified documents showing that a person is entitled to a credit or has a right to exercise official power. (Merriam Webster)
The battle of Jericho was their most important battle. The Israelites thought to themselves the rest of the battle would be a simple task. Joshua sent out two spies to examine the land. He wanted to know how much food, water, and other supplies the city had stored up and to check the height and width of the walls. This would help Joshua determine how they could get over the walls. Joshua ordered the crowd to march around Jericho for seven days.
On the seventh day the walls of Jericho came down. God had forbidden anyone from taking any of the material goods from the city of Jericho for themselves. The herds of cattle were killed. The only possessions they were supposed to pack away were the gold, silver, bronze, and all the vessels of iron that was in the tabernacle.’’ And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it’’. (Joshua 6:18 KJV)
Achan disobeyed and secretly put all the things he had stolen in his tent. The Israelites were trying to defeat Ali in battle. Ali was a small town; they were surprised that the men of Ali killed thirty-six of the Israelite men. They chased the other men down the hill. All of people of Israel were so scared and frightened. Joshua was in great sorrow so he tore his clothes.
God told Joshua that someone under his authority didn’t follow the instructions and is hiding a sin that’s why they weren’t winning the battle against Ali. God told Joshua to tell the people of Israel the next morning about the sin in the camp. Joshua told the people that there was sin in the camp. God told Joshua how he could find the man who did wrong.
God would narrow it down to see that the wrongdoer was found. Achan admitted about his wrongdoings against God. He told them that all those things he had stolen were buried under his tent. ‘’ And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD. And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones’’. (Joshua 7:23-25 KJV)
There was a great triumph for Joshua against Ali. Covetousness is a contagious sin; it has cost so many people their very own lives. Our society is full of greedy, selfish, and prideful people. We all need to be more thankful for what we have, and we shouldn’t complain, whine, and pass judgment on others. We all need to be more concerned about others and help and love all we can while we are here. We should count our many blessings one by one. Stay Encouraged!
