In Joshua Chapter 5 Jesus, as captain of the host of the LORD, appeared to Joshua and outlined how Jericho was to be conquered. Although there would be effort on the part of the Israelis in marching around Jericho for seven days, the victory was due to God’s intervention. Therefore, no private taking of spoil, Joshua 19, “But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.”
However, unbeknownst to Joshua, one of the Israelis had taken spoil. Because of this disobedience, the Israelis were defeated when they attacked Ai. Joshua 7:1, “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.”
It was determined that Achan of the tribe of Judah had taken booty, Joshua 7:20-21, “20, And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: 21, When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.”
“When I saw . . . I coveted . . . and took" is how The Believer's Bible Commentary summarizes verse 21 and relates it to James 1:14-15, “14, But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15, Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” The eye is said to be the portal through which Satan tempts fallen man, in this case silver and gold.
As an appeasement to God for this disobedience Achan he and his family were stoned and burned. Now back in God’s graces, Joshua and his men again attacked Ai and were successful. As the Israelis were instrumental in this victory, they were allowed to keep “only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves.”
As an aside, I’m reminded of the difference between justification and sanctification. Ephesians 2:8-9, “8, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9, Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Here the victory over Jericho was a gift from God with no risk to the Israeli. Just as the Israeli fought the enemy at Ai, we work through our sanctification.
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