S145P5 – Lessons from Joshua: the separation of defilement
Jos. 7:10-12
The LORD said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.”
Within the city of Jericho, there were two types of objects. The first type were the things devoted for destruction. [6:17-18] The people were to keep themselves away from these objects because of what they carried. That which is devoted for destruction can bring only destruction. The second type of item were those things considered holy to the Lord. [6:19] These were all types of metals, and they were not to be destroyed but also not meant for the Israelites. They were reserved for God. Thus, as the israelites took Jericho, the city did not actually belong to them. What was not destroyed was reserved for the Lord. Attempting to keep either for themselves would defile God’s people.
As Joshua was on his face asking God why the people were in a tough spot, God set him straight. They had sinned against him and had defiled themselves with the items devoted to destruction, and that put a chasm between them and the Lord. There was a requirement of obedience for them to have his hand of protection over them. This reminds me of the true consequence of sin in our lives with regard to prayer. We know that sin separates us from the Lord, and we know that the prayers of a righteous man availeth much. The question we must ask is whether the unrighteous or the defiled should expect the Lord to answer them. The answer can be found right in this passage and elsewhere in the scriptures. [Psa. 66:18; Isa. 59:2; Pro. 10:24; 1 Jn. 3:21-22]
It is serious business when we turn our faces away from the Lord in search of iniquity. When we walk in disobedience, we have taken the step of separating ourselves from him. If we understand anything about this faith, it must be that sin separates us from God, which is our natural spiritual issue. We must seek obedience at least as much as we seek his blessing. We must desire to please God at least as much as we desire his favor. We cannot expect him to move and work on our behalf when we are working against him in disobedience. Father, increase our desire to be obedient to You, that we would be able to expect your answer and your hand in confidence.