Authority (7)

The cycle of disobedience continued.  Whether it was Noah (after the flood) or the Israelites taken into captivity in Egypt, rebellion against God’s authority was a common theme.  Once delivered from bondage, an entire generation of Israelites died in the wilderness.  A new generation arose and continued the disobedience they had learned.  In fact, they were pretty good at it.  Yet God had promised a land where they would prosper and be set apart for God.

Once Moses had died, Joshua was the leader of God’s people.  His task was to lead them into the Promised Land.

But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things.  And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.

Joshua 7:1 (ESV)

The instructions given by God were clear.  Joshua didn’t misunderstand.  And he passed on God’s directions to the Israelites.  Yet when it came to disposing the Canaanites (enemies within the land), God told Joshua don’t go into battle until the idolatry from within the ranks is removed.

A man named Achan had decided that he could do what he wanted and no one would know.  When going into Jericho and destroying the people, Achan chose to hold back some of the idols for himself.  He hid the items in his tent and went about his business.  Little did he know that his disobedience/rebellion/SIN would affect the entire community.

Upon God’s direction, Joshua brought the people before God clan by clan, family by family, and eventually by individual.  Achan was found out!  And Achan had no option but to confess to his idolatry.

And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver and the cloak and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters and his oxen and donkeys and sheep and his tent and all that he had.  And they brought them up to the Valley of Achor.  And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble upon us?  The LORD brings trouble on you today.”  And all Israel stoned him with stones.  They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones.  And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day.  Then the LORD turned from his burning anger.

Joshua 7:25-26 (ESV emphasis mine) 

One man’s disobedience affected his entire family.  Don’t be fooled!  Your sin affects those around you.  My sin affects my wife, my children, etc.  Choices made today will come to be realized tomorrow.  And God knows all things.

Remember, it’s not only about disobedience and rebellion.  Those things simply point to misplaced authority.  It all belongs to God!