Consecration for blessing

SUMMARY: The victory over Jericho filled Joshua with fame and glory, but he was misguided in his decision to send only 3,000 men to conquer Ai, resulting in a humiliating defeat. The sin of one man, Achan, affected the entire community of faith and violated the covenant. The sin of individuals within the church today can have serious consequences for the community, and the Lord does not walk with half measures when it comes to sin. However, there is always hope, and the Lord invites us to consecration, to purity, and to confess our sins for his cleansing. The heart of the problem for God's people today is not to forget that Jesus must be at the center of everything.

The victories that God grants us should not be the cause of triumphalism. If we have succeeded, it is by his grace and merit and awards only correspond to him. We must not underestimate the enemy even when we are aware that God is on our side, that he is marching in front of our battles. Glory is always from God in all circumstances.

The incredible victory over Jericho filled Joshua with fame and glory. Chapter 6 ends like this: “The Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land. (Joshua 6.27). Fame can eat away at the brain and blur us. God had ordered all the warriors of his people to march to conquer the small town of Ai, but Joshua, misguided by his spies, decided to send only 3,000 men. The result was a shameful and humiliating military defeat. On the other hand, a warrior from the tribe of Judah had appropriated a booty of gold, silver and other belongings that God had ordered to destroy. The sin of one man affected all the people, the covenant had been violated. Doesn't it remind us of the Garden of Eden? Because of Adam's stumbling, all mankind was marked by sin. Because of Achan, the Lord's purpose of continuing to conquer the promised land was temporarily not achieved.