“God says what He means and means what He says.”
So I have heard it told. After reading the story of Joshua and Jericho and the subsequent defeat and ultimate victory at Ai, I would have to agree. The story of both are found in Joshua 5-8, which was my Everyday Gospel (EG) reading for today. Even if you are not taking part in the reading of the EG devotional or in the daily reading associated with it, I’d encourage you to read those chapters sometime today.
Chapter 5 has Israel reestablishing covenant ceremonies with God. There is also an interesting encounter between Joshua and a commander of the Lord’s army.
Chapter 6 is the fall of Jericho. I chuckled as I read the account again and tried to put myself in that situation. The people of Israel walked around the city speechless. Point of interest #1. Point of interest #2 is what the army and the people of Jericho had to be thinking. “Wow. Now that was exciting. They got their daily stretch walk done.” All was fun and games until Day 7 when the people of Israel marched around, shouted and watched the walls come crumbling down.
Chapter 7 is the consequence of disobeying the Lord’s word of not taking anything from Jericho and keeping it for yourself. Little did Joshua know that Achan had stolen articles from Jericho and buried them under his tent. That is, until the army of Israel was routed by the army of Ai. An anguishing, face down inquiry before God revealed Achan’s sin and what was needed to erase the curse.
Chapter 8 is the return trip to Ai and the rout of that city by Joshua and his army.
Chapter 6 contains God’s specific instructions for the defeat and sacking of Jericho. Notice the word specific. Here are some of the words Joshua uses: “completely destroy.” “Do not take any of the things set apart for destruction.” “Everything made from silver, gold, bronze, or iron is sacred to the Lord and must be brought into his treasury.” Words clear; no questions.
Except for Achan. 7:1 opens with “But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord.” Achan is specifically mentioned and Joshua is too soon find that out. I go back to the statement I made at the beginning: “God says what He means and means what He says.” I’m snarky enough to ask, “What part of ‘Do not take’ do you not understand?”
We don’t like to talk about God’s instructions. We often see them as stifling, as God being a cosmic killjoy. First, let’s grasp that He says what He means and means what He says. Second, let’s realize that His instructions are there for our good. God has our best interest in mind. Achan and all the Israelites found out God was not playing games. God is still not playing games. We will still reap what we sow.
