"I wanted them so much... I took them!"

Hey Guys~

Today I read from the book of Joshua. Many things stood out to me.
The Lord told them (when they were to attack Jericho)
"Do not take any of the things set apart for destruction, or you yourselves will be completely destroyed, and you will bring trouble on the camp of Israel."

Then they attacked Jericho, and followed his instructions and that intimidating place was defeated. So, when they moved on to a smaller town-- they became overconfident... in themselves. They were so confident they told Joshua they shouldn't bother sending everyone- they should just send a few thousand. However, though, humanly speaking, they should have been able to win--- they lost. They had placed their trust in themselves, because the task seemed easy, but the Lord was not with them. Someone had taken the things they should not have... so even in this little task they failed (because the Lord was not with them--- "apart from me you can do nothing").

Joshua (who had no idea about the sin) was devastated and threw himself on the ground--- mourning and pleading... But God said, "Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have STOLEN some of the things I commanded must be set apart for me. (what do we steal from the Lord?) And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings (as if they belonged to us!). THAT is why the Israelites are running... in defeat.... I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction."

All of this got me thinking... what have I stolen... or what am I tempted to steal that the Lord has told me I must not take? The things set apart for him... And what are we tempted to unite ourselves with or waste our time with, that are things of destruction or things set apart for destruction? And do I then make the connection that the Lord will leave me if I do this? Do I realize when things are going wrong it could be for this reason? Do I examine myself and whether or not I see evidence that "the Lord is with me"... for when the Lord was with Joseph he made him prosper in all he did.

I read on... for who would do such a thing? Ah!!! Listen to this
The guilty party is found... and he confesses .."I wanted them so much that I took them."
I hear his desire... he saw these things, right before his eyes... They were so easy to just reach out and take... They were beautiful, exquisite, temptingly beautiful things... his lust overcame him. In a moment he forgot the Lord's command, his mind being so fixed on these objects of desire (instead of on God). My heart aches--- for this resonates to well with me. How easy it is to fall in a moment! What is it that tempts ME to disobey the Lord? What desires make me weak? Am I filling my mind with my desires or with Christ? I will be strengthened or weakened accordingly. (He who thinks he stands, take heed, lest ye fall! And how I have fallen in the past...)

And then the troubling part... even after confessing... Achan must face the consequences... Death was promised if the command was broken... and death is given--- not only to Achan (and the thirty something other men killed in the failed attack) but death is brought to his sons and daughters. All this troubled me greatly. Why must they be killed too? Is there some application for this to me? Will my sins bring death to not only myself... but to the ones I love most? God forbid! (but then... sin affects many, not just the one sinning... Just as depression affects not only the person depressed but the ones who love the person who is depressed).

The clincher?
In the very next battle... the Lord tells the Israelites that NOW they may keep things for themselves. IF ONLY Achan had waited just a little while....

How many times has that been true in my life? (I tremble at the thought) or yours?
What is God telling us to wait for now? Let us wait... and not experience the bitterness of looking back in regret and agony, saying, "If only I had waited on the Lord! If only I had obeyed!"


---
Curious as to your thoughts, when/if you get the time
~Ella :)