Achan answered Joshua:
It’s true, I have against the Lord, the God of Israel, sinned. That and I have done.
Joshua 7, 20
My friend had for a long long time many health complaints. The variety of nausea, rapid heartbeat, loss of appetite, abdominal pain … He bought a lot of medicine, but all helped very little. As he went for an investigation and as the doctor shone a light through him he found a small gallstone. Could a small stone should be the cause of so many and such severe symptoms? Well, after some time he still went back and they removed the stone. And lo and behold: all the complaints were gone! He was of course very happy!
In the same way a small stone produces so many different symptoms, so it is with sin. It is only small and hidden, but has a big impact. Only if you can shine through, can you find them. God is holy, He tolerates no small small sins near to Him! He wants to illuminate us as the doctor-rayed with the apparatus and find small stones. He wants to remove the sin, just as the doctor removed the stones.
Israel had won a great victory in Jericho. But all looted items were to be destroyed, the Israelites were not to take anything from the unholy things! But Achan could not resist and stole some items and buried them in his tent. (What benefit do thing have when they are hidden and buried)? Israel wanted to conquer the nearest town, Ai. But they had to flee. God was not with them. Joshua cried and spread out his grief before God. And the answer: Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction. Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There are devoted things among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them. And Achan was found, he felt convicted and confessed his sin. Everything that did not belong to Israel and made ​it ​unholy was destroyed. And then God’s Word went to Joshua: Do not be afraid to attach Ai, I will bring it now in your hand.
It is good if from time to time we can let God or His servants illuminate us. We want to clean up every little sin, we want to destroy everything that is unclean for God, let us be holy for him! Otherwise sin will make so much trouble in our lives or in the life of the community, such as the small gallstone my friend. You are holy so you can do God’s work!
Thank you, Jesus, you shine your light though us because you want good things for us. You are not the judge, but the doctor and helper. Please, You uncover uncleanness, unholiness and sin, even the small sins! Purify your people and me! I want to be yours.
Bible Reading Today: Psalm 148: 1 – 14