Sin in the Camp

“Israel has sinned and broken my covenant!  They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me.  And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings…I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.  Joshua 7:11,12 (NIV)

After the battle of Jericho, God told Israel to set apart the things made from silver, gold, bronze, or iron for Him.  One man, Achan, disobeyed and his disobedience brought judgment on Israel.  They were soundly defeated at Ai, a battle they should have easily won, because God was angry with them.

In our churches today, the pews are full of people who are sinning against God.  They may be cheating on their spouse or planning to divorce them.  Maybe they have lied or gossiped about someone and brought dishonor to that person. Perhaps a young couple is living together outside of marriage.  Or It could be one of those “little sins” that we hardly think is worth mentioning.  But, any sin, in God’s eyes, is serious. In 1 Corinthians 5:6 Paul says, Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast…”  In other words, get rid of sin or it will spread through the whole church. Why, then, do we look the other way when we see people, who call themselves Christians, openly sinning with no thought of repentance? God turned His back on the nation of Israel because of one man’s sin.  Do we really think He doesn’t notice? Maybe God has left our church and we don’t even know it!