Joshua 7:11 - Israel has sinned. Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them. Yes, they have even taken some of the devoted things, and have also stolen, and also deceived. They have even put it among their own stuff.
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What does "Joshua 7:11" mean?
This verse from Joshua 7:11 is a powerful indictment against the Israelites and explains why they suffered defeat in their battle against Ai (detailed in the earlier verses of Joshua 7). Let's break it down:
"Israel has sinned." This is a blanket statement declaring that the entire nation is guilty of wrongdoing. While one individual committed the act, the failure to keep the covenant and follow God's instructions had consequences for everyone.
"Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them." This is the heart of the issue. God had established a covenant (agreement) with Israel, which included specific rules and obligations. By disobeying, they had broken their commitment to God, which had serious consequences.
"Yes, they have even taken some of the devoted things, and have also stolen, and also deceived." This specifies the nature of the sin:
"Devoted things": After the conquest of Jericho, God had commanded that all the silver, gold, bronze, and iron be devoted to the Lord's treasury (Joshua 6:19). These were to be set aside as holy and for God's use.
"Stolen": Taking the devoted things was considered an act of theft against God himself.
"Deceived": This suggests a deliberate attempt to hide the crime, lying about their actions.
"They have even put it among their own stuff." This reveals the motive: greed. The person(s) who stole the devoted things did so for personal gain, selfishly incorporating holy items into their personal belongings.
In Summary:
The verse describes a severe breach of faith. The Israelites, through the actions of one or more individuals, violated their covenant with God by stealing items that were meant to be devoted to Him. They prioritized their own desires over God's commands and actively tried to conceal their sin. This disobedience and betrayal of trust resulted in God withdrawing His support, leading to the Israelites' defeat at Ai.
Significance:
This passage is important for several reasons:
Sin has consequences: It demonstrates that disobedience, even if committed by a few, can have far-reaching effects on the entire community.
The importance of obedience: It underscores the necessity of following God's commands, even when they seem difficult or inconvenient.
The severity of sacrilege: It highlights the seriousness of treating holy things as common or taking what belongs to God.
The need for accountability: The story emphasizes the importance of holding individuals and communities accountable for their actions and seeking forgiveness when they have sinned.
The story of Achan and the devoted things in Joshua 7 serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of sin, the importance of obedience, and the consequences of breaking covenant with God.
Joshua 7:11 - Israel has sinned. Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them. Yes, they have even taken some of the devoted things, and have also stolen, and also deceived. They have even put it among their own stuff.
What does "Joshua 7:11" mean?
This verse from Joshua 7:11 is a powerful indictment against the Israelites and explains why they suffered defeat in their battle against Ai (detailed in the earlier verses of Joshua 7). Let's break it down:
"Israel has sinned." This is a blanket statement declaring that the entire nation is guilty of wrongdoing. While one individual committed the act, the failure to keep the covenant and follow God's instructions had consequences for everyone.
"Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them." This is the heart of the issue. God had established a covenant (agreement) with Israel, which included specific rules and obligations. By disobeying, they had broken their commitment to God, which had serious consequences.
"Yes, they have even taken some of the devoted things, and have also stolen, and also deceived." This specifies the nature of the sin:
"Devoted things": After the conquest of Jericho, God had commanded that all the silver, gold, bronze, and iron be devoted to the Lord's treasury (Joshua 6:19). These were to be set aside as holy and for God's use.
"Stolen": Taking the devoted things was considered an act of theft against God himself.
"Deceived": This suggests a deliberate attempt to hide the crime, lying about their actions.
"They have even put it among their own stuff." This reveals the motive: greed. The person(s) who stole the devoted things did so for personal gain, selfishly incorporating holy items into their personal belongings.
In Summary:
The verse describes a severe breach of faith. The Israelites, through the actions of one or more individuals, violated their covenant with God by stealing items that were meant to be devoted to Him. They prioritized their own desires over God's commands and actively tried to conceal their sin. This disobedience and betrayal of trust resulted in God withdrawing His support, leading to the Israelites' defeat at Ai.
Significance:
This passage is important for several reasons:
Sin has consequences: It demonstrates that disobedience, even if committed by a few, can have far-reaching effects on the entire community.
The importance of obedience: It underscores the necessity of following God's commands, even when they seem difficult or inconvenient.
The severity of sacrilege: It highlights the seriousness of treating holy things as common or taking what belongs to God.
The need for accountability: The story emphasizes the importance of holding individuals and communities accountable for their actions and seeking forgiveness when they have sinned.
The story of Achan and the devoted things in Joshua 7 serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of sin, the importance of obedience, and the consequences of breaking covenant with God.