Day 20: I trust You, Lord. I will not covet Earthly things. Joshua 7:1
Chapter seven of the book of Joshua starts with the conjunction ‘But’, so go back and read Joshua six to understand what was going on. To summarize it, the battle of Jericho was happening and God told Joshua that everything in the city was accursed except for silver, gold, and vessels of iron and brass. This was to be consecrated (set aside) for the Lord. When the city was overtaken (do you know the children’s song Joshua and the Battle of Jericho?), Joshua and his men burned everything except for the items God told them to take for the treasury.
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. Joshua 7:1 KJV
This Achan fellow wanted something so very badly that even though he was told not to take, he took it anyway.
If you recall, in Deuteronomy 31, Moses assured the people that God would be with them and destroy the people in the lands He promised them. God seconded this, but also prophesied to Moses and Joshua that His people would forsake Him. He confirmed that He was with them in every battle. They won the fights they were led by Him to battle. Victory was theirs! In verse 18 of chapter 18, The Israelites were warned that if they disobeyed, they would cause a curse to come upon the people of their camp.
Their sights, in chapter seven, were set on Ai. Because of their success and how small this army was, they sent only a portion of their men out who were slaughtered. In distress, Joshua cried out to God. “Lord, how is that we have been beaten by such a small group when we have defeated even the largest armies. Now the others will hear of this and think they can pick us off like nothing! Why, Lord!! WHY!!!”
When we ask, He always has an answer (not always how we expect Him to) and in true to form, He answered Joshua.
And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Joshua 7:11-12 (KJV)
God told Joshua to find the person with the accursed thing and he, and everything he has, shall be burned. Obediently, Joshua called for each tribe, family by family and sought out the person who disobeyed God.
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. Joshua 7:21
Achan wanted these things so badly, he didn’t care that he was commanded not to take them. His sights were set on earthly things. So he took them and this action brought defeat onto them as God took His favor from them. Upon finding the items, Joshua and all of the Israelites stoned Achan, his family, his animals, and every living thing and burned all of their belongings.
Today, we still have people coveting after earthly things and riches. Thankfully, the times have changed where people are no longer stoned, but setting your sights on earthly things will only bring you trouble. Keep in mind that you should seek His Kingdom and righteousness first (Matthew 6:33). Get that right and everything will be given to you. What’s everything?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matthew 6:31-32
But more so, whatever you need to complete your assignment will be given. Remember, need is defined by God not man. If you depend on yourself to define your needs, you will find yourself coveting, or wanting, things outside the will of God. Lazarus the beggar obvious needed food, clothing, and shelter…or did he? When Paul was in prison, he obviously needed freedom…or did he? And Solomon was the richest and wisest king in the history of the world. Did he need all of this? Are we not still talking about these people and their testimonies today? Let this be something for you to chew on in your quiet time with Holy Spirit.
Trust God to give you what you need and be satisfied. If we don’t have what we think we need, be still and know you have what God needs for you to have. Rest in that. Don’t worry about what another has or what you want. Coveting will only lead you to being disobedient.
Fulfilled,
Keiyia JOYet George
Trust Walk: Walking in His Steps coming soon!