Don Graham Revival Ministries

The Meltdown

Joshua 7

On the eve of their great victory at Jericho, Rahab told the two spies of Joshua, "...as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you…" (Joshua 2:11). As they prepared the final touches for the siege of Jericho, we note again: "...when all the kings of the Amorites...heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan...that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel." (Joshua 5:1) As long as they walked under an unclouded sky with their God, their enemies hearts were in meltdown all around them. But the moment sin, unexposed and untreated, enters their ranks as Achan takes the "accursed thing" we read, "...wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water." (Joshua 7:5) And so it is that the church of today, before whom the world should shudder is rather in its own state of "meltdown" as she wallows in complacency and compromise. A careful review of this ancient "meltdown" points the way to the thrilling prospect of revival. Note first...

I. The Exception that Contaminates (vs.1-5)

The chapter begins with the word "But" setting in bold relief the sin of one man, Achan, in taking "the accursed thing" thus causing the halt of the mighty movement of God just dramatized at Jericho. When there is sin in the camp there will be…

A. Delay-The forward march of the people was abruptly halted in humiliation. The great fortress of Jericho had just fallen before them yet now their hearts are in "meltdown" before the little town of Ai (v.5).

B. Death-Thirty-six men were killed and the rest of the army retreats in fear for the presence of the Lord was no longer among them (v.12). Death always follows in sin's trail for "...sin when it is finished bringeth forth death."

C. Dearth-These heartened soldiers, fresh from the crashing of the walls of Jericho, now are fearful as their hearts become "as water" (v.5) and they tuck their heads and run.

II. The Examination that Cleanses (vs. 6-13)

The church in meltdown must examine itself. "Examine yourself, whether you be in the faith…" (II Corinthians 13:5).

A. The Reaction of Joshua (vs. 6-9)—Joshua humbled himself before the Lord, renting his clothes and throwing dust on his head (v.6). As he cries out to God there is a hint of bitterness as he accused God of bringing them over the Jordan only to destroy them. He longs to go back to the other side of Jordan and forfeit the blessing of Canaan living. How often do we similarly respond to God craving the “leeks and melons” of slavery to the vigil of battle in the promised land.

B. The Response of Jehovah (vs. 10-13)—God said, "Quit praying! Get up off your knees and deal with your sin!" He points out the impact of one man’s sin upon the corporate body when He said, "Israel hath sinned." (v. 11) God warns them saying He will withdraw Himself from His people unless they deal quickly and thoroughly with the sin in the camp. An examination is required under high scrutiny in order that cleansing may occur. So we must cry with the Psalmist, "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart." (Psalm 26:2) Let us even lament with Jeremiah, "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord." (Lamentation 3:40)

III. The Elimination that Covers (vs. 14-26)

Because there was one man that took exception to God’s command and brought sin into the camp it was necessary that an examination be given to expose the sin that now necessitates an elimination of that problem that the people may once again be under God's covering Observe..

A. The Summons (vs 14-15)- The whole nation was summoned to stand before God. Likewise, one day the whole of God's family will be summoned to stand before Him at teh judgment seat of Christ. (II Corinthians 5:17). On that somber and searching day every man's work will be tried by fire as we give an account of the things done in the body. The church will stand before her Lord and be searched and sentenced. We will look into the eyes of the Judge, the Lord Jesus Christ, and see those eyes as John saw them on Patmos, when "His eyes were as a flame of fire." The first glimpse into those eyes will bring a surge of remorse and regret over our determination to cling to our "accursed things."

B. The Searching (vs. 16-21)- Slowly, one by one, the people passed in review before Joshua and the search light was cast upon each one. Where there was no guilt there was no dread. By the time Achan's family was searched he was riddled with fear. Notice the sequence of his sin as he confesses, "I saw... I coveted… I took…" (v.21). That is "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life" (I John 2:16). That ancient path of man's original sin still stalks him to this day.

C. The Sentence (vs. 22-25)-The sin had to be dealt with...

1. Swiftly-To delay is to allow further contamination to fall upon the people. Swift action is demanded. If we would only learn to deal swiftly with our sins, that is, to confess with broken contrition the moment we are convicted.

2. Radically-Radical action had to be taken to eliminate the problem so Achan and his entire family were stoned and burned with fire by the people of Israel. Just as Samuel hewed Agag to pieces (I Samuel 15) so we must radically remove the eye, foot or hand that offends a holy God. (Mark 9:42 ff)

3. Purposefully-Having stoned to death Achan’s family, they then burned them with fire to ever purge the sin away. When revival fell at Carmel, Elijah eliminated the 850 prophets of Baal that had seduced and contaminated the people of God. (I Kings 18:40) Rampant sin in the church demands radical action by God’s people.

4. The Signal-The bodies were then covered over with a huge "heap of stones" (v. 26) that served as a striking monument to subsequent generations signaling to all who would follow the impact of sin in the camp.

From this ancient story the works of our Lord still ring loud and clear, "...neither will I be with you anymore, except ye destroy the accursed from among you." (v.12) The fire of judgment must fall upon sin in the camp of God’s church before she can ever expect the fire of revival to fall.