Offer to Reconcile

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Reacts to Disobedience

Joshua 7:12-15

The Message

 ^10-12 God said to Joshua, "Get up. Why are you groveling? Israel has sinned: They've broken the covenant I commanded them; they've taken forbidden plunder—stolen and then covered up the theft, squirreling it away with their own stuff. The People of Israel can no longer look their enemies in the eye—they themselves are plunder. I can't continue with you if you don't rid yourselves of the cursed things.
 ¹³ "So get started. Purify the people. Tell them: Get ready for tomorrow by purifying yourselves. For this is what God, the God of Israel, says: There are cursed things in the camp. You won't be able to face your enemies until you have gotten rid of these cursed things.
 ^14-15 "First thing in the morning you will be called up by tribes. The tribe God names will come up clan by clan; the clan God names will come up family by family; and the family God names will come up man by man. The person found with the cursed things will be burned, he and everything he has, because he broke God's covenant and did this despicable thing in Israel."

For Reflection
The rules of this covenant are there for a reason.  This is about God's power, justice and reputation.  Taking land in Godless Canaan is justifiable.  The Israelites are not taking land for personal gain but rather as a witness to God.  God offers a path to reconciliation.  Just get rid of the cursed things (and here comes the tough part.) and the person who is responsible for disobeying the covenant rule.

This is the same God as in the New Testament.  This is the God of love and peace. 

But what fate awaits those who break the rules today?  To be sure there is grace and mercy.  What about the unrepentant sinner?  What cursed things do you need to get rid of in order to face your enemies?

Pray
lead us not into temptation.  God lead us to understand the power and the responsibility of becoming a witness to you.  Offer prayers of confession and ask for forgiveness.