Series LESSONS OF FAITH FROM JOSHUA with Pastor Mark Finley

Lesson 6.The Enemy Within
Inner Purity as the Key to Victory

Lesson 6 makes it clear that the greatest dangers to God’s people do not always come from external enemies, but often from within. Achan’s hidden sin led to a serious defeat for Israel, even though they were militarily superior. This incident shows how seriously God takes the holiness of His people and how individual wrongdoing can have collective consequences. At the same time, the lesson reveals God’s patience, grace, and willingness to restore when guilt is recognized and confessed. The renewed victory over Ai demonstrates that God can turn even our failures into opportunities when we trust Him and remain obedient. The lesson calls us to examine our hearts regularly and to place God’s honor at the center of our lives.

Content:
6.1 Breach of the Covenant
When One Falls, the People Suffer – The Destructive Power of Hidden Sin

Joshua 7 clearly shows how deeply individual sin can affect the entire community. Achan’s hidden disobedience to God’s explicit command led not only to military defeat but also to a breach of the covenant with God. The chapter also reveals the danger of overconfidence and acting without divine guidance—Israel attacked Ai without first seeking God’s will. The collective responsibility that God emphasizes reminds us that, within a covenant community, the wrongdoing of one can have far-reaching consequences. Even today, societies and churches can be shaken by the unethical actions of individuals—consider scandals in churches, businesses, or governments. These examples show how quickly trust, credibility, and stability can be destroyed when integrity is lacking.

6.2 The Sin of Achan
God’s Justice and Patience – A Final Call to Repentance

The uncovering of Achan’s sin through a gradual process reveals both God’s justice and His grace. He deliberately gives Achan time to reflect and repent before judgment is carried out. At the same time, God ensures through this orderly process that the innocent are cleared and no hasty judgment is made. Joshua’s compassionate address to Achan – “my son” – shows that justice should be exercised in a spirit of mercy. God sees what is hidden, but He does not act arbitrarily; He first calls to repentance. This understanding should lead us to honesty before God and encourage us to confess hidden guilt before it is forced into the open.

6.3 Fateful Choices
Saw, Desired, Took – The Destructive Path of Greed

Joshua calls on Achan to honor God through a truthful confession—not as an excuse, but as an acknowledgment of God’s justice. However, Achan’s admission comes too late and without visible repentance, which only deepens his guilt. The sequence of his actions—seeing, desiring, taking—mirrors the Fall in the Garden of Eden and shows how deeply greed is rooted in the human heart. Achan distrusted God’s provision and believed he had to secure his own benefit. In strong contrast stands Rahab’s faith, which led to life, while Achan’s unbelief brought destruction. The story warns us to overcome greed through trust in God’s care and a grateful heart.

6.4 The Door of Hope
From the Valley of Trouble to the Gate of Hope – God’s Grace After the Fall

Joshua 8 powerfully shows that God can bring new life and hope out of defeat and failure. After Israel had previously failed at Ai, God turned the very same place into a site of victory. This victory was not just the result of human strategy but a demonstration of divine guidance and grace. The Valley of Achor, once a symbol of judgment, becomes a place of restoration—just as Hosea would later describe it as a “door of hope.” Joshua’s obedience and trust in God’s word show that a true new beginning is possible when we follow God’s guidance. In our lives too, God can turn missed opportunities and serious mistakes into steps toward His greater purpose.

6.5 A Witness to God’s Power
God’s Honor at Stake – Our Witness to the World

Joshua’s reaction to Israel’s defeat shows that their battles were not merely about territory, but about God’s honor among the nations. In Joshua 7:9, he expresses concern that God’s reputation might suffer because of Israel’s failure. This theological principle—that God’s name is either glorified or dishonored through the actions of His people—runs throughout the Bible. Israel was called to be a living testimony to God’s power, justice, and grace, just as the church today is called to reveal God’s character to the world. When we honor God through our lives, even the “pagan world” can recognize that there is hope and truth in Him. Our mission as Adventists is not just to proclaim a message but to live a life that magnifies God’s name.

6.6 Summary
Hidden Sin – The Greatest Danger Often Comes from Within

Lesson 6 shows that the greatest threat to God’s people is not always external, but often lies in hidden sin within the community. Through Achan’s disobedience, the covenant with God was broken, leading to Israel’s defeat. Yet God revealed His justice and patience by giving Achan time to repent. The story teaches that individual guilt can have communal consequences, but also that there is hope and restoration when the people purify themselves and trust God’s guidance anew. The victory over Ai was ultimately made possible not by human strength, but by divine intervention. This lesson reminds us how vital obedience, humility, and a striving for purity are within the people of God.

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