Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses' minister wakes up the morning after. Looking outside the tent his eyes cross a vast plain. Behind him smoke can be seen coming from Israel's morning campfires and the recently destroyed city of Jericho. He notices that several of Israel's tribal leaders have arrived ready to hear from their new leader. They look at him in awe of what has happened. The walls of Jericho didn't just topple over, they fell down flat, a fact confirmed by 20th century archeology. The battle of Jericho had been a bloodbath. Not a single man, woman, child, donkey, sheep or ox left alive except one harlot, Rahab, and those with her in her father's house.
Speaking to the tribal leaders gathered around his tent, Joshua utters an enduring admonishment,
"Cursed be the man before the LORD, that rises up to rebuild this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation in the days of his firstborn and in the days of his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it." (Joshua 6:26)
Even as Joshua is uttering these words his reputation as God's new man is racing throughout the camp of Israel and beyond its borders to the land of those who are yet to be conquered. (Joshua 6:27).
Preparing for the next battle Joshua sends scouts to the next city. This is a smaller village known only as Ai. Interesting name given the modern definition of AI. The scouts return to inform Joshua that it is a small town, few inhabitants and that it is not necessary to send the entire army. "Take it easy," they said. "Piece of cake", said another. "No worries", said yet another, "Give the troops a day off. We can handle this." But there is a problem and Joshua does not know it. This is an important distinction that we will cover more in depth later.
Unknown to Joshua, a certain man, Achan, the son of Carmi of the tribe of Judah has committed a trespass. Prior to taking Jericho the children of Israel were warned that the inhabitant's valuables, meaning silver, gold, iron and brass, were to be consecrated to the LORD God. These metals, which would have been extrememly difficult to manufacture, were designated deposits to the Lord's treasury. The bible refers to them as the accursed thing. We don't know why the LORD considered them accursed. Perhaps they were primarily idols, but that is pure speculation. The point is that these things were specifically prohibited as personal property.
The scene is set. Joshua doesn't know what he doesn't know. He sends the small force of roughly three thousand warriors to the small village of Ai only to have Israel's valiant men turning their backs to flee away after thirty-six men are slain. Upon hearing the report that Israel has fled from so small a force, Joshua immediately tears his clothes. He falls on his face before the ark of the LORD. He and the elders of Israel lay prostrate for hours into the evening of that same day. Joshua questions the LORD God why has He brought them over the Jordan to deliver them into the hands of the Amorites. Joshua, continuing his lament says, "O LORD, what shall I say when Israel turns their backs before their enemies! The Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear about this. They will surround us, kill us and our name will be destroyed from the earth. And what will you do to your Great Name?".
Before we continue let's give consideration to Joshua's lament. Did we hear him saying that his first concern was about reputation among the citizens of Canaan? Did we hear him say, "They're going to kill us all!"? Did he actually wait until the end of his complaint to merely mention the LORD God's great Name? That sounds eerily familiar to me...
What can we learn by observation when we see one corporate ministry organization after another more concerned about their reputation, their power, their position and their authority when accusations of immorality arise? I see no concern for the everyday believers who work to make these organizations financially viable. There is no grief expressed for the fallen. No regret for those who have been severely wounded in battle, many of whom will become atheists citing the abuse they have suffered as the cause. These so-called Christian leaders are quick to blame social media, devils, vipers and foxes for their ministry woes. They scream until the rafters shake that their existence is indispensible to the great work of God for which they have been called. They dissemble as pitiful victims of unjust persecution. They want to cut out the tongues of those who criticize.
Now back to Joshua and what happens next.
The LORD God said to Joshua, "GET UP! Why are you lying on your face?". The LORD continus to explain in crystal clear terms; There is sin in the camp and that He will no longer be with them except the accursed thing, and those who have committed the transgression, are removed. Not exposed. Not justified. Eradicated!
I submit to you this observsation. Unlike Joshua, many contemporary Christian leaders know that there is sin in the camp. This is why their private lives are hidden and why followers are compelled to keep secrets. It is why responsibility is shifted, accountability is refused and transparency lives in a fog of denials.
Get up! Own up to what you knew and when you knew it. Expunge wrongdoing and wrongdoers. Get up! Live in transparent accountability. Take ownership of what you have done. The LORD God will forgive and so will His people, but only if you do what is right and righteous.
And to us, who are calling our leaders to account, take heed of yourselves. What applies to thee applies to me!