S9 || Defeat by Small Things || Joshua 7:1-12 || Session 9 || Verse by Verse Bible Study

Hidden in the shadow of Jericho's magnificent victory lurks a sobering lesson about the devastation of secret sin. As Joshua leads Israel into what should be an easy conquest of the small city of Ai, they experience a shocking defeat that sends the nation into crisis. Behind this military disaster lies a profound spiritual principle: God sees what we try to hide.

After commanding complete victory at mighty Jericho, why would God allow Israel to be humiliated by a vastly inferior force? The answer reveals the often-neglected truth about God's character – He is simultaneously loving toward repentance and wrathful toward sin. When Achan secretly took forbidden spoils from Jericho and buried them beneath his tent, he demonstrated a universal human tendency – thinking we can hide our transgressions from an all-seeing God.

This fascinating episode unpacks the theology of hidden sin with striking insights about spiritual power. Despite Israel's confidence and faith approaching Ai, they discovered that disobedience had severed their connection to divine power. In Glenn and Steve's discussion, they draw compelling parallels to modern spiritual life, questioning whether today's churches have lost effectiveness against "Jericho" (the world) and "Ai" (the flesh) because of tolerated sin. Just as Jesus later taught that sin requires radical treatment – "pluck out your eye" if it causes you to sin – Joshua 7 demonstrates that spiritual victory requires ruthless honesty about the "little sins" we've hidden away.

What makes this biblical account so powerful is that God doesn't abandon Israel or revoke their chosen status when they fail. Instead, He provides a pathway back to relationship and power through confession and repentance. The question remains for us today: what hidden disobedience might be robbing us of spiritual victory? Subscribe now to join our continuing exploration of this pivotal moment in Israel's journey and discover the timeless principles that can transform your spiritual walk. 

Questions in this session:

• How do we reconcile God’s wrath and His love? 
• How much does God know? 
• Is the modern church empowered? Why or why not?
• How does God react to our disobedience? 
• What happens to people in God’s will when they sin?  

Learn more about RTTB:  Reasoning Through the Bible – Straightforward with some Critical Thinking

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May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve