Second Chances

 

By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Joshua 8:1-29

 

Joshua 8:1

And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land.

(ESV)

 

Chaotic times like what the world is experiencing at this time make planning difficult because foundational things we have taken for granted are changing all around us.  For example, I went to a store last weekend and had to spend five minutes waiting outside in 110-degree heat because the store had reached its 50 percent occupancy limit.  While I understand the need to limit store occupancy in the interest of social distancing, the trip to the store took longer than I had planned.  The scriptural account in Joshua 8:1-29 and the fall of Ai reveal the importance of eliminating sin, seeking godly guidance in strategizing plans, and giving God glory when plans carried out according to His plan succeeds.   The fall of Ai represents a second chance for Israel and a contrast between doing things our way versus God’s way. 

 

Israel’s first attempt to take Ai ended in defeat due to unrepentant sin and a failure to seek Godly direction and guidance before moving forward.  Achan had sinned by taking items God had devoted for destruction from Jericho and hiding them in his tent (Joshua 7:1,21).  This meant Achan’s sin was hidden from everyone but God whose anger burned against the people of Israel because of Achan’s sin.  After Israel’s defeat at Ai, Joshua seeks the Lord with the Lord revealing Israel’s sin as the reason for the defeat (Joshua 7:6-12). 

 

Perhaps if Joshua had inquired of the Lord first, God would have revealed the sin of Achan so Israel could deal with the sin before suffering defeat.  However, if they had then arrogantly attacked Ai with only two to three thousand men (Joshua 7:3) instead of waiting for a strategy for victory from the Lord.  While repentance from sin is the beginning, it must be accompanied by obedience and a willingness to follow God’s direction in our lives.  The turn around in Israel’s fate with Ai illustrates the importance for believers to first inquire of the Lord so the Lord can,

 

1)      Reveal any sin that prevents God from bringing victory – An omnipresent and omniscient God knows all about our sin.  Achan may have been able to temporarily hide his sin from the people of Israel, but God knew, revealing it to Joshua after Israel’s defeat at Ai.  Seeking God before moving on with our plans allows God to reveal any sin presenting an obstacle to victory. 

2)      Reveal a godly strategy and plan for success and obediently following it to victory (Joshua 8:3-29)  - God’s plan for victory at Ai was clear, leaving little possibility for misinterpretation.  In studying scripture, it is important to

a.       Make observations by reading the passage asking the questions,

                                                               i.      Who are the people involved in the text and the audience it addresses (i.e. believers or non-believers)?

                                                             ii.      What is happening considering the passage's historical context?

                                                           iii.      When?  Consideration of when the event occurred provides additional historical context.

                                                           iv.      Where The event occurred can also provide additional historical context.

                                                             v.      Why is the passage in scripture?  This can be difficult for passages like the stoning of Achan and his family in Joshua 7:25 of Ananias and Saphira dropping dead in Acts 5:1-11.  Read outside of scriptural context, these passages of scripture appear to make God seem cruel but Israel was about to occupy the land God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and after elimination of sin, can achieve victory at Ai.  The Church was about to experience dynamic growth in numbers with new believers added daily.  The account of the death of Ananias and Sapphira is followed by an account of the signs and wonders done among the people by the apostles, leading to Church growth (Acts 5:12-16). 

                                                           vi.      How does this apply to my life?  After making observations by reading the text and answering the questions who, what, when, where, and why, we can make interpretations about the meaning of the passage and most importantly how it applies to our lives.  Sadly, many often make observations about a passage of scripture and from these observations make interpretations regarding the passage’s meaning but fail to follow-through by applying the scripture to their lives.  For one to truly experience transformation through study and meditation on the Word of God, they must apply the truths learned in scripture to their daily lives. 

3)      Reveal his glory through leading his people to victory (Joshua 8:30-35) – Joshua follows the victory at Ai with a renewal of the covenant by giving God Glory.  Next Saturday’s posting will go deeper into the importance of giving God glory for the victories he brings into our lives. 

 

God is a God of second chances demonstrated by His sending His Son, Jesus to die for the sins of humanity, giving everyone a second chance to escape the death penalty of sin (Romans 6:23).  I want to take this opportunity to invite anyone who has not already done so to receive a second chance in life by praying to accept Jesus as their personal savior. 

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Congratulations on receiving a second chance from God.  I pray that you now find a Church or Bible study to learn God's strategy and direction for living and live obediently to His plan for your life.  I also urge everyone reading this to give God glory or credit for the victories in life.  May God bless everyone reading this post.