THE SIN OF ONE MAN - Part 1

MONDAY, 10TH JULY, 2023.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE 

TOPIC: THE SIN OF ONE MAN – Part 1 

MEMORIZE: “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Romans 5:19.

SCRIPTURE READING: Joshua 7:1-6.

“But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. 2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. 4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. 6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.”

EXPOSITION:

More than once we have found the affairs of Israel, even when they were in the happiest posture and gave the most hopeful prospects, perplexed and embarrassed by sin, and a stop thereby put to the most promising proceedings. The golden calf, the murmuring at Kadesh, and the iniquity of Peor, had broken their measures and given them great disturbance. In our today’s scripture passage Joshua 7:1ff, we have such another instance of the interruption given to the progress of their arms by sin. But it being only the sin of one person or family, and soon expiated, the consequences were so mischievous as of those other sins; it puts the entire nation into jeopardy: loss of lives of innocent soldiers and the defeat of Israel as a nation. 

The story of this chapter begins with a but. The Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was noised through all that country, so the foregoing chapter ends, and it left no room to doubt but that he would go on as he had begun conquering and to conquer. He did right, and observed his orders in everything. But the children of Israel committed a trespass, and so set God against them; and then even Joshua's name and fame, his wisdom and courage, could do them no service. If we lose our God, we lose our friends, who cannot help us unless God be for us.

The iniquity of  man can put the whole family or even the community in trouble. The sin of Achan polluted the entire army of Israel. The word of God says, “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.” Joshua 7:1. 

Dear reader, examine yourself today. In what way have you been the afflicter of people around you: your family, friends, offices, the people under your leadership, etc. The sins of some leaders have ruined the lives of many followers under them. When God’s judgment finally comes upon them, their ends might be untimely death like that of Achan and his family, or rejection like Eli and his generations following. 

Though our God is God of mercy, but you must repent from your sins and determine never to return into it again. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30. When men exhaust God’s grace, he will then face the bitter end of His judgment. Repent now.

On the other hand, are you a victim of misfortunes of which you are not the cause? You might have been a victim of other person’s sins. Plead for God’s mercy and He will help you out. 

PRAYER POINT:  Lord, forgive me of the evil I have done that others are suffering its consequences in Jesus name.

ii. Lord, deliver me from the consequences of evil that others have committed which I am suffering from in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Proverbs 15 - 17.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word. Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com