A pastor examines Joshua 6 and 7 to show how secret actions have real consequences. Rahab protected Israel's spies and was spared from Jericho's destruction. Achan secretly kept forbidden items, causing Israel's defeat at Ai and affecting the whole community before anyone knew.
In Joshua chapter 6, we see that the Israelites experienced this incredible miracle, the fall of the walls of Jericho. With this miracle, they're given a very clear command. Look at verse 17. Jericho and everything in it must be completely destroyed as an offering to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and the others in her house will be spared, for she protected our spies. Verse 18 says, do not take any of the things set apart for destruction, or you yourselves will be completely destroyed, and you will bring trouble on the camp of Israel. Now, if you look at the beginning of chapter 7, you'll see that a man by the name of Achan actually kept some of the goods for himself. He hides them in his tent, and then Israel, as a result, Suffers defeat. Watch this. Joshua 7:4-5. So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about 36 who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away. That hidden sin was affecting the nation, long before they knew what that sin was. I want you to think about that. The ramifications of that sin were being experienced by the people of Israel before that sin was ever even exposed. Everything that you do in secret, whether good or bad, whether you realize it or not, is affecting everything about your life, and it's even affecting your loved ones.
