Demanding an Answer

GETTING STARTED

There have been times in my life when I was hurt as a consequence of other’s sins, and I knew the reason I was suffering. My parents’ divorce is probably the most significant example. But there have been times when I suffered pain and hardship as a result of someone else’s sin, and I had no idea why these difficulties had befallen me. During such times, God can seem distant and uncaring, and I’m tempted to question his goodness and his faithfulness.

In today’s passage, we look in on one of these moments in Joshua’s life. It is a story of disorienting defeat as a result of another’s sin, which leaves Joshua calling out to God in confusion and sorrow.

  •  When have you been affected by the sin of another? What was your response to God during those times?

READ THE WORD: JOSHUA 7:1-9 (ESV)

7:1 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.

2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.” 4 So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, 5 and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.

6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord God, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! 8 O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! 9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?”

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

(Today’s questions focus on verses 7:6-9. Verses 7:1-5 were covered previously.)

  1. What three actions do we see Joshua and the elders carrying out in verse 6? What does this tell you about what they were feeling?
  2. What are the three questions Joshua asked God in verses 7-9? What do these questions reveal about what is most concerning to him?
  3. Which of these questions are you most likely to ask God when you experience pain and tragedy: “Why,” “What can I do,” or, “What will you do?”
  4. Due to the nature of Joshua’s questioning, it seems like he is blaming God for the defeat. When defeat occurs in your life, how does it affect your relationship with God?

RESPOND TO GOD

God had promised the Israelites that he would give them the land and that he would fight for them to secure it. When the Israelites suffered defeat, Joshua, unaware of Achan’s sin, was confused and stricken, and he cried out to God. His questions of “Why, God?” and, “What will you do?” are questions asking whether God would be faithful to his promise to the Israelites.

We live in a fallen world. Everything is tainted by sin, and we all suffer the consequences of sin, whether it’s our own, someone else’s, or the result of living in a sin-filled world. It’s okay to plead our questions before God, but we need not demand an answer from him. We can trust that he is faithful to keep his promises, and despite how things may appear, he is in the process of setting all things right.