The Call for Communal Responsibility in the Church
In Joshua Chapter 7, we witness a dramatic shift in the tone of Israel’s story. After the great victory in Jericho in Chapter 6, the people were filled with excitement and motivation to continue carrying out God’s mission to conquer the land of Canaan. However, the situation changes when Joshua sends spies to assess the city of Ai. The spies report that the inhabitants are few, and they suggest that 3,000 soldiers would be more than enough to conquer the city. Yet, to the Israelites’ shock, they are decisively defeated, with 36 soldiers killed. While this may seem like a small number, the defeat was devastating, especially considering the earlier victories and the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. The defeat was so severe that it left the hearts of the people “melted” in fear.
Upon hearing this tragic news, Joshua and the leaders of Israel cried out to God. Joshua, perplexed and distressed, asked why God had brought Israel across the Jordan only to give them defeat. His prayer was respectful, acknowledging God’s sovereignty, but he was struggling to understand why this happened. Eventually, they discover that the cause of Israel’s defeat was the sin of one man—Achan, from the tribe of Judah. Achan had disobeyed God’s command by taking items from the devoted things in Jericho, which were to be set apart for God. God reveals to Joshua that Israel will not be able to stand against their enemies until this sin is dealt with. As a result, Achan and his entire family are punished for their disobedience.
In this chapter, several important theological lessons emerge:
1. The impact of individual sin on the community
The first verse of the chapter reveals that Achan’s sin was not just an individual offense but one that impacted the entire Israelite community. God tells Joshua that “Israel has sinned,” indicating that the sin of one person affects the whole nation. This teaches us that sin is not only personal but communal. It shows that Israel’s collective identity means that when one part of the body sins, the whole body suffers. This principle is applicable to the Church today—our actions, whether good or bad, have communal consequences.
2. Israel’s communal identity and responsibility
This chapter underscores the importance of communal responsibility. Israel was not just a collection of individuals, but a community bound together by covenant with God. Their success or failure was tied to their collective obedience to God. Achan’s sin, though personal, brought judgment upon the entire nation. This highlights the concept that in God’s covenant, the community bears responsibility for the actions of its members. Just as the church today must hold one another accountable, Israel was called to purify itself from sin to maintain its relationship with God.
3. The shift in Israel’s attitude and strategy
Another interesting aspect of the chapter is the change in Israel’s attitude. In the story of Jericho, the Israelites carefully followed God's instructions. They waited for God’s guidance and obeyed his specific commands, trusting in his power to bring about victory. However, in the case of Ai, the spies report that the city is small and only a few soldiers are needed. Joshua accepts their advice without seeking God’s guidance. This decision reveals a dangerous shift from dependence on God to reliance on human wisdom and strategy. The Israelites, after their first victory, seemed to believe that they could win through their own strength and strategy, without needing God’s direct intervention.
4. Disobedience and God’s absence
Israel’s defeat at Ai was due to their disobedience, particularly Achan’s theft. This raises the question: why does disobedience lead to defeat in a military campaign? The answer is clear: obedience to God was the condition for his involvement in their victory. God had promised to be with Israel, but he told Joshua that he would not be with them until the sin was dealt with (Joshua 7:12). This demonstrates that it was not Israel’s military skill or strategy that brought them victory but God's active presence and favor. Without God, even the best strategies or tactics would fail.
5. Sin as dishonoring God
Achan’s sin reveals that sin is not just about breaking rules; it is about dishonoring God. In our modern legal systems, contempt of court is a serious offense because it disrespects the authority of the judge. In the same way, when we sin, we are not just violating laws but disrespecting God, the ultimate Judge of all creation. This is why sin, no matter how seemingly small, is such a serious offense—it is an affront to God’s holiness and authority.
Conclusion
The events of Joshua Chapter 7 serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience to God and the consequences of disobedience. The Israelites’ defeat at Ai highlights the danger of becoming self-reliant and forgetting that victory comes only through God’s intervention. The chapter also teaches us about the importance of communal responsibility, as the sin of one person can affect the entire community. Finally, the story of Achan reminds us that sin is not just about breaking laws—it is about dishonoring the holy and just nature of God, and this is why sin must be taken seriously.
What does this mean for the individual believer and the church community? Both exist to help one another remain faithful to God and to each other. Like Israel, we are called to support one another in staying humble, obedient, and dependent on God for every victory and success in our lives. Accountability and responsibility are not just the duties of the individual; they are shared by the entire faith community. If one fails, the whole body is affected, and if the whole body fails, the individual suffers as well. This communal identity and responsibility are crucial, especially in a culture that emphasizes rugged individualism. We are called to live as brothers and sisters reconciled to God and to one another, as one church, the body of Jesus Christ.
We need to be reminded of and actively practice this communal identity within the church. It is vital for us to engage in serious discussions and explore practices that promote and embody this identity, ensuring that we hold each other accountable and encourage one another in our shared walk of faith.