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No Hiding from God, April 24
Joshua 7
Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from
among you.
Joshua 7:12
.
The sin of one man caused Israel to be beaten before the enemy. Something
more than prayer was required. They were to get up and cleanse the camp of
Israel
Have you considered why it was that all who were connected with Achan
were also subjects of the punishment of God? It was because they had not been
trained and educated according to the directions given them in the great standard
of the law of God. Achan’s parents had educated their son in such a way that he
felt free to disobey the Word of the Lord; the principles inculcated in his life led
him to deal with his children in such a way that they also were corrupted.... The
punishment ... reveals the fact that all were involved in the transgression
The history of Achan teaches the solemn lesson that for one man’s sin the
displeasure of God will rest upon a people or a nation till the transgression is
searched out and punished. Sin is corrupting in its nature. One man infected
with its deadly leprosy may communicate the taint to thousands. Those who
occupy responsible positions as guardians of the people are false to their trust if
they do not faithfully search out and reprove sin....
The love of God will never lead to the belittling of sin; it will never cover
or excuse an unconfessed wrong.... It has to do with all our acts and thoughts
and feelings. It follows us, and reaches every secret spring of action. By
indulgence in sin, men are led to lightly regard the law of God. Many conceal
their transgressions from their fellow men, and flatter themselves that God will
not be strict to mark iniquity. But His law is the great standard of right, and with
it every act of life must be compared in that day when God shall bring every
work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil. Purity
of heart will lead to purity of life. All excuses for sin are vain. Who can plead
for the sinner when God testifies against him
[121]
35
Manuscript 12, 1893
.
36
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:998
.
37
Ibid., 996, 997
.
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