Miraculous Fall of Jericho
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Everywhere its slimy track is seen. It creates dissension in families;
it excites envy and hatred in the poor against the rich; it prompts the
grinding oppression of the rich toward the poor. And this evil exists not
in the world alone, but in the church. How common even here to find
selfishness, avarice, neglect of charities, and robbery of God “in tithes
and offerings.” Many a man comes to church and sits at the table of the
Lord, while among his possessions are hidden unlawful gains, things
that God has cursed. For a “goodly Babylonish garment” multitudes
sacrifice their hope of heaven. The cries of the suffering and poor are
unheeded; the gospel light is hindered in its course; practices give the
lie to the Christian profession; yet the covetous professor continues
to heap up treasures. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me”
(
Malachi 3:8
), saith the Lord.
The Difference Between Genuine and Forced Confessions
For one man’s sin the displeasure of God will rest upon His church
till the transgression is searched out and put away. The influence most
to be feared by the church is not that of open opposers, infidels, and
blasphemers, but of inconsistent ones that keep back the blessing of the
God of Israel and bring weakness upon His people. With humiliation
and searching of heart, let each seek to discover the hidden sins that
shut out God’s presence.
Achan had seen the armies of Israel return from Ai defeated and
disheartened, yet he did not come forward and confess his sin. He had
seen Joshua and the elders bowed to the earth in grief too great for
words. But he still kept silence. He had listened to the proclamation
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that a great crime had been committed, and had even heard its character
definitely stated. But his lips were sealed. His soul thrilled with terror
as he saw his tribe pointed out, then his family and his household! But
still he uttered no confession, until the finger of God was placed upon
him. Then, when his sin could no longer be concealed, he admitted
the truth.
There is a vast difference between admitting facts after they have
been proved, and confessing sins known only to ourselves and to God.
Achan’s confession only served to show that his punishment was just.
There was no genuine repentance, no contrition, no change of purpose,
no abhorrence of evil.