Old Testament reading: Joshua 7-8
“There is sin in the camp.” This is a common phrase derived from Joshua 6:18 and the account of Ai in Joshua 7. It illustrates the tragedy of disobedience and the far reaching effects of sin. Achan disobeyed God’s command not to spoil Jericho, yet the entire nation is charged with sin (7:1). Moreover, because Joshua placed his faith in the abilities of his own army and failed to consult God before initiating his campaign against Ai (7:3), thirty six men died at the hands of their enemies. Had Joshua consulted with the Lord before attacking, instead of trusting in his own strength and going forward, these deaths would have been prevented. I also find it intriguing that God did not intervene, but instead allowed Israel to suffer from their own poor decisions. Also of note is the reality that God’s people can never prosper so long as there is ‘sin in the camp.’ As a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so also is the local body only as pure as its most sinful member. Finally, Achan’s execution in what became known as the Valley of Achor served as an example in Hosea 2:15, wherein God reminded them that only through the removal of sin will God bless his people. The local church cannot ignore the sins of her individual members and expect to receive God’s approval and blessing.
New Testament reading: Hebrews 1-7
Hebrews begins with the supremacy of Jesus Christ, God’s great Spokesman and Messenger (1:1-2). The theme of this great epistle is “Jesus is Better.” In today’s reading, we find the following expressions of the superiority of Jesus: Jesus is a better spokesman (1:1-2); Jesus is better than the angels (1:4); Jesus is better than Moses (3:5-6); Jesus provides a better rest (4:1-10); Jesus is a better high priest than Aaron (4:12-5:4); Jesus is a better priest and king than Melchizedeck (5:1-11, 7:1-19). Tomorrow, we shall return to this same theme with chapter 8, wherein we find that Jesus has a better ministry, “inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises” (8:6). In case you are wondering, I do not believe Paul is the author of Hebrews. I think the lack of identification found in his other epistles and other internal evidence (compare Hebrews 2:3 with Galatians 1:11-12) points elsewhere.
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