Well, ya got trouble, my friend

by Ben

I read Joshua 7.

So, after yesterday's post about how great the Israelites are and that they live their lives right alongside God, I get this as the first line of chapter 7:

"Then the People of Israel violated the holy curse."

I'd be interested to see God's NCAA bracket - His picks are something else. So, although they know that their God is all-powerful and has done incredible (amazing, super, miraculous, splediforous) things to help them (escape slavery, find their way through the wilderness, organize themselves, and defeat some of their enemies), they still don't get it. They just keep turning their back on God.

Well, at least this time, it's only one person: Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the sone of Zerah of the tribe of Judah (oh, that tribe of Judah, will they ever have someone good come from them?).

So, Achan stole some silver, gold, and of course a new Shinar robe from the ruins of Jericho. He plundered while destroying the city - a big no-no, as God explicitly told the Israelites not to take anything.

What punishment does Achan receive for his crime? A burning and stoning combination in the Valley of Achor (Trouble Valley- they should have known!). "And all Israel stoned him - burned him with fire and stoned him with stones. They piled a huge pile of stones over him." Double-death, fire and stones (just in case).

So, what can we pull from this:

LISTEN TO GOD!!!!