The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Chronicles 2:7,
"The son of Karmi: Achar, who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban on taking devoted things."
In this lineage of Judah we find Achar who was called Achan in Joshua 7. Achan had taken a robe and some silver and gold from the city of Jericho, which Israel had defeated.
The loot from the city was to have been "devoted" to the Lord (which means given to the Lord, often by totally destroying it, as in burning it up). However, Achan, who later claimed he coveted the stuff, brought the Lord's ire and caused Israel to loose their next battle. Joshua 7 provides the account of how Achan was found out and put to death for violating Israel's covenant with the Lord.
"The Lord said to Joshua, 'Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.'" Joshua 7:10-12.
Israel was to acknowledge the Lord by refraining from taking what was to be the Lord's, no matter how much they themselves may have wanted it. Some things are the Lord's and are not to be taken.
I feel there is a principle in this. Some things are the Lord's and I need to keep my hands off of them. They are not to be taken by me. They may be things I have given him and I am not to take them back. Time, treasure and talent promised by me to him is not to be taken back. Perhaps this is why we are given the caution in Proverbs 20:25, "It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one's vows." Another caution that comes to mind is found in Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, "When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.
"The son of Karmi: Achar, who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban on taking devoted things."
In this lineage of Judah we find Achar who was called Achan in Joshua 7. Achan had taken a robe and some silver and gold from the city of Jericho, which Israel had defeated.
The loot from the city was to have been "devoted" to the Lord (which means given to the Lord, often by totally destroying it, as in burning it up). However, Achan, who later claimed he coveted the stuff, brought the Lord's ire and caused Israel to loose their next battle. Joshua 7 provides the account of how Achan was found out and put to death for violating Israel's covenant with the Lord.
"The Lord said to Joshua, 'Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.'" Joshua 7:10-12.
Israel was to acknowledge the Lord by refraining from taking what was to be the Lord's, no matter how much they themselves may have wanted it. Some things are the Lord's and are not to be taken.
I feel there is a principle in this. Some things are the Lord's and I need to keep my hands off of them. They are not to be taken by me. They may be things I have given him and I am not to take them back. Time, treasure and talent promised by me to him is not to be taken back. Perhaps this is why we are given the caution in Proverbs 20:25, "It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one's vows." Another caution that comes to mind is found in Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, "When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.
Don't take what has been dedicated to the Lord.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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