Dependent Obedience

After the disastrous attempt to take Ai, God confronted Israel with the sin in their midst. Now God demonstrates to all Israel how utterly dependent they are upon the help of God to defeat their enemies. The few had conquered the many. Now God directs their warfare and God leads them in victory over their enemies. The sin of Achan showed them the danger of sin to a people in covenant with God. In this passage God reminds Israel not only of the lessons they learned at Jericho but also their constant need of God's help. In our modern world it is very easy to think that we control our lives. Our technology and laws provide us with a great deal of personal independence. This sermon calls us to live lives of constant dependence upon the help of God.