Jump Start # 3680

Joshua 7:1 “But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel.”

It is an interesting way to begin a chapter. It is an interesting way to begin a sentence. In nearly all English translations, this verse begins with the word “but.” But, brings another side to the story. But is negative. For instance:

• School is great, but, I don’t like the food
• I love my job, but, I have to travel a lot
• I have the best kids in the world, but, they are very picky eaters
• I love my house, but, the neighbors are weird

The sixth chapter of Joshua ends with a great victory at Jericho. The fame of Joshua and Israel was spreading through the land. With God, they could not be stopped. Things couldn’t be better, BUT…

Most know the story. Instead of walls falling down, Israel fell down and ran. What happened next was a disaster. There was sin in the camp. God’s law had been violated. God became angry. Israel suffered. And, what follows is a clear example of leading through storms.

First, Joshua sought the Lord. He fell on his face. He tore his clothes. He put dust on his head. He and the elders of Israel prayed.

Second, Joshua moved into actin. He rose early in the morning. He was before the people. He spoke with a clear voice. He didn’t begin by softening the wrong that was done. He did not say, “We all do wrong from time to time.” Or, “who here hasn’t done something wrong before?” He didn’t say, “Wow, when I saw all that stuff, I thought about taking some of it too.” In a crisis, in a storm, in a disaster, people are looking for a leader who moves with action, who has directions, solutions and a clear voice.

Third, Joshua identified the problem. This was done not behind closed doors or in a small room, but before all the people. Everyone now knew. The defeat at AI was because one among them had disobeyed the Lord. The people knew that they could count on Joshua. They knew that he was leading them to the Lord.

Fourth, Joshua did what was right, not what was easy. Achan, his possessions, his children were all put to death. The bloodline ended. His sin had hurt his family. His sin had hurt the nation. Sin always comes with consequences. The problem was dealt with and peace returned to the nation.

What brilliant steps for leaders in God’s kingdom to remember and imitate. On sunny days, when everything is running smoothly, leading is easy. It’s when the storm clouds build. It’s when there is sin in the camp. It’s when someone is hiding the wrong that they have done. This is when the true worth of a leader is found. No favoritism. No bending the rules. No double standards. Grace and mercy needs to be applied and when someone does not want to repent and damage is taking place in the church, then action must follow. It must be Biblical. It must be thought out. It must be prayed out.

Further damage takes place when the leaders run and hide because they don’t want to get involved in something messy or hard. Such men are not good leaders. Patience and looking the other way are not the same things. There comes a time when one must either stop his wicked ways and repent or face the discipline that is necessary.

Leading through storms. Here are some thoughts:

First, leaders must be on the same page with each other and give one consistent answer. Covid made many congregations face things that was new for them. Storms will do the same. Should we cancel services or not? A congregation isn’t helped by opposite answers coming from the leaders. Phone calls, texts, emails must fly through the air as leaders land upon what decision will be made. They then must communicate that consistently. Unlike at home, when a child hears “no,” from dad, and then runs to mom with the same request, hoping for a “yes.” Mixed signals creates doubt and makes people wonder who is at the helm during this storm.

Second, leaders must do what is right with the Lord, not what everyone always wants. Joshua didn’t put the fate of Achan to a vote. The Lord was clear. Joshua was clear. There may be some who get upset at the decision of the leaders. Often, our displeasure comes from our perspective. We forget about others. Leaders can’t. While I may easily make it to the church building, some of the frail members may not. It may put them in harms way to travel out. Some have no room for wrath, discipline or punishment in their vocabulary. They would still be giving Achan a second chance. Then a third. Then a fourth. Some just cannot draw a line in the sand with the Lord. Leaders must. They must make the call that others may not agree with. They must make the call that is uncomfortable. They do this, because they are following the will of the Lord.

Third, leaders realize that in dealing with sin in the camp, it’s not all about the wrong brother. God’s dealing with Achan would send a reminder for Israel every time they conquered a city. This is serious. We need to take God at His word. And, when action must be taken against someone who refuses to walk with the Lord, it sends a message to the whole church. A little leaven can leaven the whole lump, the N.T. reminds us. That works both ways—positive and negative.

Leading through storms…valuable lessons for our leaders today.

Roger