Joshua 7:1-9 – The LORD’s Burning Anger

Read the opening and closing verses of chapter 7 (v1, v26). The writer seems to ‘bracket’ the chapter with these verses to draw our attention to the fact that the LORD’s “burning anger” is the key to understanding chapter 7. “And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel” (v1).

Verses 2-5 must then be interpreted in light of these words. Fresh from conquering Jericho, Israel suffers a surprise defeat at the hands of tiny Ai, leaving the people terrified (v5). This happened because God was angry at them. John Calvin says: “fewness of numbers (v3) was not the cause … and ought not to bear the blame of it. The true cause was the secret counsel of God, who meant to show a sign of His anger”.

These verses are telling us that God’s people failed because they were under God’s wrath. The Church should tremble at the thought of God’s wrath. What makes us think that Israel is the only congregation who has been or is under the wrath of God?

In v6 we see that Joshua (who doesn’t know what we know from v1) is devastated. There is one chief concern in his prayer in v7-9: the honour of the God of Israel. Israel’s enemies would surround them and wipe out their name – and what would that do for God’s great name (v9)? Israel’s destruction would reflect on the LORD’s reputation.

What better prayer could we pray? “O Lord … what will you do for your great name?” At times we will find ourselves in a similar position to Joshua – times when confusion strikes and we haven’t a clue what God is about. Our response should be the same as Joshua’s: anguished prayer to a mystifying God, pleading both our danger and His honour.