Joshua 7:12-15 – The LORD’s Burning Anger … revealed

The structure of chapter 7 leads us to v12 as the very core – the hinge of the whole passage. Hardly anything could be more frightening than to hear the LORD threaten in the second part of the verse: “I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you”.

Nothing is more crucial than the presence of the LORD with His people. Moses – Joshua’s predecessor – said to God after the people had been given God’s law at Mount Sinai: “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” (Ex. 3:15, 16). The LORD’s presence with them was what made the Israelites distinct, according to Moses. Now this presence was about to be forfeited. Nothing should disturb God’s people more than the loss of God Himself from among them.

Retaining God’s presence would be costly: they would have to destroy the devoted things. Sometimes extreme action must be taken if the presence of God is to remain. This is one reason why the discipline exercised by the church leadership is so important. Perhaps the apparent absence of God from parts of the church is due to our unwillingness to purge the evil from our midst. It is too easy for churches to become careless about sin.

However, in wrath God remembers mercy. He doesn’t leave Israel guessing but clearly reveals the cause of His displeasure and tells them what to do about it (v13, 14). Through these fearful words shines God’s clear desire to restore His people to His favour.