Dealing with Defeat

Joshua 7

I. The Consequences of Defeat – vs. 4,5

A. They Fled – running is the opposite of standing or fighting
B. They Feared – if you're afraid, you're defeated
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
C. They Fell – falling is a picture of being overcome with evil

II. The Concern of Defeat – vs. 6

A. A Time of Remorse – rent clothes; dust on their head
B. A Time of Reflection – and fell upon his face until eventide
C. A Time of Reproach – vs. 8
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.


III. The Cause of Defeat

A. The Lacking – vs. 1-3
1. They lacked communication – God was angry but they didn't know it!
2. They lacked cooperation – let not all the people go up (vs. 3) No unity
3. They lacked caution – for they are but few; depended on their own strength
B. The Looking – vs. 21 when I saw
Lamentations 3:51 Mine eye affecteth mine heart
Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:
Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
Mark 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: C. The Lusting – then I coveted them
D. The Looting – and took them
E. The Lying – and they are hid

IV. The Cure of Defeat

A. A Sanctifying – vs. 13 ...Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow
B. A Separating – vs. 13 ...until ye take away the accursed thing from among you
C. A Severity - do not make excuses or be soft when it comes do dealing with sin
Note: They destroyed everything that was even remotely affiliated with Achan (all that he had)
D. A Sign – a great heap of stones unto this day (remember what happened!)


Conclusion: God doesn't want us to be defeated. When we are defeated, it's ALWAYS our fault. God is faithful and He is an ever present help in time of trouble. But you reap what you sow