Joshua 7:12
Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
وَلِهَذَا فَبَنُو إسْرَائِيلَ غَيْرُ قَادِرِينَ عَلَى مُقَاوَمَةِ أعْدَائِهِمْ. وَهُمْ يُهزَمُونَ وَيَتَرَاجَعُونَ أمَامَ أعْدَائِهِمْ، إذْ حُكِمَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِالهَلَاكِ. لَنْ أكُونَ مَعَكُمْ فِيمَا بَعْدُ حَتَّى تُدَمِّرُوا الأشْيَاءَ الَّتِي طَلَبْتُ مِنْكُمْ إتلَافَهَا.
What Does This Mean?
This verse explains why the Israelites couldn't win battles against their enemies: they had taken things that were meant to be destroyed, leading to God's displeasure. God says He won't help them unless they get rid of these cursed items. God is speaking directly here, warning about the consequences of disobedience.
Explained for Children
Imagine if you had a special toy that was supposed to stay in the toy box, but you took it out and played with it. Now your parents are upset and won't help you win your games until you put the toy back where it belongs. This is kind of like what happened with the Israelites and God.
Historical Background
Joshua 7:12 is part of the Book of Joshua, written by Joshua or one of his followers, around the 13th century BCE. The audience was the Israelites who had just entered the Promised Land. The cultural setting was one of warfare and covenant obedience, emphasizing the importance of following God’s commands.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this verse can remind us that our disobedience can affect not just ourselves but also our community or team. For example, if a team member doesn't follow the rules in a project, it can impact the entire team's success until the issue is resolved.
Topics
obedienceconsequencesdisobediencedivine punishmentcovenantcommunity
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be accursed in this verse?
Being accursed in this verse means being under God's judgment or displeasure due to breaking His commandments. This results in negative consequences affecting not just the individual but the whole community.
Why was God no longer with the Israelites?
God was no longer with the Israelites because they disobeyed His command to destroy certain items, which He had specifically forbidden them from keeping. This act of disobedience led to God withdrawing His support.
How can one avoid the consequences described in this verse?
To avoid these consequences, one must adhere strictly to God's commands and ensure that any form of disobedience is corrected immediately, to maintain God's favor and protection.
What can this verse teach us about community accountability?
This verse teaches that the actions of an individual can affect the entire community. It underscores the importance of community accountability and the need to address wrongdoings to maintain unity and divine favor.