The Fear of the Lord

Joshua 7-9 The Fear of the Lord

Achan did not fear God because if had he would not have taken the “accursed” thing and hidden it in his tent. On the other hand, the Gibeonites feared God because they had heard of the conquest of the kings on the east side of the Jordan. So they came as beggars and promised to be the servants of the Israelites. 

Although Joshua and the leaders did not consult God regarding the Gibeonites, God spared them but did not spare Achan because of this principle: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge/discernment; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”[Prov. 1:7]

God honored that principle. Achan faced certain death, but the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers and were faithful all their lives. Even as the Israelites had to rebuild the wall, the Gibeonites worked alongside them. It all was because one did not fear, and one did. 

Do we fear God as the Gibeonites did or are we more like Achan thinking we can disobey without a consequence?