The Tightening Noose

Aim: To understand the process of God's judgment; and to gain a greater fear of the Lord through it.

Exegesis: Judgment begins with the church. God examines (v. 13a) and exposes (v. 13b) our hearts. Judgment proceeds to the home. God's word is our final arbiter (v. 14); God's law is our final standard (v. 15a); God's covenant is our final bond (v. 15b). Judgment ends with the man. There is a time to sweat (vv. 16-18a) and a time to confess (v. 18b).

Key verse: v. 18 ''Then he brought his household man by man, and Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.''