“Don’t touch. Leave it alone.” These words ring in the ears of every child. Whether our parents referred to the stove or something at the store, we weren’t supposed to touch a thing. Their admonition endeavored to protect us from harm and keep us safe. However, our minds couldn’t comprehend the no. How often today do we refuse to leave it alone?
The Story: Joshua 7
In Joshua 7, some of the men of Israel disregarded the ban placed on the items recovered from the fall of Jericho. They stole prohibited items, which incited the anger of God. Because Joshua was unaware of God’s anger, he sent a few men to fight against the city of Ai. Joshua’s men died and he grieved deeply. As a result, Joshua sought the Lord for an explanation.
God advised Joshua that the loss resulted from a disregard for the ban. In addition, he added that Joshua wouldn’t win another battle until the culprit was apprehended. He also provided the method for discovering the guilty party. Therefore, Joshua executed God’s instructions and found that Achan had stolen the items. As a result, everyone in Achan’s family died by stoning and fire including their animals.
The Lesson
While the punishment for Achan’s theft may appear harsh, we learned the importance of leaving it alone. We don’t understand why we can’t have what we want. “We earned it, deserve it.” are the words we tell ourselves. As a result, we devise a plan to obtain our heart’s desire. Unfortunately, our lust keeps us from seeing the hidden dangers.
What can we learn from Achan? First, follow directions. When someone says, leave it alone, do it. Trust that there’s a reason for the no. Second, ask questions. If a simple no doesn’t suffice, inquire for more information. Third, don’t take matters into your own hands. Our refusal to follow instructions can lead to dire consequences.
I know we’re grown. We can do what we want. No one’s gonna tell us what to do. However, this mindset is a fallacy. Life constantly tells us what to do. If we have a job, the supervisor tells us the parameters to receive a check. If we have a home, the landlord or bank tells us what we must do to stay there. Not to mention if we drive, the police provide the ramifications for expired tags or speeding. Surely, we understand that we can’t always do what we want to do.
Therefore, if the message reads “leave it alone,” do it. There’s something better waiting on the other side.
