Joshua 6:18 But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it.
The first city that Israel was instructed to conquer was Jericho, followed by Ai. At Jericho, the instructions were to reserve all gold and silver, as well as vessels of bronze and iron for the Lord. Everything else had to be destroyed.
God even warned the people that one bad egg amongst them would suffice in making the entire lot bad. Despite the warning, one Israelite went ahead with his covetousness in taking a cloak and some gold and silver for himself, and this act led to Israel’s defeat at Ai.
What can we learn from this?
Well, while God’s promises, are “yes” and “amen”, and as far as we are concerned, have a level of permanence to them, what these promises entail lie in what we are allowed to possess. Not everything in Canaan is for our possession.
Some of Canaan’s possessions are destined for destruction, some are designated for His use. Others are for our possession. We need to pay attention to what is given to us and what we are allowed to possess.
Adopt faith when entering into His promises and obedience when taking possession.