Transcript from youtube video. I dropped in twitter AI, and asked ti to remove time stamps, spell and grammar check.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLdgBLmogoo&ab_channel=CalvaryApostolicChurchofDinubaCADinuba
Introduction
The prophet spoke these words and said, “I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people.” Now, let me just stop and say this: I’m not here to get on to the church. This is the condition of the world that we live in. This is the state of our nation that has so greatly turned its back on God. So, I’m not here to try to put condemnation on you precious people. If the shoe fits, then what are you going to do if that happens to be your situation? But you know, I’ve seen it so many times how the enemy will take the word of God and beat you over the head when you’re doing the very best that you can. So, that’s not my purpose.
The Rebellious People
I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts. Verse three: a people that provoke me to anger continually to my face. Isn’t that the state of our world, that sacrifice in gardens, burn incense upon altars of brick? Now, that’s setting it up. I’m going to skip a couple of verses for time’s sake. Go down to verse seven: “Your iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together,” says the Lord, “which have burned incense upon the mountains, blasphemed me upon the hills. Therefore, I will measure their former work unto their bosom.”
God’s Mercy and Promise
Thus says the Lord, “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it,’ so will I do for my servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all.” All right, are you with me? And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains. My elect shall inherit it. My servants shall dwell therein, and Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the Valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.
The Protection of God
You see, those who have lived in the covert of His wings, underneath His protection, there are the promises and the blessings. Even though God will deal with some things, He’s going to take care of His own. I want to preach to you for a little while about the Valley of Achor.
Prayer for Guidance
Help me, Lord, I pray. Help me to say what I should. Don’t let me say things that are off track. Don’t let me, God, get on little spurious things, but let me preach and teach to these people what is essential and needful for them, according to that which You laid in my heart. In Jesus’ name, I pray. God bless you, and amen.
Isaiah’s Call to Return
I am speeding along as swiftly as I possibly can this morning. The prophet Isaiah implores the people of God to return to their spiritual roots in their work, in their walk, and in their worship to Almighty God. He has made them His favorite people. He has watched after them. And prophetically, I think all of you know that we are spiritual Israel. Those of us who are the children of Abraham through faith have those blessings coming to us.
Prophetic Context
When we look at the prophecies of some of these Old Testament prophets, some are specific to the nation of Israel, and some are metaphorical. We can take that example and use it for ourselves so that we can learn and apply some things to ourselves. So, bear that in mind as we talk about Isaiah. Isaiah is prophesying approximately 100 years before the two tribes of Judah get carried off into Babylonian captivity. He is trying to warn them and tell them what can happen.
God’s Longsuffering
You don’t ever blame God that God didn’t warn you. God will always warn the people or humanity before they go too far, especially those that are His own. And in this, we see the longsuffering of God revealed, how God is merciful. He doesn’t just sit there with a lightning bolt wanting to strike you every time you make a mistake. And aren’t you glad God’s compassionate like that? He’s not an abusive father. He is our Heavenly Father, but He’s not an abusive father. He’s very patient in how He deals with us.
Consequences of Sin
But He did say, “When I visit, I will visit their sins upon them.” People are not going to get away with their sins. They might stand up and challenge God, “God, if You’re really there, kill me right now.” God doesn’t operate that way. That’s not the way He does it. But when He visits, on His time, everybody understands He declares, through Isaiah, the displeasure of God. And so, He’s calling the people of God to a place of repentance.
God’s Promise of Preservation
Just like God did with Noah, He’s reminding Israel, “I’m not going to utterly destroy you. I’m not going to wipe it all out. There will be a remnant preserved. There is going to be a seed that comes out of Jacob. God’s elect are going to dwell in the promises of God. They’re going to inhabit that land. They’re going to enjoy the goodness of God.” And so, He’s telling them all that.
The Valley of Achor
And then my concept came out of this tenth verse there in Isaiah chapter 65. Such a beautiful verse because it instantly brings up memories of the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley, the things that are promised there. He says, “Sharon shall be a fold for flocks. It’s going to be productive. It’s going to be a rich place.” And then He uses the words, “the Valley of Achor is going to be a place where the herds will lie down because my people have sought me.”
Historical Context of Achor
Now, if you don’t have a very large understanding of the panoramic view of the word of God, you probably won’t catch what He’s talking about when He talks about the Valley of Achor. But the Valley of Achor is named right after Israel has crossed over the Jordan River, and they have destroyed the city of Jericho. It was unconventional warfare. It wasn’t done like, you know, boom, boom, boom, and all that kind of stuff, because the warfare that we fight is not a physical warfare. We do not depend upon the anger, the violence, the rhetoric that you’re seeing so much going on in the world today. That’s not how we deal with things, because what matters to us is things of the Spirit.
Spiritual Warfare
Amen. We’re trying to conquer the flesh, and we’re not trying to destroy the flesh. We’re trying to conquer this flesh. So, it was unconventional warfare. It was by worship and obedience that those vast, secure walls that surrounded the city of Jericho literally crumbled to the ground. History and archaeology have found one portion of the Jericho walls that are still standing. And I think it very interesting because the spies said, “You leave that cord hanging out that window.” Rahab lived on the city walls, and where that cord was hanging down, that part stayed; the rest of it crumbled down and fell.
The Sin of Achan
There was only one demand placed upon this battle, and that was the spoils of this battle wholly, totally, completely were devoted unto the Lord. Now, according to the law of devotion, what you have devoted to the Lord is His and His only. You can’t touch it. It’s God’s. Just like Eve in the garden, remember how Satan showed up and tempted her with the one thing she couldn’t have? I mentioned that Wednesday night.
Consequences of Disobedience
Now, we have a man by the name of Achan, who was tempted and took that which was forbidden. He was told explicitly, “You cannot have that.” I talked Wednesday night about order and disorder. We’ve got to learn to come underneath the submission of God, the order of God. And if we do that, there are the blessings that come from that. But we get out from under that umbrella of His protection, out from submission, we get into disobedience. And that’s when bad things happen to us.
The Cost of Sin
And so, one act—somebody say one act—of disobedience cost 36 innocent men their lives in a battle for a city by the name of Ai. What should have been so simple, what should have been a victorious thing, because of one man’s disobedience. Tell me that disunity doesn’t matter. Tell me that opposition, contrary spirits don’t matter. It does matter. Well, this is just, “everybody else but me.” No, what you do not only affects you, it affects the entire church, the entire body, it affects your family. It affects others as well.
Discovery of Achan’s Sin
So, this is what goes on here. When they went to Ai, it was like the Lord backed away. It’s okay, “Let’s see how you do it without my help.” I don’t want to try to do things without the help of the Lord. That’s a miserable place to be, and I could wax eloquent on the danger of doing it without God’s help, but please understand that you don’t want to go there. You want to be with the help of God behind you. So, it was through a process of revelation that Achan was discovered, found out that he had stolen, taken this. He knew it was wrong because he hid it underneath his tent.
Achan’s Punishment
These people, well, “I didn’t know I was doing anything wrong.” Well, why’d you have it covered up and hidden then? You’re exposing your own guilt in the way that you kept it like that. And so, he knew it was wrong. And as a result, now I’m shortening the story, trying to keep it very, very clear today. Achan, his family, his animals, his entire possessions, his tent, everything in his tent, everything he owned, including the things that he took away from God—all of that was stoned, put to death.
The Unfairness of Sin
You say, “That’s not fair.” Sin has never been fair. It costs you more than you would ever want to pay. But then it was cast off those sheer cliffs. I drove up yesterday just to kind of clear my head, try to get my thoughts together. I took a drive up through the valley. I took Sand Creek—if anybody knows what I’m talking about—I took Sand Creek on that part where it’s just a trail that leads alongside of a curvy mountainside where you’re looking right down into it, and you’re looking down into the beautiful valley.
The Valley of Dunlap
You can see one side of it coming off of 180. You can see the other side down there when you’re driving on Sand Ridge. What is the name of that little town that’s down in the bottom of that? Great restaurant down there, by the way. Dunlap. And so, you look down there in the bottom where Dunlap is. It’s just like looking at that valley right there. Dunlap is green. Dunlap is beautiful. If my wife didn’t have such a horror of living so far away from everybody, Dunlap—I’m sorry, Brother Robert—Dunlap would be a neat place to live. It’s just the hills all around you.
The Danger of the Cliffs
But when you’re right there on the edge of those cliffs, you don’t want to stumble. You don’t want somebody to shove you off the edge of that rock. But that’s where Achan was shoved, all of his remains. And from that time on, that’s where this valley got its name. The word “Achor” literally means trouble. Somebody say it with me: Trouble.
The Valley of Trouble
So, we see it as the Valley of Achor. When they read it, they read it as the Valley of Trouble. It’s like that river that is turning over and over, and it is turbulent, and it’s a raging river. That’s exactly the concept of the root word that is used here when it says Achor. It’s turbulent times. It’s troublesome times. Just to mention the name of Achor was to bring up memories of a dark period of Israel’s history, where God’s wrath and one man’s sin caused Israel some difficult situations. One man’s sin caused what is called the Valley of Achor. Somebody say, “Trouble.”
Avoiding Trouble
And we do everything we can to run from trouble. We do everything we can to avoid trouble. We want peace. We don’t want trouble. Hello. We want to avoid trouble. Try being the prophet Hosea, who was directed by God to go down among the prostitutes—pardon me for being blunt—and find a wife out of that bunch of harlots. Yet, I mean, you know, they might be attractive on the outward, but they’ve been so used.
Hosea’s Mission
You don’t know if you’re picking up sexual diseases or not. You don’t know, but the things that those women, the indignities that they suffer, the lives—don’t blame them. You don’t know what put them into that situation. And God said, “I want you, Hosea, I want you to go down there and pick out one of those, and I want you to marry her because I am trying to make a message to Israel of how I feel when Israel goes and chases all these other gods.”
Israel’s Idolatry
They explore all of these other things. They are prostituting the relationship they have with Almighty God for the pleasures that this world has: idolatry. Just whenever you see it in the scripture, whenever you see it in history, whenever you read anything about the followers of Athena, all of those idols and idolatrous things that happened, they had to do with sexual promiscuity at the same time. That’s the allurement that it had to it.
The Appeal of the Flesh
Why? Somebody answer me. Why do young girls have to dress so provocatively? What are you trying to sell? What are you trying to achieve? Why does this world follow after some of the things that you do? It’s because it is the appeal to the flesh. Now, don’t make me go down those roads. I’m trying to be good today. I really, really am, because there’s a lot of things I could say in a very harsh way, and I could be very biting. But just what I’m trying to explain to you is, imagine how God feels whenever those who are supposed to be His own, those who are supposed to be the called-out ones, those who are supposed to live underneath the divine order of God—we’re not the heathens that rage. Why do we follow after the ways of the heathen?
America’s Spiritual Decline
And this is what America is doing: It’s turning our back on God. And so many times, what happens in society turns around and gets mirrored inside of the church. And I’m telling you, we better have a church that loves God more than the things of this world.
The Unfaithful Wife
You would think, you would imagine that this girl, this woman, would forever be grateful that she was rescued out of that shameful, abusive lifestyle, wouldn’t you? You would think that she would be so grateful that she would have somebody that cared for her, supplied for her, ignored her past, cleaned up all of that, and gave her a brand-new start. But her lovers kept calling her back.
Separation from the World
Now, hear me, because I want to be very clear. If God’s redeemed you from a shameful past, don’t you flirt with it. Don’t you play around with it. This is why separation from the world is so absolutely essential. You cannot live as close to the world as you were in and expect to be victorious. “I’m not drinking, I’m just going where those guys are. I’m not doing those things, I just, they’re my friends, I want to hang.” I don’t want to give up. There are some relationships that you may have to sever so that you can make a stand for what is right. If they really love you, they’ll join you. Your life will be a testimony to them.
Standing for God
Somebody help me preach now, because I’m coming down to it. I just want you to know, we’ve got to stand up and scream out, “My God’s been good to me! I may have had a past, but I don’t want to go back there again. Thank God, I’m not what I was. I may not be everything I want to be, but I’m not like I used to be. My God has been good to me. I’ve been changed!” [Applause]
Hosea’s Unfaithful Wife
But Gomer has kids, right? But it’s not long until the entire city knows they don’t look like Hosea. There’s not a family resemblance that’s there. I don’t know what happened, but you know, this one just must have had some genetic throwbacks from several generations ago. No, she was going back to her lovers, and her lovers were plying her with gifts, buying her affections, doing all of that. And she was keeping two worlds, holding on to Hosea but still visiting that other side.
The Jealousy of God
“I don’t want to lose, but I want to have my fun.” No, a thousand times no. God is a jealous God. The Bible even said His name was Jealous one time. He’s not going to have you going out there flirting and playing with the world. Help me, somebody. And trying to act like everything’s all right between you and God. You know it’s not. God knows it’s not, and the products that come out of it are evidence that it’s not.
Hosea’s Plea
He begged his children, “Plead with your mother. Plead with your mother.” Now, I’m going to give you the end of the story before I give you the in-between part that God spoke to Hosea about. But the end of the story was Hosea eventually had to go to a slave auction and buy her back because her lovers, when they were finished with her, threw her aside, tossed her away, and went to the next flower they could abuse.
The World’s Deception
That’s how the world operates. That’s what they do. The world is not there for your sake. I don’t care how much they give you and do all that. They’re not there for your sake. They’ll use you and throw you away. But he was showing through Hosea, “I love Israel so much that I’ll pay a price if I have to, and I’ll buy her back.”
The Consequences of Sin
You see, Hosea couldn’t help the fact that when she made her choice to go after those old relationships, he could not help what was happening to her, the devastation that took place. Can you imagine the loneliness she had whenever she was tossed aside, mocked, and laughed at, abused, sick, abused physically, malnourished, and now nobody wants her? She’s lost her security. She’s lost everything that she’s had. Everything they gave her, they turned around and stripped away from her. And now she’s in this situation, and she is in trouble. She has no answer for it.
God’s Redemption Plan
But go with me to Hosea chapter 2. This is what God spoke to Hosea before he had to go and buy her back. Would you read for me in Hosea chapter 2? It’s going to be on the screen, but go down to verse 14. I’m shortening these verses. You’d do yourself a world of good to just go back and read the settings, but watch this in chapter 2 and verse 14. Read for me what God says: “Therefore, behold, I will allure her. Behold, I will allure her.”
God’s Mercy and Love
She’s no longer pretty. She’s been abused. She doesn’t look like she used to look when she was in her prime. There’s been all of this damage to her. And God says, “I’ll woo her just like I did when I fell in love with her the first time.” What mercy, saints of God! What goodness that God shows Himself! Read on: “And bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her.” I’m going to bring her into a solitary place, and I’m going to speak comfortably to her.
Restoration and Hope
Read on: “And I will give her vineyards from thence.” I’ll give her vineyards. I’m going to give her that sweet stuff one more time. I know she hasn’t been worthy of it, but aren’t you glad God doesn’t do it by what we’re worthy of? He does it by His mercies. He said, “I’m going to give her vineyards.” Read: “And the Valley of Achor for a door of hope.” And then it doesn’t seem to fit. I’m going to allure her. I’m going to take her to a private place and help her to fall back in love with me again. I’m going to give her the vineyards that produce the wine and the sweet things. I’m going to give her all of that.
The Valley of Trouble as a Door of Hope
And then I’m going to give her—read it like they saw it—the Valley of Trouble for a door of hope. What are you saying, God? What are you telling us? Finish it up before I go on: “And she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.” And the day she came up out of the land of Egypt. Read: “And it shall be at that day, says the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi, and shalt call me no more Baali.”
A New Relationship with God
You’ll no more call me Baali. You’re not going to call me that anymore. I’m going to extend to you the Valley of Trouble, and that turmoil and that brokenness that you go through is going to end up being the thing that puts you into a valley that is sweet and productive. Dottie Rambo wrote the song and said, “In the valley, He restoreth my soul. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” That was where Achan was shoved. This was where trouble shook our nation.
God’s Presence in the Valley
But though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because Thou art with me. He’s not going to abandon you in that valley. He’s not going to throw you away in that valley. I could be screaming this, and maybe it impacts you more, but I could do more than just sit here and give you the absolute truth from the word of God. I’m preaching to people that God loves so much that He allowed you to suffer some things so that He could come back and woo you one more time.
The Purpose of Trouble
God’s not going to spare you from trouble if it brings you back in relationship with God. But that trouble ends up being that sweet place where the sheep pasture and the richness flows. And He said, “You’re not going to call me Baali anymore.” Baali means my master, my lord. It means that hierarchical relationship that you are literally owned by. But when she uses the word “Ishi,” the word “Ish” in the Old Testament in the Hebrew literally means a man. Somebody say it again: Amen.
The Intimate Relationship with God
When God created Adam, He created “Ish.” It’s what it was. But when the word is “Ishi,” it not just means a man. Come here, babe. Brother Odum did something like this; I can do something like this. I’m not just a man, I’m what? My man. Say it again: My man. I’m not just a provider, I am her provider. I’m her man. It’s that same situation where it’s not just God, but Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.” It’s suddenly that possessiveness of sweet relationship comes in.
Abba Father
It’s like when we say “Abba Father,” which is the affectionate phrase for father or daddy. It is the fact that I have more than a biological sperm donor. I have more than just a creator. I’ve got a relationship with a God that loves me and provides for me and takes care of me. Do you understand, saint of God? That’s how much He loved you. He loved you enough to give you a Valley of Achor. And don’t despise that valley. Don’t despise what God has given you.
Testimony of Duth Davis
I got to quit. Come on up, sis. Pastor Duth Davis, I dearly love for his son to come. Him, his son, and I are very close friends. His son right now is the district secretary of the state of Mississippi, District of Mississippi. But Duth stayed in the Marines for quite some time. Simplify all that stuff. He was tough. And he did everything a Marine was big enough to do.
Duth’s Redemption
I’ll never forget the day, and I may have mentioned it to you, Dennis came up to me. He said, “Hey, Ron, he called me that—you can’t.” He said, “I just found out I got another brother I didn’t know I had.” Oh, really? He said, “Yeah, it’s just unbelievable.” He said, all these kids, and I doubt that I don’t know how many of them had the same set of parents, but anyway, that’s another reflection of the society we live in. Duth lived a bad life, but Duth went to a revival service one time.
Transformation Through Revival
What was the man’s name, used to preach on judgment and hell? Was a famous evangelist. Went to revival THERE in Jackson, Mississippi, one time. God, under conviction, went to an altar, and God filled Duth with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Richard Heard. Richard Heard scared hell out of him, and it worked. And Duth lived for God from then on.
Duth’s Suffering and Faith
Duth had such a past, you just have to shake your head at the past that he had, the stuff that he was involved in. But Duth got one of the most extreme cases of crippling arthritis that I have ever seen. But you never saw Duth Davis complain about his pain, his arthritis, his surgeries to break those knuckles and stretch things out. You never saw him fuss about any of that kind of stuff. You get around him, and you’d be laughing. He’d joke. He’d have fun. He’d sit towards the front of the building and love. He was a preacher’s friend. He’d make a preacher preach. He was just so fun to have as a saint.
Duth’s Perspective on Pain
And I asked him, I said, “Does it hurt, Duth?” He said, “Yes, but it’s a reminder of what God has spared me and saved me from.” What did he have to offer any woman again in his frail, broken situation? You see, sometimes the walk God has put us into is nothing more than another act of His grace, saving us from what we would have done on our own.
God’s Unfailing Love
God’s taken us so far away from those things. But finally, we got alongside of Him long enough until we learned, “God, You’ve loved me through all my failures. You loved me through all the dumb mistakes that I’ve made. I don’t understand, God, why, why have You kept loving me after I’ve done these things?” Well, aren’t you glad He knows the end from the beginning? He knew your heart. He knows things about you no one else does. He knows that deep down inside, you don’t really want to live that life. Yeah, you got tricked. Yeah, you got pulled away, but He’s still saying, “I let you go through some things to turn your eyes back to me because I care for you.”
Closing Exhortation
I wish I had some prettier way to finish this today, but I just want to remind every one of you: Don’t go back where you once were. Don’t ever look back. Be like Lot’s wife, thinking about what you’ve lost. Don’t do that. Don’t do that. God’s been good to you, and it’s not over yet. After these grapes are gone, there’s another season going to come. I’ll enjoy the sweetness one more time. The blessings of God will come in waves, and He’ll provide and supply.
God’s Faithfulness in Trouble
So, every time I face trouble, every time the world knocks me off my feet, I know I’ve got a God that loves me enough to stoop down, pick me back up again, help me again because my God loves me. Stand with me right now. We’ve already had one altar call, so I want you to stand across this building, and I want you first to just throw up your hands and love God.
remove “amen” and improve grammar
Sermon Transcription: The Valley of Achor
Introduction
The prophet spoke these words: “I have spread out my hands all day to a rebellious people.” Let me clarify: I’m not here to criticize the church. This reflects the condition of the world we live in, the state of our nation that has turned its back on God. I’m not here to condemn you, dear people. If the message resonates, consider what you will do if it applies to you. I’ve seen too often how the enemy uses God’s word to discourage you when you’re trying your best. That is not my purpose.
The Rebellious People
I have spread out my hands all day to a rebellious people who walk in ways that are not good, following their own thoughts. Verse three: a people who provoke me to anger continually to my face. Isn’t that the state of our world, sacrificing in gardens, burning incense on altars of brick? For the sake of time, I’ll skip a few verses. In verse seven: “Your iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together,” says the Lord, “who have burned incense on the mountains, blasphemed me on the hills. Therefore, I will measure their former work to their bosom.”
God’s Mercy and Promise
Thus says the Lord: “As new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it,’ so I will do for my servants’ sake, that I may not destroy them all.” Are you with me? I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains. My elect shall inherit it. My servants shall dwell there, and Sharon shall be a fold for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, for my people who have sought me.
The Protection of God
Those who have lived under the shelter of His wings, under His protection, will receive the promises and blessings. Even though God will address some issues, He will care for His own. I want to speak to you for a while about the Valley of Achor.
Prayer for Guidance
Help me, Lord, I pray. Help me say what I should. Keep me from straying off course. Prevent me, God, from dwelling on trivial matters, but let me preach and teach what is essential and necessary for these people, according to what You have placed in my heart. In Jesus’ name, I pray. God bless you.
Isaiah’s Call to Return
I am moving as quickly as possible this morning. The prophet Isaiah urges God’s people to return to their spiritual roots in their work, walk, and worship of Almighty God. He has made them His chosen people and watched over them. Prophetically, we are spiritual Israel, children of Abraham through faith, and we receive those blessings.
Prophetic Context
Some Old Testament prophecies are specific to the nation of Israel, while others serve as metaphors we can apply to ourselves to learn and grow. Keep this in mind as we discuss Isaiah. He prophesied about 100 years before the two tribes of Judah were carried into Babylonian captivity. He warned them of what could happen.
God’s Longsuffering
Never blame God for not warning you. God always warns His people or humanity before they go too far, especially those who are His own. Here, we see God’s longsuffering revealed, His mercy evident. He doesn’t sit ready with a lightning bolt to strike you every time you err. Aren’t you glad God is compassionate? He is not an abusive father but our Heavenly Father, patient in His dealings with us.
Consequences of Sin
Yet, He said, “When I visit, I will visit their sins upon them.” People will not escape the consequences of their sins. They might challenge God, saying, “If You’re really there, strike me now.” God doesn’t work that way. When He visits, in His time, everyone will understand. Through Isaiah, He declares His displeasure, calling His people to repentance.
God’s Promise of Preservation
Like He did with Noah, God reminds Israel, “I will not utterly destroy you. I will not wipe you out. A remnant will be preserved. A seed will come from Jacob. My elect will dwell in My promises, inhabit the land, and enjoy My goodness.”
The Valley of Achor
My concept comes from verse ten in Isaiah chapter 65, a beautiful verse that evokes images of the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley. It says, “Sharon shall be a fold for flocks. It will be productive, a rich place.” Then, it states, “the Valley of Achor will be a place where herds lie down because my people have sought me.”
Historical Context of Achor
Without a broad understanding of God’s word, you might miss the significance of the Valley of Achor. It was named after Israel crossed the Jordan River and destroyed Jericho through unconventional warfare, not physical combat but worship and obedience. The vast, secure walls of Jericho crumbled. Archaeology confirms one section of the walls remained, where Rahab lived, marked by the cord in her window.
The Sin of Achan
The battle’s only demand was that the spoils be wholly devoted to the Lord. By the law of devotion, what is given to God is His alone. Like Eve in the garden, tempted by the forbidden, Achan took what was prohibited despite explicit instructions. We discussed order and disorder recently. Submission to God’s order brings blessings, but stepping out from His protection into disobedience leads to trouble.
Consequences of Disobedience
One act of disobedience cost 36 innocent men their lives in a battle for the city of Ai. What should have been a simple victory was marred by one man’s sin. Disunity and contrary spirits matter. Your actions affect not only you but the entire church, your family, and others.
Discovery of Achan’s Sin
At Ai, it was as if God stepped back, saying, “See how you do without my help.” I don’t want to live without God’s help; it’s a miserable place. Through revelation, Achan was exposed for stealing and hiding the forbidden items under his tent, knowing it was wrong.
Achan’s Punishment
Achan, his family, animals, possessions, tent—everything he owned, including what he stole from God—was stoned and destroyed. You might say, “That’s unfair.” Sin is never fair. It costs more than you want to pay. His remains were cast off the cliffs.
The Valley of Dunlap
Yesterday, to clear my mind, I drove through the valley along Sand Creek, a trail by a curvy mountainside overlooking a beautiful valley. You see it from Highway 180 or Sand Ridge. In the valley lies Dunlap, green and beautiful. If my wife weren’t averse to living so remotely, Dunlap would be a lovely place to live, surrounded by hills. But on those cliffs’ edge, you don’t want to stumble or be pushed. That’s where Achan was cast, and the valley was named Achor, meaning “trouble.”
The Valley of Trouble
To them, Achor was the Valley of Trouble, like a turbulent, raging river. Mentioning Achor recalled a dark period in Israel’s history, where one man’s sin and God’s wrath caused great difficulty. We do everything to avoid trouble, seeking peace instead.
Hosea’s Mission
Consider the prophet Hosea, directed by God to marry a prostitute. Despite their outward allure, these women faced indignities and risks. God instructed Hosea to choose one to illustrate how He feels when Israel chases other gods, prostituting their relationship with Him for worldly pleasures and idolatry, often tied to promiscuity.
The Appeal of the Flesh
Why do some dress provocatively? What are they selling? The world pursues these things to appeal to the flesh. I’m restraining myself, as I could speak harshly, but consider how God feels when His people, meant to live under His divine order, follow heathen ways.
America’s Spiritual Decline
America is turning its back on God, and often, societal trends infiltrate the church. We need a church that loves God more than the world.
The Unfaithful Wife
You’d think Hosea’s wife, rescued from a shameful, abusive life, would be forever grateful for a fresh start. Yet, her former lovers kept calling her back. If God has redeemed you from a shameful past, don’t flirt with it. Separation from the world is essential. You cannot live close to your old ways and expect victory. Some relationships may need to end to stand for what’s right. If they love you, they’ll join you, and your life will testify to them.
Standing for God
We must stand and proclaim, “My God has been good to me! I don’t want to return to my past. I’m not what I was, and though I’m not yet all I want to be, God has changed me!” [Applause]
Hosea’s Unfaithful Wife
Gomer bore children, but the city soon noticed they didn’t resemble Hosea. She was returning to her lovers, who plied her with gifts, keeping one foot in each world—holding onto Hosea while visiting her past. You can’t have both. God is jealous; He won’t tolerate flirting with the world while pretending all is well with Him. The evidence of your life reveals the truth.
Hosea’s Plea
Hosea begged his children, “Plead with your mother.” Eventually, he had to buy her back at a slave auction. Her lovers, done with her, discarded her for the next. The world uses and abandons you, but through Hosea, God showed His love for Israel, willing to pay a price to redeem her.
The Consequences of Sin
Hosea couldn’t prevent the devastation Gomer faced when she chose her old lovers—loneliness, mockery, abuse, sickness, malnourishment, and loss of security. Stripped of everything, she was in trouble with no solution.
God’s Redemption Plan
In Hosea chapter 2, verse 14, God says: “Therefore, behold, I will allure her.” Though no longer in her prime, abused and damaged, God vows to woo her as He did initially. What mercy! He continues: “And bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her. And I will give her vineyards from there.” Despite her unworthiness, God’s mercy grants her vineyards, sweet blessings.
The Valley of Trouble as a Door of Hope
Then, He says, “And the Valley of Achor for a door of hope.” The Valley of Trouble becomes a gateway to hope. She will sing as in her youth, as when she left Egypt. In that day, says the Lord, “You will call me Ishi, not Baali.” No longer “master,” but “Ishi”—my man, my provider, a term of intimate, possessive love, like “Abba Father,” denoting a deep relationship.
God’s Presence in the Valley
The turmoil of Achor leads to a sweet, productive valley. Dottie Rambo sang, “In the valley, He restoreth my soul. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.” God won’t abandon you in that valley. He loves you enough to let you suffer to draw you back, wooing you again.
The Purpose of Trouble
God allows trouble to restore your relationship with Him, transforming it into a place of richness. Don’t despise the Valley of Achor.
Testimony of Duth Davis
Pastor Duth Davis, a close friend’s father, served in the Marines, living a rough life. At a revival in Jackson, Mississippi, evangelist Richard Heard preached on judgment, leading Duth to an altar where he received the Holy Ghost. Despite a past that would shock you, Duth developed severe arthritis but never complained. His pain, surgeries, and limitations didn’t dim his joy. He laughed, joked, and supported preachers, a beloved saint.
Duth’s Perspective on Pain
When asked if it hurt, Duth said, “Yes, but it’s a reminder of what God spared me from.” His frail condition was an act of grace, saving him from his past choices.
God’s Unfailing Love
God loved us through our failures and mistakes. He knows your heart, that deep down, you don’t want that old life. He allows trials to turn your eyes back to Him, saying, “I care for you.”
Closing Exhortation
Don’t return to your past. Don’t look back like Lot’s wife, longing for what you lost. God’s been good, and it’s not over. New seasons of sweetness will come. When trouble knocks you down, know God loves you enough to lift you up again. Stand now, raise your hands, and love God.