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TheHistoryOfTheValleyOfAchor(Trouble)
Trouble;Hardship TheValleyofAchor1of3

TEXT: Dont Read Hosea 2:14-15; Joshua 7:1 AIM: Trouble and hardship is revealed in the history of all people, in all places, and in all times. In spiritual terms, our history often creates our trouble! The history of the valley was a valley of trouble. Only God is the answer for such a valley. INTRODUCTION: Haveyoueverhadtroubleinyourlife?Iwouldbeshockedifanyonesaid,No,becauseas Jobsaid,Manthatisbornofawomanisoffewdays,andfulloftrouble(Job14:1).TheEnglish wordtroubleanditsderivativesareusedover200timesintheBible. A. I heard a little story where Thephotographerforanationalmagazinewasassignedtogetphotosofagreatforestfire. Smokeatthescenehamperedhimandheaskedhishomeofficetohireaplane. Arrangementsweremadeandhewastoldtogoatoncetoanearbyairport,wheretheplane wouldbewaiting.Whenhearrivedattheairport,aplanewaswarmingupneartherunway. Hejumpedinwithhisequipmentandyelled,Letsgo!Letsgo!Thepilotswungtheplane intothewind,andtheyweresoonintheair.Flyoverthenorthsideofthefire,yelledthe photographer,andmakethreeorfourlowlevelpasses. Why?askedthepilot. BecauseImgoingtotakepictures,criedthephotographer. Imaphotographerandphotographerstakepictures! Afterapausethepilotsaid,Youmeanyourenottheinstructor? Iimagineatthatmoment,theybothrealizedthattheywereintrouble. ThismessagestartsthefirstofthreesermonsaboutaplaceintheBiblethatmanyofyoumay ofhaveneverheard.ThenameofthisplaceisAchorwhichliterallymeanstroubling,and thephrasethatcontainsittheValleyofAchormeansthevalleyoftroublingThe ValleyofTrouble. InHosea2,afterhighlightingamessageofjudgmentforwaywardIsrael,AlmightyGodgave thisprophetamessageofhope.AndGodsmessagethroughHoseaisfoundinourtext Hosea2:15<<READ. B. Achor occurs three times in the Bible. 1. THEFIRSTisinJoshua7inconnectionwiththestoryofAchanandhissin. a. AchanisreferredtoasAchar,thetroublerofIsrael,whotransgressedinthe

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thingaccursed(1Chr.2:7). b. WhenthepeopleofIsraelhadconqueredJerichointhefirstwaveoftheir invasionofthePromisedLand,Jerichowasputunderadivineban:thecity andallthatarethereinweretobedealtwithasGodsopleasedJosh.6:16 19. c. AchanviolatedthebanduringtheconquestofJerichoJosh.7:1. d. AchantookspoilofJerichothatthepeoplehadbeentoldbyGodtheywere NOTtotake.Hetook200shekelsofsilver,aBabyloniangarment,anda wedgeofgoldandhidthemintheearthenfloorofhisfamilystentJosh. 7:21. e. ThesinofAchanwasimputedtothewholenationJosh.7:1,1112.For theirdisobediencetheyweresoundlydefeatedandlostthenextbattleatAi vs.45. Initially,notknowingthereasonfortheirdefeattheyasked,Whydidwe lose,whatwaswrong? 1) AninvestigationwasmadeandthesinofAchanwasdiscoveredhe hadstolegravenimagestheaccusedthing(thethingsdevotedtothe Lord). 2) Hisfamilywascomplicitincoveringhissinandbothwerejudged. AchanandhisfamilywerestonedintheValleyofAchorValleyof Trouble,whichtookitsnamefromthisincidentasseeninJoshua7:26. 3) Israellearnedthehardwaythatwhatonepersondoescouldaffectthe wellbeingofthewholenation. 2. THESECONDTIMEthisvalleyismentionedisinIsaiahwhenhespeaksofa daywhenitwillbecomearestingplaceforflocksandherdsIsaiah65:910. a. AchorisusedhereinIsaiahandinHosea2:15inafigurativesenseto describethemessianicageorthetimeofrestorationthatwouldresultforthe nationofIsraelonlyaftertheypassedthroughtheirtrouble.

f.

b. IntheValleyofAchorAchanssinwasdiscovered,judged,andputaway.In likemanner,ifIsraelandGomerinHoseawilldealwiththeirsinandputit away,thatveryactwillresultinGodblessingandbringrestorationand hope. 3. THETHIRDTIMEishereinHosea2:15,andtheplaceoftroublingisto becomeaplaceofhopeforGodspeople. a. TheValleyofAchorisonthenorthernboundaryofJudah(Josh.15:7). 1) ItrunsfromancientJerichointothehillsandformsapassagefromthe Jordanvalleytotheupperregion. 2) ThisvalleyisthenormalentranceintoCanaanandwasthefirstportion ofthePromisedLandthatcameintothepossessionoftheIsraelites:and thiswastobetothemtoadoorofhope. a) Itwasagroundofassurance,thattheyshouldinduetimepossess

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thewholeland. b) Itwas,asitwere,anearnest,wherebytheyweretaughttoexpectthe fulfillmentofallthepromises. b. BecauseofthesinofAchantheexpressionvalleyofAchorbecame proverbialforthatwhichcausedtrouble. 1) WhenIsaiahin65:10referstoitheusesitinthissense:hevalleyof Achortheplaceoftroubling:willbecomeaplaceforherdstoliedown in;i.e.,thatwhichhadbeenasourceofcalamitywouldbecomeasource ofblessing. 2) AlsoinHosea2:15,Hoseausestheexpressioninthesamesense:The valleyofAchorforadoorofhope;i.e.,troublewouldbeturnedintojoy, despairintohope. c. Howcanaplaceofsuchswiftjudgmentbehopeful? Howcanthedestructivetroublingbechanged? 1) WEcannotchangeitcertainly.ButthereisOnewhocanandwhodoes. 2) Godsetshopebeforeuswhenallseemsmostlost. Hedoesitbytakingourtroubleonhimself. InalatermessagewewilllookattheHopeofthisValley.Butfornow,Iwantustogoback tothebookofJoshuaanddiscovertheHistoryofthisValley. I. THE HISTORY OF THIS VALLEY INVOLVED A SITUATION OF DISOBEDIENCE JOSHUA 6:1619; 7:1 A. Notice The WARNING Of The Accursed Thing Joshua 6:17-18 1. Jerichowasputunderadivineban. a. Thewordaccursedoraccursedthing(cherem)canrefertoadoomed objectandcanrefertosomethingbannedfrompersonaluse;something consecrated/dedicatedforutterdestructionor,oritistobeappointedtofor devotion.

b. BecausetheLordhadgivenJerichointothehandsoftheIsraelites,theywere toconsecratethecityanditscontentstoHimasaban(cherem),i.e.,asaholy thingbelongingtoJehovah,whichwasnottobetouchedbyman,asbeing thefirstfruitsofthelandofCanaan.Thedevotedthingthathadbeen dedicatedtotheLordwasunredeemableSEE>>Leviticus27:2829. 2. Theinhabitantsofthisidolatroustownlayunderthebanandweretobeputto death,togetherwiththeircattle,andallthepropertyinthetowntobeburned. a. AfewpeopleandsomeitemsinJerichowerenotdestroyed,butthiswasa specialcase. 1) RahabandherhouseholdweresavedbecauseshehadfaithinGodand becauseshehelpedtheIsraelitespies. 2) Thegold,silver,andthevesselsofbrassandironwerekept,nottoenrich thepeople,butweretobebroughtintothetreasuryoftheLord,i.e.,the

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treasuryofthetabernacle,asbeingholytotheLordJosh.6:19. 3. WhydidGoddemandthattheIsraelitesdestroyalmosteveryoneandeverything InJericho?HewascarryingoutsevereJudgmentagainstthewickednessofthe Canaanites. a. Thisjudgment,or"ban,wassodictatedbyGodinDeut.12:13;13:1218 beforeIsraeleverwentintotheLand.Itrequiredthateverythingbe destroyed.

b. Becauseoftheirevilpracticesandintenseidolatry,theCanaaniteswerea strongholdofrebellionagainstGod. c. BecauseofthisthreattotheholylivingofIsrael,Goddemandedremovalof theCanaanites.Ifnot,theywouldaffectallIsraellikeacancerousgrowth(as itdidinthesadstorytoldinthebookofJudges).

d. Whoevertooktohimselfanythingthathadbeenlaidundertheban,exposed themselvestobeingbannedandcursedfortworeasons: 1) Firstly,theywerebannedfortheirownprotection.Aviolatorwouldbe bringinganabominationintohisownhomeandsubjectingthehouseto temptationintheirworshipDeut.7:25. 2) Butsecondly,becausesuchapersonwickedlyinvadedtherightsofthe Lord,bytakingforhimselfthatwhichhadbeenlaidundertheban, deliberatelyviolatedthebanitself. 4. God'spurposeinallthiswastokeepthepeople'sfaithandreligion uncontaminated.HedidnotwanttheloottoremindIsraelofCanaanite practices. Goddesirespurityineachofustoday,aswell. a. GodwantsustocleanupourliveswhenwebeginanewlifewithHim. b. Wemustnotletthedesireforpersonalgaindistractusfromourspiritual purpose. c. Wemustalsorejectanyobjectsthatcommemoratealifelivedinrebellionto God.

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B. Notice the WICKEDNESS of AchanJoshua 7:1 Josh.7:1ButthechildrenofIsraelcommittedatrespassintheaccursedthing:forAchan,the sonofCarmi,thesonofZabdi,thesonofZerah,ofthetribeofJudah,tookoftheaccursedthing:and theangeroftheLORDwaskindledagainstthechildrenofIsrael. 1. ThechildrenofIsraelcommittedatrespassi.e.theyperpetratedawrong.Literally thesetwowordsmeantheyactedtreacherouslyandcommittedabreachoffaith. a. TheHebrewwordforcommittedmeanstocoverup,toactcovertly,i.e. treacherously.

b. TheHebrewwordfortrespassmeansatreacheroussin:falsehood.Itwasa verysorely,grievous,transgression. c. Inotherwords,Achanacteddeceitfullyashecovertlydisobeyedthe commandofGodstealingandhidingaway,thatwhichhadbeendedicated

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toGodbytheban(Josh.6:19). 2. Thetrespasswastheactofoneman,yetitwasimputedtoallIsrael,whoalso sharesinthepenaltyofitJoshua7:5. WhydidAchan'ssinbringjudgementon theentirenation? a. Thisisnottobeexplainedasthoughallthepeopleparticipatedinthe covetousness,whichledtoAchanssinJoshua7:21.

b. Althoughitwasoneman'sfailure,Godsawitasnationaldisobediencetoa nationallaw. 1) ThenationasanationwasincovenantwithGod,andistreatedbyHim notmerelyasanumberofindividualslivingtogetherfortheirown purposesundercommoninstitutions,butasadivinelyconstituted organicwhole. 2) Godneededtheentirenationtobecommittedtothejobtheyhadagreed todoconquertheland.Thus,whenonepersonfailed,everyonefailed. 3) Therefore,thesinofAchandefiledtheothermembersofthecommunity aswellashimself;andthisrobbedthepeoplecollectivelyofholiness beforeGodandacceptablenesswithHim. c. 3. IsraelhadinthepersonofAchanbrokenthecovenantJoshua7:11;God thereforewouldnomoredriveouttheCanaanitesbeforethem. Notcursedasinbeingdoomed,butratherinthatwhichhadbeendevotedor dedicatedtoGod.

ThechildrenofIsraelcommittedatrespassintheaccursedthing. a.

b. Achan'ssinwasnotmerelytheactofkeepingsomeofthebooty,but disobediencetoGod'sexplicitcommandtodestroyeverythingconnected withthiscity. c. HissinwasindifferencetotheevilandidolatryoftheCity,notjustadesire formoneyandclothes.

d. AchaninstealingawayanyofthedevotedthingsfortheLordtohisown purposes,committedthesinofsacrilegei.e.thetheftofsomethingsetapart toGod. 1) ThiswasthesinofAnaniasandSapphirainActs5:23. 2) ItisthesamesintodaywhenwedonttithetotheLordthroughthe churchorrenegeonourFaithPromiseoffering. e. GodisnotcontentwithourdoingwhatisrightsomeofthetimeHewantsus todowhatisrightALLthetime.Weareunderhisorderstoridourlivesof anythingthathindersourdevotiontohim.

C. Notice The WRATH Of Almighty God Joshua 7:1 Josh.7:1ButthechildrenofIsraelcommittedatrespassintheaccursedthing:forAchan,theson ofCarmi,thesonofZabdi,thesonofZerah,ofthetribeofJudah,tookoftheaccursedthing:andthe angeroftheLORDwaskindledagainstthechildrenofIsrael. 1. TheHeb.wordforanger('aph)makesreferencetothenoseandfaceofa

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person. a. Maybeoursaying,hisnoseisbentoutofshapegetsitmeaningfromthis word.

b. Forfromthenoseornostrilofapersoncomesrapidbreathinginpassion,i.e. ire,wrath,fury,indignation,angerwherethecountenanceofthefaceis changed. 2. TheHeb.wordforkindled(charah)meanstogofromaglowtogrowintoa blaze.Itbecomesaburninganger,thathaswaxedhotandisincensedtobe extremelyangry. InordertounderstandAchanssin,wemustbearinmindtheabsolutenatureof thedecreethateverythingbelongingtoJerichoshouldbedevotedtotheLord a. Alllivingbeingsweretobeslain,anddestructiblematerialsconsumedasa sacrificetotheoffendedMajestyofourLord.

3.

b. Allindestructiblematerialssilverandgold,vesselsofironandbrasswere tobeconsecratedtotheserviceofthesanctuary. c. Thesinwas,therefore,somethingmorethananactofdisobedience. 1) ItwasaviolationoftheDivinecovenant. 2) Itwassacrilege,arobberyofGod,andanimpiousseizure,forbase, selfishpurposes,ofthatwhichbelongedtoHim. d. AndthesecrecywithwhichthesinwascommittedwasadefianceofGods DivineOmniscienceHisabilitytoknowandseeallthings. e. Trifling,astheoffencemayseemonameresuperficialviewofit,itsact containedtheessentialelementsofalltransgression. 1) Thepenaltywasterrible;butAchannewofitbeforepurposelysinned, thereforethemoraldemandsofGodsWordcouldnotbeavoided. 2) ThesovereigntyGodwasassertedsoseriouslyovertheCanaanitesthat GodcouldnotallowortoleratethisdishonouramongHisownpeople. JudgmentmustbeginatthehouseofGod(1Pet.4:17). The History Of This Valley Involved A Situation Of Disobedience and II. THE HISTORY OF THIS VALLEY INVOLVED A SITUATION OF DEFEAT JOSHUA 7:2-9 A. There Was A VIEWING Of Ai Joshua 7:2-3 1. Wordmeanings: a. c. 2. 3. Aicomesfromawordthatmeansaruin;asifoverturnedaheap. BethelmeanshouseofGod. b. Bethavenmeanshouseofvanity. IsraelwerenotinitiallyabletooverturnAibecausetheyweretooclosetothe houseofvanityandtoofarfromthehouseofGod. Likeeverygoodcommander,Joshuasurveyedthesituationbeforeheplanned

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hisstrategyofattach. a. HismistakewasntinsendingoutthespiesbutinassumingthattheLord waspleasedwithHispeopleandwouldgivethemvictoryoverAi. 1) Heandhisofficerswerewalkingbysightandnotbyfaith. 2) SpiritualleadersmustconstantlyseektheLordsfaceanddetermine whatHiswillisforeachnewchallenge. b. HadJoshuacalledaprayermeeting,undoubtedlytheLordwouldhave informedhimthattherewassininthecamp. 1) Havingthatrevelation,Joshuacouldhavedealtwithit,beforethebattle. 2) Thiswouldhavesavedthelivesof36soldiersandsparedIsraela humiliatingdefeat. c. ItsimpossibleforustoenterintoJoshuasmindandfullyunderstandhis thinking,wecanonlyguess. 1) BUTnodoubttheimpressivevictoryatJerichohadgivenJoshuaandhis armyagreatdealofselfconfidence;and selfconfidencecanleadto presumptionwediditbefore,wecandoitagain. 2) JoshuacouldhavereasonedsinceAiwasasmallercitythanJericho, victoryseemedinevitablefromthehumanpointofview. 3) BUTinsteadofseekingthemindoftheLord,Joshuaacceptedthe counselofhisspies;andthisledtodefeat. a) ThespiessaidnothingabouttheLordtheirwholereportfocused onthearmyandtheirconfidenceandontheirstrengththatIsrael wouldhavevictory. b) Youdonthearthesemensaying,IftheLordwill. c) Theyweresurethatthewholearmywasntneededfortheassault, butNOTEthatwasntGodsstrategywhenHegavetheordersfor thesecondattackonAiinJoshua8:1Hesaid,takeallthepeopleof war.

Application Toooftenwerelyonourownskillsandstrength,especiallywhenthetaskbeforeusseems easy.WegotoGodonlywhentheobstaclesseemtoogreat.However,onlyGodknowswhat liesahead.ConsultingHim,evenwhenweareonawinningstreak,maysaveusfromgrave mistakesormisjudgements.Godmaywantustolearnlessons,removepride,orconsult othersbeforeHewillworkthroughus. 4. SinceGodsthoughtsandwaysarenotourthoughtsandways(Isaiah55:89), wedbettertaketimetoseekHisdirection.Pridegoethbeforedestruction,andan haughtyspiritbeforeafall(Proverbs16:18). WhatIsraelneededwasGodconfidence,notselfconfidence. B. There Was A VICTORY By Ai Joshua 7:4-5

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1.

ThemenofAismoteofthem[Israel]aboutthirtysixmen. a. IsraelseemedtohavepresumedthatthemenofAiwouldhaveimmediately openedtheirgatestothem,andthereforetheymarchedupwithconfidence; buttheenemyappearing,theywereputtoflight,theirranksutterlybroken, and36ofthemkilled. Shebarimsignifiesruinsofaplacewerepreviouslytherewascrashing thoughofbarriers,breachesorbrokenplacesinthedefence. 1) HerewemayapplythemeaningtotheranksoftheIsraelites,which werebrokenbythemenofAiasthepeopleweretotallyrouted,though therewerebutfewslain. 2) Theywerepanicstruck,andfledintheutmostconfusion.

b. TheAiwarriorschasedthemfrombeforethegateevenuntoShebarim. c.

2.

Vs.5statesastheIsraelitesfledtheywereslainfrombehindastheywereinthe goingdowni.e.onthedescent.

Theheartsofthepeoplemelted,andbecameaswater. Theywereutterlydiscouraged,andbythisgaveanampleproof C. There Was A VEXATION Over Ai Joshua 7:6-9 1. Tearingtheclothes(i.e.whatismeantbyrent),beatingthebreast,tearingthe hair,puttingdustuponthehead,andfallingdownprostrateontheground,were theusualmarksofdeepaffliction,distressandmourningbeforeGod. Joshuacried,Alas,OLordGod. a. Interestinglythisexclamationofdistress,isverysimilartotheHebrewword whichwetranslatealasis}ahahh.

2.

b. Joshuasanguishinthisandthefollowingversesseemsprincipallytohave arisenfromhisdeepconcernforthegloryofGod. c. Thepeopleturnedtheirbacksandfledhowwouldthisaffectthe thousandsofIsraelwhoobservedthisfiasco?Wouldtheyfeelabandoned anddoomedtodestruction?

Application ImagineprayingthiswaytoGod.Thisisnotsomerepetitiousorformalchurchprayer,itis theprayerofamanwhoisafraidandconfusedbywhatishappeningaroundhim.Joshua pouredouthisrealthoughtstoGod. HidingyourneedsfromGodisignoringtheonlyOnewhocanreallyhelp.Godwelcomes yourhonestprayersandwantsyoutoexpressyourtruefeelingstoHim.Anybelievercan becomemorehonestinprayerbyrememberingthatGodisallknowingandallpowerful, andHisloveiseverlasting. Whenourlivesfallapart,wealsoshouldturntoGodfordirectionandhelp.LikeJoshuaand theelders,weshouldhumbleourselvessothatwewillbeabletohearHisword. 3. JoshuafeltforthegloryofGod,forheknewshouldIsraelbedestroyedGods namewouldbeblasphemedamongthepagan.

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a.

JoshuasfearsandhorrorarefoundedonGodsownwordsDeut.32:2627.

b. Moseshadusedsimilarexpressionsonasimilaroccasion SEE>>Ex.5:2223;Num.14:1318. The History of this Valley Involved a Situation Of Disobedience, it Involved A Situation Of Defeat and III. THE HISTORY OF THIS VALLEY INVOLVED A SITUATION OF DEATH JOSHUA 7:1026 A. We See How The CULPRIT Was EXPOSED Vs. 10-18 1. Invs.14issays,TheLordtakethorasinvs.18wastakeni.e.chosethefamilies bylot. a. TheHebrewwordforlotsuggeststhatsmallstoneswereused,probably whiteandblackones,wereused.

b. Whetherdrawnfromachestorrolledlikedice,thelotwasregardedas directedinitsresultbyGod.Prov.16:33Thelotiscastintothelap;butthe wholedisposingthereofisoftheLORD. 2. Joshuawastotakeawaythiscursefromthenationbydiscoveringwhohadlaid handsuponwhatwasbanned. a. Hedirectedthepeopletosanctifythemselvesforthefollowingday(Josh 7:13),andthentocausethemtocomebeforeGodaccordingtotheirtribes, families,households,andindividualssothattheguiltymenmightbe discoveredbylot.

b. Whoeverwasfoundtobeguilty,wastobeburnedwithallthathepossessed. B. We See How The CONFESSION Was EXPRESSED Joshua 7:19-23 OftenbeforewecanexperiencethefullnessofGod'sblessingsandpromises,wemustpray asthePsalmistinPsalm139:2324Searchme,OGod,andknowmyheart:tryme,andknowmy thoughts:24]Andseeiftherebeanywickedwayinme,andleadmeinthewayeverlasting. C. We See How The CONSEQUENCES Were EXECUTED Joshua 7:24-26 1. WhydidAchan'sentirefamilypayforhissin? a. SincethelawinDeut.24:16prohibitedinnocentfamilymembersfrombeing punishedforthesinsoftheirrelatives,Achan'sfamilymusthavebeenguilty ofassistinghiminhissin.

b. NOTEthatAchanhaddisobeyedGod'scommandtodestroyeverythingin Jericho;thuseverythingthatbelongedtoAchanwouldbedestroyed. c. 2. Sinhasdrasticconsequences,soweshouldtakedrasticmeasurestoridsin fromourlives. Certainly,wedonottakeupstonesandslaytheoffendingpartiesinour churches.

Howdowedealwithsininthecamporinourownlivestoday? a.

b. Butwedomortifythedeedsofthebodyandcrucifytheaffectionsandlusts oftheflesh?

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Romans6:1113Likewisereckonyealsoyourselvestobedeadindeeduntosin,butaliveuntoGod throughJesusChristourLord.12]Letnotsinthereforereigninyourmortalbody,thatyeshouldobey itintheluststhereof.13]Neitheryieldyeyourmembersasinstrumentsofunrighteousnessuntosin: butyieldyourselvesuntoGod,asthosethatarealivefromthedead,andyourmembersasinstruments ofrighteousnessuntoGod. Romans8:13Forifyeliveaftertheflesh,yeshalldie:butifyethroughtheSpiritdomortifythe deedsofthebody,yeshalllive. Galatians5:24AndtheythatareChrist'shavecrucifiedthefleshwiththeaffectionsandlusts. CONCLUSION: Appomattox,VirginiaisontheeastcoastoftheUSandaboutsouthcentral.Itwaswhere oneofthelastdecisivebattlesoftheAmericanCivilWartookplaceandwhereGeneralLee surrenderedtoGeneralGrant. TheonlineresourceWikipediasays TheBattleofAppomattoxCourtHouse,foughtonthemorningofApril9,1865,wasthefinal engagementofConfederateGeneralRobertE.LeesArmyofNorthernVirginiabeforeit surrenderedtotheUnionArmyunderLt.Gen.UlyssesS.Grantneartheendofthe AmericanCivilWar.Lee,havingabandonedRichmondaftertheSiegeofPetersburg, retreatedtothewest,hopingtojoinhisarmywiththeConfederateforcesinNorthCarolina. HisfinalstandwasatAppomattoxCourtHouse,wherehelaunchedanattacktobreak throughtheUnionforcetohisfront,whichheassumedconsistedentirelyofcavalry.When herealizedthattwocorpsofUnioninfantrybackedupthecavalry,hehadnochoicebutto surrender. Thesigningofthesurrenderdocumentsoccurredintheparlourofthehouseownedby WilmerMcLeanontheafternoonofApril9.OnApril12,aformalceremonymarkedthe disbandmentoftheArmyofNorthernVirginiaandtheparoleofitsofficersandmen, effectivelyendingtheCivilWar. ThedefeatatAppomattoxledtoanewphaseinAmericanhistory. ThedefeatatAiledtoanewphaseinHebrewhistory. InhisGreatTextsoftheBible,editorJamesHastingsrecorded Such was its physical formation that in a most literal sense the valley of Achor was a door of hope, for in front of the Israelites, as they wound through the pass, there lay at the far end of the vista the smiling vineyards and yellow cornfields and peaceful blue hills of the Promised Land. So does the Redeemer lead those to whose hearts He has spoken, assuring them of reconciliation and peace with Himself. Every winding in the avenue of life reveals a blessing that is richer than the blessings they at present enjoy. They are lured from grace unto grace, and from strength unto strength. Mercy joins hand with mercy. Each good thing received becomes the pledge and the foretaste of a better, which God hath

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prepared for as many as love Him.

9July2011,Morn.RiverValleyBCLeixlip,Co.Kildare