Scripture Reading: Joshua 7 | Sabbath: September 21, 2024
Memory Verse: Exodus 20:17
Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservan
Weekly Proverb: Proverbs 28:10
Proverbs 28:10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
Introduction: Sometimes covetousness will lead to other sins because very often, the one who covets wants to fulfill their desire, and that desire is accomplished by sinful means. In this lesson we will see what covetousness has led persons to do and the consequences of their actions on themselves and on others.
Definition: To covet is to have an inordinate desire to obtain or possess something.

1. When Israel went to battle against Ai, what was the result? Joshua 7:4, 5.
Joshua 7:4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.
Joshua 7:5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
2. Why did Israel run from their enemy? v 1, 11, 12.
Joshua 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took
of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.
Joshua 7:11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Joshua 7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
3. When Achan was caught, what explanation did he give for having the accursed thing in his possession? v 20, 21. Hint: Coveted.
Joshua 7:20 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
Joshua 7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
4. In addition to the thirty-six men who died in battle against Ai, who else lost their lives as a result of Achan’s covetousness? v 24, 25.
Joshua 7:24 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
Joshua 7:25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
Note: Achan’s covetousness drove him to steal.
5. At the beginning of 2 Samuel 11, why wasn’t David on the battlefield? What should he have been doing? 2 Samuel 11:1.
2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
6. What did David see and then covet? v 2, 3.
2 Samuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
2 Samuel 11:3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
7. Did David’s covetousness lead him to abuse his authority? v 4.
2 Samuel 11:4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
8. David’s covetousness led to immorality, which led to an illegitimate pregnancy. What other sins followed David’s covetousness? 2 Samuel 11:12-17, Exodus 20:13.
2 Samuel 11:12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
2 Samuel 11:13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
2 Samuel 11:14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
2 Samuel 11:15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
2 Samuel 11:16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
2 Samuel 11:17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
9. Which married woman coveted her husband’s slave? Did she let her feelings known? What was the slave’s response? Genesis 39:7-9.
Genesis 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
Genesis 39:8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
Genesis 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
10. The married woman was denied the means to fulfill her evil desire; but would she take no for an answer? v 10.
Genesis 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
11. Mrs. Potiphar just had to have her husband’s slave no matter what the slave said against her covetousness. What did she do to fulfill her inordinate desire, and what was the result? v 11, 12.
Genesis 39:11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
Genesis 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
Note: This woman just tried to rape the young man.
12. Since Potiphar’s wife failed to get what she coveted, in her anger (and humiliation?), what did she do? v 13-20.
Genesis 39:13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
Genesis 39:14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
Genesis 39:15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
Genesis 39:16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
Genesis 39:17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
Genesis 39:18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.
Genesis 39:19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
Genesis 39:20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
Conclusion: According to these examples, covetousness can lead to a long list of sins including theft, abuse of power, sexual exploitation, murder, attempted rape, lies, and false imprisonment.