Last week we saw that God declared Jericho (the first city Israel would conquer in the Promised Land) as “cherem” which means devoted to God or devoted [doomed] to destruction (Josh. 6:17).
And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things [cherem], lest you become accursed [cherem] when you take of the accursed things [cherem], and make the camp of Israel a curse [cherem], and trouble it. (Josh. 6:18)
Notice that “cherem” is used four times in this verse! When you take cherem for yourself it says you become accursed and bring a curse on those around you (v. 18)! When you take “cherem” you become “cherem”! Notice also that God said if someone takes cherem they would bring a curse on the camp of Israel. When you take cherem, it not only has a negative impact on your life, but on the lives of those around you!
What does God declare as cherem today? Watch for next week’s devotional!