Chapter Introduction
It is sin that separates us from God. Sin afflicts us, skews our thought processes, and deceives us. There is no such thing as personal sin. Our sin brings destruction to our families, homes, and communities.
Joshua 7:1-5
This trespass is a violation, an act of unfaithfulness. These were accursed things because God had determined them as cherem dedicated to Him. Some also suggest these were items used in the demonic worship of the Canaanite gods. Because Achan helped himself to some of these items, God's anger burned against all of Israel. This might seem like a harsh response to us. But God had warned them about this very thing in Joshua 6:
18 And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
The community was life to these folks. To be outside the camp was to be without support, love, fellowship, provision, and more. It was to be exposed to the elements of life in a fallen physical and spiritual world. The community was protection and provision. We live in the same idea today. We are the body of Christ.
God knew these things would be a temptation to them. He offered a fair warning and expected His children to heed that warning. The battles in the land would be won by the hand of the Lord. Israel was God's instrument of righteous judgment against those whom God chose to judge. Israel’s destiny was tied directly to their trust, faith, and obedience, not to how much loot they could carry away. The failure of one led to the judgment of many.
This information is offered as the context for going to war against AI. This city was about 9 miles west of Jericho. It was a 27-acre site. Despite the warnings and previous lessons, Joshua quickly forgot to consult with the Lord. This is fascinating, considering Joshua stood before Jesus, who spoke of Himself as commander of the Lord's army. Joshua sent men to AI with confidence that the Lord was with them.
We often forget that our fear causes us to overestimate our enemy. Equally dangerous is our pride, which causes us to underestimate them. Whether he was taking the Lord for granted or had confidence in his abilities to formulate a God-approved plan, we don't know. In the end, it didn't matter because of Achan's sin. How can a people be an instrument of God and conquer a land when part of that instrument (Achan) isn't themselves conquered by God?
The loss of thirty-six men doesn't seem like a devastating defeat when we read it, but it was devastating to Israel, who was in this foreign land by faith. They were unbeatable if they were in God's care and provision if God was leading and guiding them.
Joshua 7:6-9
Joshua was a great leader. He made no excuses, nor did he begin to blame others. He recognized that their standing with God had been harmed. A humble approach and pleading before the Lord was the right response.
Tearing the clothes and putting dust on their heads was an act of mourning, humility, and unworthiness. Face down in the dust is where a sinful man belongs when before the Living God. This is where Joshua went, in humility and brokenness, pleading on behalf of Israel.
Joshua seems to have lost his confidence, feeling like they should have stayed on the other side of the Jordan. Everything suddenly felt difficult or impossible. Was this too hard? Could they not maintain a relationship with God? Could they not hold up their end of the deal?
We can relate to this in our own sinful failures. The battle is as good as won, regardless of what we see, regardless of how it appears with our fleshly eyes, regardless if it makes sense to us (It probably made a lot of sense to Achan to take the prizes he saw. Why leave it lay in the fire when he could prosper and even give some to the Lord?).
The Lord isn't looking for our perfection but trust. If Joshua had sought the will of the Lord regarding AI, the lives of 36 men would have been spared, and the humiliation and birth of fear would have been avoided. The sin could have been dealt with by once again meeting the commander of the Lord's army before going to war, and the troops could have been prepared properly.
Joshua’s plea is based on the threat of their survival and damage to the Lord’s reputation. It sounds as though the Lord would have no reputation if it weren’t for the people, when in fact, there would be no people if it weren’t for the Lord. The Lord is mighty to save but on His terms. He won’t be manipulated to protect His name through His people after they turn their backs on Him.
The people’s relationship with the Lord wouldn’t be based on great victories but great faith.
Joshua 7:10-15
God wasn't interested in Joshua’s begging. Joshua was to know that sin must be recognized for what it is and dealt with. The Lord commands him to get up twice. The exhortation was to make corrections to right the wrong. Joshua’s defeatism seemed to offend the Lord. He is more impressed with the man who seeks righteousness. God’s people are never at the mercy of a merciless world.
Notice that it wasn't just Achan who sinned; the charge was Israel sinned. Achan had brought down the entire camp. There is no such thing as personal sin. Think of this in the context of our nation. Are we brought down by the sin of one, two, a hundred? How could a nation ever thrive under God’s blessing? It’s hard to imagine a nation consistently seeking the Lord’s righteousness.
One sin leads to another. A little leaven leavens the whole lump (1 Corinthians 5:6). They took the accursed things, stole, and then deceived. Then, to top it all off, and maybe the worst of all, they put these accursed things among their own stuff. They made a home and a place for this sin and these symbols of unrighteousness.
The people's strength, vitality, and success in this life were based on their relationship with God. Since they had gone their way and disregarded his commands, they could not stand. They were forced to turn their back on the enemy. They had no strength, courage, or confidence to face their enemy. They were doomed to destruction because they chased after something shiny and valuable in this world.
God was completely capable and would have been just to judge the people right then and there. Yet, our response tends to be, "God, wasn't this a little harsh?" This is because we cannot see how holy and big God really is. We tend to create a god of our own understanding that always gives us second chances when we get caught.
It is a loving and merciful God who is patient with His people and corrects them. God determined this exercise to show that the children of Israel were made up of individuals. Being sanctified by God didn't start as a group or the leader; it started with each person.
Joshua 7:16-25
I imagine Achan sweating and burdened by his conscious as Joshua began to call forth tribes, then clans, family by family, man by man, titll he was called forth and identified. Isn't it amazing what covetousness will bring us to? Achan took it. At the time, he had to have it. He probably saw great value, saw himself wearing this nice garment, being treated like royalty and spending the money from the six pounds of silver and one and a half pound of gold. But, once in hand, he knew it was a sinful. He knew it was wrong and that's why he hid it.
Was it worth it? Obviously not! Achan traded his life, the life of his family, and trouble for all the children of Israel for a few worldly items. The great heap of stones under which Achan and his family died and were buried stand as a monument to the sin for which they traded their life.
What sin is it that we are drawn to? What does the enemy parade before your eyes just out of reach? What sin are you trading for your life and relationship with the Lord? When the sin was eliminated:
- They received encouragement from God.
- They would have God’s presence in battle.
- God would guide them and promise victory.
- They got to keep the plunder (8:2)
Achan’s actions stand in contrast with those of Rahab. She was saved out of charem at her request, while he was free from charem and entered into it by his own volition.
The Big Idea
We are engaged in daily spiritual warfare. We should seek the Lord first and follow his direction in faith, even when it seems nuts (marching around Jericho or not bending over and picking up gold and silver).
We should be cautious of our success for fear of pride setting in and thinking we have accomplished something great. If sin gets in the way, confess, repent, and get it over with. You can’t hide it from Him.
©2006 DOUG FORD, REVISED AND UPDATED 2008, 2015, 2024
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