The story of Achan in Joshua 7 is a fascinating story of how damaging sin can be. It reveals many things about the inner turmoil of a man who deliberately sins and then tries to hide his sin.
The Children of Israel had just destroyed the city of Jericho. Only Rahab and those in her house were saved. The city was burned, and the silver, gold, vessels of brass, and iron were taken and put into the treasury in the house of the Lord (Joshua 6:24). Everything else was burned. God had warned Joshua that if the people kept anything, it would make the people accursed (Joshua 6:18).
Joshua must have been feeling good after this complete destruction, and he became famous throughout the land for winning this battle. He was ready for an attack against AI, and he was confident they would win the battle.
Though everyone was celebrating, the Bible says “But the children of Israel committed a trespass.” The Lord was angry; and in the battle with AI thirty-six men were killed. They had thought they could destroy the city with a smaller army, but they lost the battle and their friends.
Joshua was distraught. He tore his clothes, he laid on the ground before the ark of the covenant, and he put dust on the heads of the elders of Israel. In his distress, he questioned why God had bothered to bring them across the Jordan and deliver them into the hands of their enemies. God had to inform him there was sin in the camp. This sin was so great that God directed Joshua to get the people ready for an accounting the next day. The people were advised of the sin and the planned punishment for the one who had stolen the objects.
The next morning Joshua brought the people together by tribes. The tribe of Judah was picked, then the family of Zabdi, and then one by one each man was brought before Joshua. Achan was chosen, and Joshua confronted him. He begged Achan to confess his sin, and Achan admitted he had coveted a garment, silver, and gold. He took them and hid them in the middle of his tent. Joshua sent men to look for the stolen items, and they found them buried in Achan’s tent.
At God’s direction, Joshua and all Israel took Achan, his family, and all of his possessions. They stoned Achan and burned him, his family, and everything he owned before all Israel.
This is such a tragic story and one that could have easily been avoided. God gave a specific command, “Completely destroy.” Achan could not resist taking a few things. This was deliberate disobedience. It brought consequences that could not be reversed.
Though we will not be struck dead, stoned for our actions, or burned with our families and possessions, there are consequences to our actions. Even before our sins are discovered, there is a constant fear that we will be discovered. We can become overwhelmed with guilt, and we may even be tempted to abandon the Christian life altogether. We may worry about what may happen if we are caught and how others will react once our sins are known.
There are two ways we can approach our sins. We can be like Judas who recognized his sin, was even sorry for what he had done, and killed himself. Or, we can be like those on Pentecost that were touched by Peter’s message and wanted to know what they needed to do to get forgiveness.
No sin could be greater than putting Jesus to death; yet, 3,000 received forgiveness for that very deed on Pentecost. There were more there on that day, so not everyone was willing to confess their sins, change their ways, and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38, 41).
Thankfully, that same option is open to us today. Once we become Christians, forgiveness of sins is still available when we need it. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (First John 1:9). Daily forgiveness is only a prayer away.
Sandra Oliver