The Sin of Achan

Joshua 7:1–26
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

God’s people are never more vulnerable than right after they have experienced a great victory. Yesterday’s victory does not make us immune from defeat today. There must be a continuing depen­dence on the Lord. In the victory at Jericho Joshua had made it clear that no Israelite soldier was to help himself to the spoils. However, disobeying the injunction, Achan of the tribe of Judah, secretly stole some of the booty. Because of this sin God’s judgment fell not only on Achan, but on all of Israel (vv. 5-12). When Joshua first went against Ai (v. 3) he did not consult God but relied on the strength of his army to defeat the small city. Only after Israel was defeated did they turn to God and ask what happened. 

Since God was the only one who knew who had sinned, He chose to reveal the culprit by the method of drawing lots (vv. 16-18). As the lots were drawn one by one, they fell on the tribe of Judah, the family of the Zarhites, the household of Zabdi, and finally on the trespasser himself, Achan. Joshua addressed Achan tenderly, but firmly (v. 19). Achan’s response was straightforward and complete (vv. 20-21). He confessed his sin and gave no excuses. However, he did not express any sorrow for having disobeyed God’s Word or causing the defeat of Israel’s army and the death of 36 men. Joshua had some people run to Achan’s tent, where they found the silver, the gold, and the robe (vv. 22-24). They brought them back and put them in front of the sacred chest, so Joshua and the rest of the Israelites could see them. Jesus warns us in Luke 12:15, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.” The condition for restored favor with God was the destruction of the stolen goods and the death of Achan. As Achan’s crime had cast a shadow across the nation, so now “all Israel” (v. 25), participated in the stoning of the man and his entire family. 

Application

Achan had disobeyed God’s command to destroy everything in Jericho; thus, everything that belonged to Achan had to be destroyed. Sin has drastic consequences, so I should take drastic measures in my life to avoid it.