How does Achan's story connect to the concept of collective responsibility in Scripture? Setting the Scene Achan’s name surfaces twice in Joshua—first in chapter 7 when his hidden theft caused Israel’s defeat at Ai, and again in Joshua 22:20 when the eastern tribes invoke his memory to warn against rebellion. Scripture treats the event as literal history, a reminder that personal sin can ripple through an entire community. Joshua 22:20—The Concern Revisited “Did not Achan son of Zerah act unfaithfully regarding the things under the ban, and wrath fell on the whole congregation of Israel? And he was not the only one who perished for his sin.” The elders fear that another secret act of unfaithfulness—this time building an unauthorized altar—could ignite the same divine wrath that fell after Achan’s theft. Achan’s Sin: What Happened? • Joshua 7:1—Achan took “a beautiful robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold.” • Joshua 7:11-12—God declares, “Israel has sinned… therefore the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies.” • Joshua 7:24-26—Achan, his family, and all he owned are destroyed; the valley is renamed “Achor,” meaning trouble. Achan’s private greed became a national crisis; thirty-six soldiers died (7:5), and the whole army’s momentum stalled. Where Collective Responsibility Shows Up • “Wrath fell on the whole congregation” (22:20) even though only one man stole. • The covenant at Sinai binds Israel as a single people (Exodus 19:5-8). Individual disobedience violates that communal bond. • Israel’s victories likewise flow from corporate faithfulness (Joshua 6; 8), underscoring that blessing and discipline often come to the group, not just the individual. Why the Whole Camp Suffered • God’s holiness: Leviticus 11:45—“Be holy, for I am holy.” Sin in the camp compromises collective holiness. • Covenant solidarity: Deuteronomy 29:18-21 warns that a single “root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit” endangers the whole land. • Shared mission: Israel fights as one body. Joshua 7:12—“I will no longer be with you unless you remove the banned things.” God’s presence is tied to corporate purity. Echoes Elsewhere in Scripture • Numbers 16—Korah’s rebellion draws in families and followers; judgment swallows them all. • 2 Samuel 24—David’s census brings plague on Israel though the people did not order it. • Jonah 1—The ship’s crew suffers a storm sent for Jonah until they cast him overboard. • Acts 5:1-11—Ananias and Sapphira’s deceit threatens the newborn church; fear falls on “all who heard.” • 1 Corinthians 5:6—“A little leaven leavens the whole batch.” Paul applies the Achan principle to church discipline. • 1 Corinthians 12:26—“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it,” showing the body motif continues under the new covenant. Lessons for Us Today • Private sin is never truly private; hidden compromise can weaken an entire fellowship. • God deals with His people as a covenant community; purity is a shared responsibility. • Vigilance in discipline—restoring the erring (Galatians 6:1) and removing unrepentant leaven (1 Corinthians 5:13)—protects the whole body. • Collective obedience invites collective blessing; when the body walks in the light, God’s presence and power remain among His people (1 John 1:7). |
    |