What steps can we take to avoid Achar's mistakes in our lives? The Troubler of Israel: Achar’s Story at a Glance “ The son of Carmi was Achar, the troubler of Israel, who was unfaithful with the devoted things.” (1 Chronicles 2:7) • Joshua 7 records the details: Israel had just seen Jericho fall, God had commanded that all spoils be devoted to Him, yet Achar secretly kept “a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold” (Joshua 7:21). • His hidden disobedience brought defeat on the whole nation and cost him his life. Root Causes Behind Achar’s Fall • Misguided desire—“I saw… I coveted… I took” (Joshua 7:21). • Greed that displaced trust—he grasped what God had promised to supply later (Joshua 8:2). • Disregard for God’s holiness—treating the devoted things as common property. • Secret sin—thinking no one would ever know (Numbers 32:23 warns, “your sin will find you out”). Consequences That Still Warn Us • Personal loss: Achar forfeited everything he tried to save. • Corporate pain: Israel’s soldiers died at Ai; morale plummeted (Joshua 7:5). • God’s presence withheld: “I will not be with you anymore unless you remove from among you whatever has been devoted to destruction” (Joshua 7:12). Steps to Avoid Achar’s Mistakes 1. Guard the Gate of Desire • “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father” (1 John 2:16). • Regularly ask the Spirit to redirect wandering affections (Psalm 139:23-24). 2. Practice Immediate, Complete Obedience • Delayed obedience is disobedience. • Joshua obeyed instantly the second time at Ai; blessing followed (Joshua 8:18-27). 3. Keep Life in the Open • “Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11-13). • Build habits of confession and accountability—“Therefore confess your sins to each other” (James 5:16). Hidden rooms stay clean when the lights stay on. 4. Treasure Corporate Holiness • “A little leaven leavens the whole batch” (1 Corinthians 5:6). • Our choices always ripple outward; guard the fellowship by guarding yourself (Hebrews 12:15). 5. Remember the True Cost of Sin and the Greater Worth of Christ • “You were redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). • When tempted to grasp silver and gold, measure it against the cross. • If failure comes, run quickly to the promise: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9). Living in the Light of Grace Achar’s story is sobering, yet it points us to the Savior who paid for every “devoted thing” we ever stole. By fixing our eyes on Him, cultivating transparent obedience, and valuing the purity of His people, we can walk a very different path—one marked by freedom, not trouble. |
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