What lessons can we learn from Achar's actions and their consequences? The Story in Brief Jericho had fallen, and the LORD had proclaimed that everything in the city was “devoted to destruction” (Joshua 6:17–19). Yet Achar (better known in Joshua 7 as Achan) secretly kept a beautiful robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and a fifty-shekel bar of gold. Israel’s next battle, at Ai, ended in humiliating defeat. After Achan’s sin was uncovered, he and everything that belonged to him were stoned and burned. Only then did Israel move forward in victory. Key Scriptural Anchors • 1 Chronicles 2:7 — “The son of Carmi was Achar, the troubler of Israel, who violated the ban devoted to destruction.” • Joshua 7:1 — “But the Israelites acted unfaithfully regarding the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi… took some of what was devoted, so the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.” • Joshua 7:21 — “When I saw among the spoil a beautiful robe from Babylon… I coveted them and took them.” • Numbers 32:23 — “…be sure your sin will find you out.” • Hebrews 4:13 — “No creature is hidden from His sight, but all are uncovered and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Lesson 1: God Takes Obedience Seriously • The command about Jericho was clear; partial obedience is disobedience. • Deuteronomy 6:18 urges, “Do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD.” Achan did what was right in his own eyes instead. • Our small compromises still mock God’s holiness. Lesson 2: Hidden Sin Hurts Many • Thirty-six soldiers died at Ai (Joshua 7:5). Israel’s morale collapsed. Joshua himself became discouraged. • Sin is never private. 1 Corinthians 12:26 reminds us, “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it.” • Family and community often pay the price for one person’s rebellion. Lesson 3: Covetousness Opens the Door to Judgment • Achan’s own words trace the deadly progression: “I saw… I coveted… I took” (Joshua 7:21). • Compare Genesis 3:6 and James 1:14-15; the pattern is identical. • Colossians 3:5 calls covetousness idolatry. When we crave what God has withheld, we dethrone Him in our hearts. Lesson 4: Confession Comes Too Late After Judgment Starts • Achan admitted his sin only when the lots pointed him out. Genuine repentance isn’t forced by exposure; it springs from a broken heart (Psalm 51:17). • Proverbs 28:13 promises mercy to those who confess and forsake sin before discipline falls. Achan never reached that point. Lesson 5: God’s Justice Paves the Way for Renewed Blessing • Once the sin was judged, “the LORD turned from His burning anger” (Joshua 7:26). Chapter 8 opens with fresh encouragement and victory. • The severe sentence highlights both God’s righteousness and His desire to restore. Psalm 103:9 assures, “He will not always accuse, nor harbor His anger forever.” Bringing It Home • Search your heart honestly; tolerate no secret stash of forbidden treasure. • Stay sensitive to the Spirit’s checks—obey promptly, completely, cheerfully. • Guard against covetousness by cultivating gratitude for what God has given. • If conviction comes, run to 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” • Live transparently; hidden sin cripples, but confessed sin, under the blood of Christ, loses its grip—and the valley of trouble becomes a doorway of hope (Hosea 2:15). |
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