Topical Bible: Temptation: Yielding to Achan

◄ Temptation: Yielding to Achan ►

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The account of Achan's sin is a poignant illustration of the destructive power of temptation and the severe consequences of yielding to it. This narrative is found in the Book of Joshua, specifically in Joshua 7, and serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of disobedience to God's commands.

Context and Background

The Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, had just experienced a miraculous victory at Jericho, where the walls of the city fell after the people obeyed God's unusual instructions (Joshua 6). God had commanded that all the silver, gold, and articles of bronze and iron from Jericho were to be consecrated to the Lord and placed in His treasury (Joshua 6:19). The Israelites were strictly warned not to take any of the devoted things for themselves, lest they bring destruction upon the camp of Israel.

Achan's Sin

Despite the clear command, Achan, a member of the tribe of Judah, succumbed to temptation. He coveted and took a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, hiding them in the ground inside his tent (Joshua 7:21). Achan's actions were a direct violation of God's command and demonstrated a lack of faith and trust in God's provision.

Consequences of Yielding to Temptation

The immediate consequence of Achan's sin was a devastating defeat for Israel at the hands of the men of Ai. Thirty-six Israelite soldiers were killed, and the hearts of the people melted in fear (Joshua 7:5). Joshua, unaware of Achan's transgression, sought the Lord, who revealed that Israel had sinned by taking some of the devoted things, thus breaking the covenant (Joshua 7:11).

God instructed Joshua to sanctify the people and identify the transgressor. Through a process of elimination, Achan was singled out. Upon confession, Achan admitted to his sin, saying, "Truly I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did" (Joshua 7:20). The consequences were severe: Achan, along with his family and possessions, was taken to the Valley of Achor and stoned to death, and then burned with fire (Joshua 7:24-25).

Theological Implications

Achan's account underscores the seriousness with which God views sin and the importance of obedience to His commands. It highlights the communal nature of sin, as Achan's personal transgression brought consequences upon the entire nation of Israel. This narrative serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the need for His people to live in accordance with His will.

The account of Achan also illustrates the deceitfulness of temptation. Achan's desire for material wealth led him to rationalize his disobedience, ultimately resulting in his downfall. This serves as a warning to believers about the seductive nature of sin and the importance of resisting temptation through reliance on God's strength and guidance.

Lessons for Believers

The account of Achan is a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance against temptation and the importance of maintaining integrity and faithfulness to God's commands. Believers are called to be aware of the subtlety of sin and to seek God's help in overcoming the allure of worldly desires. The narrative encourages a life of obedience, accountability, and trust in God's provision, recognizing that yielding to temptation can have far-reaching and devastating consequences.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 7:21
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the middle of my tent, and the silver under it.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of Evil-Speaking in General.
... instruction, as of other great duties (of yielding obedience to ... whom there is no
ground or temptation of evil ... may teach us, who thus examineth Achan, the cause ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/of evil-speaking in general.htm

Chapter iii
... verb, here emphatically stands first, yielding the emphasis ... power that mastered the
serpent in the temptation. ... cases like that of Achan's destruction (Joshua 7 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iii.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... of God in England, which art now upon the waves of affliction and temptation, when
thou ... and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm