Topical Encyclopedia IntroductionThe account of Achan is a significant biblical narrative that highlights the consequences of theft and disobedience to God's commands. Achan's account is found in the Book of Joshua, specifically in Joshua 7. This event occurs during the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, following their miraculous victory at Jericho. Biblical Context After the fall of Jericho, God commanded the Israelites to devote the entire city to destruction, sparing only Rahab and her family. The Israelites were instructed not to take any of the devoted things for themselves, as stated in Joshua 6:18-19 : "But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of those things, you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring disaster upon it. All the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury." The Sin of Achan Despite the clear command, Achan, a member of the tribe of Judah, succumbed to temptation. He took some of the devoted items, including a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels. Achan's actions were a direct violation of God's command and an act of theft against the Lord. Consequences of Achan's Theft The immediate consequence of Achan's sin was the defeat of the Israelites at Ai. Joshua 7:4-5 records, "So about three thousand men went up, but they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water." Joshua, unaware of Achan's sin, sought the Lord's guidance. God revealed that Israel had sinned by taking some of the devoted things, which led to their defeat. Joshua 7:11 states, "Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant that I commanded them. They have taken some of what was devoted to destruction; they have stolen, lied, and put these things with their own possessions." Achan's Confession and Punishment Under God's direction, Joshua conducted a process to identify the guilty party. Achan was eventually singled out, and he confessed his sin. Joshua 7:20-21 records Achan's confession: "It is true; I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath." As a result of his theft and disobedience, Achan, along with his family and possessions, was taken to the Valley of Achor. There, they were stoned and burned, as described in Joshua 7:25 : "And Joshua said, 'Why have you brought this trouble upon us? The LORD will bring trouble upon you this day.' Then all Israel stoned them, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them." Theological Implications Achan's account serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin, particularly theft, and the importance of obedience to God's commands. It underscores the communal impact of individual sin, as Achan's actions brought consequences upon the entire nation of Israel. The narrative also highlights the necessity of holiness and the severe repercussions of violating God's covenant. Conclusion The account of Achan is a powerful illustration of the destructive nature of theft and disobedience. It calls believers to a life of integrity, obedience, and reverence for God's commands, recognizing the far-reaching effects of sin within the community of faith. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 7:21When 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. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat The Eighth Commandment A Description of Heart-Purity Tenth Commandment The Tenth Commandment How Long Standing an Evil Love of Money Is... Chapter i. Little Sins The Wheat and the Tares Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians. Resources Why is "You shall not steal" in the Ten Commandments? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about vandalism? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about restitution? | GotQuestions.org Theft: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Theft and Thieves by Rachel, of the Household Gods (Teraphim) Theft and Thieves: General Scriptures Concerning Theft and Thieves: The Spies of Laish Theft: All Earthly Treasure Exposed To Theft: Brings a Curse on Those Who Commit It Theft: Brings the Wrath of God Upon Those Who Commit It Theft: from the Poor Specially Forbidden Theft: Heavenly Treasure Secure From Theft: Illustrates the Guilt of False Teachers Theft: Includes Fraud Concerning Wages Theft: Includes Fraud in General Theft: Proceeds from the Heart Theft: Shame Follows the Detection of Theft: The Wicked: Addicted To Theft: The Wicked: Associate With Those Who Commit Theft: The Wicked: Commit, Under Shelter of the Night Theft: The Wicked: Consent to Show Who Commit Theft: The Wicked: Destroy Themselves By Theft: The Wicked: Lie in Wait to Commit Theft: The Wicked: May, for a Season, Prosper In Theft: The Wicked: Plead Excuses For Theft: The Wicked: Repent not of Theft: The Wicked: Store up the Fruits of Theft: They Who Connive At: Hate Their own Souls Theft: They Who Connive At: Shall be Reproved of God Related Terms Commandments (181 Occurrences) Blood-guiltiness (4 Occurrences) |