By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Mobile
SIN REVEALED
Joshua 7:10–23
What a short step there is between a great victory and a great defeat. Such was the case for Israel.
The victory at Jericho was a great victory. That was chapter 6. Joshua 7 chronicles the terrible defeat of Israel by a much smaller city. Sin in the camp is a serious problem.
Covenant Violated (10–15)
Once again Joshua sent men to scout the next target for conquest. The spies returned and reported that Ai was so small that Joshua only needed to send a few thousand men to capture the city. When about 3,000 soldiers attacked Ai, they were soundly defeated.
The people of Israel were devastated. Joshua responded by tearing his clothes and falling down before the Ark of the Lord with the elders of Israel. All of them put dust on their heads to symbolize their mourning before the Lord.
Driven by his frustration and concern, Joshua asked the Lord why He had brought them over the Jordan to hand them over to the Amorites.
He also expressed concern for the Lord’s reputation before the nations if His people were defeated by their enemies.
The Lord rebuked Joshua in verse 10. He needed to get up and deal with the problem of sin in the camp. The Lord accused the nation of violating His covenant by stealing from Him.
Joshua had clearly warned the people of Israel not to take any of the things in Jericho that had been set apart to the Lord for destruction. Everything was either to be destroyed or dedicated to the Lord’s treasury (6:17–19).
The Lord commanded Joshua to have the people prepare to stand before Him the next day. The guilty man and everything he had would be destroyed.
Achan Revealed (16–19)
The following day Joshua rose early so there would be no delay in obeying God’s instructions. He was eager to remove the sin from their midst and restore God’s blessing to His people.
Joshua had the tribes of Israel brought near as the Lord had instructed.
The verdict came first to the tribe of Judah, then to the clan of the Zerahites, then to the family of Zabdi and finally from Zabdi’s men to Achan.
When the guilty man was identified, Joshua commanded Achan to confess what he had done. He was to give glory to the Lord by making a full confession of his sin.
Confession Made (20–23)
Achan made a full confession of what he had stolen and where it was buried. Messengers were sent to his tent and found the things Achan had stolen. They brought the things to Joshua and all the Israelites and spread them out before the Ark of the Covenant.
Achan’s confession did not nullify God’s judgment upon him and his family. Joshua brought Achan, all that he had stolen and his family to the Valley of Achor, where the stolen items were burned and his family was stoned to death.
The family was stoned to death because they were complicit with Achan in his sin. Achan himself had plenty of time to confess but only did so when caught with his hand in the cookie jar. His sin disregarded God’s holiness and resulted in the deaths of his family and 36 soldiers.
Secret sins on earth are open scandal in heaven. Sin always has serious consequences — not only to yourself but also to others.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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