Key Verse: “In the morning, present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe the Lord selects is to come forward clan by clan. The clan the Lord selects is to come forward family by family. The family the Lord selects is to come forward man by man. The one who is caught with the things set apart must be burned, along with everything he has, because he has violated the Lord’s covenant and committed an outrage in Israel.” (Joshua 7:14-15 CSB)
Sin is never to be taken lightly. This was one of the lessons that the people of Israel learned as they continued their conquest of the land of Canaan. Having already conquered the city of Jericho, they turned next to Ai. Unlike Jericho however, when they sent part of their army to take the city, they were struck down and chased away.
What happened? Why were they defeated? The text tells us that the people of Israel were “unfaithful regarding the things set apart for destruction” (v.1). Earlier God had made it very clear that there were certain items that were not to be kept by the people when they conquered a city. All of the articles of silver, gold, bronze and iron were to be dedicated to the Lord and put into the Lord’s treasury (6:19). To not do so would lead to grave consequences. “But keep yourselves from the things set apart,” God said to them, “or you will be set apart for destruction” (6:18).
Sadly, some of the people did not take this seriously. In this case, the perpetrator was a man named Achan. “When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Babylon, five pounds of silver, and a bar of gold weighing a pound and a quarter, I coveted them and took them,” (v.20) Achan said. Rather than obeying God, Achan kept the treasured things for himself.
Was it really that big a deal? Apparently so. As a result of his sin, Achan was taken to the Valley of Achor, along with his family and all of his possessions. “So all Israel stoned them to death. They burned their bodies, threw stones on them, and raised over him a large pile of rocks that remains still today. Then the Lord turned from his burning anger” (v.26).
What do we do with a story like this? In some cases, people simply dismiss it as fiction. Others try to justify it as an Old Testament approach to justice by God that is no longer relevant today. It makes many uncomfortable because it doesn’t seem to align with the God of love and grace that we are drawn to. But the truth is that God has not changed (Hebrews 13:8). He remains holy. Disobedience still angers Him. Sin still demands justice.
Instead, reading an account like this ought to stir up gratitude and joy as followers of Jesus, because it points us to His work on the Cross on our behalf. “But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him and we are healed by his wounds. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6). The hope we have as those who have put our faith in Jesus is that God’s righteous judgment against sin has already been delivered as Jesus Christ took our place on the Cross. This is His amazing grace toward us!
To follow Jesus still means to take sin as seriously as He does. It cost Him everything for us. We must pursue a life of uncompromised holiness in every way. But when we fail and fall, we can find comfort and hope in the grace that has been extended to us because of all that Jesus Christ has done for us. Thanks be to God!
Prayer: God, you are perfectly holy and just. Thank you, Jesus, for bearing my sin upon the Cross. You are my hope and my peace. Empower me today by your Spirit to turn from my sin and to pursue a life of holiness. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
