Joshua 7:1-26
Read Joshua 7:1-26
Helpful Background Information:
The book of Joshua records Israel’s entrance into the land of Canaan, and presents it as the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. After entering the land, the book details what is often called the “conquest” of the other inhabitants of the land. Chapters 6-8 tell us about the story of two particular battles, with the first against Jericho and the second against Ai.
After a miraculous victory at Jericho, Israel suffered a humiliating defeat at the small city of Ai. The reason they lost was because an Israelite named Achan decided to steal from Jericho that were meant to be devoted to God (7:1). What made matters worse was that he hid what he stole for his own profit.
Through the nation’s defeat at Ai, God made it clear that Achan’s sin was serious and certainly not a secret. Once Achan was singled out as the guilty man, he and his family were stoned to death for his sin (7:25).
In Joshua 7 and later in Acts 5, we see men deceptively keeping back something that was meant to be devoted to God. Both sins happen at the very beginning of a new period in redemptive history—Achan’s sin happened shortly after Israel entered the Promised Land and Ananias’ sin happened shortly after Pentecost. In both stories, God’s justice is brought about quickly and clearly. These consequences show us how seriously God takes sin throughout redemptive history, especially among His own covenant people.
Reflection Questions:
Achan believed his sin could remain hidden, but God exposed what no one else could see. Are there areas of your life where you are tempted to believe that private sin has no real consequences?
Achan only confessed after being confronted. What does genuine repentance look like, and how is it different from simply admitting we were caught?
Israel could not move forward until sin was dealt with. Are there areas where unaddressed sin may be hindering your relationship with God or your effectiveness in serving Him?
Both Joshua 7 and Acts 5 remind us that God is holy. How does the cross demonstrate both God's uncompromising holiness and His great mercy?