Joshua 7

The crime of Achan and defeat at Ai (vs. 1-5)—Unbeknownst to anyone, a man named Achan had violated the order not to take any valuables from Jericho (v. 1). Interestingly, the Lord held the entire community accountable (v. 1). “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (I Cor. 5:6). In one body, every individual must be extremely cautious and watchful over each other. This is so true today. How many times has a church been reproached because of the actions of one person? In Israel’s case, they lost a battle against a small city called Ai. Thirty-six men were killed (vs. 2-5). The Lord had forsaken them because of the sin of one man. A dire warning, indeed!

Joshua’s complaint and the Lord’s answer (vs. 6-15)—Understandably, Joshua took the matter up with Jehovah. Israel’s defeat would very probably embolden their enemies and lead to eventual destruction (v. 8). “Then what will You do for Your great name?” (v. 9). Jehovah explained to Joshua that “Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them” (v. 11). The specific sin is revealed: “they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff” (v. 11). Notice again the plural “they.” Because of this sin, the army was defeated and “neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you” (v. 12). The command is thus given to purify the camp (v. 13). The Lord would reveal the guilty party (vs. 14-15).

Achan discovered and confesses (vs. 16-21)—Joshua followed Jehovah’s instructions, and Achan was found out (v. 18). He confessed his covetousness and the extent of his transgression: “When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it" (v. 21). His admission will do him no good, however; 36 men lost their lives because of him.

Achan’s punishment (vs. 22-26)—Joshua sent men to locate the hidden items, and they “laid them out before the LORD” (v. 23). All that Achan had stolen, plus his belongings and family were taken to the Valley of Achor (v. 24). Joshua pronounced the doom, and “all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones” (v. 25). The text is a little ambiguous—they stoned HIM, and burned THEM after they had stoned THEM. Some other foreign translation seem to indicate that only Achan was punished. Deuteronomy 24:16 reads “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall the children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.” What appears to have happened, though, is that Achan was stoned in the presence of his family, and then they were stoned as well, and the whole of his belongings were burned. This particular perspective implies that Achan’s entire family was culpable in his crime; could he have dug a hole in his tent without his family being aware of it? Probably not, but I think it’s worth noting that some commentators believe that only Achan was put to death. After the punishment was inflicted, “a great heap of stones” was raised at the location, and “the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger” (v. 26). The Valley of Achor became symbolic in Israel of purification. Hosea 2:15 says “I will give her her vineyards from there, and the Valley of Achor as a door of hope.” Once again, the Lord is very strict in dealing with these people. It is the early stages of their habitation of Canaan and He wants them to know that sin will not be tolerated even after He has fulfilled His great promise to them.