RECAP: After the walls of Jericho fell down, something terrible happened! Someone stole some things from Jericho and it hurt all of the people of Israel. God was very angry! After Achan confessed and was stoned to death, the Lord was no longer angry.
When Achan’s sin was discovered, God commanded that he, and his entire family and all his possessions be destroyed, a punishment that seems overly harsh to us today. How are we to understand this dire act of God? There are several reasons for the severe penalty God inflicted upon Achan.
1. Achan’s sin affected the entire nation of Israel. God says that “the Israelites” acted unfaithfully and that His anger burned “against Israel.” Achan's sin defiled the other members of the community as well as himself.
2. Achan’s sin caused God’s blessing upon the Israelites to be withheld in their subsequent battle against the city of Ai.Thirty-six innocent men died because of Achan’s sin. He stole that which was “devoted to destruction” and so brought destruction on others. Disobedience brings ruin even upon the innocent. Sin’s effects go beyond the initial sinner.
3. The gold and silver Achan stole was stolen from God Himself. The precious metals were to be added to the treasury of the Lord, and, in stealing them, Achan, robbed God directly, and an insult to God’s holiness. Nonetheless, the Lord allowed Achan, a night to consider his sin and repent.
God destroyed Achan’s entire family and possessions; why? No explanation is given in the Bible. But when we read Proverbs 15:27, it says that “a greedy man brings trouble to his family.” Or, possibly Achan’s children had now begun to exhibit their father’s traits of covetousness, disobedience, and disrespect for God’s commands. Or, they had actually helped Achan hide the stuff and were, in fact, accomplices to the crime.
God does give reasons, nor does He have to. The story of Achan and many other biblical narratives give us sufficient information to understand that God is holy and that He is not to be disobeyed without risking dire consequences.
In Christ,
Janet Irene Thomas
Playwright/Screen Writer/Director
Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer
FOUNDER/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
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