Achan Introduction Old enough to have plurality of

Achan: Introduction • Old enough to have plurality of sons & daughters • Among the “ 2 nd generation” out of Egypt, as the first had perished in the wilderness – Either born in Egypt – 40 -60 years old – Or born in the wilderness – 20 -40 years old • Of the tribe of Judah • Witnessed the mighty hand of God in the defeat of Jericho just minutes before He chose to disobey Him • Israel captured Jericho just as the Lord had instructed them (Joshua 6: 3 -5, 20 -21).

Achan: What HE Did • The Lord warned Israel – Joshua 6: 17 -18 (cf. Deuteronomy 7: 21 -26) • Achan ignored the Divine warning – Joshua 7: 21 – He took from “among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels” and hid them in his tent. – Joshua 7: 15 – “…he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and…has done a disgraceful thing in Israel. '" • Israel, as a nation, paid a price – Joshua 7: 1 -5 • Achan & his family were put to death – Joshua 7: 24 -26

Achan: What WE Learn • The strength of temptation is powerful! – It is attractive! (cf. James 1: 13 -16) Ø Achan said, “When I saw among the spoils…” (7: 21) Ø Obviously, all the Israelites saw the spoils Ø Covetousness, a tool of Satan, captured his heart – Sin (succumbing) is not always pre-planned! Ø Achan probably did not predetermine to take spoils Ø When a covetous eye sees beautiful, satisfying and convincing means of “improving life, ” it becomes his idol (cf. Ex. 20: 17; Eph. 5: 5; Col. 3: 5; 1 Jn. 2: 15 -17) – Sin can come in “little” packages too! Ø Achan did not take a great amount (in comparison) Ø No matter the size, sin is sin!

Achan: What WE Learn • The strength of temptation is powerful! • Secret sin is still sin! – Many try to hide sin, believing that as long as their sins are kept secret, everything will be fine. Ø Achan hid “his spoils” in the ground inside his tent Ø How did he intend to keep money & garment secret? Ø One’s conduct eventually reflects one’s heart. – As much as we think through even the most secretive of sinful acts and think we’ve got it all figured out, God still knows! He’s not fooled! Ø “Sin lies at the door” (Genesis 4: 7) Ø “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32: 23) Ø “Whatever a man sows, he will also reap” (Gal. 6: 7) Ø “All things are naked and open” to Him (Heb. 4: 13)

Achan: What WE Learn • The strength of temptation is powerful! • Secret sin is still sin! • Sin reflects upon & effects beyond the sinner! – The sin of one reflects on ones who haven’t sinned! Ø “But the children of Israel committed a trespass” (7: 1, 11) Ø The sin of one was upon 601, 730 fighting men (6: 18) Ø Our every action (including sin) reflects upon Christ, for we wear His name (Acts 11: 26; 5: 41) Ø Our every action (including sin) reflects upon our brethren (1 Tim. 4: 12) Ø Our every action (including sin) reflects upon His blood-bought church (Eph. 5: 27; 4: 1)

Achan: What WE Learn • The strength of temptation is powerful! • Secret sin is still sin! • Sin reflects upon & effects beyond the sinner! – The sin of one reflects on ones who haven’t sinned! – The sin of one negatively effects others who haven’t sinned…yet! Ø The entire progress of God’s nation was thwarted Ø 36 Israelites were killed; Israel was defeated at Ai Ø “A little leavens the whole lump” (1 Cor. 5: 6) Ø Sin can negatively effect, to the point of destructive and detrimental influence, a nation trying to conquer the Promised Land or the church trying to further the cause of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 12: 26; 5: 7; Josh. 7: 13)

Achan: What WE Learn • • The strength of temptation is powerful! Secret sin is still sin! Sin reflects upon & effects beyond the sinner! Sin has consequences! – “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6: 23). Ø All sin is “against the Lord God” (7: 20, 15) Ø God is just & His law must be obeyed Ø Achan and his children were stoned for their crime Ø His sons & daughters must have been willing accomplices, having stolen booty hidden in their tent – When the penalty for sin is paid, God’s anger is turned and His mercy is triumphant! (cf. 7: 26 -8: 1)

Achan: What WE Learn • • • The strength of temptation is powerful! Secret sin is still sin! Sin reflects upon & effects beyond the sinner! Sin has consequences! The dangers of covetousness are enormous! – It can separate man, a family, a nation & even a church from God! Ø Through this one act, Achan became known as “the troubler of Israel” (1 Chron. 2: 7; Josh. 6: 18; 7: 25). Ø It can cost YOU your soul (Luke 12: 15 -21). – Covetousness is a form of selfishness, where one is willing to sacrifice others for his own gain!