What did Achan in the Bible do

 The Story of Achan in the Bible: A Lesson on Disobedience and Consequences

      The story of Achan is a significant biblical account found in Joshua 7, which highlights the dangers of disobedience, the consequences of hidden sin, and the importance of obedience to God. This event took place shortly after the Israelites’ miraculous conquest of Jericho, where they witnessed the mighty power of God bringing down the city walls. However, their next battle at Ai resulted in an unexpected defeat due to the sin of one man—Achan.

      This story serves as a reminder that even a single act of disobedience can have devastating effects not only on the individual but also on the entire community. Let’s explore the details of Achan’s sin, its discovery, the consequences he faced, and the lessons we can learn from this account.

1. Background: The Conquest of Jericho and God’s Command

      Before understanding Achan’s sin, we need to look at the context in which it occurred. The Israelites had just crossed the Jordan River under Joshua’s leadership and were beginning their conquest of Canaan, the land that God had promised to their ancestors.

      The first major battle in this conquest was the Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6). God gave Joshua specific instructions:

1. The Israelites were to march around the city for six days, and on the seventh day, they were to march seven times, blow their trumpets, and shout.

2. The walls of Jericho would then collapse, allowing the Israelites to conquer the city.

3. However, God gave a strict command: everything in Jericho was to be destroyed except for silver, gold, bronze, and iron, which were to be placed in the Lord’s treasury.

4. No Israelite was allowed to keep any of the devoted things, as they were under God’s judgment.

      The Israelites followed these instructions, and Jericho fell as God had promised. Everything in the city was destroyed except for Rahab and her family, who were spared because she had hidden the Israelite spies.

2. Achan’s Sin: Taking the Devoted Things

      Despite God’s clear instructions, Achan, a member of the tribe of Judah, secretly took some of the devoted things and hid them in his tent. Joshua 7:1 describes his sin: "But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel."

      Achan took:

● A beautiful Babylonian robe

● 200 shekels of silver

● A bar of gold weighing 50 shekels

      Instead of bringing them to the Lord’s treasury as commanded, he buried them in the ground inside his tent.

      Achan’s actions might have seemed small, but they were a direct act of disobedience and greed. He put his own desires above God's command, believing that his secret theft would go unnoticed.

3. The Consequences: Israel’s Defeat at Ai

      After their victory at Jericho, the Israelites prepared to attack the next city, Ai. Joshua sent spies to scout the city, and they reported that Ai was small and could be conquered with only a few thousand men. Confident in their strength, Joshua sent about 3,000 soldiers.

      However, instead of victory, they suffered a humiliating defeat. The men of Ai struck down 36 Israelites and chased the rest away. The Israelite army was shaken and discouraged because they had expected another easy victory.

      Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothes and fell before the Ark of the Covenant, crying out to God. Joshua questioned why they had been defeated, fearing that their enemies would now attack and destroy them.

      God responded: "Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions." (Joshua 7:11)

      God made it clear that as long as sin remained among them, He would not help them in battle. The devoted things had been stolen, and Israel had become defiled.

4. Achan’s Sin Exposed

      To identify the guilty person, God instructed Joshua to bring all the tribes of Israel forward the next day. The process of elimination was carried out:

1. First, the tribe of Judah was chosen.

2. Then the clan of Zerah was selected.

3. From Zerah’s clan, the family of Zimri was chosen.

4. Finally, Achan was singled out.

      Joshua confronted Achan and urged him to confess. Realizing he could not hide any longer, Achan admitted his guilt: "It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath." (Joshua 7:20-21)

      Achan’s sin was not only theft but also covetousness and deception. He had taken what belonged to God and kept it for himself.

5. Achan’s Punishment: The Valley of Achor

      After Achan’s confession, Joshua sent men to his tent, where they found the stolen items hidden exactly as he had described. The punishment for his sin was severe.

      Joshua and the Israelites took Achan, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys, sheep, tent, and everything he owned to the Valley of Achor. There, they were stoned to death and burned with fire.

      Joshua 7:26 states: "Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. Over Achan, they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his fierce anger."

      After this, God’s anger subsided, and Israel was able to go on and defeat Ai in their next battle.

6. Lessons from Achan’s Story

A. The Danger of Hidden Sin

      Achan thought no one would notice his sin, but God sees everything. Hidden sins always have consequences, and they can affect not just the individual but also the entire community.

B. Disobedience Affects Others

      Achan’s actions brought defeat upon all of Israel. His sin cost 36 men their lives and nearly stopped the conquest of Canaan. This reminds us that our actions—good or bad—can impact those around us.

C. The Power of Covetousness

      Achan's downfall began with coveting. He saw what he desired, and he took it. This mirrors the pattern of sin seen in Eve in the Garden of Eden and David with Bathsheba. Learning to control our desires and being content with what we have is essential.

D. God Demands Holiness

      Israel was a chosen people, and God required them to be holy. Sin could not be tolerated among them, and justice had to be served. This shows the seriousness of sin in God's eyes.

     The story of Achan is a sobering reminder that sin has consequences. His greed led to the suffering of many, and his punishment was severe. Yet, through this account, we also see God’s justice and mercy. Once Achan’s sin was dealt with, God restored His favor to Israel, allowing them to continue their journey toward the Promised Land.

      This story encourages us to live in obedience to God, confess our sins, and seek His forgiveness. Hidden sins may seem insignificant at first, but they can have devastating effects if left unaddressed.