College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Joshua 7 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 7
The Israelites beaten. Achan, a man of Judah, took some of the material which was placed under the ban; and the anger of the Lord was kindled against His people. As a consequence, when they went up to fight against Ai, the men of Ai defeated the men of Israel. This was a severe blow to the morale of the people. They had crossed Jordan in high spirits, and they had overthrown Jericho completely. Any feeling of strength was drained from them as they were driven away from Ai.
Joshua's complaint and the Lord's answer. Joshua fell on his face before the Ark of the Covenant and cried to the Lord. He was distressed by the defeat which they had suffered. God told him that the defeat had come because there was sin in the midst of the people of Israel. They could not march to victory under God's leadership until they had removed the sin from among them.
Achan'S-' confession of sin. God pointed out the sinner, and the man was confronted by his accusers. He confessed that he had coveted the Babylonish garment, shekels of silver, and the wedge of gold. He had taken them and had hidden them in the midst of his tent.
The sin purged from Israel. The men of Israel took the spoils from the tent of Achan and laid them out before the Lord (Joshua 7:23). The people then took Achan and stoned him to death. A great heap of stones was raised over the place and the spot was called the Valley of Achormeaning the valley of trouble.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34 b). Even the victorious armies of Israel could not continue to win their battles when sin came among them. Israel had gone against Ai in great confidence. They felt they would be able to take the city without throwing all their forces against it. They had ordered only two or three thousand men to go up and smite the city. When they were utterly defeated, they learned they could not sin and walk with God. The same thing is true with nations and individuals today.
2.
Covetousness is idolatry. Achan said he had coveted the Babylonish garment, the two hundred shekels of silver, and the wedge of gold. Covetousness is an overwhelming desire to possess something. Achan's desire to have these spoils of war led him to disobey the plain prohibition of God which stipulated nothing was to be taken as spoils of war by the people of Israel. Even today many people make shipwreck of the faith as they are lured into sin by covetousness, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5 b).
3.
The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23 a). In these days of spiraling inflation when one round of price increase brings a round of wage increase and a round of wage increase brings a round of price increase, there is still one man whose wage is the same. That man's name is sinner, and his wage is death. Achan was stoned to death because of his sin of stealing the spoils which belonged to God.
TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 7
1.
What town did Israel attack after destroying Jericho?
2.
What was the name of the man who sinned?
3.
Of what tribe was the man who sinned?
4.
How many men had Joshua sent against Ai?
5.
How many men of Israel were smitten in the battle?
6.
What items had been stolen from the spoils?
7.
Where had these stolen items been hidden?
8.
What name was given to the place where the sinner was punished?
9.
Were the sinner's wife and family destroyed with him?
10.
Were the sinner's oxen, sheep, asses, and tent destroyed with him?