Israel
Defeated at Ai
But
the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing:
for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of
the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the
LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. Jos. 7:1
children
of Israel...
Not all of them did, but the one man who committed the trespass
brought disgrace upon all the sons of Israel (Jos. 7:1, 7:19-26).
committed
a trespass... Hebrew:
ma‛al,
a breach of faith or trust; treachery. It was translated "trespass"
(Jos. 6:1; 22:16, 22:20, 22:31; Lev. 5:15; 6:2; 26:40; Num. 5:6,
5:12, 5:27; 31:16; 2Ch. 33:19; Ezr. 9:2; Eze. 15:8; 17:20; 18:24;
20:27; 39:26; Dan. 9:7), and "transgression" (Jos. 22:22;
1Ch. 9:1; 2Ch. 29:19; Ezr. 9:4; 10:6).
the
accursed thing...
Anything devoted to destruction or consecrated to the sanctuary. It
would become the accursed thing to the sinner who took it. We saw
Jericho Accursed thing in the last chapter. This was the same sin
that Ananias and Sapphira committed in Act. 5:1-3.
and
the anger...
This was the first time that God became angry with Israel under
Joshua.
The
Anger of God and Man
Not
only was the anger of God "kindled" (32 times), but it
"waxed hot" (Exo. 32:22; Deut. 9:19; 29:24; Jdg. 2:14,
2:20; 3:8; 10:7); is "fierce" (Num. 25:4; 32:14; Deut.
13:17); and has been "provoked" (37 times; Deut. 4:25;
9:18; 1Ki. 14:9; 16:2, 16:26, 16:33; 2Ki. 17:11, 17:17; 21:6; 2Ch.
33:6, etc.). God’s anger must be understood in the same sense as
that of human beings or angels. The words "anger" and
"angry" are used first of Esau (Gen. 27:45) and next of
Jacob (Gen. 30:3).
Fifteen
Examples of Men Being Angry:
1.
Esau (Gen. 27:45)
2.
Jacob (Gen. 30:2)
3.
Simeon and Levi (Gen. 49:6-7)
4.
Potiphar (Gen. 37:36; 39:19)
5.
Moses (Exo. 11:8; 32:19)
6.
Balaam (Num. 22:27)
7.
Balak (Num. 24:10)
8.
Zebul (Jdg. 9:30)
9.
Samson (Jdg. 14:19)
10.
Saul (1Sa. 11:6; 20:30)
11.
Eliab (1Sa. 17:28)
12.
David (2Sa. 12:5)
13.
Israelites (2Ch. 25:10)
14.
Elihu (Job. 32:2-5)
15.
Enemies (Psm. 124:3)
Twelve
Causes of God’s Anger:
1.
The stubbornness of Moses (Exo. 4:14)
2.
Idolatry (Exo. 32:19-22; Num. 25:3)
3.
Murmuring (Num. 11:1, 11:10)
4.
The lust of people (Num. 11:33-34)
5.
Pride (Num. 12:9)
6.
Disobedience (Num. 22:22)
7.
Rebellion (Num. 32:10-13)
8.
Backsliding (Deut. 6:15; 7:4; 11:16-17; 29:25-28; 32:15-22; 1Ki.
11:9)
9.
Sin (Jos. 7:1, 7:19-26; 23:16; 2Ki. 13:1-3; 22:13; 23:26)
10.
Hypocrisy (Job 42:7)
11.
Wickedness (Psm. 7:11)
12.
The works of men (Jer. 32:30)
And
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is
beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them,
saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed
Ai. Jos. 7:2
Go
up and...
Joshua turned his attention next to Ai (called Hai in Gen. 12:8)
which was east of Bethel and about ten to twelve miles north of
Jericho. Evidently a strong place, it chose war and a siege
regardless of what happened at Jericho. Ai is the only name of a city
in Scripture which has to be spelled to be pronounced.
And
they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go
up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and
make not all the people to labour thither; for they are
but
few. Jos. 7:3
they
returned to...
The spies returned with a favorable report. They expected an easy
victory and suggested that only 2,000 or 3,000 soldiers be sent. The
suggestion was approved by Joshua who evidently failed to ask God
what to do. About 3,000 men were sent but they were defeated and fled
before the men of Ai, losing 36 men (Jos. 7:4-5). This greatly
discouraged Israel (Jos. 7:5).
So
there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and
they fled before the men of Ai. Jos. 7:4
So
there went... But Joshua sent only 3,000 men to Ai, where sadly they
did not conquer but were routed. They rushed in terror down the steep
pass which they had so confidently climbed in the morning, till the
pursuers caught them at some stone quarries, where 36 Israelite
soldiers were slain. The rest escaped and returned to camp.
And
the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased
them from
before the gate even
unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts
of the people melted, and became as water. Jos. 7:5
thirty
and six men...
These were the only casualties recorded for Israel in all the battles
up to this time, because it was the miraculous power of God defeating
the people of Canaan and east of Jordan. The failure here never would
have happened if all Israel had stayed free from sin. One man’s
trespass caused this defeat and the loss of thirty-six men (Jos.
7:10-26).
for
they chased...
Compare this with the promise of God if Israel would not sin (Jos.
23:10; Lev. 26:7-8; Deut.32:30). The last pursuit and defeat of
Israel was also because of sin (Num. 14:44-45; Deut. 1:44).
even
unto Shebarim...
Shebarim signifies "breaches" or "broken places,"
perhaps referring to the rough wady at the bottom of the hill on
which Ai was built. The Septuagint omits the word altogether.
And
Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before
the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel,
and put dust upon their heads. Jos. 7:6
rent
his clothes...
Joshua evidently did not go with this expedition. So, when he heard
about the defeat, he tore his clothes and fell on his face before the
ark of God until evening. He and the elders of Israel did so, with
dust on their heads.
And
Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought
this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites,
to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the
other side Jordan! Jos. 7:7
Alas,
O Lord... Joshua’s
prayer was one of utter despondency and followed the pattern of
Moses’ prayers on certain occasions of rebellion (Exo. 5:22-23;
14:15; 17:4; Num. 11:11-15, 11:21-22). Part of it also sounded like
the murmurings of Israel under trial (Exo. 14:11-12; 16:2-3; Num.
11:1-9; 14:1-4; 21:5). It was one of complaint and unbelief (Jos.
7:7-9).
Wherefore
hast thou...
Questions 6-8. Next, Jos. 7:25. This is the same as "Wherefore
hath the Lord brought us unto this land to fall by the sword?"
(Num. 14:3) and "Wherefore have ye brought us out of Egypt to
die in the wilderness?" (Num. 21:5). Joshua should have known
better than this from truth and experience, but natural man finds it
difficult to hold steady and exercise faith in time of trial.
would
to God...
This is the same as "Would to God we had died by the hand of the
Lord in Egypt" (Exo. 16:3), "Would to God we had died in
the land of Egypt" (Num. 14:2), and "Would to God we had
died when our brethren died" (Num. 20:3).
O
Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their
enemies! Jos. 7:8
what
shall I...
Joshua should have known the cause of failure, having experienced
similar trials in the wilderness several times, and he should have
inquired about sin instead of looking for something else to blame.
More than ten plagues and the loss of hundreds of thousands of people
in Israel had already demonstrated the cause of failure, as recorded
in the Book of Numbers alone.
For
the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of
it,
and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and
what wilt thou do unto thy great name? Jos. 7:9
and
cut off... Joshua’s greatest concern was that the news of this
defeat might somehow reduce the respect of the heathen for God’s
own great name. Consequently their name would be wiped out, that is,
they would be destroyed and never remembered.
The
Sin of Achan
And
the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus
upon thy face? Jos. 7:10
the
LORD said...
Three commands—dealing with sin:
1.
Joshua, get up.
2.
Sanctify the people (Jos. 7:13).
3.
Say: Sanctify yourselves.
Get
thee up...
Seldom does God stop a person from praying, but, when sin is
involved, such prayer is useless if dealing directly with the
transgression. When sin is cleaned out of the life, there is only one
reason for unanswered prayer—unbelief (Mat. 17:20; 21:22; Mar.
9:23; 11:22-24; John 2:21-22; 5:13-14).
Fifty
"Get" Commands in Scripture
Get
Thee Up:
1.
From prayer (Jos. 7:10)
2.
Out of Sodom (Gen. 19:14)
3.
In peace (Gen. 44:17)
4.
Southward (Num. 13:17)
5.
From among these rebels (Num. 16:24, 16:45)
6.
Into this mount (Num. 27:12)
7.
To view the land (Deut. 3:27)
8.
Into the place (Deut. 17:8)
9.
Into this mountain and die (Deut. 32:49)
10.
To the wooded country (Jos. 17:15)
11.
Find the man of God (1Sa. 9:13)
12.
Greet Nabal for me (1Sa. 25:5)
13.
Eat and drink (1Ki. 18:41)
14.
Into the high mountain (Isa. 40:9)
15.
To a wealthy nation (Jer. 49:31)
16.
Buy corn (grain) (Gen. 42:2)
17.
To Israel (Exo. 19:24; 32:7; Deut. 9:12)
Get
Thee Down:
18.
To the host (Jos. 7:9)
19.
To the floor (Ruth 3:3)
20.
From the Amalekites (1Sa. 15:6)
21.
For the press is full (Joe. 3:13)
22.
Go with them (Act 10:20)
Get
Thee Out:
23.
Of your country (Gen. 12:1; Act 7:3)
24.
Of the way (Isa. 30:11)
25.
From this country (Gen. 31:13)
26.
Out of the land (Exo. 1:10; 11:8)
Get
Thee Unto:
27.
The land of Canaan (Gen. 45:17)
28.
Your burdens (Exo. 5:4)
29.
Pharaoh (Exo. 7:17)
30.
Your tents (Jos. 22:4)
31.
This treasurer (Isa. 22:15)
32.
The house of Israel (Eze. 3:4)
Get
Thee Into:
33.
The land of Moriah (Gen. 22:2)
34.
Your land (Num. 22:13)
35.
Your tents (Deut. 5:30)
36.
The wilderness (Num. 14:25)
37.
Darkness (Isa. 47:5)
Get:
38.
From me (Exo. 10:28)
39.
You forth (Exo. 12:31)
40.
Hence (1Ki. 17:3; Zec. 6:7; Mat. 4:10)
41.
A linen girdle (Jer. 13:1)
42.
A potter’s bottle (Jer. 19:1)
43.
Away (Jer. 38:9)
44.
You afar off (Jer. 49:30)
45.
To them (Eze. 3:11)
46.
Far from the Lord (Eze. 11:15)
47.
Behind Me (Mat. 16:23; Mar. 8:33; Luke 4:8)
48.
Wisdom (Pro. 4:5, 4:7)
49.
Understanding (Pro. 4:5, 4:7; 16:16)
50.Quickly
out (Act 22:18)
Israel
hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I
commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and
have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it
even among their own stuff. Jos. 7:11
Israel
hath sinned... Sixfold
accusation of Israel:
1.
Israel has sinned.
2. They have
transgressed My covenant.
3. They have taken the
accursed thing.
4. They have also
stolen.
5. They have dissembled
also.
6. They have put the
accursed thing among their own stuff.
sinned...
Sin is transgression of the law (1Jn. 3:4). The part of the covenant
they transgressed in particular was that which concerned taking
devoted things for personal use (Lev. 27:28).
and
dissembled also...
Hebrew: kachash,
to be untrue in word; to lie; feign; dissemble; deceive; deal
falsely; be a hypocrite (Jos. 7:11; cp. Pro. 26:4, Pro. 26:24; Jer.
42:20; Rom. 12:9; Gal. 2:12). Achan pretended to be in obedience to
the law, knowing that he had sinned and deceived Israel, and had
hidden what he had stolen in his tent.
Therefore
the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but
turned their
backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will
I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among
you. Jos. 7:12
children
of Israel... could
not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their
enemies, because they were accursed.
The
Power of One Sin
could
not stand... One sin brought all the nation to defeat and caused God
to stop His blessing. One sin is what caused Adam and the whole race
to be under the present curse (Gen. 2:19; Rom. 5:12-21). One sin
brings the same result as committing all sins (Jas. 2:9-10). Any one
of the death-penalty sins of Mar. 7:19-21; Rom. 1:21-32; 1Co. 6:9-11;
Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5-10 will damn the soul of any person,
regardless of his claims to salvation, for there is no partiality
with God. Grace, love, mercy, and salvation from God do not license
one to sin or free him from responsibility. Sin has its deadly effect
on all alike—in every generation, in every place and among all
races.
Neither
will I... God was the leader of Israel and for Him to lead a people
tainted with sin to victory would be a stain upon His character.
Hence, the demand for each person to be clean and obedient to the law
and will of God. The method used in detecting the exact sin and the
person who committed it brought fear to all Israel and helped curb
such practices during the rest of the war (Jos. 7:10-15).
except
ye destroy... God promised not to be with Israel any more unless this
sin was cleansed from the whole camp. He promises the same to all
people in every age, regardless of law or grace.
Up,
sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow:
for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There
is
an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not
stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing
from among you. Jos. 7:13
sanctify
the people... We
cannot over-emphasize the utter simplicity of sanctification. It is
made clear in every passage where the subject is found. It does not
mean one thing in one scripture or in one particular age and another
thing in another. It does not have one meaning for Israel and another
for the church, one meaning under law and another under grace.
Wherever it is found sanctification means a setting apart from a
profane or secular use to a sacred and holy use. Holy, sanctified,
born again, converted, redeemed, saved, and purified people can and
must be continually set apart to obedience as they walk in the light
(1Jn. 1:7). How could Joshua sanctify the people, and how could the
people sanctify themselves, as commanded here? By setting themselves
apart for the revelation of God, in the same way that Israel
sanctified or set themselves apart to receive the law in Exo.
19:10-23.
In
the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes:
and it shall be, that
the tribe which the LORD taketh shall come according to the families
thereof;
and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households;
and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man.
Jos. 7:14
In
the morning... This selection from tribe to tribe, family to family,
and man to man was probably done by the Urim and Thummim. The
Urim
("lights")
and Thummim ("perfections") were gemstones that were
carried by the high priest of Israel on the ephod / priestly
garments. They were used by the high priest to determine God's will
in some situations. Some propose that God would cause the Urim
and
Thummim to light up in varying patterns to reveal His decision.
And
it shall be,
that
he
that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he
and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of
the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel. Jos.
7:15
And
it shall... This terrible penalty of the broken law was a shadow of
the eternal death penalty in the lake of fire (second death). To burn
refers to burning after being stoned to death, not burning alive
(Jos. 7:25-26).
wrought
folly in... Fifteen
Things that Were Folly in Israel
1.
Sacrilege—taking sacred things for personal use (Jos. 7:12-15; Lev.
27:28)
2.
Rape (Gen. 34:7; Judges 19:22-20:10; 2Sa. 13:12)
3.
Playing the whore (Deut. 22:20-21)
4.
Homosexuality (Jdg. 19:22-23)
5.
Misrepresenting God (Job. 42:8)
6.
Ways and sayings of natural men without God (Psm. 49:13; 85:8)
7.
Sins and iniquities (Pro. 5:22-23)
8.
Ignorance (Pro. 13:16; 14:8, 14:18; 15:21; 16:22)
9.
Deceit (Pro. 14:8)
10.
Foolishness (Pro. 14:24)
11.
Hasty spirit—hotheadedness (Pro. 14:29)
12.
Judgment without knowledge (Pro. 18:13)
13.
Hypocrisy and evil doing (Isa. 9:17)
14.
False prophecy and doctrine (Jer. 23:13)
15.
Resisting truth, corruptness of mind, and being reprobate in faith
(2Ti. 3:7-10)
So
Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their
tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken: Jos.
7:16
early
in the morning... About daylight. Joshua rose early on the fateful
day. All Israel was assembled for the ritual of determining the
offender. This was probably done by drawing lots, perhaps by taking
inscribed potsherds out of a jar. But since God knew who was guilty,
why did He not simply reveal his identity to Joshua? The answer is
that this dramatic method would impress on the nation of Israel the
seriousness of disobeying God’s commands.
And
he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the
Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and
Zabdi was taken: Jos. 7:17
There
was a grim silence as the process narrowed from the selection of the
tribe of Judah to the clan of the Zerahites, to the family of Zimri.
And
he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the
son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
Jos. 7:18
and
Achan... Achan means "troubler." He is called "Achar,
the troubler of Israel" in 1Ch. 2:7. This was no quirk of fate;
it was the direction of God’s providence. Solomon described the
process well: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision
is from the Lord” (Pro. 16:33).
And
Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD
God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what
thou hast done; hide it
not from me. Jos.
7:19
And
Joshua said... Three commands—confession of Achan:
1.
Give glory to the God of Israel.
2. Make confession to
God.
3. Tell me now what you
have done; do not hide it from me.
My
son, give... In such a case, giving God glory would be to acknowledge
the omniscience of God, and confess that He was right in His
accusation.
And
Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the
LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: Jos.
7:20
Indeed
I have... Achan gave proper confession of his sin, which is only
partially recorded here (Jos. 7:20-21). The penalty for his crime was
physical death for himself and all his family and the destruction of
his stock and material goods (Jos. 7:24). No blood was shed or any
ritual carried out for him as far as the record goes, so we do not
know whether his confession brought him forgiveness and salvation for
his soul.
When
I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred
shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then
I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are
hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
Jos. 7:21
among
the spoils... Three
Things Stolen by Achan
1.
A Babylonish garment. Hebrew: ’addereth,
Shin‛ar,
a splendid, costly robe of Shinar. The plain of Shinar was celebrated
for its gorgeous robes with a variety of brilliant colors, generally
arranged in patterns which probably resembled Oriental tapestries or
carpets. The colors were either woven into the material or
embroidered. This garment may have been decorated with idolatrous
figures which would have made it more abominable. Perhaps it was the
royal robe of the king of Jericho, for ’addereth
is used in Jon. 3:6 of the royal robe that the king of Nineveh laid
aside to seek the Lord when he humbled himself before God. There is
no doubt the robe or cloak was beautiful and costly, which is why
Achan coveted it.
2.
The 200 shekels of silver. At $2.50 each, this would be $500.
3.
A wedge of gold of 50 shekels weight. At $200 per shekel this was
$10,000 which, with the shekels of silver, made a total of $10,500
besides the costly Babylonish garment.
I
coveted them... This broke the eighth and tenth commandments, as well
as the law of devoted things (Lev. 27:28). One might covet and not
steal what he covets, but Achan did both.
So
Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it
was
hid in his tent, and the silver under it. Jos.
7:22
Joshua
sent messengers... Achan’s confession was quickly verified; the
stolen objects were found where he said they were.
And
they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto
Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before
the LORD. Jos.
7:23
and
laid them... They were then spread… out before the Lord to whom
they belonged. God had already seen everything. So this means they
brought them out to the public eye before the tabernacle where
judgment was being given.
And
Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the
silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his
daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent,
and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of
Achor. Jos.
7:24
and
his sons... Achan’s sons and daughters were evidently stoned with
him, for Jos. 7:25 says Israel stoned them and burned them, and Jos.
22:20 says he did not perish alone. The law forbade children being
put to death for the sins of fathers UNLESS they were partakers of
the crimes (Deut. 24:16). So, we conclude that Achan’s children
partook of his crime and had to suffer with him (Jos. 7:24-25). They
protected Achan until he was forced to confess, because he was found
out by God. Even in civil governments, parties to crimes are held
guilty and punished. In God’s government, even bidding a
transgressor "Godspeed" makes one a partaker of another’s
evil deeds (2Jn. 1:10-11).
And
Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee
this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with
fire, after they had stoned them with stones. Jos.
7:25
And
all Israel... The fatal stones felled Achan and his children, and
fire consumed their bodies and belongings. Having stolen “devoted”
objects Achan himself became contaminated and under the doom of
destruction.
And
they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the
LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of
that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day. Jos.
7:26
a
great heap... It was customary to heap up stones as crude monuments
of important events (Jos. 7:26; 8:28-29; Gen. 31:46-52; Deut. 13:16;
2Sa. 18:17-18). It was also customary for travelers to continue
throwing stones on such heaps for criminals. Jews and Muslims for
instance, were in the habit of casting stones upon Absalom’s tomb
which he set up for himself in the king’s valley (2Sa. 18:18).
So
the LORD... The Lord was satisfied that all sin had been cleaned out
of Israel. So God resumed command of this holy people to punish the
nations of Caanan for their crimes (Jos. 7:26; 8:18; etc.).
place
was called... The crime of Achan is remembered in references to the
valley of Achor (Jos. 7:26; 15:7; Isa. 65:10; Hos. 2:15). It is
called the brook Cherith in 1Ki. 17:3-5.
But
because Israel was willing to deal with the sin problem in her midst,
God’s burning anger (Jos. 7:1) was turned away and He was ready to
lead them again to victory.
