RPG Adults
THE CONFESSION THAT ACHAN MADE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31
Joshua 7:15-26
Isaiah 63:10
“…therefore he was turned
to be their enemy,
and he fought against them.”
THE CONFESSION THAT ACHAN MADE
This was the confession that Achan made before Joshua: “Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: 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” (Josh 7:20-21). This was the truth of the matter and the offender was not free to go despite his confession. He had to pay for the consequences.
Joshua sent messengers to Achan’s tent, and they found the accursed thing as Achan had confessed. They took it to Joshua and all Israel, and laid it before God. The punishment of Achan was a forgone conclusion. All his family and everything he owned were taken to the valley of Achor. Joshua passed a sentence on him and “…all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones” (Josh 7:25). The place was called the valley of Achor. This was a severe punishment, but it was needful to deter other potential offenders so that the nation could settle peacefully in Canaan.
This punishment was meted out on Achan particularly because the nation was in a state of war. In such a situation, a little error can cost many lives. When a nation is in such danger, there has to be cooperation from all concerned parties. Everyone must be obedient to the commandant of the forces. There is no room for carelessness. Though Joshua was the leader of Israel, it was God Himself who ordered the war. All the people of Israel had to be subject to Him. God requires whole-hearted obedience.
It is always true that the wages of sin is death. All Israel had to face punishment because of one person. Sin had to be dealt with and removed, and the sinner had to pay. Pray for God’s grace that your sins may be forgiven.
THOUGHT: Sin is the first spiritual enemy. It must be removed.
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Father, for Jesus who takes away my sins.