Christian Age 1 Chronicles 2:7 And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed. Why was the punishment of Achan so severe? 1. His was a terrible sin; it was a wilful disobedience; it was high treason against God; it was sacrilege; it was stealing, lying, coveting, and practically murder. 2. This sin struck at the very life of the nation. If the people could disobey God with impunity, the nation would soon be ruined, and the hope of the world be put out. 3. The course Achan took would have degraded God in the eyes of Israel and of the Gentiles. The people and cities of Canaan were rich; the Israelites were poor. Canaan had the resources of a somewhat high civilisation — gold, silver, vessels of brass and of iron; goodly Babyionish garments. Now, suppose the Lord had given them free license to plunder, to steal and hide, and appropriate all they could lay hands on? This movement for the conquest of Canaan would have become a savage, plundering, marauding expedition. 4. These fascinating spoils — these glittering prizes of gold and silver, and these ornaments of the cultured Canaanites — were linked in on every hand with idolatry. Art and wealth in Canaan, as in every other heathen nation, lent their power to augment the attractions towards idol-worship. 5. But another consideration must have great weight. The Israelites had before them the task of conquering Palestine, a task which required the utmost discipline in the army. God was the Captain, directing, through Joshua, all the campaign. It was absolutely necessary, in the interests of military discipline, to check the first buddings of that cupidity which so often characterised ancient warfare. (Christian Age.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.WEB: The sons of Carmi: Achar, the troubler of Israel, who committed a trespass in the devoted thing. |
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