"It is true," Achan replied, "I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: “It is true,”Achan's admission begins with an acknowledgment of truth, which is significant in the biblical narrative. Truth is a central theme in Scripture, often associated with God's nature (John 14:6). Achan's confession highlights the importance of truthfulness before God, contrasting with the deceit that led to his sin. Achan replied, “I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: Persons / Places / Events 1. AchanA member of the tribe of Judah who disobeyed God's command by taking forbidden items from Jericho, leading to Israel's defeat at Ai. 2. Joshua The leader of Israel who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. He confronted Achan about his sin. 3. The LORD, the God of Israel The covenant God of Israel, who had given specific instructions regarding the spoils of Jericho. 4. Jericho The first city conquered by the Israelites in the Promised Land, where God commanded that all spoils be devoted to Him. 5. Ai The city where Israel faced defeat due to Achan's sin, highlighting the consequences of disobedience. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinAchan's account reminds us that sin has serious consequences, not just for the individual but for the community. We must take sin seriously and strive to live in obedience to God's commands. The Importance of Confession Achan's confession, though late, shows the necessity of acknowledging our sins before God. Confession is a crucial step in the process of repentance and restoration. God's Holiness and Justice The incident underscores God's holiness and the need for His people to be set apart. God's justice requires that sin be addressed, but His mercy is available through repentance. Community Impact of Personal Sin Achan's sin affected the entire nation of Israel, illustrating how personal sin can have broader implications. We must be mindful of how our actions impact others. The Path to Restoration While Achan faced severe consequences, the broader biblical account shows that God provides a path to restoration through repentance and faith in Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Achan's confession in Joshua 7:20 illustrate the biblical principle of confession found in other scriptures like 1 John 1:9?2. In what ways can personal sin affect the community of believers, as seen in the account of Achan and the defeat at Ai? 3. How does the account of Achan challenge us to examine areas of disobedience in our own lives? 4. What steps can we take to ensure that we are living in obedience to God's commands, avoiding the pitfalls of hidden sin? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Achan's account to foster a culture of accountability and confession within our church or small group? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 5:5This verse discusses the requirement for confession when one becomes aware of their sin, similar to Achan's confession. Proverbs 28:13 This verse emphasizes the importance of confessing and renouncing sin to receive mercy, which relates to Achan's admission of guilt. 1 John 1:9 This New Testament verse highlights the promise of forgiveness and cleansing when we confess our sins, echoing the need for confession seen in Achan's account. Numbers 32:23 This verse warns that sin will find you out, which is evident in Achan's hidden sin being revealed. Hebrews 4:13 This verse speaks to the fact that nothing is hidden from God's sight, reinforcing the idea that Achan's sin could not remain concealed.
People Achan, Amorites, Canaanites, Carmi, Israelites, Joshua, Zabdi, Zarhites, Zerah, Zerahites, ZimriPlaces Ai, Beth-aven, Bethel, Jericho, Jordan River, Shebarim, Shinar, Valley of AchorTopics TRUE, Answereth, Answering, Indeed, Joshua, Replied, Sinned, Thus, Truly, Truth, WrongDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 7:20 1461 truth, nature of 6173 guilt, and God 5413 money, attitudes Library Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat'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. 2. And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-ei, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. 3. And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Whether one Can, Without a Mortal Sin, Deny the Truth which Would Lead to One's Condemnation? Contention Over the Man Born Blind. The Eighth Commandment Confession of Sin --A Sermon with Seven Texts Restraining Prayer: is it Sin? The Practice of Piety in Glorifying God in the Time of Sickness, and when Thou Art Called to Die in the Lord. Exposition of the Moral Law. Of a Private Fast. The Knowledge of God Beth-El. Beth-Aven. The Covenant of Works The Holiness of God Second Great Group of Parables. Joshua Links Joshua 7:20 NIVJoshua 7:20 NLT Joshua 7:20 ESV Joshua 7:20 NASB Joshua 7:20 KJV Joshua 7:20 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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