Topical Bible: Repentance: Achan, Because of his Theft

◄ Repentance: Achan, Because of his Theft ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction

Repentance is a central theme in the Bible, often associated with turning away from sin and returning to God. The account of Achan, found in the Book of Joshua, serves as a poignant example of the consequences of sin and the necessity of repentance. Achan's actions and the subsequent events highlight the seriousness with which God views sin and the importance of obedience to His commands.

Biblical Account

The narrative of Achan is recorded in Joshua 7. After the Israelites' miraculous victory at Jericho, God commanded them to devote the entire city to destruction, sparing nothing and taking no spoils for themselves. However, Achan, a member of the tribe of Judah, disobeyed this command. He coveted and took some of the devoted items, hiding them in his tent.

The consequences of Achan's sin were immediate and severe. The Israelites, unaware of Achan's transgression, went to battle against the city of Ai and suffered a humiliating defeat. Joshua, the leader of Israel, was perplexed and sought the Lord's guidance. God revealed to Joshua that Israel had sinned by taking some of the devoted things, and as a result, His favor had been withdrawn.

Confrontation and Confession

Joshua 7:13-15 records God's instructions to Joshua: "Get up and consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: There are devoted things among you, O Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them. In the morning you must present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe that the LORD selects shall come forward clan by clan, the clan that the LORD selects shall come forward family by family, and the family that the LORD selects shall come forward man by man. The one who is caught with the devoted things must be burned with fire, along with all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD and committed an outrage in Israel.’”

Through a process of elimination, Achan was identified as the guilty party. Joshua confronted him, urging him to confess. Joshua 7:19 states, "So Joshua said to Achan, 'My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give Him the praise. Tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.'"

Achan confessed his sin, saying, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath" (Joshua 7:20-21).

Consequences and Lessons

Despite Achan's confession, the consequences of his sin were dire. He, along with his family and possessions, was taken to the Valley of Achor, where they were stoned and burned. This severe punishment served as a warning to the Israelites about the seriousness of disobedience and the holiness of God.

The account of Achan underscores several key lessons about repentance:

1. The Nature of Sin: Achan's sin was not just a personal failing but a breach of the covenant with God, affecting the entire community. Sin has communal consequences, and hidden sins can lead to public repercussions.

2. The Importance of Confession: Achan's eventual confession, though too late to avert the consequences, was necessary to restore the community's relationship with God. Confession is a crucial step in the process of repentance.

3. God's Holiness and Justice: The severe punishment meted out to Achan highlights God's holiness and the seriousness with which He views sin. It serves as a reminder that God is just and that sin must be dealt with according to His standards.

4. The Call to Obedience: The account emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands. The Israelites' initial victory at Jericho was contingent upon their obedience, and their defeat at Ai was a direct result of disobedience.

Conclusion

The account of Achan's sin and its consequences serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of repentance and obedience in the life of a believer. It calls individuals to examine their own lives, confess their sins, and turn back to God, trusting in His mercy and grace.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 7:20
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Eighth Commandment
... by repentance, and let them show their repentance by restitution. ... In the law, the
cormorant was unclean, because a thievish ... Achan the thief was stoned to death. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 8 the eighth commandment.htm

The Sixth Book
... of God's providence or through his neglect, but because of his ... he by his mercies
calls us to repentance, but we ... See Joshua 7, where the name is given as Achan. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the sixth book.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... Hence, when Joshua is endeavouring to make Achan confess the truth, he ... something
of a divine nature in him, because there is some reason for his bearing a ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... There are some who need no repentance' (Luke 15:7 ... Covetousness is a dry dropsy, and
because the thirst is ... Achan's covetous humour made him steal that wedge of ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... and he called his name Jedidiah, because the Lord loved him (2 Samuel 12:24,25).[
15] Was this love of God extended to him because of his personal virtues? ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm