Key Verse
“Israel has sinned; they have violated My covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things.”
— Joshua 7 : 11 (NIV)
1. The Hidden Crime among the Faithful
Achan belonged to the covenant people who had just witnessed miraculous victories: the crossing of the Jordan and the fall of Jericho. He had seen God’s power firsthand and shared Israel’s faith community. Yet within that community, disobedience took root.
When Jericho fell, God commanded that all spoils be devoted to Him — a sacred ban (ḥerem) symbolising total consecration (Josh 6 : 17–19). But Achan secretly coveted and kept a Babylonian garment, silver, and gold, hiding them beneath his tent (Josh 7 : 21). His sin was not atheism but appropriation — believing in God’s existence while defying His command.
Achan’s act demonstrates that faith without fear of God’s holiness becomes faith without substance.
2. The Communal Consequence
After Jericho’s triumph, Israel expected easy victory at Ai. Yet they were defeated. The nation’s failure perplexed Joshua until God revealed, “Israel has sinned.” A single man’s disobedience compromised collective blessing.
This incident exposes the covenantal nature of holiness: God’s people share not only privilege but responsibility. Hidden sin in one life can bring spiritual defeat to many. Israel’s outward strength collapsed under inward corruption — proof that moral integrity is stronger than military force.
3. Exposure and Confession
Through a solemn process of tribal selection, God identified Achan. When confronted, he confessed:
“It is true! I have sinned against the LORD… I saw, I coveted, I took.” (Josh 7 : 20–21)
These verbs trace the anatomy of temptation — sight, desire, action, concealment — echoing Eve’s transgression in Eden (Gen 3 : 6). Achan’s confession, though accurate, came too late to avert judgement. His repentance was reactive, not redemptive.
He and his family were executed, and the stolen goods burned (Josh 7 : 24–26). The place was named the Valley of Achor (“trouble”) — a grim memorial to faith corrupted by secrecy.
4. Divine Justice and Restoration
Though the punishment was severe, it purified the nation. After Achan’s removal, Israel regained divine favour and conquered Ai (Josh 8 : 1–2). Judgement restored alignment between God and His people.
Centuries later, the prophet Hosea transformed the symbol of Achor from curse to hope:
“I will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.” (Hos 2 : 15).
Grace would one day turn judgement’s valley into renewal’s gateway — yet for Achan, that hope came too late. His refusal to confess before exposure sealed his fate among the non-returners.
5. Theological Reflection
- Faith requires transparency. Hidden sin fragments fellowship with God and others.
- Corporate holiness demands individual integrity. The community’s strength depends on private obedience.
- Delayed repentance hardens consequence. Confession under compulsion is remorse, not renewal.
Achan’s name endures as warning: divine victory cannot coexist with secret violation. Spiritual defeat often originates not in visible weakness but in concealed compromise.
6. Lesson for Today
What is hidden before others is still open before God.
Achan’s story calls believers to inner honesty. God’s blessing upon a life, family, or ministry can be halted by what is buried beneath the surface — pride, deceit, greed, or bitterness. Exposure is painful but purifying; concealment invites collapse.
The God who sees the heart still speaks: “Give glory to the LORD… and tell Me what you have done.” (Josh 7 : 19). Better confession in secret than judgement in public.
Key References
- The Holy Bible (NIV). (2011). London: Hodder & Stoughton.
- Hess, R. S. (1996) Joshua: An Introduction and Commentary. Leicester: IVP.
- Howard, D. M. (1998) Joshua: The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman.
- Butler, T. C. (1983) Joshua: Word Biblical Commentary. Waco, TX: Word Books.
- Wright, C. J. H. (2004) Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. Leicester: IVP.