Achan: Amassing Accursed Things

“Achan was a warrior who went with the fighting force of Israel to conquer the city of Jericho, which stood in the way of the children of God possessing their inheritance as promised by Him,” the MC began, introducing a character whose life serves as a cautionary tale of starting well with God but turning away from His commands. 

“They were successful,” he continued, “but disaster struck when they attempted to conquer the smaller city of Ai and were defeated. Why? Achan disobeyed the Lord’s command to dedicate everything in Jericho to Him. By hoarding some of the accursed things, he brought judgment upon himself and the entire nation.”

The audience sat in rapt attention as the speaker invited “Mr. Achan” to the podium, a dramatized portrayal to bring lessons to life.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” Achan began solemnly, acknowledging the weight of his story. “I am honored to share my fatal mistake, which caused devastation not only to myself and my family but also to the whole nation of Israel.” The room grew silent, the gravity of his words sinking in.

“As recorded in Joshua 7, my story is a stark warning. I was privileged to be part of Israel’s second generation—the ones who entered the Promised Land, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham. Even more exciting, I was part of the elite force tasked with conquering Jericho, a city that posed a great obstacle to our inheritance.”

“When Jericho fell, my fellow warriors celebrated God’s faithfulness by adhering to His command: all items of value were to be consecrated to the Lord. However, my heart gave in to greed. The silver, the gold, and the fine garments dazzled me. I coveted them, and in secret, I took some for myself, hiding them under my tent.” 

His voice faltered. “That deceptive act brought disaster. When we attacked Ai, we suffered a humiliating defeat. My sin led to the loss of lives, including my family’s and ultimately my own. My story remains a sobering reminder of how personal choices can ripple across an entire community.”

As Achan paused, a member of the audience raised her hand. “Go ahead,” invited the MC.

“My name is Eva. Mr. Achan, wasn’t it harsh for God to punish you and your family so severely without offering a chance for redemption?”

The MC nodded approvingly, signaling for Achan to respond. After sipping his water thoughtfully, Achan began, “Justice demands accountability. If a judge lets a guilty person go unpunished, would justice be served? Absolutely not. Similarly, God, who is both holy and just, must deal with sin because it disrupts His righteous order. As much as God loves us, He cannot ignore rebellion. In my case, my actions had far-reaching consequences, much like how Adam’s sin brought suffering upon all humanity (Romans 5:12).”

He continued, “Jesus later taught in Matthew 18:8-9 that if a hand or eye causes you to sin, it’s better to lose it than to lose your soul in hell. My story illustrates the seriousness of sin and the cost of disobedience. God’s directive was clear: no one was to take any of the devoted things. I ignored His command, and my disobedience brought judgment.”

The account of Achan challenges believers to recognize the gravity of sin and the necessity of living in obedience to God’s Word. It teaches us that our choices can either build or destroy, not just for ourselves but for others. The kingdom of God requires unwavering devotion to righteousness, for His laws are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). Let us live with a consciousness that what we do in secret will one day be brought to light (Luke 12:2-3), striving to honor God in all our ways.