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Achan: The Man Who Troubled Israel
Achan: The Man Who Troubled Israel
The history of Israel is replete with accounts of divine faithfulness and human frailty. Among the many narratives that underscore the gravity of sin and the unwavering justice of God, the story of Achan stands as a stark and sobering warning. Often referred to as "the troubler of Israel," Achan's single act of disobedience brought devastating consequences upon an entire nation, serving as a timeless lesson on the insidious nature of covetousness, the pervasive reach of sin, and the absolute necessity of obedience to God's holy commands.
The Divine Command and the Consecration of Jericho
After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, the children of Israel, under the leadership of Joshua, stood poised to conquer the Promised Land. Their first formidable obstacle was the heavily fortified city of Jericho. God, in His infinite power, miraculously brought down its walls, granting Israel a resounding victory. However, with this victory came a specific and non-negotiable command from the Lord. Jericho was to be utterly destroyed, a "devoted thing" unto the Lord, meaning all its inhabitants, animals, and possessions, save for Rahab and her household, were to be consecrated to God. The silver, gold, and vessels of brass and iron were to be brought into the treasury of the house of the Lord, but nothing was to be taken for personal gain. This was a test of Israel's obedience and their recognition that the victory belonged solely to God.
And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
This command was clear: to take anything from Jericho for oneself was to make the entire camp "accursed" and to "trouble" Israel. It was a matter of national consecration and purity before a holy God.
Achan's Hidden Transgression
Despite the explicit command and the severe warning, one man, Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, chose to disregard the word of the Lord. Driven by covetousness, he secretly took for himself a "goodly Babylonish garment," two hundred shekels of silver, and a "wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight." He then hid these forbidden items in his tent, burying them in the earth. His sin was not merely an act of theft; it was an act of rebellion against God, a violation of the covenant, and a defilement of the holy camp of Israel.
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.
The immediate consequence of Achan's secret sin was devastating and unexpected. When Joshua sent a small contingent of about three thousand men to take the city of Ai, they were soundly defeated, with thirty-six men slain. The hearts of the people melted, and they were filled with fear and despair. This defeat was not due to a lack of military prowess or strategic error, but because God's presence had departed from Israel's midst. Achan's sin had made the entire nation "accursed," rendering them vulnerable before their enemies.
Discovery and Divine Judgment
Distraught by the unexpected defeat, Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth before the ark of the Lord, crying out to God. He questioned why God had brought them across Jordan only to deliver them into the hands of their enemies. God's response was swift and direct: "Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff." (Joshua 7:11). God revealed that He would not be with them again until the accursed thing was removed from their midst.
The Lord instructed Joshua to sanctify the people and to identify the transgressor through a process of elimination: by tribe, then by family, then by household, and finally, by individual. The next morning, as the tribes were brought forward, the tribe of Judah was taken. Then the family of the Zarhites. Then Zabdi was taken. Finally, Achan, the son of Carmi, was identified. Confronted by Joshua, Achan confessed his sin, detailing exactly what he had taken and where he had hidden it. The items were retrieved from his tent, confirming his transgression.
The judgment was swift and severe. Achan, along with his sons and daughters, his oxen, asses, sheep, tent, and all that he had, were brought to the Valley of Achor (meaning "trouble"). There, all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. A great heap of stones was raised over his remains, which remains to this day. This act served as a public purging of sin from the camp, a necessary step to restore God's favor and presence among His people. "So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day." (Joshua 7:26).
Enduring Lessons from Achan's Sin
The tragic story of Achan is not merely an ancient historical account; it is saturated with profound spiritual truths that resonate deeply with believers today. Here are several critical lessons:
Conclusion: No Troublers in the Camp
Achan's legacy is forever etched in the annals of Israel's history as "the man who troubled Israel." His story serves as a perpetual reminder that individual choices have far-reaching implications, especially within the context of a covenant community. For the believer today, the lessons are equally profound. We are called to live lives of holiness and obedience, recognizing that our actions, both public and private, impact the spiritual well-being of the church, the body of Christ. Just as Israel could not prosper with "the accursed thing" in their midst, so too, the church of God must strive for purity and diligently guard against the subtle encroachments of sin, especially covetousness and disobedience.
May we learn from Achan's tragic downfall the imperative of living in humble submission to God's Word, ensuring that no "troubler" lurks within our hearts or our fellowship, so that God's blessing and presence may continually rest upon His people.
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