Joshua 7:20

Joshua 7:20 captures the critical moment when Achan, having been identified by divine revelation through the casting of lots, openly confesses his sin to Joshua. This confession explains why Israel suffered a humiliating defeat at Ai, revealing the hidden transgression that had brought God's judgment upon the camp.

Historical and Cultural Context

The events of Joshua 7 immediately follow Israel's miraculous triumph over Jericho, a victory orchestrated entirely by God. Before the battle, specific instructions were given regarding the spoils: all gold, silver, bronze, and iron vessels were to be consecrated to the LORD's treasury, and everything else (including people and animals) was to be utterly destroyed (Hebrew: cherem, meaning "devoted thing" or "banned thing"). Taking any of these "devoted things" for personal use was strictly forbidden, as it would defile the camp and bring a curse upon Israel (Joshua 6:18). However, Achan, from the tribe of Judah, secretly coveted and took a valuable Babylonish garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold, burying them in his tent (Joshua 7:1). This act of disobedience led directly to Israel's unexpected and devastating defeat at the hands of the much smaller city of Ai (Joshua 7:5). God revealed to Joshua that sin was in the camp, prompting the process of elimination by tribe, clan, family, and finally, individual, until Achan was identified, leading to this confession.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Gravity of Disobedience: Achan's seemingly private act of covetousness and theft had profound corporate consequences, bringing God's wrath upon the entire nation and causing the death of thirty-six Israelite soldiers. This highlights that sin, especially against God's direct commands, is never truly private.
• God's Holiness and Justice: The narrative powerfully demonstrates God's absolute holiness and His intolerance for sin among His covenant people. His justice demands that sin be exposed and dealt with before His blessing can be fully restored.
• The Nature of Confession: Achan's confession, though made under duress, is direct and acknowledges the offense as "against the LORD God of Israel." This emphasizes that all sin, ultimately, is an offense against a holy God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel" is significant. The Hebrew word for "sinned" (chatta') means to miss the mark, to err, or to go astray from a standard. By explicitly stating he sinned "against the LORD God of Israel," Achan acknowledges that his transgression was not merely a breach of human rules or a theft from the community, but a direct violation of his covenant relationship with God. This points to the ultimate object of all sin.

Practical Application

Achan's story offers timeless lessons for believers:

• Accountability and Consequences: Every action, especially disobedience to God, has consequences. We are individually accountable to God, and our choices can impact not only ourselves but also those around us.
• The Call to Holiness: Just as God demanded holiness from ancient Israel, He calls His people today to live lives separated from sin. We are to actively put away "accursed things" from our lives and communities.
• The Importance of Confession: When sin is recognized, true confession involves acknowledging our wrong directly to God and, where appropriate, to those we have wronged. This is a vital step toward healing and restoration, as affirmed in passages like 1 John 1:9.