Achan

Bible Study Guides – Lessons from Book of Joshua – The Achan Syndrone

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February 2 – February 8, 2020

Key Text

“Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 493–498; Testimonies, vol. 4, 489–495.

Introduction

“The acquisition of property becomes a mania with some.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 490.

Sunday

THE CAUSE OF THE CURSE

  • When Achan finally admitted his guilt after being identified by God as the culprit in Israel, what action did Joshua take? Joshua 7:22, 23.
  • Why was it so important that such sins be disclosed? Proverbs 26:2.

Note: “Achan understood well the reserve made and that the treasures of gold and silver which he coveted were the Lord’s.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 269.

“Achan’s sin brought disaster upon the whole nation. For one man’s sin the displeasure of God will rest upon His church till the transgression is searched out and put away. The influence most to be feared by the church is not that of open opposers, infidels, and blasphemers, but of inconsistent professors of Christ. These are the ones that keep back the blessing of the God of Israel and bring weakness upon His people.

“When the church is in difficulty, when coldness and spiritual declension exist, giving occasion for the enemies of God to triumph, then, instead of folding their hands and lamenting their unhappy state, let its members inquire if there is not an Achan in the camp. With humiliation and searching of heart, let each seek to discover the hidden sins that shut out God’s presence.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 497.

Monday

ACHAN HELD ACCOUNTABLE

  • What did God direct the people to do with Achan? Joshua 7:24, 25. Why is his fate a warning for us living so near the close of probation?

Note: “When a crisis finally comes … and God speaks in behalf of His people, those who have sinned, those who have been a cloud of darkness and who have stood directly in the way of God’s working for His people, may become alarmed at the length they have gone in murmuring and in bringing discouragement upon the cause; and, like Achan, becoming terrified, they may acknowledge that they have sinned. But their confessions are too late and are not of the right kind to benefit themselves, although they may relieve the cause of God. Such do not make their confessions because of a conviction of their true state and a sense of how displeasing their course has been to God.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 271.

“There are many in this day that would designate Achan’s sin as of little consequence, and would excuse his guilt; but it is because they have no realization of the character of sin and its consequences, no sense of the holiness of God and of His requirements. The statement is often heard that God is not particular whether or not we give diligent heed to His word, whether or not we obey all the commandments of His holy law; but the record of His dealing with Achan should be a warning to us. He will in no wise clear the guilty.” The Review and Herald, March 20, 1888.

  • How and why was Achan’s fate to be kept in memory? Joshua 7:26. What should this tell us?

Note: “Have you considered why it was that all who were connected with Achan were also subjects of the punishment of God? It was because they had not been trained and educated according to the directions given them in the great standard of the law of God. Achan’s parents had educated their son in such a way that he felt free to disobey the Word of the Lord, the principles inculcated in his life led him to deal with his children in such a way that they also were corrupted. Mind acts and reacts upon mind, and the punishment which included the relations of Achan with himself, reveals the fact that all were involved in the transgression.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 2, 998.

Tuesday

THE SLIME OF GREED

  • What had enticed Achan to sin? James 1:13–15.

Note: “Achan’s covetousness was excited by the sight of that costly robe of Shinar; even when it had brought him face to face with death he called it ‘a goodly Babylonish garment’ (Joshua 7:21). One sin had led to another, and he appropriated the gold and silver devoted to the treasury of the Lord—he robbed God of the first fruits of the land of Canaan.

“The deadly sin that led to Achan’s ruin had its root in covetousness, of all sins one of the most common and the most lightly regarded. While other offenses meet with detection and punishment, how rarely does the violation of the tenth commandment so much as call forth censure. The enormity of this sin, and its terrible results, are the lessons of Achan’s history.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 496. [Emphasis author’s.]

  • Why does the Christian not have an excuse for covetousness? Hebrews 13:5.

Note: “Covetousness is an evil of gradual development. Achan had cherished greed of gain until it became a habit, binding him in fetters well-nigh impossible to break. While fostering this evil, he would have been filled with horror at the thought of bringing disaster upon Israel; but his perceptions were deadened by sin, and when temptation came, he fell an easy prey.

“Are not similar sins still committed, in the face of warnings as solemn and explicit? We are as directly forbidden to indulge covetousness as was Achan to appropriate the spoils of Jericho. …

“Everywhere its slimy track is seen. It creates discontent and dissension in families; it excites envy and hatred in the poor against the rich; it prompts the grinding oppression of the rich toward the poor. And this evil exists not in the world alone, but in the church. How common even here to find selfishness, avarice, overreaching, neglect of charities, and robbery of God ‘in tithes and offerings’ (Malachi 3:8). Among church members ‘in good and regular standing’ there are, alas! many Achans.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 496, 497.

Wednesday

ESCAPING THE SNARE

  • What warnings echo down to us against coveting anything that is not ours? Luke 12:15; 1John 2:15–17. How does this sin hinder God’s work?

 Note: “It is this increasing devotion to money getting, the selfishness which the desire for gain begets, that removes the favor of God from the church and deadens its spirituality. When the head and hands are constantly occupied with planning and toiling for the accumulation of riches, the claims of God and humanity are forgotten.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 82.

“Instead of giving all for Christ many have taken the golden wedge and a goodly Babylonish garment and hid them in the camp. If the presence of one Achan was sufficient to weaken the whole camp of Israel, can we be surprised at the little success which attends our efforts when every church and almost every family has its Achan?” Ibid., vol. 5, 157.

  • What other sins which can relate to covetousness does God especially hate? Proverbs 6:16–19.

Note: “Various sins that are cherished and practiced by professed Christians bring the frown of God upon the church. In the day when the Ledger of Heaven shall be opened, the Judge will not in words express to man his guilt, but will cast one penetrating, convicting glance, and every deed, every transaction of life, will be vividly impressed upon the memory of the wrongdoer. The person will not, as in Joshua’s day, need to be hunted out from tribe to family, but his own lips will confess his shame, his selfishness, covetousness, dishonesty, dissembling, and fraud. His sins, hidden from the knowledge of man, will then be proclaimed, as it were, upon the housetop.

“The influence most to be feared by the church is not that of open opposers, infidels, and blasphemers, but of inconsistent professors of Christ. These are the ones who keep back the blessing of the God of Israel and bring weakness upon the church, a reproach that is not easily wiped away.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 493.

“His [God’s] Spirit is grieved by the pride, extravagance, dishonesty, and overreaching which are indulged by some professing godliness. All these things bring the frown of God upon His people.”  Ibid., 491.

Thursday

TRANSPARENCY IN TRADE

  • What understanding can help us to place God and our fellowman before our natural desire for worldly gain? Proverbs 15:3; Colossians 3:1–3.

Note: “The custom of overreaching in trade, which exists in the world, is no example for Christians. They should not deviate from perfect integrity, even in small matters. To sell an article for more than it is worth, taking advantage of the ignorance of purchasers, is fraud. Unlawful gains, petty tricks of trade, exaggeration, competition, underselling a brother who is seeking to pursue an honest business—these things are corrupting the purity of the church, and are ruinous to her spirituality.

“The business world does not lie outside the limits of God’s government. Christianity is not to be merely paraded on the Sabbath and displayed in the sanctuary; it is for every day in the week and for every place. Its claims must be recognized and obeyed in the workshop, at home, and in business transactions with brethren and with the world.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 494.

“The first Christian church had not the privileges and opportunities we have. They were a poor people, but they felt the power of the truth. The object before them was sufficient to lead them to invest all. They felt that the salvation or the loss of a world depended upon their instrumentality. They cast in their all and held themselves in readiness to go or come at the Lord’s bidding.

“We profess to be governed by the same principles, to be influenced by the same spirit. … Let us individually go to work to stimulate others by our example of disinterested benevolence.” Ibid., vol. 5, 156, 157.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1     What most hinders the blessing of God and weakens His people?

2    How might I be influencing the youth the way Achan did his children?

3    How can I avoid indulging in the beginning roots of covetousness?

4    What danger especially lurks whenever we buy or sell something used?

5    How am I to escape the common snare of coveting worldly gain?

A Finished Work – The Future

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In Exodus 40:33 is recorded a started work that was finished: “And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.”

In the Book of Exodus, we read of the children of Israel being led out of Egypt, out of slavery. We read about God’s Law of Liberty being given. The model of salvation was introduced, and then, in the last chapter of Exodus, the tabernacle was erected, and, it says, the work was finished.

Regarding this tabernacle that Moses finished, we are told: “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34. When the work on the tabernacle was finished, God’s glory descended and the glory of God filled the tabernacle.

Today, another tabernacle is being built. Ephesians 2:19–22 describes the tabernacle that is being erected: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” We are each one to be living stones put into place to finish this building. When the work of building this tabernacle is finished, the glory of God will be revealed again. Jesus will come with power and great glory.

I want to be a part of that great finished work, do you? In this study series, we have looked at different aspects of the finished work—the challenge, the method, the march, and the power of the finished work. In this article, we will consider the people who finish the work.

Defeat

In the first chapters of the Book of Joshua, we read that the children of Israel now have their feet on the Promised Land. They have crossed the raging Jordan, through the power of God. They have marched in unity around Jericho, and, by God’s power being displayed, the walls of that city came down and a formidable first step in conquering Canaan was overcome. It seemed that things were going well. It looked like the children of Israel were going to begin with victory and keep on marching into complete and total victory.

But in Joshua 7, they experienced some reverses: “And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; [and] make not all the people to labour thither; for they [are but] few. So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them [from] before the gate [even] unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.” Verses 3–5.

They had just conquered the mighty, formidable fortress of Jericho, but when they come up to this small town with but few men, a seemingly easy victory, they were utterly defeated. Upon their defeat by this small city of Ai, the hearts of the children of Israel “became as water.” The courage they had obtained through their conquest of Jericho was totally drained away. But was it really Ai that defeated the children of Israel? No. Verse 1 says, “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.”

One Man’s Sin

Who really defeated the children of Israel? Achan! It was not Ai at all. Achan brought defeat to the children of Israel by taking “of the accursed thing”—by coveting that Babylonish garment, the silver, and the gold. The entire army of Israel was defeated because of one sin!

Thirty-six men died because of one man’s sin. The hearts of the entire army of Israel melted like water, because of one man’s sin. How serious was this? “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. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” Verses 11, 12.

The only solution to the problem was that the sin had to be destroyed. A million, perhaps more, people had not sinned in taking of the accursed thing. The majority had not been guilty, only one man. The Lord said, “Unless you destroy the accursed thing from among you, I will be with you no more.”

Joshua 7:12 is one of the most solemn verses in Scripture, I believe. To think that one man’s sin caused the defeat of the entire army of Israel and caused God to say, “Unless you deal with that one man’s sin, I will no longer be with you. Canaan will not be conquered; Jericho will be as far as you get, unless you destroy that one man’s sin.”

An Achanless Army

In order to finish the work and conquer Canaan, an Achanless army was needed. The same thing is needed now. Only an Achanless army will finish the work today. Are there Achans in our army? Are there Achans in our churches? Achan, one man of the children of Israel, in a church of over one million individuals, caused God’s blessing to be withdrawn.

Now, I dare say that none of us attend a church of over a million members. But one known sin—cherished and practiced—will defeat God’s blessing in our churches.

Cleanse the Camp

It has been very interesting but sad for me to note that many times when I have been involved with planning an evangelistic series, the devil succeeds in bringing some sin into some of the local church members, and it is necessary to deal with it. Doing so is not enjoyable or easy, but for God’s blessing to rest upon the outreach efforts, we have to deal with sin in the camp.

An interesting account is given of Dr. David Paulson, who was instrumental in securing the land for and establishing the sanitarium known as Hinsdale outside of Chicago, Illinois. Things were going well with the sanitarium; then their patient count began to decline until they were operating at only about half capacity. They could not pay the bills at half capacity. Dr. Paulson began to pray: “Lord, what needs to be done?” The Lord convicted him that there were staff members who were withholding their tithe. He arranged for a week of prayer during which the importance of paying tithe and of being consecrated to God’s service were presented. Within a week after that week of prayer, the sanitarium was over full capacity again. Within one week, confessions were made, and the sin was cleansed. Within one week they had to put beds in the halls to accommodate the overflow patients. God cannot bless when sin is allowed to continue. Are there Achans in our churches?

“There is much we will never know; but that which is revealed makes the church responsible and guilty unless they show a determined effort to eradicate the evil. Cleanse the camp, for there is an accursed thing in it.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 427, 428.

“Everyone who has a knowledge of Jesus Christ—especially the elders of the church—must not carelessly allow the members to be irregular in conduct and thus let evil and sin strengthen in the church, thinking this is the way to show love for one another. God requires faithfulness in watchcare. You must take hold of God with one hand while with the other hand, in love, you lay hold upon the erring and the sinner and draw them to Jesus. Pray with them, weep with them, feel for their souls, love them, and never let go of them. This is the love Jesus has expressed for you. You must ever strive for unity and forbearance and love. Never draw apart, but press together, binding heart to heart and making supplications in the Spirit. Then the power of God will work in your midst and many souls will be brought to the truth through your influence.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 2, 127.

Unrepented Sin

Are there Achans in our churches or in our families? Is there sin with which we have not dealt? Before Gideon could declare war against the idolatrous Midianites, he had to declare war against idolatry in his own home. God could not work through Gideon until the sin in his home had been cast out. (See Judges 6.)

Several months ago, we were in the Philippines holding an evangelistic series. Bible workers had been giving Bible studies, and one lady in particular had been a great help to them. She had encouraged many of the people in her neighborhood to take Bible studies and to attend the evangelistic seminar. She, personally, wanted to be baptized, and the Bible workers wanted very much for her to be baptized because she had been such a good worker and helper to them. We interviewed everyone individually for baptism, and as we talked with her, she did not display the expected commitment level. As we began asking her questions, the Lord directed us to questions that I had never before asked anyone else. Through these questions, we learned that she was keeping the Sabbath, but her 15-year-old daughter was supporting the family by working on the Sabbath. We turned to Exodus 20 in our Bibles, and we read the fourth commandment together. The fourth commandment is very specific about those in our sphere of influence and under our authority, and if we are allowing them to break the Sabbath, it is as though we were breaking it. We had to tell her that we would pray for her and ask that the Lord would help this situation to be resolved, that she might not only be able to keep the Sabbath but that she would not be a burden upon her daughter, causing her to break the Sabbath. It was a very difficult situation, but we cannot sanction sin in our families.

“Those who have too little courage to reprove wrong, or who through indolence or lack of interest make no earnest effort to purify the family or the church of God, are held accountable for the evil that may result from their neglect of duty. We are just as responsible for evils that we might have checked in others by exercise of parental or pastoral authority as if the acts had been our own.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 578. What a solemn statement! We need an Achanless army!

The work is going to be finished. We must pray and ask the Lord to help us to deal with any sin that comes to our knowledge in our churches and in our families. But we must do more than that; we must ask if there are any Achans in our hearts, because one sin, unrepented of, will cause God’s power to be withheld and cause us to be lost.

Ellen White wrote: “We cannot meet Christ in peace with one sin unrepented of, unconfessed, and unforsaken.” Review and Herald, March 17, 1891. “One sin unrepented of is enough to close the gates of heaven against you. It was because man could not be saved with one stain of sin upon him, that Jesus came to die on Calvary’s cross.” The Signs of the Times, March 17, 1890. Only one sin!

“Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire, persistently cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel.” Steps to Christ, 34.

Neutralized Power

The work is going to be finished with power, but one sin will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel. God’s power of the latter rain cannot be poured out upon an army with Achans in it. It cannot be poured out on an Achan heart.

It is easy for us to look on the outside. We see a new convert baptized who has perhaps quit smoking and working on the Sabbath. It is wonderful to see! There is no greater joy than to see one come to the Lord and accept His power into his or her life. But then it is easy for us to look on the outside.

We see health reform, dress reform, or Sabbath keeping. These things are easy to see on the outside. But we cannot see the inside as can God. We cannot see inner sins such as pride or selfishness. Could those sins of pride and selfishness cause God’s blessing to be withheld from us? Even if we are vegan vegetarians, if there is pride and selfishness in our hearts, there is still an Achan in our hearts. It is the heart at which God is looking.

The Pharisees continually had spies watching Jesus and the disciples in an attempt to catch them in some indiscretion, such as the incident when the disciples were going through a field and, as they walked along, they plucked some of the grain and began to eat it. (Mark 2:23.) Then the Pharisees accosted Jesus demanding, “Why are they eating with unwashed hands?” (Mark 7:5.) In other words, why are they transgressing the outward requirements? Ellen White wrote, “They [the Pharisees] were exact in outward ceremonies, diligent in washings, fastings, and long prayers, and ostentatious in almsgiving.” The Desire of Ages, 603.

Jesus replied, “It is what comes out of your heart that defiles a man. Because out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts and blasphemies and pride.” (Mark 7:20–22.).

Jesus is much more concerned with the heart, with the inside, than with the outside. Ellen White tells us that, “Whatever we are at heart will be revealed in character.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 801. “If the heart is right, the actions will be right.” Our High Calling, 218. We need to ask for the heavenly magnifying glass to examine not just our outsides, but our hearts, our thoughts and feelings, and not just our thoughts and feelings, but even the motives. When we begin evaluating our thoughts, our feelings, and our motives, we start to realize how corrupt our hearts are.

Ask, Why did I say that? Why did I do that? Why did I use that expression? What was the motive behind that? All of these must be cleansed, because one sin, even if it is a secret sin about which no one knows or a sin of selfishness or pride, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel.

Do you want to neutralize that mighty power? The army that finishes the work is not just going to accept the challenge of looking the giants right in the face and marching forward in aggressive warfare. It is not just going to personally be doing all it can to spread the message; it is not just going to be marching in unity; it is not just going to be relying upon God’s power for success. The army that finishes the work is going to be an army with the Achans removed. If we cling to any cares, to any Achans in our hearts, we are not going to be in that army.

“I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.” Zephaniah 3:12, 13.

The army that finishes the work might look like an afflicted and poor people. It might just be a small remnant, but the source of their power is that there are no Achans in that remnant. They do no iniquity; they speak no lies; there is not even one deceitful tongue in their midst. The power of the gospel is not neutralized.

I want to be in that army that finishes the work. Do you want to be in that army? Ask the Lord to take every Achan from your heart.

Cody Francis is currently engaged in public evangelism for Mission Projects International. He also pastors the Remnant Church of Seventh-day Adventist Believers in Renton, Washington. He may be contacted by e-mail at: cody@missionspro.org.

Bible Study Guides – Israel Defeated—Why?

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June 14, 2015 – June 20, 2015

Key Text

“Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant.” Joshua 7:11.

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 493–498.

Introduction

“The history of Achan teaches the solemn lesson that for one man’s sin the displeasure of God will rest upon a people or a nation till the transgression is searched out and punished.” Conflict and Courage, 120.

1 “ISRAEL COMMITTED A TRESPASS”

  • What happened soon after the fall of Jericho? Joshua 7:2–5.

Note: “The great victory that God had gained for them [over the fall of Jericho] had made the Israelites self-confident. Because He had promised them the land of Canaan they felt secure, and failed to realize that divine help alone could give them success. Even Joshua laid his plans for the conquest of Ai without seeking counsel from God.

“The Israelites had begun to exalt their own strength and to look with contempt upon their foes. An easy victory was expected, and three thousand men were thought sufficient to take the place. These rushed to the attack without the assurance that God would be with them.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 493, 494.

  • Why were the Israelites defeated? Joshua 7:1, 12.

Note: “It was a time for prompt and decided action, and not for despair and lamentation. There was secret sin in the camp, and it must be searched out and put away before the presence and blessing of the Lord could be with His people. …

“God’s command had been disregarded by one of those appointed to execute His judgments. … Instruction was given to Joshua for the discovery and punishment of the criminal.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 494.

2 “THE NATION WAS HELD ACCOUNTABLE”

  • Was the command of God actually transgressed by the whole camp of Israel or by only one man? Joshua 7:18.

Note: “God was very particular in regard to Jericho, lest the people should be charmed with the things that the inhabitants had worshiped and their hearts be diverted from God. He guarded His people by most positive commands; yet notwithstanding the solemn injunction from God by the mouth of Joshua, Achan ventured to transgress. His covetousness led him to take of the treasures that God had forbidden him to touch because the curse of God was upon them. And because of this man’s sin the Israel of God were as weak as water before their enemies.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 264.

“The nation [of Israel] was held accountable for the guilt of the transgressor: ‘They have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also’ (Joshua 7:11).” [Emphasis author’s.] Patriarchs and Prophets, 494.

  • If only one individual sinned by acting consciously contrary to the divine prohibition, why did God put the responsibility on the whole nation? Joshua 7:11.

Note: “Achan’s sin brought disaster upon the whole nation. For one man’s sin the displeasure of God will rest upon His church till the transgression is searched out and put away. The influence most to be feared by the church is not that of open opposers, infidels, and blasphemers, but of inconsistent professors of Christ. These are the ones that keep back the blessing of the God of Israel and bring weakness upon His people.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 497.

“In His dealings with His people in the past the Lord shows the necessity of purifying the church from wrongs. One sinner may diffuse darkness that will exclude the light of God from the entire congregation. When the people realize that darkness is settling upon them, and they do not know the cause, they should seek God earnestly, in great humility and self-abasement, until the wrongs which grieve His Spirit are searched out and put away.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 265.

3 “GET THEE UP”

  • How did Joshua cry to the Lord, and what was he mostly concerned about? Joshua 7:6–9.

Note: “Joshua and the elders of Israel were in great affliction. They lay before the ark of God in most abject humility because the Lord was wroth with His people. They prayed and wept before God.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 264.

“You can see by the prayer of Joshua, if you have spiritual discernment, that that which was esteemed by Achan as a very little thing was the cause of great anguish and sorrow to the responsible men of Israel. … Achan, the guilty party, did not feel the burden. He took it very coolly.” Christ Triumphant, 137.

  • What was the first work that God instructed Joshua to do? Joshua 7:10, 13.

Note: “It was a time for prompt and decided action, and not for despair and lamentation. There was secret sin in the camp, and it must be searched out and put away before the presence and blessing of the Lord could be with His people.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 494.

“The Lord did not specify who was the guilty party; but He gave directions as to what was to be done.” The Youth’s Instructor, January 25, 1894.

  • How do some people react when a similar work must be done in the church today? Isaiah 30:9, 10.

Note: “The spirit of hatred which has existed with some because the wrongs among God’s people have been reproved has brought blindness and a fearful deception upon their own souls, making it impossible for them to discriminate between right and wrong. They have put out their own spiritual eyesight. They may witness wrongs, but they do not feel as did Joshua and humble themselves because the danger of souls is felt by them.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 266.

4 “TAKE AWAY THE ACCURSED THING”

  • Why didn’t the Lord point out the culprit directly? What is the difference between acceptable and unacceptable confessions? Psalm 32:5.

Note: “The sinner was not directly pointed out, the matter being left in doubt for a time, that the people might feel their responsibility for the sins existing among them, and thus be led to searching of heart and humiliation before God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 494, 495.

“Achan … had seen the armies of Israel return from Ai defeated and disheartened; yet he did not come forward and confess his sin. He had seen Joshua and the elders of Israel bowed to the earth in grief too great for words. Had he then made confession, he would have given some proof of true penitence; but he still kept silence. He had listened to the proclamation that a great crime had been committed, and had even heard its character definitely stated. But his lips were sealed. … There is a vast difference between admitting facts after they have been proved and confessing sins known only to ourselves and to God. Achan would not have confessed had he not hoped by so doing to avert the consequences of his crime. But his confession only served to show that his punishment was just. There was no genuine repentance for sin, no contrition, no change of purpose, no abhorrence of evil.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 497, 498.

  • Why did God involve the whole congregation in a diligent search? I Corinthians 12:25, 26.

Note: “God holds His people, as a body, responsible for the sins existing in individuals among them. If the leaders of the church neglect to diligently search out the sins which bring the displeasure of God upon the body, they become responsible for these sins.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 269.

  • When it comes to helping the erring, what kind of wisdom should attend the needed pastoral work? James 1:5; 3:17, 18; Jude 22, 23.

5 “INDEED I HAVE SINNED …”

  • When the lot fell upon Achan, what did he say? Joshua 7:20, 21.

Note: “To establish his guilt beyond all question, leaving no ground for the charge that he had been unjustly condemned, Joshua solemnly adjured Achan to acknowledge the truth. The wretched man made full confession of his crime.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 495.

“Confessions of sin made at the right time to relieve the people of God will be accepted of Him. But there are those among us who will make confessions, as did Achan, too late to save themselves.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 272.

  • What punishment, applied to Achan, served as a warning for the rest of the people? Joshua 7:24, 25. How is it a warning to us?

Note: “The deadly sin that led to Achan’s ruin had its root in covetousness, of all sins one of the most common and the most lightly regarded. While other offenses meet with detection and punishment, how rarely does the violation of the tenth commandment so much as call forth censure. The enormity of this sin, and its terrible results, are the lessons of Achan’s history.

“Covetousness is an evil of gradual development. Achan had cherished greed of gain until it became a habit, binding him in fetters well-nigh impossible to break. While fostering this evil, he would have been filled with horror at the thought of bringing disaster upon Israel; but his perceptions were deadened by sin, and when temptation came, he fell an easy prey.

“Are not similar sins still committed, in the face of warnings as solemn and explicit? We are as directly forbidden to indulge covetousness as was Achan to appropriate the spoils of Jericho. God has declared it to be idolatry.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 496.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 Why were the Israelites defeated in the first encounter with the people of Ai?

2 What was the first work that God instructed Joshua to do?

3 Why did God involve the whole congregation in a diligent search for the culprit?

4 What kind of wisdom is needed to deal with erring church members?

5 Why was Achan’s confession unacceptable?

© 2014 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

The Defeat at Ai

by

Is it not amazing that every story in the Bible has lessons for the people of God —lessons of present truth with warnings and admonitions? So it is with the story of Achan and Israel’s defeat at Ai. “All are doubtless familiar with Achan’s case. It is recorded in sacred history for all generations, but more especially for those upon whom the ends of the world are come.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 520. Let us see if we can learn some of the lessons for which the story of Achan and Israel’s defeat at Ai was recorded.

A short time before the defeat, Israel had just experienced the miraculous passage of the Jordan and the overthrow of Jericho. One can just imagine the excitement, eager expectation and confidence that was in the camp of Israel! Jericho, large, wealthy and one of the strongest fortresses in the land—defeated. Yes, God was with them and soon the whole land of Canaan would be theirs!

Something happened in the camp of Israel, however, after the victory at Jericho, which led to defeat. They became self-confident. “Because he [God] had promised them the land of Canaan they felt secure, and failed to realize that divine help alone could give them success. Even Joshua laid his plans for the conquest of Ai without seeking counsel from God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 493. Spies were sent out and the report was brought back to Ai, being so small, required only a few soldiers to overtake it.

Off to battle went three thousand men, without seeking counsel from God and trusting in their own strength, fully expecting an easy victory. Confidently they approached the gates of the city, but were met with determined resistance. “Panic stricken at the numbers and thorough preparation of their enemies, they fled in confusion down the steep descent. The Canaanites were in hot pursuit.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 494

Thirty-six men lay dead—casualties of self-confidence. Self-confidence blinds us to danger, leads us to presumption, prepares the way for failure and finally, leaves us without any confidence at all—timid and fearful. “The moment we begin to feel self-sufficient and confident, then we are in danger of a disgraceful failure.” This Day with God, 277. This was exactly the experience of Israel. They had gone to battle in their own strength, were humiliated in cruel defeat and returned with no confidence, now fearful of the smallest of enemies. “The hearts of the people melted, and became as water.” Joshua 7:5

The lesson for us is the danger of trusting in ourselves. “Nothing is more offensive to God than a self-sufficient spirit.” The Faith I Live By, 138. “Self-confidence will lead you into the snare of the enemy. The youth do not ask counsel of God, and make Him their refuge and strength. They enter society with all assurance, confident that they are fully able to choose the right and to comprehend divine mysteries, because of their powers of reason, as though they could discover truth for themselves. We fear more for those who are self-confident than for any others, for they will surely be entangled in the net that has been set by the great adversary of God and man….Those who are exalted in their own opinions will despise the blood of the Atoning sacrifice, and will do despite to the Spirit of grace.” Signs of the Times, April 21, 1890

What is one to do if, through the working of the Holy Spirit upon their heart, they see that they are self-confident and want to change? “Some are self-confident, self-sufficient, exalted in their opinion of themselves, because they do not have clear views of Jesus. If they lived near to Him, they would see His purity, His matchless benevolence, his self-sacrifice and infinite love, which would lead them to see their deficiencies; and when viewing the cross of Calvary, and the sufferings that Christ endured that they might be rescued from ruin, they could not have one exalted feeling in regard to self.” Review and Herald, December 18, 1883

Though Israel was humbled through defeat, God was nonetheless watching over them and when, in their ignorance and weakness, they cried out to Him, He was there. “Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. And Joshua said, ‘Alas, Lord God, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?’” Joshua 7:6-9 (NKJV)

“Joshua manifested a true zeal for the honor of God, yet his petitions were mingled with doubt and unbelief. The thought that God had brought His people over the Jordan to deliver them up to the power of the heathen was a sinful one, unworthy of a leader of Israel. Joshua’s feelings of despondency and distrust were inexcusable in view of the mighty miracles which God had wrought for the deliverance of His people, and the repeated promise that He would be with them in driving out the wicked inhabitants of the land.

“But our merciful God did not visit his servant with wrath because of this error. He graciously accepted the humiliation and prayers of Joshua, and at the same time gently rebuked his unbelief, and then revealed to him the cause of their defeat.” Signs of the Times, April, 21, 1881

“Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face?” Joshua 7:10 (NKJV). The people were not to go on lamenting and mourning, but find the cause of the displeasure of the Lord. There was secret sin in the camp and it was to be dealt with. “The sin of one man caused Israel to be beaten before the enemy. Something more than prayer was required. They were to get up and cleanse the camp if Israel.” Conflict and Courage, 120

“Joshua had a work to do to search out the guilty one, and put away the sin from the congregation. Instead of concluding that the Lord had brought upon His people defeat and ruin, Joshua should rather have made diligent inquiry if all Israel had been faithful to their covenant with God.” Signs of the Times, April 21, 1881

Before the conquest of Jericho, God gave a very direct command in regard to the spoil. “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. But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.” Joshua 7:12 (NKJV)

Achan had taken one of the forbidden Babylonish garments, which he thought too valuable to be destroyed in the flames, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels. In taking the silver and gold, Achan had not only disobeyed, but he had stolen from the treasury of the Lord.

The sin of one man cost the death of thirty-six people. What a lesson for us today. “That our influence should be a savor of death unto death is a fearful thought, yet it is possible. One soul misled, forfeiting eternal bliss—who can estimate the loss! And yet one rash act, one thoughtless word, on our part may exert so deep an influence on the life of another that it will prove the ruin of his soul. One blemish on the character may turn many away from Christ.” Prophets and Kings, 86. No soul will be lost that will not draw other souls down with him. Are you, by your sin, to be responsible for the eternal loss of some around you?

Joshua was instructed as to how he was to deal with the situation. In His great mercy, God did not immediately deal with Achan. “The sinner was not directly pointed out, the matter being left in doubt for a time, that the people might feel their responsibility for the sins existing among them, and thus be led to searching of heart and humiliation before God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 494, 495. Notice that “the children of Israel committed a trespass” and “they have even taken some of the accursed things.” Joshua 7:1,11 (NKJV). “The nation was held accountable for the guilt of the transgressor.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 494. And so today, “The church as a whole is in a degree responsible for the wrongs of its individual members because they countenance the evil in not lifting up their voice against it.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 491. “We repeat, God holds the church responsible for its individual members.” Signs of the Times, April 21, 1881

The solemn investigation before the whole congregation commenced early the next morning. Step by step the process continues. Closer and closer came the fearful test. Opportunity after opportunity was given him to confess his sin, but none of them were taken. Finally, Achan was named as the guilty party.

In the hope of averting the terrible consequences of his crime, he confessed his sin. “When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it.” Joshua 7:21 (NKJV)

“The confession of Achan, although too late to be available in bringing to him any saving virtue, vindicated the character of God in His manner of dealing with him.” The Youth’s Instructor, February 1, 1894. Doesn’t the confession of Achan remind you of the confession of the devil and all those who are lost at the end of the millennium? They will all bow down and confess to the whole universe that God is right, that He is just, that He is holy; but it will be too late. What a lesson in the need of thorough confession today.

After Achan’s confession, Joshua sent messengers to Achan’s tent who brought back the accursed things and laid them before the children of Israel. These things, along with all of Achan’s belongings, his wife, and children, were taken to the Valley of Achor, stoned and then burned with fire.

Just as cherishing known sin was Achan’s downfall, so it will be the downfall of all who delay to repent and confess. See Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol.2, 997. “God is the same yesterday, today and forever.” He requires no less of his people today than He did in Achan’s day. “Satan’s power is increasing, he is terribly in earnest, knowing that his time is short, he is working with all ‘deceivableness of unrighteousness.’ Those who would escape his wiles must be vigilant and determined. If we would meet the demands for this time, we must put on the whole armor, and go forth with energy, perseverance, and unswerving faith. In God alone is our strength. Indolence and slothfulness, presumption and self-confidence, will alike bring defeat and destruction. God takes cognizance of the works of all. Those who have sought their ease, and shunned care, anxiety and labor for God’s cause, may be sure their sin will find them out. Those who, like Achan, cherish selfishness, avarice and deception, may be sure that God’s eye is upon them. As He searched out Achan, He will search them out, as He pronounced a curse upon them.” Signs of the Times, May 5, 1881

Today God has also given us direct and specific commands about some accursed things. Why do you think He has given us these commands? Could it be that He is trying to teach us the same things that He taught the Israelites? Could it be that in the spoil of this world, there is much that is objectionable and sinful, which would lead to our moral corruption?

In writing about these accursed things, Ellen White records under that category the following:

Adultery and Fornication

Adultery is wicked in the eyes of God. No matter how bad our marriage or how lonely we may be, there is absolutely no excuse given in the Word of God for sin, and we have express direction from the prophet of the Lord to cleanse the camp of this sin, no matter what the sinner’s position. “When men and women of large experience, who have been considered patterns of piety, are revealed in their true character—unsanctified, unholy, impure in thought, debased in conduct,–then it is time for such to be dealt with in a decided manner. The greater forbearance that is exercised toward them has only had, as far as my knowledge extends, the influence to cause them to regard their fornication and adultery as a very light matter, and all their pretense has proved to be like morning dew when the sun shines upon it….

“Cleanse the camp of this moral corruption, if it takes the highest men in the highest positions. God will not be trifled with.” Testimonies to Ministers, 426, 427

2. Immodest Apparel and Extravagance

What was it that Achan took? A goodly Babylonish garment—clothes. Especially to the ladies does dress apply. “As I have seen many Sabbath keeping Adventists become worldly in thought, conversation, and dress, my heart has been saddened. The people who claim to believe that they have the last message of mercy to give to the world, are attracted by worldly fashions, and make great exertions to follow them as far as they think their profession of faith allows them to go.” Selected Messages, book 3, 243

Fashionable dress is a tool of the devil to get the youth and those that are older to use up their time thinking about what they look like on the outside so that the character is neglected and they are not ready for Jesus when He comes. If fashion is your besetting sin, God will give you the victory if you repent and make a determined effort to change. Before you make purchases, send up a prayer asking that holy angels will accompany you, guiding in the decisions you make.

Extravagance was also mentioned in the quotation above. Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Luke 12:15 (NKJV). One’s life does not consist in what we wear, what we own, or what we have in our bank accounts. “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1Timothy 6:10 (NKJV). I would like to invite you, if you are not already doing so, to look over the things that you own and to spend some time during your devotions asking God what you can give up for Him and what he wants you to do with the funds He has given you. I don not know what God wants you to do with your funds, but I know that He wants them in his work and not in the hands of the enemy. I have spent time praying about this and afterwards I felt that the Lord was telling me, “No,” to a personal desire. “you wait on those things,” Do you do with your money what you profess? As Seventh-day Adventists we need to fulfill our profession not just in our diet and dress, but in the way we spend our money as well. Extravagance is not fitting for a Seventh-day Adventist. See also Proverbs 21:25,26; Psalm 10:3.

Intemperance.

“I would point the intemperate to a power out of and beyond themselves,–the power of Jesus. Flee to your Saviour. He has overcome in behalf of just such helpless, sinful ones as you. In His strength you may be honest, faithful men, true to your Maker. But no half-way work will suffice. You must be thorough. And do not think that you can do the work of abstaining gradually. Leave the accursed thing once and forever. ‘Touch not, taste not, handle not.’ Drink not a drop of the liquor which wets depraved appetite on fire.” Signs of the Times, January 30, 1901

False Reports.

“False reports had been circulated, and the band had been sinking and had lost the power of the third angel’s message. They were sickly, but knew not the cause. The reason was that there was an accursed thing in the camp, and by the assistance of God we were trying to get it out of the camp.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 3, 242

Jealousy, Evil Surmising and Evil Speaking.

“There was a time when Israel could not prevail against their enemies. This was because of Achan’s sin. God declared, ‘Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed thing from among you.’ God is the same today. If defiling sins are cherished by those who claim to believe the truth, the displeasure of God rests upon the church, and he will not remove it until the members do all in their power to show their hatred for sin, and their determination to cast it out of the church. God is displeased with those who call evil good and good evil. If jealousy, evil surmising, and evil-speaking are allowed to have a place in the church, that church is under the frown of God. It will be spiritually unhealthy until it is cleansed from these sins, for till then God cannot reveal His power to strengthen and elevate His people and give them victory.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 144

Carrying out the decisions of those we know are not in harmony with the truth.

No matter what the position, even in the professed church of God, we have no assurance that God will be with us if we fulfill the commands of those who are not in harmony with the truth. On the contrary, it is one of the accursed things and God has said He will not be with us as long as this is our practice. “I call upon God’s people to open their eyes. When you sanction or carry out the decisions of men who, as you know, are not in harmony with truth and righteousness, you weaken your own faith and lose your relish for communion with God. You seem to hear the voice which was addressed to Joshua: ‘Wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them….There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel.’ ‘Neither will I be with you anymore, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.’ Christ declares, ‘he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.’” Testimonies to Ministers, 91

Are you willing to cleanse your heart of every accursed thing? Are you willing to lift your voice in protest of sin that the camp (church) may be cleansed of every accursed thing?

Today the church of Christ is entering into the most severe conflict with the powers of darkness it has ever faced. Are we ready? Have we made God our consultant? Have we humbled ourselves before Him and rid ourselves of every ounce of self-confidence which will lead us and the church to defeat? Have we made sure that there are none among us who are disregarding the explicit command of God? Oh, friend, Ellen White said in her day that there was an Achan in almost every congregation and every family. What would she say today?

There is sin in the camp today, preventing a full manifestation of the power of God. When sin is out of our lives, God will evidence His presence with the outpouring of His Spirit. This is as much a law as is the law of gravity. Oh, friend, God is waiting for you; he is waiting for me, to put sin out of our hearts. Will you set yourself about today to commence this solemn work? It is time, not only to cry out to the Lord for help in prayer, but it is time to cleanse the camp of every accursed thing. God is going to work; He will manifest His power, but He cannot do it while we hold sin in our hearts and grant wisdom to his people in doing the work of cleansing the entire camp from all sin.

The End