There’s a new channel in the US which is famous for using this phrase, ‘The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat.’ Truly, victory is thrilling and truly, defeat can be agony.
I will never forget watching Scotland lose once again to qualify for the football World Cup. The television cameras focused on the supporters and then zoomed in on the manager, Walter Smith, who was still sitting in the dugout in dismay, crying. How he must have felt the agony of defeat in his life at that time.
This chapter begins with the word ‘but’, Joshua 7:1, for it stands in contrast to the previous chapter. Joshua 6 tells of the overwhelming victory of Israel over Jericho.
Surely the people were excited beyond their wildest dreams over the events of the day. Recounts of the events of the day probably lasted well into the night. It was the thrill of victory. This chapter tells just the opposite, expecting Ai to be a pushover, they are routed, and Israel experiences the agony of defeat.
Jericho had been put under a ban, meaning it and everything in it was dedicated to the Lord, Joshua 6:17-19. To take anything was a sin and would bring trouble to the camp, Joshua 6:18.
However, Achan acted unfaithfully and disobediently; we don’t really know why, but whatever his reasons, he sinned, Joshua 7:1. He took some of the things under the ban and as a result, the Lord became angry with Israel, Joshua 7:1.
We usually tend to think of God’s love, mercy, and grace; we don’t like to think of God as being intolerant of sin. True, God is patient, 2 Peter 3:9, but what is equally true is the fact that one day God is going to punish evildoers, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9.
As with Jericho, Joshua sent spies to Ai, and the spies returned with great confidence, Joshua 7:2. Don’t let all the people go, only two thousand or three thousand men will do, they said, Joshua 7:3, in other words, ‘it’s a pushover.’
But sadly, things did not go as planned; Israel wound up fleeing with thirty-six Israelites dead, Joshua 7:4-5. The people’s hearts melted, Joshua 7:5. Remember this was what was said of the Canaanites in Jericho! Joshua 5:1.
Davis and Whitcomb, in their commentary, say the following.
‘It is strange indeed that the description which was originally used for the Canaanites about to be defeated now describes the heart of the Israelites.’
There were two reasons for this: firstly, because of Achan’s sin and secondly, because of Israel’s pride; notice they didn’t consult God. And so, Joshua is stunned at what takes place; he and the elders tore their clothes and put dust on their heads, Joshua 7:6, which was a sign of mourning.
Butler, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Joshua had fallen on his face once before, when he confronted the divine messenger, Joshua 5:14. That was in the humility of worship. This is in the humility of defeat and shame.’
Then Joshua God asked three questions, why did you deliver us from Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites? Joshua 7:7. What can I say since Israel ran from their enemy? Joshua 7:8.
What are you going to do for your great name? Joshua 7:9. His questions to God are similar to Moses’ questions to God, Exodus 32:11-12 / Numbers 14:13 / Deuteronomy 9:28.
Unfortunately, we see Joshua slip here; he used the thinking of the ten spies, Numbers 14:2-3, and forgot what he had told the people concerning the things under the ban and why trouble would come, Joshua 6:17-19.
God’s answer to Joshua is abrupt. He tells him to stand up. Why have you fallen on your face? Joshua 7:10. Joshua comes crying to the Lord, wanting to know why the people were routed, Joshua 7:7-9, and so God tells Joshua he ought to know why, the people have sinned, Joshua 7:11.
They’ve broken the covenant, Joshua 7:11. They’ve taken things under the ban, Joshua 7:11, and they’ve concealed the stolen goods, Joshua 7:11. As a result of the sin, God will not be with them in their present condition, Joshua 7:12. They must destroy whatever among them is devoted to destruction, Joshua 7:12.
The people are to consecrate themselves again, Joshua 7:13, the things under the ban are to be removed, Joshua 7:13, and they are to pass by until the sinner is found, Joshua 7:14-15.
God tells Joshua that in the morning, they are to present themselves tribe by tribe. The tribe God chooses will come forward, clan by clan, and the clan God chooses will come forward, family by family, and the family God chooses will come forward, man by man, Joshua 7:14.
Whoever is caught with the devoted things will be destroyed by fire, along with all that belongs to him, Joshua 7:15. The reason for such a punishment is that they have violated God’s covenant and have done an outrageous thing in Israel, Joshua 7:15.
Early the next morning, Joshua did as God asked all the tribes to pass by, and Judah was chosen, Joshua 7:16. All the clans of Judah pass by, and the Zerahites are chosen, Joshua 7:17. All the Zerahites pass by, and Zimri is chosen, Joshua 7:17. Zimri’s household is brought by, and Achan is chosen, Joshua 7:18.
Joshua pleads with Achan to confess what he had done, Joshua 7:19, and eventually Achan, after all of this, tells of his sin, Joshua 7:20. He saw, he coveted, and he took, Joshua 7:21. This is reminiscent of Eve, Genesis 3:6, and David, 2 Samuel 11:2-4 / 2 Samuel 11:8 / 1 John 2:16.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Israel resorted to the casting of lots when no eyewitness could testify against a criminal, 1 Samuel 14:41-42 / Jonah 1:7 / Proverbs 18:18. Probably the high priest used the Urim and Thummim to identify Achan, Numbers 27:21.’
Joshua sends messengers to Achan’s tent, and sure enough, the things are there, Joshua 7:22. The messengers bring all the found items to Joshua and all the Israelites and spread them out before God, Joshua 7:23.
Josephus, in his writings, says the following.
‘One shekel weighed about four ounces, and the mantle from Shinar that Achan took was a royal garment woven entirely of gold.’
Then Achan and all his family and all his possessions are carried outside the camp to a valley of Achor, Joshua 7:24. Joshua asks him why he has brought this trouble on them. God will bring trouble on him today, Joshua 7:25.
Notice that all of Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them, Joshua 7:25 / Leviticus 20:14 / Deuteronomy 13:15-16. A great heap of stones was raised over Achan, serving as a reminder to the people, Joshua 7:26.
The good news is God turned from His fierce anger, Joshua 7:26. A memorial in the Jordan stands as a reminder of the great things God has done for the Israelites, Joshua 4:19-24, and now we have another reminder to the Israelites that God won’t tolerate sin, Joshua 7:26.
Achan’s biggest issue was covetousness, Joshua 7:21, and it cost him and his family’s lives. Instead of lusting after God, he lusted over things. As Christians, we should not be controlled by covetousness, Hebrews 13:5, but simply be content with what God has given us, Philippians 4:12. He blesses us every day with everything we need for that day, Lamentations 3:22-23 / Matthew 6:33.
Achan thought that he could get away with his sin and thought no one saw him, but how wrong he was because God sees all, Genesis 4:10 / Genesis 16:13 / Proverbs 28:13.