One Family’s Sin Brings Defeat to All Israel

One of those appointed to carry out God’s judgments had ignored His command, and the nation was held accountable for the transgressor’s guilt: “They have even taken some of the accursed things, and have stolen and deceived.” They were to cast lots to find the guilty. This took a little time and left the matter in doubt so that the people might feel their responsibility and be guided to search their hearts and humble themselves before God.BOE 245.5

Early in the morning, Joshua gathered the people together, and the solemn and impressive ceremony began. Step by step the investigation went on. Closer and closer came the fearful test. First the tribe, then the family, then the household, then the man was selected, and the finger of God pointed out Achan the son of Carmi, of the tribe of Judah, as the troubler of Israel.BOE 245.6

After Joshua solemnly commanded Achan to admit the truth, the wretched man made full confession of his crime: “Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel. ... 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.” Messengers removed the earth at the specified place, and “there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver under it. And they ... brought them to Joshua, ... and laid them out before the Lord.”BOE 245.7

“Why have you troubled us?” demanded Joshua. “The Lord will trouble you this day.” Because the people had been held responsible for Achan’s sin and had suffered from its consequences, they were to take part in its punishment. “All Israel stoned him with stones.” In the book of Chronicles his memorial is written—“Achar, the troubler of Israel.” 1 Chronicles 2:7.BOE 246.1

Achan committed his sin in defiance of direct, serious warnings and mighty displays of God’s power. The fact that divine power alone had given victory to Israel, and that they had not taken Jericho by their own strength, gave solemn weight to the command forbidding them to take any of the spoils. God had brought down this fortress, and the city with all that it contained was to be devoted to Him alone.BOE 246.2