Joshua 7:22–26

So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver under it. And they took them from the midst of the tent, brought them to Joshua and to all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD. Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day.” So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.

Then they raised over him a great heap of stones, still there to this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day.

Achan’s full and complete confession is helpful, but not to Achan (at least not in this life). Everything having any connection to him or his sin is completely destroyed. A great heap of stones is even raised over the spot to commemorate the event.

This seems overly harsh but, once again, that depends on one’s perspective. From a secular point of view, Achan and his family need to be shown mercy. People who plead guilty are supposed to be given lighter sentences, right?

Yes, but from a spiritual point of view, what really needs to happen is a complete purging of the sin. Israel lost thirty-six soldiers in the first attack on Ai. That’s a far greater loss than losing Achan and his household.

Even greater than that, Israel lost the psychological advantage they had over the people of Canaan (whose hearts had melted when Israel crossed the Jordan quickly). That can have a great impact on future battles.

So, this harsh action is completely justified, even necessary.

This is reminiscent of the circumcision event right after the Israeli army crossed the Jordan. That action was useless (or worse) with respect to normal military objectives; it was purely for spiritual purposes. That highlighted the importance of restoring the covenantal practice of circumcision over preparing for war in the usual military sense.

But even that can miss the point. They didn’t circumcise everyone so that they would win battles; they circumcised everyone so that everyone would be circumcised. The covenant is an end unto itself.

Similarly, Achan and his family were not utterly destroyed so that Israel would win battles; they were utterly destroyed to purge the sin.

Winning battles is nice, and part of the LORD’s ultimate plan.

But the point of it all lies elsewhere.

These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Weekend DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

The weekly study guides, which include the Monday–Friday devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.