Joshua Chapter 7
Achan’s Sin
1 But the people violated the instructions about the things set apart to the LORD. Achan son of Carmi son of Zabdi son of Zerah from the tribe of Judah, took some devoted things, and the LORD’s anger burned against Israel.
2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai near Beth-aven, east of Bethel to spy out the area. They spied it out, 3 came back and said, “Just have 2,000 or 3,000 go up to attack Ai. There aren’t many of them.” 4 About 3,000 went up but fled. 5 The men from Ai killed about 36. They chased them from the gate as far as Shebarim and killed them at the descent. The people’s hearts melted and became like water. Josh 7:1-5
6 Joshua tore his clothes. He and the elders fell on their faces by the Ark of the LORD till evening and put dust on their heads. 7 Joshua said,
“Lord GOD, why bring us across the Jordan and turn us over to the Amorites? If only we’d been content to live beyond the Jordan! 8 What can I say when Israel has turned its back on its enemies? 9 The Canaanites and the people in the land will hear about it and surround us. They’ll remove our name from the earth, and what will you do for your great name?”
10 The LORD told Joshua,
“Why fall on your face? Get up. 11 Israel has broken my covenant and taken some devoted things. They’ve stolen and lied about it and put them among their own things. 12 So Israel can’t stand up to its enemies. They turn their backs on them because now they’re something to be destroyed. 13 Get up. Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow. You can’t stand up to your enemies till you get rid of the devoted things. 14 In the morning, come forward by tribes. The tribe the LORD takes will come forward by families. The family he takes will come by households. The household he takes will come one at a time. 15 The one that took the devoted things and everything he has will be burned. He’s sinned against the LORD’s covenant by doing something horrible.”
Josh 7:6-15
16 Joshua got up early and brought Israel forward tribe by tribe; the LORD took Judah. 17 He brought the clans of Judah forward; the LORD took the family of Zerah. He brought the family Zerah forward one household at a time; the LORD took the household of Zabdi. 18 He brought Zabdi’s household forward one man at a time; the LORD took Achan son of (Carmi son of Zabdi son of) Zerah. 19 Joshua told Achan, “Son, honor the LORD God of Israel and praise him. What have you done?”
20 Achan answered,
“Truthfully, I did sin against the LORD God of Israel. 21 I saw among the spoils a beautiful mantle from Shinar, 5 lbs 200 shekels of silver, and a gold bar weighing 20 oz 50 shekels. I wanted them and took them and hid them in the ground inside my tent with the silver underneath.”
22 Joshua sent messengers to the tent. The devoted things were there with the silver under them. 23 They brought them out to Joshua and put them down in front of the LORD. 24 Joshua and all Israel took Achan, the silver, the mantle, the gold bar, his children, cattle, donkeys, and sheep, his tent and everything he had, and went up to the Valley of Achor. 25 Joshua said, “Why bring trouble on us? The LORD is bringing trouble on you now.” Israel stoned them and burned them, 26 and piled a big mound of rocks over him that’s still there. Then the LORD turned away his burning anger.
Josh 7:16-26