Achan: Introduction

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Achan Introduction

• Old enough to have plurality of sons daughters
• Among the 2nd generation out of Egypt, as the
  first had perished in the wilderness
• Either born in Egypt 40-60 years old
• Or born in the wilderness 20-40 years old
• Of the tribe of Judah
• Witnessed the mighty hand of God in the defeat of
  Jericho just minutes before He chose to disobey
  Him
• Israel captured Jericho just as the Lord had
  instructed them (Joshua 63-5, 20-21).

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Achan What HE Did

• The Lord warned Israel
• Joshua 617-18 (cf. Deuteronomy 721-26)
• Achan ignored the Divine warning
• Joshua 721 He took from among the spoils a
  beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels
  of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty
  shekels and hid them in his tent.
• Joshua 715 he has transgressed the covenant
  of the LORD, andhas done a disgraceful thing in
  Israel.'"
• Israel, as a nation, paid a price
• Joshua 71-5
• Achan his family were put to death
• Joshua 724-26

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Achan What WE Learn

• The strength of temptation is powerful!
• It is attractive! (cf. James 113-16)
• Achan said, When I saw among the spoils (721)
• Obviously, all the Israelites saw the spoils
• Covetousness, a tool of Satan, captured his heart
• Sin (succumbing) is not always pre-planned!
• Achan probably did not predetermine to take
  spoils
• When a covetous eye sees beautiful, satisfying
  and convincing means of improving life, it
  becomes his idol (cf. Ex. 2017 Eph. 55 Col.
  35 1 Jn. 215-17)
• Sin can come in little packages too!
• Achan did not take a great amount (in comparison)
• No matter the size, sin is sin!

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Achan What WE Learn

• The strength of temptation is powerful!
• Secret sin is still sin!
• Many try to hide sin, believing that as long as
  their sins are kept secret, everything will be
  fine.
• Achan hid his spoils in the ground inside his
  tent
• How did he intend to keep money garment secret?
• Ones conduct eventually reflects ones heart.
• As much as we think through even the most
  secretive of sinful acts and think weve got it
  all figured out, God still knows! Hes not
  fooled!
• Sin lies at the door (Genesis 47)
• Be sure your sin will find you out (Numbers
  3223)
• Whatever a man sows, he will also reap (Gal.
  67)
• All things are naked and open to Him (Heb. 413)

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Achan What WE Learn

• The strength of temptation is powerful!
• Secret sin is still sin!
• Sin reflects upon effects beyond the sinner!
• The sin of one reflects on ones who havent
  sinned!
• But the children of Israel committed a trespass
  (71, 11)
• The sin of one was upon 601,730 fighting men
  (618)
• Our every action (including sin) reflects upon
  Christ, for we wear His name (Acts 1126 541)
• Our every action (including sin) reflects upon
  our brethren (1 Tim. 412)
• Our every action (including sin) reflects upon
  His blood-bought church (Eph. 527 41)

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Achan What WE Learn

• The strength of temptation is powerful!
• Secret sin is still sin!
• Sin reflects upon effects beyond the sinner!
• The sin of one reflects on ones who havent
  sinned!
• The sin of one negatively effects others who
  havent sinnedyet!
• The entire progress of Gods nation was thwarted
• 36 Israelites were killed Israel was defeated at
  Ai
• A little leaven leavens the whole lump (1 Cor.
  56)
• Sin can negatively effect, to the point of
  destructive and detrimental influence, a nation
  trying to conquer the Promised Land or the church
  trying to further the cause of Christ (cf. 1 Cor.
  1226 57 Josh. 713)

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Achan What WE Learn

• The strength of temptation is powerful!
• Secret sin is still sin!
• Sin reflects upon effects beyond the sinner!
• Sin has consequences!
• The wages of sin is death (Rom. 623).
• All sin is against the Lord God (720, 15)
• God is just His law must be obeyed
• Achan and his children were stoned for their
  crime
• His sons daughters must have been willing
  accomplices, having stolen booty hidden in their
  tent
• When the penalty for sin is paid, Gods anger is
  turned and His mercy is triumphant! (cf. 726-81)

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Achan What WE Learn

• The strength of temptation is powerful!
• Secret sin is still sin!
• Sin reflects upon effects beyond the sinner!
• Sin has consequences!
• The dangers of covetousness are enormous!
• It can separate man, a family, a nation even a
  church from God!
• Through this one act, Achan became known as the
  troubler of Israel (1 Chron. 27 Josh. 618
  725).
• It can cost YOU your soul (Luke 1215-21).
• Covetousness is a form of selfishness, where one
  is willing to sacrifice others for his own gain!