(7:1) The Sin of Achan - Notice the results of Achan's sin: (1) Many men died (7:5); (2) Israel's army melted in fear (7:5); (3) Joshua questioned God (7:7-9); (4) God threatened to withdraw his presence from the people (7:12); and (5) Achan and his family had to be destroyed (7:24-26). On the other hand, when the Israelites eliminated the sin from their community, these were the results: (1) God's encouragement (8:1); (2) God's presence in battle (8:1); (3) God's guidance and promise of victory (8:2); and (4) God's permission to keep the plunder and livestock from the battle for themselves (8:2). Throughout Israel's history, blessings came when the people got rid of their sin. You will also experience blessings when you turn from your sin and follow God's plan wholeheartedly.

(7:1-5) The Accursed Thing - The "accursed thing" included the clothing, cattle, and other plunder that God had said the Israelites should destroy when they conquered Jericho (see 6:17-19). It was not that Achan had found a good use for something that was going to be thrown out anyway. What he had done was a serious offense because it was in direct defiance of an explicit command of God (see Deuteronomy 20:16-18).

(7-6) Defeat at Ai - Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing and put dust on their heads as signs of deep mourning before God. They were confused by their defeat at the small city of Ai after the spectacular Jericho victory, so they went before God in deep humility and sorrow to receive his instructions. When our lives fall apart, we also should turn to God for direction and help. Like Joshua and the elders, we should humble ourselves so that we will be able to hear God's words.

(7:7-9) A Failure to Pray - When the Israelites first went against Ai, they did not consult God but trusted their military strength to bring victory (7:2 3). Only after Israel was defeated did they turn to God and ask what had happened. Joshua had experienced his first setback. Now what would he do? Instead of jumping to plan B, he did what he should have done in the first place--he prayed.

Too often our first move is to rely on our own skills and strength, especially when the task before us seems easy. We go to God only when the obstacles seem too great. However, only God knows what lies ahead. He may want us to learn lessons, lay down our pride, or consult others before he will work through us. We are best off when we talk things over thoroughly with God before moving forward. Going to him, even when we are on a winning streak or when details seem insignificant, may save us from making grave mistakes or misjudgments.

(7:7-9) Earnest Prayer - Imagine praying this way to God. This is not a formal church prayer; it is the prayer of a man who is distraught and confused by what is happening around him. Joshua poured out his real thoughts and emotions to God. Hiding our needs from God is ignoring the only one who can really help us. God welcomes our honest prayers and wants us to express our true feelings to him. We can become more honest in prayer by remembering that God is all knowing and all-powerful and that his love for us never ends.

(7:10-12) Our Sin Affects Others - Why did Achan's sin bring judgment on the entire nation? Although it was one man's failure, God saw it as national disobedience to a national law. God needed the entire nation to be committed to the job they had agreed to do-conquer the land. Thus, when one person failed, everyone failed. If Achan's sin went unpunished, unlimited looting could break out. Idols might be taken as plunder. The nation as a whole had to take responsibility for preventing this undisciplined disobedience. Achan's sin was not merely his keeping some of the captured plunder (something God allowed in some cases) but rather his disobedience to God's explicit command to destroy everything connected with Jericho. Achan's sin was indifference to the evil and idolatry of the city, not just the desire for money and clothes. God would not protect Israel's army again until the sin was removed and the people returned to obeying him without reservation. God is not content with our doing what is right some of the time. He wants our hearts turned toward him all the time. We are under his orders to eliminate any thoughts, practices, or possessions that hinder our devotion to him.

(7-13) A Purification Ceremony - "Sanctify yourselves" meant that the Israelites were to undergo a purification ceremony like the one mentioned in 3:5 when they were preparing to cross the Jordan River. Such practices prepared the people to enter into God's presence and routinely reminded them of their sinfulness and his holiness.

(7:24-26) Achan Underestimates His Sin - Achan underestimated God and disobeyed his commands (6:18). Taking a garment and some silver and gold may have seemed a small thing to Achan, but the effects of his sin were tragic for the entire nation, especially his family. Like Achan's, our actions affect more people than just ourselves. Watch out for the temptation to rationalize your sins by saying they are too small or too personal to hurt anyone but you.

(7:24-26) Sin Has Consequences - Why did Achan's entire family pay for his sin? The biblical record does not tell us if they were accomplices to his crime, but in the ancient world, the family was treated as a whole. Achan, as the head of his family, was like a tribal chief. If he prospered, the family prospered with him. If he suffered, so did they. Many Israelites had already died in battle because of Achan's sin. Now he and his descendants were to be completely eut off from Israel. Achan's entire family was stoned along with him so that no trace of the sin would remain in Israel. In our permissive and individualistic culture we have a hard time understanding such a decree, but in ancient cultures communal punishment was common. The punishment fit the crime: Achan had disobeyed God's command to destroy everything in Jericho; thus, everything that belonged to Achan had to be destroyed. Sin has drastic consequences, so we should take drastic measures to avoid it.

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of Joshua with Chapter 7 and we see Israel coming off the victory in Jericho to go to a much smaller threat in Ai. The presence of God was missing and they found themselves being defeated. The reason for the defeat was the sin of Achan as he was hiding spoils in his tent which God told Israel not to do. This sin of Achan caused the presence of God to leave Israel. In making application we see the reality of sin in our lives will cause the power and presence of God to be absent in our lives. The story reminds me of a time early in my marriage where I knew to tithe but felt I couldn't due to our finances being so tight. What I found is the "sin in my life" kept the power and presence of God from my business an finances. Once I repented and paid my tithe I had my phone start ringing with business. It showed me the application of the day that sin hinders the blessings of God in my life. How about you? Do you have known sin in your life? Let us learn from today's text and repent and keep sin out of our life so the power of God can flow in our lives.