Joshua sent spies who found Ai was kids’ play compared to the victory over Jericho. The spies advised that two or three thousand needed to go not the whole army. So, 3000 were sent, and sadly, they were defeated. (Joshua 7:2-5) Like Achan, some believers cause defeat in the progress of global missions.
Achan
God commanded that Jericho was to be dedicated to destruction and no spoil should be taken. Only Rahab and her family would be left to live. Yet, Achan decided to keep some for himself. When found, he was stoned to death. This sin of a single man caused the defeat of Israel.
Consequences
In the first war, thirty-six men were killed in the war against Ai. The people were terrified that their hearts became like water. (Joshua 7:5)
Individual and family:
Achan was cursed because he was so overcome by greed and covetousness that he took possession of forbidden things from Jericho. He took a robe from Babylon, silver worth two hundred shekels, and gold worth fifty shekels. The tenth commandment warns against the sin of covetousness. (Exodus 20:17) Love for money is the root cause of all evil. (I Timothy 6:10) He and perhaps his family members were executed for their sins. The family members were partners as they buried these in the tent. (Joshua 7: 21-26)
Community and Nation
The sin of Achan brought shame and guilt upon the whole nation. First, they were defeated in the war. Second, thirty-six soldiers died for no fault of theirs. Third, ten times more army of thirty thousand had to be mobilized, which would require a bigger budget.
Resist Devil
The Devil cannot be resisted and overcome without submission to the Lord and His Word. (James 4:7) Achan did not heed the warning of Joshua: “But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise, you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble to it. “(Joshua 6:18)
Do I contribute to the victory of God’s mission or stall the progress?