Joshua 7:19
And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.
Joshua 7:19 (KJV)
Context
Joshua speaks to Achan after Israel’s defeat at Ai. The people had just won a great victory at Jericho, but then they lost against a smaller city. Joshua sought the Lord and learned that someone had taken devoted things from Jericho, breaking God’s command. Because of this hidden sin, God withdrew His protection from Israel. Now Joshua confronts Achan, the man whose disobedience brought trouble upon the whole nation. The defeat was not a military failure but a spiritual one, rooted in Achan’s secret disobedience.
Meaning
Joshua calls Achan “my son,” a term of compassion and urgency. He does not treat Achan as an enemy but as someone who must face the truth. The command to “give glory to the Lord God of Israel” means more than praise. By confessing, Achan would honor God’s justice and holiness. He would admit that God is right and that his own sin is wrong. Joshua also says, “make confession unto him,” showing that confession is directed to God, not merely to a leader. Then Joshua asks Achan to tell what he has done and to hide nothing. Full and open disclosure is required. This call to give glory is a call to acknowledge God’s right to judge and to align oneself with His truth. It is not merely a request for information; it is a way to honor God by acknowledging the truth.
Biblical connections
The principle that confession brings glory to God appears elsewhere in Scripture. In 1 John 1:9, believers are told that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us. That verse connects confession with restoration, just as Achan’s confession was meant to restore the camp. The call to give glory through confession also reminds us that God sees all things. Nothing can be hidden from Him, as Psalm 139 reminds us. Achan’s attempt to conceal his sin was futile from the start. God’s omniscience means that hidden sin is never truly hidden from Him. The narrative underscores this truth, showing that the covenant community suffers when sin remains unconfessed.
Application
This verse teaches us to give glory to God by being honest about our failures. When we sin, we should not try to hide it or make excuses. Instead, we should confess openly to God, acknowledging His right to judge and His mercy to forgive. Confession is not just a private feeling; it is a deliberate act that honors God. We also learn that our sins affect others. Achan’s disobedience brought defeat to all Israel. Our choices can harm our families, churches, and communities. Therefore, we should take personal responsibility and be willing to confess quickly. The seriousness of sin within the covenant community calls for decisive action, not delay or cover-up.
Reflection
Joshua’s approach balances firmness with compassion. He does not excuse Achan’s sin, but he speaks to him gently as “my son.” This shows that confronting sin can be done with love. God deals with sinners directly through His appointed leaders, and He calls us to respond with truth. The verse does not promise forgiveness to Achan in this moment, but it shows that confession is the right response to sin. We can ask ourselves: Are we hiding anything from God? Are we willing to give Him glory by admitting our faults? Honest confession opens the way for healing and restoration, both for ourselves and for those around us. Even when judgment follows, the call to confess remains a call to honor God and to align with His truth.
