“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.”
Context:In this verse, Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, is addressing Achan after the sin of stealing and hiding devoted things from Jericho. The people of Israel had just suffered defeat in their first attempt to conquer the city of Ai, which was a smaller and seemingly easier target compared to Jericho. Joshua sought to identify the cause of this failure and approached God for guidance. The Lord revealed that there was sin in the camp, leading to His withdrawal of protection and favour. Consequently, Joshua confronted Achan to confess his wrongdoing.
Here are some key points and lessons we can learn from this verse:
The importance of giving glory to God:Joshua instructs Achan to give glory to the Lord God of Israel. This means acknowledging God’s sovereignty, recognising His authority, and giving Him credit for all things. It emphasises the need to attribute success and blessings to God alone and not to take credit for them ourselves. As believers, we should constantly give glory to God in all aspects of our lives.
The significance of confession:Joshua urges Achan to make confession unto God. Confession involves acknowledging and admitting our sins before God, taking responsibility for our actions, and seeking His forgiveness. Confession is a vital part of the repentance process, enabling us to restore our relationship with God and experience His forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9). It is essential to be honest with ourselves and God about our wrongdoings.
The necessity of honesty and transparency:Joshua implores Achan not to hide his sin. Honesty and transparency are crucial in our relationship with God and with others. Trying to conceal our sins only leads to more spiritual and emotional damage. It is better to come clean, confess our sins, and seek God’s mercy. God values integrity and honesty, and He promises to forgive those who genuinely repent and confess their sins.
Personal responsibility and accountability:Achan’s sin had consequences not only for himself but also for the entire nation of Israel. This illustrates the principle of personal responsibility and accountability within a community. Our actions can affect others, and we should be aware of the impact of our choices. It is important to recognise that sin not only has personal consequences but also potentially influences those around us.
The need for self-examination:The events in this verse encourage us to engage in self-reflection and examination of our own lives. We should examine our hearts, motives, and actions, seeking to identify any hidden sins or areas where we may have strayed from God’s commands. Self-examination allows us to identify areas of sin and make necessary corrections, leading to spiritual growth and a closer walk with God.
In summary, Joshua 7:19 teaches us the importance of giving glory to God, the significance of confession, the necessity of honesty and transparency, personal responsibility and accountability, and the need for self-examination. By applying these principles to our lives, we can cultivate a closer relationship with God and experience His forgiveness and restoration.
