“But Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.”
Context:The book of Joshua is part of the historical books in the Old Testament and details the Israelites’ conquest of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua after the death of Moses. In this particular verse, the Israelites have just suffered a defeat at the city of Ai due to the sin of Achan.
Sin of Achan:Prior to the battle, God had commanded the Israelites not to take any of the devoted things from Jericho, the first city they conquered. These things were to be dedicated to God and treated as holy. However, Achan disobeyed this command and took some of the forbidden items, including silver, a garment, and a wedge of gold, hiding them in his tent.
The consequence of sin:Because of Achan’s disobedience, the Lord was angry with Israel, and they suffered defeat in their subsequent battle against the city of Ai. Joshua sought the Lord’s guidance, and through a process of casting lots, Achan was identified as the one responsible for the sin that brought trouble upon the people.
Achan’s punishment:In obedience to God’s command, Joshua and all Israel took Achan, along with his family and possessions, to the valley of Achor. This act of punishment was carried out to remove the sin from among the people and to restore the Lord’s favour upon them. Achan and his entire family were stoned to death, and their possessions were destroyed by fire.
Symbolism of the valley of Achor:The valley of Achor was a significant location in Israel’s history. The name “Achor” means “trouble” or “disaster,” and it was named so because of the trouble caused by Achan’s sin. However, the valley of Achor would later become a symbol of hope and restoration. In the book of Isaiah, it is mentioned as a place of future blessing and turning sorrow into joy (Isaiah 65:10).
This verse serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the consequences it can have, not only for the individual but also for the community. It emphasises the importance of obedience to God’s commands and the need for repentance and restoration when sin is committed. It also highlights God’s desire for holiness among His people and His willingness to discipline them in order to bring about spiritual renewal.
