Avoiding Achan’s Errors

We have all likely learned lessons by considering Israel’s defeat at Ai in Joshua chapter 7. However, a small detail in their eventual victory over the city in chapter 8 sheds light on two important truths. When the people went against Jericho, they were to take no spoil. Everything was to be destroyed except the gold and silver, which were to go into the treasury of the Lord. This requirement was the very command that Achan violated, which got 36 men killed at Ai and eventually himself.

Achan took the things devoted to destruction in Jericho, which made Israel devoted to destruction themselves, but once Achan was put to death and sin’s just penalty was met, the Lord was with Israel once again. They had been consecrated, and he would go with them and hand Ai over to them.

Here is one of the most instructive things about the defeat of Ai concerning Achan’s sin. When the Lord gives victory to Israel over Ai, the Lord permits them to take spoil for themselves (Joshua 8:2). It makes Achan’s sin even more tragic to think that if he had been patient, not only would he have gotten the spoil he desired, but more of it than he stole from Jericho. There are at least two lessons to learn from this.

The first lesson is that the first-fruits belong to the Lord. This theme of first-fruits runs throughout scripture. The victory over Jericho was the first victory in the promised land; therefore, the spoil belonged to the Lord. Only the later spoil belonged to the people.

The first of what we have belongs to God, not the leftovers. We often live in a way where God gets what remains. Maybe we will seek his face if we have time left in the day. If money remains at the end of the month, perhaps we will consider being a cheerful giver. Finally, if we are not exhausted at the end of the week, we may consider attending church on the Lord’s Day. This approach is the exact opposite of the way it should be. Living for the Lord is the most essential thing in our lives. He should have priority, and everything else should receive what remains.

The second thing we learn is that patience is honored by the Lord. Many people today are just like Achan; they do not put God first and want their treasures now—the treasures of this life. However, as Christians, we have been called to bear patiently now, and our reward will come later.

If we put God first, we will likely not get all the riches, honor, and power this world can offer. Instead, we will often face dishonor in many instances, but earthly glory always fades, and the kingdoms of this world have been devoted to destruction, just like Jericho and Ai.

The believer who puts God first and is not afraid to lose the honor of this world to glorify his God will enjoy him forever. They will receive a Kingdom that cannot be shaken and find their glory in Jesus Christ—the greatest glory known to man.

Though we have sinned in these ways, the wages of those sins have been paid in Jesus Christ. Because of that, those who trust in him have been consecrated unto the Lord, and he promises to be with us even in the battles we must face. He has promised we will overcome the world, and this is the victory that overcomes the world—our faith. Therefore, put the Lord first and be patient.

-D. Eaton