Joshua 22:20
Did not Achan the son of Zerah break faith in the matter of the devoted things, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And he did not perish alone for his iniquity.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse is a powerful reminder that even a single person's unaddressed sin can bring divine wrath upon an entire community. Achan's transgression wasn't just a personal failure; it endangered everyone, illustrating how deeply interconnected we are in God's sight.
The eastern tribes, Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, built a large altar on the borders of Canaan, near the Jordan River, which caused alarm and anger among the other Israelites. The entire congregation gathered to go to war against their own people, but first sent a delegation led by Phinehas to demand an explanation for this seemingly rebellious act. Phinehas reminds them of past instances where sin brought disaster upon all Israel, like Achan's transgression with devoted things, warning that their actions could incur God's wrath on everyone.
Achan's sin sparked a national crisis. How can one person's wrongdoing impact an entire community?
Phinehas uses the shocking story of Achan to remind the Transjordanian tribes that sin doesn't just affect the individual. When one person sins, especially against God's commands regarding 'devoted things' (items set apart for God's judgment or use), the entire community bears the consequences.
Achan's Folly
In Joshua 7, Achan took items that were under a ban – meaning they were meant for destruction or to be exclusively given to God. His selfish act led to Israel's defeat at Ai and the death of 36 Israelites. He didn't perish alone; his family was also implicated, and the nation suffered.
The Ripple Effect
This example powerfully illustrates that the people of God are deeply interconnected. Sin creates a spiritual contagion that can weaken the whole community, attract God's displeasure, and lead to widespread suffering. It underscores the responsibility we have not only for our own actions but also for how they might affect our spiritual family.
The Israelites were ready to fight their own brothers over an altar. What can we learn from this near-disaster?
The building of the altar by the Reubenites and Gadites, while intended as a sign of unity, was perceived as a potential threat to Israel's established worship. The other tribes, hearing about it, immediately mobilized for war, fueled by a strong, albeit misdirected, zeal.
Misinterpreting the Motive
Phinehas and the other leaders assumed the worst – that the altar was built in rebellion against God and the central sanctuary at Shiloh. Their zeal was ignited by the memory of past failures like Achan's sin and the sin at Peor, where disobedience led to God's wrath.
The Danger of Assumption
This situation highlights the danger of acting solely on initial impressions or incomplete information. While zeal for God's honor is good, it must be tempered with careful investigation and communication. The leaders wisely sent Phinehas to inquire, preventing a tragic war between brethren. The incident serves as a powerful reminder that true unity requires understanding, open dialogue, and a willingness to give others the benefit of the doubt before jumping to judgment.
Understand the original words
cherem · Hebrew Noun
A state of being set apart or designated for exclusive use by God; in the context of judgment, it refers to items or people doomed to destruction or set aside for total devotion to God.
avon · Hebrew Noun
A perversion or twistedness of character; it denotes guilt that deviates from what is right and carries the weight of punishment.
This verse powerfully reminds us that sin, especially when it involves 'devoted things' (items set apart for God), has far-reaching consequences. Achan's solitary act of greed brought disaster not just upon himself and his family, but upon the entire nation, even leading to military defeat. It underscores the deep spiritual interconnectedness of God's people and the vital importance of holiness for the whole community.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin conquering the Promised Land, following God's commands.
c. 1400 BC
Achan's sin and the defeat at Ai
Achan secretly keeps devoted items from Jericho, leading to an Israelite defeat at Ai. Achan and his family are executed, and wrath falls upon the congregation.
c. 1390 BC
Division of the Land
After completing most of the conquest, the land is divided among the twelve tribes, with Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh receiving territory east of the Jordan River.
c. 1390 BC— this verse
Altar built east of the Jordan
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh build a large, prominent altar on the border of the Jordan River in Canaan. This act sparks intense fear and anger among the other Israelite tribes.
This is the foundational event Phinehas refers to, detailing Achan's sin of taking devoted items and its immediate consequences.
Numbers 25:1-15Phinehas also brings up the sin at Peor, another instance where widespread sin led to divine wrath and a plague upon the congregation.
1 Corinthians 10:11The Apostle Paul reflects on these very Old Testament events, warning the Corinthians that these things happened as examples, written down as warnings for those on whom the end of the ages has come.
2 Samuel 21:1-14This passage illustrates how a past sin (Achan's) can have lingering consequences, requiring atonement for the land long after the initial judgment.
calvinJoshua 22:10-20: "And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to."
And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.
Devenerunt autem ad limites Jordanis qui er…
gillJoshua 22:20: "Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity."
Did not Achan the son of Zerah,.... One that descended from Zerah the son of Judah, Joshua 7:18 , commit a trespass in the accursed thing; in taking what was devoted to sacred uses: and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and which was what was feared now; and this instance is brought to show that suc…
This verse is a powerful reminder that even a single person's unaddressed sin can bring divine wrath upon an entire community. Achan's transgression wasn't just a personal failure; it endangered everyone, illustrating how deeply interconnected we are in God's sight.
The eastern tribes, Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, built a large altar on the borders of Canaan, near the Jordan River, which caused alarm and anger among the other Israelites. The entire congregation gathered to go to war against their own people, but first sent a delegation led by Phinehas to demand an explanation for this seemingly rebellious act. Phinehas reminds them of past instances where sin brought disaster upon all Israel, like Achan's transgression with devoted things, warning that their actions could incur God's wrath on everyone.
The eastern tribes, Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, built a large altar on the borders of Canaan, near the Jordan River, which caused alarm and anger among the other Israelites. The entire congregation gathered to go to war against their own people, but first sent a delegation led by Phinehas to demand an explanation for this seemingly rebellious act. Phinehas reminds them of past instances where sin brought disaster upon all Israel, like Achan's transgression with devoted things, warning that their actions could incur God's wrath on everyone.
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c. 1390 BC
Diplomatic mission to the eastern tribes
The entire congregation of Israel gathers at Shiloh, prepared for war. They first send a delegation led by Phinehas to inquire about the altar, seeking understanding before conflict.
"Did not Achan the son of Zerah break faith in the matter of the devoted things, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And he did not perish alone for his iniquity.’”" — This verse is a powerful reminder that even a single person's unaddressed sin can bring divine wrath upon an entire community. Achan's transgression wasn't just a personal failure; it endangered ever…
