Joshua 7:11-12
Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse emphasizes that Israel didn't just sin, but they transgressed the covenant, highlighting how this specific act of taking devoted things directly broke the agreement and promises they had made with God. This wasn't a minor infraction, but a profound betrayal of their relationship with Him, turning what was His into their own possession.
After a devastating military defeat at Ai, Joshua is found prostrate in grief and confusion before the Lord. God reveals that the reason for Israel's failure is not their weakness, but a specific sin within their camp: someone has taken from the devoted spoils of Jericho, a direct violation of God's command. This act of theft, lying, and hiding forbidden items has brought God's displeasure and led to Israel's defeat, making them vulnerable to their enemies.
When Jericho fell, God issued a stark warning: 'Keep yourselves from the devoted things.' What exactly were these 'devoted things,' and why did taking them carry such devastating consequences?
The 'devoted things' (or 'accursed things') were items specifically set apart by God during the conquest of Canaan. These were not just spoils of war; they were objects and wealth belonging to a people utterly condemned by God.
A Holy Requisition
God declared these devoted things to be His alone. They were to be completely destroyed or, in some cases, given to the priests. This was a demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty and His complete judgment against the sin and idolatry of the Canaanites. To take any of it was to steal directly from God and to defy His holy command.
The Covenant Broken
Joshua 7:11 calls this transgression a violation of God's covenant. This means Israel had agreed to obey God's commands in exchange for His blessing and protection. By taking the devoted things, Achan (and by association, Israel) broke the terms of this sacred agreement, severing their connection to God's favor.
One man's sin brought Israel to its knees, causing them to flee from their enemies. How could a single, hidden act have such a widespread and devastating impact?
Achan's sin wasn't just a personal failing; it was a corporate one because Israel was a covenant community. When one member sins against God in a way that violates the covenant, the entire community suffers the consequences.
Hidden Sin, Visible Defeat
God declared, 'Israel has sinned... they have taken... they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings.' The problem wasn't just the act of taking, but the deception involved. Achan hid the stolen goods among his own possessions, thinking he could get away with it. This secrecy, however, did not escape God's notice.
National Consequences
Understand the original words
chata' · Hebrew Verb
To miss the mark, violate God's law, or fall short of His standard of holiness. In a covenantal context, it signifies an act of rebellion against the Sovereign Lord.
abar · Hebrew Verb
A serious breach of a binding agreement or legal contract. In the Bible, it refers to the breaking of the treaty relationship established between Yahweh and His people, often involving disobedience to specific stipulations.
berit · Hebrew Noun
A formal, solemn promise or treaty between two parties, typically involving mutual obligations, blessings for obedience, and curses for disobedience. In the Old Testament, it describes the established relationship between God and His people.
cherem · Hebrew Noun
This verse highlights a critical moment where a single act of disobedience and theft by one individual, Achan, brought devastating consequences upon the entire nation of Israel, leading to a military defeat and the judgment of God. It underscores the profound interconnectedness of the community and the seriousness of violating God's commands, especially when related to 'devoted things' set apart for Him.
c. 1405 BC
Conquest of Jericho
The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, conquer the heavily fortified city of Jericho. God had strictly commanded that the city and all its spoil be devoted to Him, meaning it was to be utterly destroyed or set apart for sacred use, with no one allowed to keep anything for themselves.
Immediately after Jericho— this verse
Achan's Theft
Despite God's clear command, an Israelite named Achan secretly takes a valuable cloak, silver, and gold from the spoils of Jericho and hides them among his belongings. This act of disobedience and greed is hidden from Joshua and the Israelite army.
Days after Jericho
Defeat at Ai
The Israelites attempt to conquer the smaller city of Ai but are soundly defeated, suffering significant casualties and fleeing in disarray. This unexpected loss shocks the nation and deeply distresses Joshua.
Following the defeat at Ai
This passage defines the 'devoted thing' (or 'accursed thing') as something utterly set apart to the Lord, even for destruction, and emphasizes that it cannot be redeemed, highlighting the severe nature of Achan's sin.
Deuteronomy 7:25-26These verses explicitly warn against bringing any devoted things into one's house, lest they become a curse, directly paralleling Achan's transgression and the consequence of bringing the accursed item among his belongings.
1 Corinthians 10:11This New Testament passage uses the Israelite experience at Jericho as a warning for Christians, showing how their sins and failures, including hidden sin and covetousness, were recorded as examples to learn from.
Acts 5:1-11The story of Ananias and Sapphira mirrors Achan's sin of deception and misappropriation of devoted resources, showing the severe consequences of lying to the Holy Spirit and bringing ill-gotten gain into the community of faith.
calvinJoshua 7:10-18: "And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?"
Tunc dixit Jehova ad Josuam, Surge. Ut quid tu ita procidis super faciem tuam?
Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Peccavit Israel, atque adeo transgressi sunt pactum meum quod praecepi illis…
barnesJoshua 7:11: "Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff."
Also stolen, and dissembled also - The anger of God and the heinousness of Israel's sin are marked by the accumulation of clause upon clause. As a climax they had even appropriated to their own use the consecrated property purloined from God.
The verse emphasizes that Israel didn't just sin, but they transgressed the covenant, highlighting how this specific act of taking devoted things directly broke the agreement and promises they had made with God. This wasn't a minor infraction, but a profound betrayal of their relationship with Him, turning what was His into their own possession.
After a devastating military defeat at Ai, Joshua is found prostrate in grief and confusion before the Lord. God reveals that the reason for Israel's failure is not their weakness, but a specific sin within their camp: someone has taken from the devoted spoils of Jericho, a direct violation of God's command. This act of theft, lying, and hiding forbidden items has brought God's displeasure and led to Israel's defeat, making them vulnerable to their enemies.
After a devastating military defeat at Ai, Joshua is found prostrate in grief and confusion before the Lord. God reveals that the reason for Israel's failure is not their weakness, but a specific sin within their camp: someone has taken from the devoted spoils of Jericho, a direct violation of God's command. This act of theft, lying, and hiding forbidden items has brought God's displeasure and led to Israel's defeat, making them vulnerable to their enemies.
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Because the sin was hidden and unresolved, God withdrew His presence and power. Israel, who had just miraculously conquered Jericho, was utterly defeated by the much smaller city of Ai. They turned and fled, experiencing shame and the loss of God's favor. This shows that hidden sin doesn't stay hidden; it impacts the whole community and leads to tangible defeat.
Objects or persons set apart specifically for God’s use, or in the context of judgment, things set apart for total destruction as an act of holy warfare. Once declared as such, these items belong entirely to God and cannot be used for common purposes.
God Confronts Joshua
God reveals to Joshua that the defeat was due to Israel's sin – the violation of His command concerning the devoted things from Jericho. He instructs Joshua to find the guilty party and remove the 'accursed thing' from their midst.
Days after the defeat
Discovery and Judgment of Achan
Through a systematic process involving lots cast by tribe, family, and household, Achan is identified as the sinner. He confesses his crime, and he, his family, and his stolen possessions are then executed by stoning and burning, purifying Israel from the sin.
"Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before…" — The verse emphasizes that Israel didn't just sin, but they transgressed the covenant, highlighting how this specific act of taking devoted things directly broke the agreement and promises they had…
