Chapter 7:22-26
As soon as Achan confessed his sin, the messengers ran to his tent, dug up the accursed thing, and laid it all out in broad daylight before the Lord.
We can see that at the very moment of the display of God’s power and grace to Israel, Achan’s heart had turned away from the Lord. He had opened his heart to the world. And, dear young Christian, if our hearts are not ready for Christ, they are ready for the world.
That “goodly Babylonish garment” appealed to “the pride of life” in Achan; with the silver and the gold he could satisfy his every lust and it would gain him position and power in the world. Alas, they proved to be but Satan’s snare to lead him to his ruin. Satan ever seeks to link the world to the natural heart of man and by these means keep him under his power. Even a Christian can fall into his snare if not “kept by the power of God.”
God used the sin of one man to bring to light the state of Israel, for they had let the Word of God slip and had got careless because the way seemed easy. In God’s sight all Israel were involved in the dishonor done to His name by Achan, their prince, and so all must join hands in clearing the camp of the sin.
And Joshua said, “Why hast thou troubled us? The Lord shall trouble thee this day.” Then “All Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire.” It was a solemn, sorrowful act, but God’s law was broken and there was no help for man under law: he must die. What was unclean must be destroyed. Scripture tells us, “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19). Thus Israel approved themselves to be clear in this matter (2 Cor. 7:1111For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2 Corinthians 7:11)).
But how different now for us under grace! All is changed, for “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)). It is not that sin is any less serious now than in Achan’s day, in fact it is more so, for one who sins today in Christendom sins against greater light and is therefore more responsible. However, if a Christian fails and must be disciplined, discipline is carried out with a view to his restoration.
How wonderful that in God’s gracious ways with Israel the Valley of Achor (or “trouble") will become a door of hope to His poor guilty people in the coming day. When as a nation they judge their sin and put away the evil from among them, when they remember that it was there His judgment began to fall on them, their self-judgment will be followed by the blessing of the millennial kingdom.
But the Valley of Achor is the door of hope for God’s people still today. If we have failed, or have to put away sin from our midst, to be humbled before the Lord about it, to weep over our pride and to confess the shame and dishonor done to His name will bring down God’s restoring grace. Blessing, rest and hope are sure to follow and He will lead us on to fresh triumphs. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
Sin allowed is always a hindrance to blessing, but sin judged opens the door of hope from the One who ever delights to bless His own.
ML-08/21/1977