One Man’s Disobedience Impacts the Entire Nation
At last it’s time for Joshua to lead the people into the land God promised to give them and take it. First up is Jericho. But they don’t attack the city as we’d expect. Instead, they march around it for seven days.
On the seventh day, the priests blow their trumpets, the people shout, and the walls fall. They burn the entire city and everything in it but keep the gold and silver, putting it into the treasury, just as God commanded.
Only Rahab and her family survive (Joshua 6:17–25).
Next up is Ai. It’s a small town with few inhabitants. The spies recommend that an army of two or three thousand can easily take the city. But Ai routs them and kills three dozen men.
Distraught, Joshua seeks God. That’s when God shares that someone failed to follow his exacting instructions when taking Jericho.
When God reveals that the guilty person is Achan, he admits his sin in taking a beautiful robe, silver, and gold from the city and hiding them in his tent.
Though he confesses his sin, he doesn’t receive forgiveness. Instead, he receives judgment. The people stone him to death, along with his family and possessions. Then they burn everything.
With God’s wrath now appeased, the people attack the city of Ai. This time they do exactly what God says. This time they’re victorious (Joshua 8:1–29).
How well do we do at obeying God’s commands?
When have we last thanked Jesus for forgiving our sins?
[Read about Achan in Joshua 7. Discover another person who failed to obey God’s command to utterly destroy a city in 1 Samuel 15:1–31.]
Learn about 100 more biblical characters in More Old Testament Sinners and Saints, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Get your copy today.
More Old Testament Sinners and Saints is part of the Bible Character Sketches series.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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