Joshua 7:13-26

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Achan's Sin and Judgment

BACKGROUND NOTES

DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

1. Believers must scrutinize their lives for the sin causing defeat.

2. Believers must deal decisively with the sin causing defeat.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

1. Don't travel the Achan trail.

QUESTIONS

1. What is the meaning of the name, Ai?

2. Have the ruins of Ai been located?

3. Was the judgment pronounced and carried out on Achan a bit harsh?

4. Didn't Achan repent?

5. What was God's response after the judgment was carried out?

ANSWERS

1. It means ruins.

2. Not for certain, but an excavation for a possible location is planned.

3. Not in light of what Achan did. Remember, he was directly responsible for the death of at least thirty-six men and he had robbed God as well as Jericho.

4. No. Only when he was found out, did he confess to the sin, and he didn't show remorse.

5. The anger of the Lord subsided.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

1. God selected a systematic method to give all of Israel time to examine themselves before Him. When we suffer defeat, we must let our lives pass in review before the spotlight of God. See Hebrews 4:12 and Psalm 139:23-24.

2. It is one thing to pinpoint sin, but sin must be judged before the believer can move on. Have you scrutinized, located and dealt with sins in your life?

CHALLENGE

1. What is the Achan trail? "I saw, I coveted, I took." (Joshua 7:21) Don't travel the Achan trail. See James 1:14-15

KEY VERSES

• "There is an accursed thing in your midst...you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you." (Joshua 7:13)

• "Joshua said, 'My son, I beg you, give glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession to Him.' Achan answered, 'Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel." (Joshua 7:19-20)

• "When I saw, I coveted, and I took..." (Joshua 7:21)

• "Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you.' The Lord turned from His anger." (Joshua 7:25-26)