“Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.”” Joshua 7:25a
As I mentioned yesterday, I love the Character of Joshua. I also love this Book; it is full of the most amazing stories. I wish I could write about Rahab the Harlot, the Captain of the Lord of Hosts, and the Battle of Jericho, but I can’t. I must limit my Comments to just one per day, and today I am overwhelmed by the story of Achan. He represents so much that is missing in our Christianity today. He is a “type” of Adam, as well as a “type” of Christ. If we don’t see this when we read the Story, we don’t see the Tragedy and Beauty of Redemption.
So the background: Joshua gives specific instruction regarding Jericho. He says “the city shall be designated for destruction, it and everything that is in it belongs to the Lord”, “keep yourselves from the things designated for destruction, so that you do not covet them and take some…and bring disaster”, “all the silver and gold, and articles of bronze and iron are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord”. Very Clear Instruction! But One Man took exception to it and stole some clothing, silver, and gold! This is known to us as Achan’s Sin!
In Today’s Chapter, we read of Israel’s Humiliating Defeat at the City of Ai and Joshua and the Elders pleading before God for an Answer. He answers them with this simple statement, “Israel has sinned”. Do you see that? Not Achan; ISRAEL! Though Achan Stole the Items under the Ban, God brought Judgement on the Entire Nation. We call this “Representative Sin”. Before we react with “that’s not fair!”, consider what we see in Genesis; One Man Sinned, Adam, who in turn has brought God’s Judgment on All Mankind. But at the same time, what we see in the Gospel; One Man was Righteous, Jesus, who in turn provides God’s Acceptance to “All Who Come to Him”. Through One Man’s Sin (Adam, Achan) came Judgement, through One Man’s Death (Christ, Achan) comes Deliverance.