Achan

Reading Portion

Josh. 6:17-21; 7

Lesson Content

1. After the great victory of Jericho, Joshua sent men to spy the city of Ai (Josh.7:2).

2. The spies who were sent by Joshua said that there were only a few people in the city of Ai and that many people need not go up to overcome them (Josh.7:3).

3. The men of Ai smote the Israelites and the Israelites met with defeat in the first instance (Josh.7:4,5).

4. Joshua cried unto the Lord (Josh.7: 6-9).

5. The Lord gave the reason for their defeat (Josh. 7:11,12).

6. The Lord told Joshua that he that took the accursed thing, he and all that he had should be burnt with fire (Josh.7:15).

7. Achan was identified as the guilty one, and Joshua asked him to confess what he had done (Josh. 7:16-19).

8. Achan’s reply (Josh.7:20,21).

9. Achan and all that belonged to him were taken to the valley of Achor. They were stoned and burnt with fire (Josh.7:24-26).

Moral

Even one man in an assembly who transgresses the commandments of God can cause defeat to the whole assembly.