CHILDREN LESSON 3 THE SIN OF ACHAN AND DESTRUCTION OF AI
Text: Joshua 7:1-26; 8:1-35
Ai was a small town a few kilometres from Jericho. The children of Israel were shamefully defeated in their first battle against the people of Ai. Thirty-six soldiers of Israel died. This was the first time that the children of Israel were defeated since they left Egypt (Joshua 7:4-6). Israel experienced this painful defeat because a man called Achan stole a Babylonish garment, silver and gold from the idol worshipping people of Jericho.
His action was an act of disobedience to God’s clear instruction that nobody should take anything from Jericho. It was only Achan that sinned. But his ungodly behaviour caused the death of his wife, children and other “innocent” people in Israel.
Achan’s sin had caused Israel to suffer, so also can the sins of even a few individuals in a family, congregation, or a nation have a negative, even devastating effect on others. As individuals, sin affects our success and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our individual lives. If we want to experience all round victory, sin must be removed or we will forfeit the Lord’s promised presence and blessings.
After much effort, Achan was discovered and taken out of the way. Then Israel went on to experience rousing victory over Ai. This shows us that no one can hide from God. If you are a sinner, you must sincerely repent and turn away from your bad ways.
THE SIN OF ACHAN:
Joshua 7:1,11,18-24; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 John 2:15-17
When Joshua sent about three thousand (3,000) men to capture the city of Ai, a town much smaller than Jericho, about 15 miles to the northwest, the army returned in defeat, having lost 36 men. The heart of the people melted and became as water. This means, they became powerless and fearful to the extent that Joshua their leader had to rent (tear in pieces) his clothes. It was a sign of utter discouragement, despair and disappointment.
Joshua did the right thing by crying unto God seeking to know the reason for the defeat. Then the Lord told him that someone had taken the accursed thing from Jericho. It took a long process to discover who the sinner was. After casting lots by tribes, and family, Achan was discovered to be “the little leaven that leaveneth the whole lot.” We may be tempted to think that the whole nation should not have suffered for the sin of one man. However, God who is the greatest and righteous Judge, knows, sees and does all things well.
The cause of the defeat can be said to be in threefold thus :
(i) Self-confidence – the children of Israel depended on their past experience of victory over Jericho. Therefore, they decided to send three thousand men against Ai. They thought that by their own power they can continue to have victory. It was a careless dependence on human strength rather then upon God.
ii) Neglect of communication with God. Joshua and his people did not pray to know how to go into the next battle after Jericho. He just listened to the counsel of the elders and sent about three thousand men to fight Ai.
iii) Disobedience – “And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.” (Joshua 6:18) This verse was a clear instruction and command from God to the children of Israel. In disregard to this sacred command, Achan coveted and took of the accursed things.
The combination of all these brought trouble, and defeat to Israel.
The lesson we can learn here are:
(a) We must not be too self-confident and think we can do things on our own.
(b) We must always depend on God to give us direction in all we set out to accomplish. Pray before taking any decision in every area of your life.
(c) Be obedient to God’s word because obedience brings blessings.
SEVERE CONSEQUENCES OF ACHAN’S SIN:
Joshua 7:1-9
Achan’s disobedience did not only affect him but the whole nation of Israel made-up of twelve tribes. In the sight of God, Achan’s sin was Israel’s sin. Everyone has to bear the consequence. Probably there were people especially family members who saw him with the stolen items and refused to speak up. This is the reason why we must not join the multitude to do evil or help anyone to cover-up his sinful habit. The consequences of the deliberate act of disobedience to God’s word include:
(i) Death – The men of Ai killed about thirty-six men of the army of Israel (Joshua 7:5).
(ii) Defeat – Israel was chased away and put to shame by the people of Ai (Joshua 7:5).
(iii)Destructive fear – The hearts of the people of Israel melted with fear and became as water (Joshua 7:5).
(iv)Disappointment – Joshua and all the Israelites were highly disappointed. Joshua tore his clothes and fell upon his face on the ground. He and the elders of Israel put dust on their heads (Joshua 7:6).
(v) Sorrow and pain – all the congregation of the children of Israel became sorrowful because of the defeat.
(vi)Eternal punishment. Achan and his family were stoned and burnt with fire and they all went to hell fire (Joshua 7:25).
Sin is deadly and destructive. Do not play with it because God watches everything that we do. The fact that you cheat and “pass your examination”, steal, tell lies, and do other bad things yet remain healthy, happy and free from troubles does not mean that God is happy with you or will not punish you. He is only giving you enough opportunity to repent and turn from the way of destruction.
The process that Joshua went through to detect Achan was enough time for him to willingly confess his wrong doing. He lost the opportunity, do not be like him. The time to be saved is now.
SALVATION AND VICTORY THROUGH GENUINE REPENTANCE:
Joshua 7:13-26; 8:1-35
“Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” (Joshua 7:13)
After seeking the face of the Lord as a result of the defeat they suffered,
God in His love and mercy, provided the solution to the problem the children of Israel encountered. They were directed to purge their camps and remove the bearer of the accursed thing. It was a long process whereby Joshua had to search diligently through presenting all the tribes before God. At this point, one would expect that Achan will come out to confess and expose the evil he had done. He pretended and thought he could play games with God.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. He was eventually discovered, shamed and stoned to death with his family members. They were all burnt with fire. It was a terrible judgment. Achan missed the opportunity of being saved. It was after the removal of Achan, his household and the accursed things that Israel experienced peace and victory over Ai.
Joshua chapter 8 describes the conquest and fall of Ai under the guidance of God. Success came only when sin was dealt with, communication was restored with God, and when there was obedience to God’s word. God is calling all sinners to repent so as to enjoy victory in all areas of their lives.
If you are still a sinner:
(i) Acknowledge or agree that you have sinned. Do not cover up your sin or pretend that you are alright. Achan covered his sin until he was discovered.
(ii) Repent. To repent is to be sorry for all the bad things that you have done.
Joshua was willing and ready to lead Israel to repentance.
(iii) Confess. “And Achan answered Joshua, and said, indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, …”. Achan confessed too late, he thought he could hide his sin. Do not be like Achan (Proverbs 28:13).
(iv) Turn away completely from sin. Joshua and all Israel forsook their sin and turned to God.
(v) Accept Jesus into your heart and believe that He has forgiven you (Romans 10:9).
(vi) Do your restitution. Restitution means returning stolen things to the rightful owner. Achan was forced to bring back what he had stolen (Joshua 7:22-23).
These steps will make you to become a real friend of Jesus and also give you victory in all areas of your life.
QUESTIONS:
- What is the name of the tiny country that defeated Israel?
- (a) Why was Israel defeated? ____________
(b) Who was the man that stole and what were the things he stole? ____________________ - What were the consequences of Achan’s sin?
- What led to the eventual victory of Israel over Ai? ________
______________________ - What should a sinful child do to be saved?
MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” (Joshua 7:12)
LESSON: Sin destroys.
THOUGHT: I will run away from every sin.
ACTIVITY: Mention five other instances where Israel was defeated by their enemies because of their disobedience.
HOMEWORK: Search the scriptures, read and write out four places (two in the
Old Testament and two in the New Testament) where people sinned against God and judgment came upon them immediately. What lessons do you learn from these?
CONGREGATIONAL SONG GHS: 130 – JUST AS I AM, WITHOUT ONE PLEA
CHORUSES:
(1) Be careful little eyes what you see.
(2) You cannot hide it from God.
(3) I will never let the devil win the battle.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
1. Defeat
2. Conquer
3. Acknowledge
Disappointment
5. Victory.
