Joshua

Joshua 7: God brings hidden sin to light

Begin in prayer

Before we read how God finds and judges Achan’s hidden sin, let us stop and pray. Please ask Him for honest hearts that confess sin and look to Jesus for mercy.

Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “I have sinned this time. Yahweh is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

Exodus 9:27

Lord God, please give us understanding as we read about Achan. Open our eyes to see that sin cannot be hidden from You. Help us see Jesus and become more like Him in truthfulness. Bless our family with hearts willing to hear Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Achan takes some of the devoted things, and the LORD's anger burns against Israel. About three thousand men of Israel go to Ai, but flee, and about thirty-six are killed. Joshua falls before the ark, and God tells him that Israel has sinned. Achan is selected and admits that he saw, desired, took and hid a robe, silver and gold. Messengers find the things buried in his tent. Achan, his household and his possessions are brought to the valley of Achor. Achan is put to death, and the LORD turns from His fierce anger.

As you read Joshua 7, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD sees all hidden sin, and His anger burns against it.

Israel was to take none of Jericho, but Achan, from the tribe of Judah, took some of it (verse 1). The LORD's anger burned against Israel, and Joshua did not know why (verse 1). About three thousand men went up to Ai, they fled, and about thirty-six were killed (verses 4 and 5). The hearts of the people melted like water, and Joshua fell on his face before the ark until the evening (verses 5 and 6). The LORD answered that Israel had sinned, had broken His covenant, and had put what was devoted among their own things (verse 11). The LORD said He would not be with them until the devoted thing was taken away (verse 12). He showed the guilty man by tribe, family and household, until Achan was found (verses 14 to 18). Achan confessed that he saw a robe, silver and gold, coveted them, took them, and hid them in his tent (verses 20 and 21). Achan was taken to the valley of Achor, and the LORD turned from His fierce anger (verses 24 to 26).

How does Joshua 7 show us that the LORD sees all hidden sin, and that His anger burns against it?

God knows the sin hidden in Achan’s tent.

Achan took a robe, silver and gold from Jericho and hid them in his tent (verses 1 and 21). The men of Israel did not know it, but the LORD said Israel had sinned (verse 11). He showed the guilty man by tribe, family and household until Achan was found (verses 16 to 18).

Achan admits that he has sinned against God.

Joshua called Achan “my son”, and asked him to give glory to the LORD and make confession (verse 19). Achan said that he had sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel (verse 20). He told how he saw the plunder, coveted it and took it (verse 21). The messengers found everything in his tent, as he said (verse 22).

God judges the sin He has found.

The LORD's anger burned against Israel because of the devoted things (verse 1). Achan was brought to the valley of Achor, and the LORD turned from His anger (verses 24 to 26). Sin always meets the anger of God. Jesus carried the sins of His people in His body on the tree (1 Peter 2 verse 24).

Memorise

Israel has sinned. Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them.

Joshua 7:11

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin am I hiding from God that Jesus must forgive?

Achan hid a robe, silver and gold in the ground in his tent, but the LORD saw it. Jesus said that nothing is covered up that will not be revealed (Luke 12 verse 2). Achan confessed that he had sinned against the LORD, and the LORD turned from His fierce anger.

Every sinner has something to hide from the holy God. Jesus carried the sins of His people in His body on the tree (1 Peter 2 verse 24). He bore the anger of God for His people, and it was fully spent on Him. God raised Him up, and He lives.

So please do not hide your sin as Achan did. Turn from it, tell it to the LORD, and come to Jesus. He has promised forgiveness to all who trust Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD sees every hidden sin, and that His anger burns against it. Parents, please explain verses 24 and 25 in your own words, where Achan is punished. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He sees the truth, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, and each may ask Him for help without being made to speak.

Jesus answered them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.

Luke 5:31

Father, You know every sin, including what we try to hide. Thank You for sending Jesus to bear His people's guilt. Please help each of us confess sin and believe in Him. Give us honest words with one another, and teach us to seek Your mercy every day. Amen.