Chasing Truth™: Read the Bible Cover to CoverSample

Our Sins Affect Others

Joshua had just come from a great battle victory as he and the people of Israel had watched the walls of Jericho fall. But when Joshua sent men to battle at the city of Ai, the Israelite men were defeated, with about 36 of the Israelite men killed in the battle.

Joshua was devastated. How could this defeat have happened—and so close to a great victory? He began questioning God, until God responded. 

“Stand up! Why have you fallen facedown? Israel has sinned. They have violated my covenant that I appointed for them. They have taken some of what was set apart. They have stolen, deceived, and put those things with their own belongings. This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies” (Joshua 7:10-12, CSB). 

Joshua commanded the people to consecrate themselves before God. The next morning God spoke to Joshua to call out first a tribe, then a clan, then a family, then a man. Achan was the man singled out by God who had taken what didn’t belong to him.

Can you imagine the thoughts going through Achan’s mind as he first saw his tribe called, then his clan, then his family? How fast was his heart beating as he realized that the sin he thought he had committed in private was now becoming public? He and his entire household were stoned to death. God made it clear that disobedience is an insult to His holiness.

What Achan learned too late is that sin not only affects the person who sins, but the people all around the person as well. The 36 families of the Israelite men killed in the battle suffered from Achan’s sin. Joshua suffered. And Achan’s family lost their lives.

Today, let’s take a few minutes to stop and reflect on the actions of our own life. We can look at Achan’s example as one we don’t want to follow. And we can take measures now so that our actions in the future are pleasing to others and to God.