Joshua 7 brings us face to face with a sobering truth: even in the wake of great victory, we are vulnerable when we let sin enter our midst. After the miraculous fall of Jericho, we might expect that the momentum of triumph would carry us forward unhindered. But instead, we are stopped in our tracks by a startling defeat. This chapter reminds us that success in the eyes of the Lord is not measured by strength, strategy, or numbers, but by our obedience, our integrity, and our collective faithfulness. When even one of us strays from God's command, it affects all of us. We are in this journey together, and so the purity of our community matters deeply.
The trouble begins when Achan, one of our own, takes some of the things from Jericho that God had declared to be devoted to destruction. These items, which were supposed to be set apart or destroyed in obedience to God's word, became the root of our downfall. We didn't know at first what had happened. On the surface, everything seemed fine. But as we prepared to advance toward the next city, Ai, and sent a few men to spy it out, the spies returned with confidence. Ai appeared small, not much of a threat, and we believed we could take it easily with only a portion of our forces. We sent about three thousand men, expecting another easy victory. Instead, they were soundly defeated, and thirty-six of our brothers were killed. Our hearts melted in fear, and we were left confused, ashamed, and deeply shaken.
This defeat wasn't merely a military loss—it was a spiritual wake-up call. Joshua, overwhelmed and grieved, tore his clothes and fell on his face before the ark of the Lord. He cried out in despair, questioning why God would bring us across the Jordan only to let us fall by the sword. But God’s response to Joshua is firm: “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned.” It wasn’t that God had failed us—it was that we had failed to keep our part of the covenant. And what’s more, the sin of one man had brought judgment on the entire community.
That truth hits home for us. Achan’s secret disobedience wasn't hidden from God. Even though he had buried the stolen goods in the ground beneath his tent, God saw it all. And while Achan may have thought his actions were private and harmless, the ripple effect devastated many. We’re reminded here that our choices carry weight—not just for ourselves but for everyone around us. When we live in covenant with God, our actions are never isolated. There is a sacred responsibility that comes with being part of His people.
God instructed Joshua to sanctify the people and prepare for the next day, when He would reveal the guilty party. This moment calls us to examine ourselves. When things go wrong, when we face setbacks, do we look only to circumstances, or are we willing to examine our hearts and ask God to reveal what may be out of line? The process God used to expose Achan was methodical—tribe by tribe, clan by clan, family by family, until the man himself stood exposed. It wasn’t an act of divine humiliation, but of divine justice and mercy. God doesn’t allow sin to remain hidden forever. In love, He brings it into the light, not to destroy us, but to call us back to holiness.
When confronted, Achan confessed. He admitted to seeing a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold, and being overcome by greed, he took them and hid them. His confession came too late to prevent the consequences, but it reminds us that our hearts are prone to wander when we lose sight of God’s command. How often do we see something desirable and justify our disobedience? This chapter urges us to bring those desires into the light before they lead us into destruction.
Joshua sent messengers who found the stolen items exactly where Achan said they would be—buried under his tent. The stolen goods were brought before the Lord, and Achan, along with his entire household, was taken to the Valley of Achor. There, they were stoned and burned, and a great heap of stones was raised as a lasting reminder of what had happened. It’s a painful scene, but one that shows us the seriousness with which God deals with sin, especially when we have been given clear instruction. It’s also a lesson about corporate responsibility. We are bound together as a people. When one of us falls, it impacts all of us. That’s why our holiness and integrity matter—not just for our own sake, but for the sake of our community.
Yet even in the shadow of judgment, there is hope. The chapter closes with this line: “Yahweh turned from the fierceness of his anger.” The name of the place, Achor, means trouble—but out of this trouble came a renewed commitment to holiness. God’s mercy is not extinguished by His justice. He calls us back to Himself, and if we heed that call, He will restore us. The valley of trouble becomes a place of repentance, and from there, we can begin again.
Joshua 7 is a solemn but essential reminder that obedience matters, that hidden sin has far-reaching consequences, and that God's desire is for us to live in the light. As we walk forward in faith, may we remember that our victories depend not on our plans or strength, but on our devotion to the Lord. Let us walk in honesty, with clean hands and pure hearts, knowing that we serve a holy God who is faithful to guide, correct, and restore us when we stray.