After returning to Joshua they reported to him, “Don’t send all the people, but send about 2,000 or 3,000 men to attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, don’t wear out all our people there.” So about 3,000 men went up there, but they fled from the man of Ai. The men of Ai struck down 36 of them and chased them from outside the gate to the quarries striking them down on the descent. As a result, the people’s hearts melted and became like water.  Joshua 7:3-5 HCSB

Way back in Genesis, God had promised Abraham that he would father a great nation. This was the Israelites. They were God’s chosen people. The Canaanites were idol worshipers and God specifically told Joshua to go in and destroy their cities and every one and everything in there.

This mighty force crossed the Jordan River after God dried it up for them to do so. They scouted out Jericho. God gave specific instructions on what they were to do. They were to march around the city once a day for six days blowing ram’s horns. On the seventh day they were to march 7 times around doing as they had done before. But on completion of the seventh time they were to blow a trumpet. At the trumpet blast the people were to shout. They were to completely destroy everyone and everything in the city. They were not to take anything from the city of Jericho. They were to spare Rahab and her family because she had helped them. Simple enough, right?

Well, not for one soldier. Achan saw some treasures that he just could not pass up. He brought them back to their camp and buried them in his tent. How can you enjoy treasures that you can never see? Oh well, anyway, God was outraged by this.

The next city was Ai. It was a small city with few inhabitants. It should have been a piece of cake for the Israelites. Joshua didn’t consult God. After all, God had told him he would hand over these cities to them. They went in to take over Ai, however, and basically were chased out of the city. Thirty-six soldiers lost their lives to this tiny city and its few inhabitants. What happened? Well, sin happened.

Achan was found out of course, God knew what he had done. He may have hidden his treasure but our sin is never hidden from God. Sadly, sin comes with numerous side effects as well as ripple effects.

Achan’s sin was found out. He and his family were stoned to death. Perhaps his family knew what he had done and had not reported it, the Bible doesn’t say. It simply says that his family was also stoned to death.

We also know 36 innocent men lost their lives in that battle. Israelite suffered defeat after destroying the largely populated securely fortified city of Jericho.

Achan didn’t die in vain. There is much to be learned from him. There were a number of problems occurring before this battle. Joshua and the elders had no idea Achan had disobeyed God’s commands. Perhaps if they had consulted God before going to battle with Ai they would have been able to deal with Achan and save themselves defeat, thus saving the lives of the 36 soldiers.

Achan was wrong to believe his sin would not be found out. He paid a high price for his sin, but so did others. No man is an island.

You often watch these commercials about medications that will cure what’s ailing you but may kill you in the process by bringing on something much worse. Achan thought having those possessions would make him happy, but ultimately it caused the death of 36 soldiers, his family and himself. Do you think it was worth it in the end?

God tells us what to do and what not to do. We must pay careful attention to listen and obey. The consequences may be more than you bargained for. Don’t ever think you won’t get caught because God knows when you start thinking about sinning. He knows when you do it and He knows what you do to try to cover it up. So, don’t even think about it.

If you don’t want to suffer the consequences of sin be obedient to God. Trust in Him and live the way He has commanded us to live. The side effects of sin can be deadly.

Have a great day!