The Path of Sin

O. T. #460  "The Path of Sin"
February 16, 2015
Joshua 7-Part 3
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done.  Joshua 7:20

LET IT GLOW

My dad liked to drink. He thought it only affected himself, but he was wrong. It affected our whole family. For some, they consider drinking liquor acceptable. However, I do not. Growing up and seeing how it changed him, I want nothing to do with it.
Today's story illustrates how the sins of one affects many when they walk on the path of sin.

God told Joshua that they would not be able to stand before their enemies until they took away the accursed thing from among them. Joshua learned the reason that Israel was not successful in taking the little town of Ai-there was sin in the camp. He visited each tribe, looking for a confession, then heard it whenever he came to the tribe of Judah from Achan.

What did Achan confess?

• He sinned against the LORD God of Israel. Ultimately, out sins are against God and His commands.
• He saw the spoils of a beautiful Babylonian garment, 200 shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold; he coveted them and took them.
• He hid them in the ground in his tent.

Achan's family knew what he had done, yet they did nothing about the sin and stolen goods.
He sinned, saw, coveted, and took the spoils of Jericho. Achan and all his family were judged for their disobedience. Sin must be dealt with and paid for, as we know God's ways.

What happened to Achan and his family? Achan, his family, and his possession were taken outside the camp to the Valley of Achor, named after him. They were stoned with stones and set on fire. The place is still known for Achan's sin.

Do we take our sins seriously in that they affect our family and others?

LET IT GROW

We can deduct that Achan and others walked on the pathway of sin.
Eve saw that the fruit was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and coveted to be wise, so she took it, ate it, and gave to her husband to eat; Adam ate and they both sinned.
David saw a woman, sent for her, and took her.
These were on the unbroken pathway of sin. Sin begins with innocent sight, degenerates into lustful desire or covetousness, and falls from there into participation. But the pathway of sin does not end here. The fourth step to sin is always involvement of others- Eve and Adam, David and Bathsheba, as well as her husband. (Falwell)

Achan's personal sin in taking the forbidden items resulted in 36 innocent soldiers' death. There's no such thing as a private sin. All sin affects others. The personal sin of Achan kindled the anger of God against Israel.
The personal sin of believers always affects the church at large. Every sin involves society, so every sin affects us.

The place called the Valley of Achor (trouble), is a memorial of the trouble Achan brought onto his people. Hosea 2:15 promises that God will make the Valley of Achor "a door of hope" for the Jews. Certainly Israel has been in the "valley of trouble" because of her rejection of Christ, but one day the nation will turn to Him and find hope. (Wiersbe)

Sin was judged and paid for by Achan. Christians recognize that Jesus paid for our sins when He died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice. This enables us, with His gift of salvation, to go to heaven after our death on earth. What love!

Have you experienced this love through forgiveness of sin? He awaits today with the gift. Will you take it?

There is hope for Israel in the next chapter. Victory is just around the corner. So join us next time.


LET IT GO

Confess my sins and make restitution.

Be aware of sins' consequences.

Seek forgiveness of my sins when it is necessary.

Stay off the path of sin.