The story of Achan in Joshua 7:20-26 illustrates significant lessons about sin, greed, and consequences, emphasizing that the spoils of victory belong to God and that sin can harm not only the sinner but also others and the community. Achan's greed led to his punishment and the death of 36 men, highlighting that sin in the church cannot be tolerated. Ultimately, the document stresses that confession alone does not absolve one from the repercussions of sin, which must be repented to maintain holiness within the congregation.

1. The Valley of Trouble
Joshua 7:20-26
The story of
Achan
teaches us
some
very important
lessons.

2. The Valley of Trouble
Romans 15:4 - “written for our learning”
The story of Achan teaches us several
important lessons.
Story in Joshua 7:20-26
Take nothing out – Spoils belong to God
Achan took some items, hid in his tent
He was exposed for this sin
Achan and family were stoned, then
burned. The valley is called “The
Valley of Trouble.”

3. Spoils belong to
victor
Joshua 6:18-19 18 And you, by all means
abstain from the accursed things, lest you
become accursed when you take of the
accursed things, and make the camp of
Israel a curse, and trouble it. 19 But all the
silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and
iron, are consecrated to the Lord; they
shall come into the treasury of the Lord."

4. Spoils belong to
victor
Why was God angry?
Joshua 7:26 Then they raised over him a
great heap of stones, still there to this day.
So the Lord turned from the fierceness of
His anger. Therefore the name of that
place has been called the Valley of Achor
to this day.
He had stolen from God!

5. Sin hurts others
Joshua 7:5 And the men of Ai struck down
about thirty-six men, for they chased them
from before the gate as far as Shebarim,
and struck them down on the descent;
therefore the hearts of the people melted
and became like water.
36 men died because of Achan's sin.

6. Sin hurts others
Joshua 7:24 Then Joshua, and all Israel
with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the
silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his
sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys,
his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and
they brought them to the Valley of Achor.
His entire family died because of his sin.
Sin hurts the church, Christ and the sinner.

7. Greed is a serious sin
Joshua 7:21 "When I saw among the spoils
a beautiful Babylonian garment, two
hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of
gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them
and took them. And there they are, hidden
in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the
silver under it."
Many covet what others have.

8. Greed is a serious sin
Covet = eager for gain, greed
Material things – money, things
Honor – fame, promotion
In 10 Commandments
In the New Testament

9. Conf ession is not
f orgiveness
Confession is good for the soul
But confession does not eliminate
punishment of the wrong
Achan confessed – vs. 20
Was punished – vs. 25
Confession + Repentance – still suffer the
consequences

10. Sin in the camp
Joshua 7:11 Israel has sinned, and
they have also transgressed My
covenant which I commanded them.
For they have even taken some of the
accursed things, and have both stolen
and deceived; and they have also put
it among their own stuff.

11. Sin in the camp
The principle applies to sin in the church
1 Corinthians 5:5-7 5 deliver such a one to Satan
for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit
may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6
Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that
a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7
Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you
may be a new lump, since you truly are
unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover,
was sacrificed for us.

12. Sin in the camp
God is holy. He cannot support or endorse sin.
Get rid of sin or get rid of God.
Joshua 7:12 Therefore the children of Israel
could not stand before their enemies, but turned
their backs before their enemies, because they
have become doomed to destruction. Neither
will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy
the accursed from among you.
1 Corinthians 5:13 But those who are outside
God judges. Therefore "put away from
yourselves the evil person."

13. Learn these Lessons
The spoils belong to the victor (God).
Sin hurts more than the sinner.
Greed is a serious matter.
Confession does not eliminate punishement.
The church can not have “sin in the camp.”