DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SECRET SINS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SECRET SINS

"But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel." (Joshua 7:1)

The story of Achan is probably very familiar to most of us. But it still has some dynamic principles that need to be rehearsed.

Israel had crossed the Jordan River in the promised land. The first city they encountered was Jericho, and the walls came atumblin' down. The next city was Ai. The Israelites were very confident that they could defeat Ai, just as they had Jericho. But it was not to be, because of the sin of one man (and also his family who knew what he had done). His sin was to disobey God's commandment to not take any booty from Jericho. Achan took some of the spoil from Jericho and hid it in the dirt of his tent, and Israel suffered defeat at Ai because of it.

The story of Achan's sin has several points of application that are pertinent to all generations. First, Achan thought he could hide his sin. He could hide it from others but he could not hide it from God. "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light" (Luke 8:17)

Secondly, Achan's sin was exposed. Sin has a way of being laid bare. We may think that no one else knows, but it will be brought to light one way or another.

"Be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23), if not in this life, in the next as we stand before God.

Thirdly, there are consequences for sin, even after we acknowledge it. Achan, when faced with the evidence, confessed, "Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel" (vs 20). As Believers, we have the assurance that when we confess our sin, God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us (I John 1:9). But there still may be consequences that we have to deal with.

Fourthly, sin does not just affect the person who sins. The entire nation suffered for Achan's sin. I may think that my sin is personal and does not hurt anybody, but my family and the general society will suffer also.

The great lesson is that sin does not pay, and we need to purpose not to sin.

Love, Dad