Joshua:7

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* Verse 1-5 - Achan took some of the spoil of Jericho . The love of the world is that root of bitterness , which of all others is most hardly rooted up . We should take heed of sin ourselves , lest by it many be defiled or disquieted , Hebrews strkjv @12:15 . and take heed of having fellowship with sinners , lest we share their guilt . It concerns us to watch over one another to prevent sin , because others ' sins may be to our damage . The easy conquest of Jericho excited contempt of the enemy , and a disposition to expect the Lord to do all for them without their using proper means . Thus men abuse the doctrines of Divine grace , and the promises of God , into excuses for their own sloth and self-indulgence . We are to work out our own salvation , though it is God that works in us . It was a dear victory to the Canaanites , whereby Israel was awakened and reformed , and reconciled to their God , and the people of Canaan hardened to their own ruin . * Verse 6-9 - Joshua 's concern for the honour of God , more than even for the fate of Israel , was the language of the Spirit of adoption . He pleaded with God . He laments their defeat , as he feared it would reflect on God 's wisdom and power , his goodness and faithfulness . We cannot at any time urge a better plea than this , Lord , what wilt thou do for thy great name ? Let God be glorified in all , and then welcome his whole will . * Verse 10-15 - God awakens Joshua to inquiry , by telling him that when this accursed thing was put away , all would be well . Times of danger and trouble should be times of reformation . We should look at home , into our own hearts , into our own houses , and make diligent search to find out if there be not some accursed thing there , which God sees and abhors ; some secret lust , some unlawful gain , some undue withholding from God or from others . We cannot prosper , until the accursed thing be destroyed out of our hearts , and put out of our habitations and our families , and forsaken in our lives . When the sin of sinners finds them out , God is to be acknowledged . With a certain and unerring judgment , the righteous God does and will distinguish between the innocent and the guilty ; so that though the righteous are of the same tribe , and family , and household with the wicked , yet they never shall be treated as the wicked . * Verse 16-26 - See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin . The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness . See also , how much it is our concern , when God is contending with us , to find out the cause that troubles us . We must pray with holy Job , Lord , show me wherefore thou contendest with me . Achan 's sin began in the eye . He saw these fine things , as Eve saw the forbidden fruit . See what comes of suffering the heart to walk after the eyes , and what need we have to make this covenant with our eyes , that if they wander they shall be sure to weep for it . It proceeded out of the heart . They that would be kept from sinful actions , must mortify and check in themselves sinful desires , particularly the desire of worldly wealth . Had Achan looked upon these things with an eye of faith , he would have seen they were accursed things , and would have dreaded them ; but looking on them with an eye of sense only , he saw them as goodly things , and coveted them . When he had committed the sin , he tried to hide it . As soon as he had got this plunder , it became his burden , and he dared not to use his ill-gotten treasure . So differently do objects of temptation appear at a distance , to what they do when they have been gotten . See the deceitfulness of sin ; that which is pleasing in the commission , is bitter in the reflection . See how they will be deceived that rob God . Sin is a very troublesome thing , not only to a sinner himself , but to all about him . The righteous God will certainly recompense tribulation to them that trouble his people . Achan perished not alone in his sin . They lose their own , who grasp at more than their own . His sons and daughters were put to death with him . It is probable that they helped to hide the things ; they must have known of them . What fatal consequences follow , even in this world , to the sinner himself , and to all belonging him ! One sinner destroys much good . What , then , will be the wrath to come ? Let us flee from it to Christ Jesus as the sinner 's Friend . There are circumstances in the confession of Achan , marking the progress of sin , from its first entrance into the heart to its being done , which may serve as the history of almost every offence against the law of God , and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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