Sin Always Costs

1- Israel is nearing the end of her 40 year journey through the wilderness. (New home)

2- Directions for the conquest of Jericho

1) March around the city for seven days. (1 times for six days and 7 times on the seventh)

2) Destroy the city and everything in it. (Exception “silver, gold, brass and iron go into God’s treasury”)

3- The Walls fell flat.

4- Joshua destroys the city with fire.

5- Obedience brought an overwhelming success.

6- Next the conquest of Ai.

1) Joshua sent a small group and they were defeated.

2) Something wrong – Joshua tore his clothes and fell before the Lord.

3) Achan’s sin! (The progress of sin 1- Saw 2- Coveted 3- Took 4- Hid) (James 1:15)

4) God’s directions to find the culprit. (Josh. 7:14)

5) Acheron’s judgment. (Josh. 7:24-26)

Lessons from the story of Achan’s disobedience.

1- Disobedience No Matter How Secret Is Noticed By God.

“Be sure your sin will find you out.” (Num. 32:23)

Ps 94:7 They say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed." 8 Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise? 9 Does he who implanted the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?

2- What You Do Always Affects Others. (Achan means troubler)

3- When God Claims A Thing, He Means It. (Tithe)

4- Whatever God Commands Is Always the Best Thing For Me.

1) Jericho was to be sanctified.

2) Ai was to be given to the people.

3) If Achan had just trusted God!

5- Disobedience Costs Everything.

1) Possessions. (It was his greed that got him into this trouble)

2) Family. (They were evidently involved)

3) His relationship with God and His people.

6- God Will Get The Last Word. (Gal. 6:7)

*Call to repentance! *Call to obedience!