Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? And that man did not perish alone in his iniquity.
Joshua 22:20
When Achan sinned by taking of the accursed things, he probably thought that he was doing no harm to anybody, but in fact he was wrong. His sins affected the whole of the Children of Israel. They lost the battle in Ai and 36 men died as a result. This story teaches us important lessons about our own lives:
- Sin affects not only us but our children
Even though it was Achan alone who sinned, his wife and children and all that he had including even his animals were destroyed. We likewise need to be mindful that the way we live our lives affects not only us but our children and grandchildren after us:
The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.
Numbers 14:18 (ESV)
- Sin affects our community
Achan’s sin di not only affect him and his family but it affected the whole community. Likewise the way we live our lives affects our community, including our neighbourhoods, congregations, schools, work places, etc. The Bible tells us that whatever is done in private will be revealed in public and this also applies to sin. Even though it may be committed in private it still has wider consequences:
For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.
Luke 8:17 (NLT)
- Sin affects our nations
Achan’s sins affected the whole nation of Israel, however there is also hope because God assures us that if we will humble ourselves and pray and turn from our wicked ways, He will forgive our sins and heal our lands:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
Prayer
Dear Lord, I know that You are a loving God and slow to anger, however please help me not to take Your love for granted but to live my life in such a way that I will leave a Godly inheritance for my children in Jesus name, amen.
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