Achan by G. B. THOMPSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 29, 1909

Achan

By G. B. THOMPSON

G. B. THOMPSON

“THERE must be an Achan in the camp,” we sometimes hear it said when there is trouble and a waning of spirituality in the church. Achan seems to be to this day a synonym for spiritual stagnation. In the midst of discord and wrangle somebody is impressed that an Achan should be weeded out, and unless this is done, Israel will probably languish nigh unto death.

But who is Achan anyway? and what did he do that he has become a synonym for hypocrisy and spiritual declension even to this time? Achan was “the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah.” Joshua 7:1. With the rest of Israel he had marched around the city of Jericho, and probably lifted his voice in the shout of victory which overthrew the walls. No doubt he rejoiced when he saw the mighty power of God displayed in delivering the city into their hands. We have no record which shows that Achan was specially bad at heart. He was numbered with God’s chosen people. But a temptation came upon him. He “committed a trespass in the devoted thing.” Joshua 7:1, A. R. V. He “coveted,” and as a result “took” that which belonged in the treasury of the Lord, instead of in his own. It was through yielding to this sin that he lost everything, and became a byword of unrighteousness to this day.

But what did he do? Simply this: Concerning the spoil of Jericho, the Lord had said: “All the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are holy unto Jehovah: they shall come into the treasury of Jehovah.” “Keep yourselves from the devoted thing, lest when ye have devoted it, ye take of the devoted thing; so would ye make the camp of Israel accursed, and trouble it.” Joshua 6:19, 18, A. R. V. This was plain instruction, and there was no reason why it should not be understood and obeyed. Certain things were holy, and were to be placed in the Lord’s treasury, and Israel were to “keep” themselves “from the devoted thing.”

But Achan did not do this. After witnessing and sharing in the great victory which came to God’s people, he was one day walking among the ruins of the city and saw among the spoils “a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight.” He “coveted them,” and when none of his brethren were looking, he “took them,” and hid them in the earth in the midst of his tent. Joshua 7:21.

Sad spectacle indeed! A professed servant of God digging a hole in the ground in his tent to hide something that was holy and belonged in the Lord’s treasury, but which because of covetousness, he had stolen, and put among his own stuff!

But there is nothing uncommon about Achan’s transgression. Many are doing the same to-day. He was covetous, and as a result, that which was holy and belonged to God and his service, he took for himself. Many in the church to-day are covetous and guilty of this same sin.

“Achan understood well the reserve made, and that the treasures of gold and silver which he coveted were the Lord’s. He stole from God’s treasury for his own benefit.

“I saw that many who profess to be keeping the commandments of God are appropriating to their own use the means which the Lord has entrusted to them, and which should come into his treasury.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. III, page 269.

This statement should arouse us from the stupor of sin. Many who profess to keep the commandments are said to be “appropriating to their own use” means which belongs in the Lord’s treasury. Then if we do not faithfully render to the Lord a true tithe, but through covetousness rob the Lord, we are Achans in the church. In view of this indictment made by the Holy Spirit, it behooves us to examine our stuff, and see if there is anything there which belongs in the Lord’s treasury. And if there is, let us not delay until, like Achan, it is too late to make restitution.

As a result of thus robbing the Lord, the Spirit of God further says: “They rob God in tithes and in offerings. They dissemble, and withhold from him to their own hurt. They bring leanness and poverty upon themselves, and darkness upon the church, because of their covetousness, their dissembling, and their robbing God in tithes and in offerings.”—Id.

Achan had a chance to repent, but he failed to improve it. While the search for the sinner was going on, he saw the circle growing smaller, but it did not alarm him. He thought his sin securely hidden; but this was a fatal mistake. All Israel marched past, and the sin was located in the tribe of Judah. Then the families of Judah passed by, and the family of the Zarhites was fixed on. Then the family of the Zarhites passed, and the circle narrowed down to the household of Zabdi. Achan continued to brave it out; but as the household of Zabdi passed by, the Lord laid his finger on the real culprit, and Achan was pointed out. What an awful hour this must have been in his life! No doubt then he wished he had confessed his wrong course. Read his sad end recorded in Joshua 7:24-26.

These things were written for our learning. Shall we not profit by the awful warning left us in Achan’s life of the sin of robbing God, and while there is still time, turn from the wicked thing forever?

Takoma Park, D. C.