Christ-Light Connections: The Fall of Jericho & Achan’s Sin

The Christ-Light theme this week is God blesses obedient faith and warns against disobedience. This theme causes the believer to feel both afraid and comforted. As you study these two lessons, ask the question, “What does it mean to have obedient faith?” Do not settle for answers that emphasize only outward acts. Obedient faith is a heart matter.

OT2 9A

The Fall of Jericho — Joshua 6:1-25

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Context

Jericho is the first city that the Israelites will receive on the other side of the Jordan River and inside of the promised land. This unique takeover will set the tone for the reception of God’s gift to his people and the judgment he will carry out on the unbelieving Canaanites.

Big Ideas

God’s Strange Battle Plan (Joshua 6:1-4)

God’s takeover plan for Israel is strange, isn’t it? One could argue that marching around silently in circles and finally yelling really loud while the walls implode isn’t a battle plan at all. It is insane. The only reason this would work would be because of the power and will of the LORD. The only reason the Israelites would follow this plan would be because of their faith in the LORD.

The victory would belong to the LORD. Jericho would be his gift to his people. The Israelites could not possibly claim victory by their own power and might.

Conversation Starters:

• Does God still ask believers to obey him in strange ways? (Think about how the world views Christians as they obey God with their time, their money, their careers, their relationships, etc.)
• What is obedient faith?

The Complete Destruction of Jericho (Joshua 6:21)

The complete annihilation of Jericho, including women, children, and the animals, can give us pause. Canaanites worshiped false gods through prostitution and child sacrifice. Now their time of grace on Earth was over, and everything that had been corrupted by them would also be destroyed. This is God’s judgment upon sin.

Jericho points back to the flood and forwards to the final judgment. All unbelievers and all creation were/will be destroyed. Only the believers inside of the ark, inside of Rahab’s house, and inside of the Church would/will be saved to live in the new world.

Conversation Starter:

• Is God’s judgment fair?

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource provides great Law and Gospel points as well as thoughtful discussion questions.

40 Minutes in the Old Testament Podcast

• Episode 186: A look at Joshua’s interaction with the Commander of the Lord’s army and why this is certainly Jesus. Israel is told they will take Jericho, but the way they are to do it is very strange. What is going on with the number 7 in the people’s instructions? How should we view the destruction of Jericho and difficult texts like it?

OT2 9B

Achan’s Sin — Joshua 7:1-8:22

Context

As God gives Joshua and Israel instructions about the takeover of Jericho, he clearly states that everything should be destroyed or devoted to the LORD (Joshua 6:17-19). God even warns the Israelites to keep away from the devoted things because of temptation. God knows the hearts of men well.

Big Ideas

One Man Sins, a Whole Nation Suffers (Joshua 7:1-6)

Just as Adam and Eve took the fruit forbidden by God and hid, so Achan stole the forbidden treasures from Jericho and hid them in his home. The consequence of one sin does not fall upon just the original sinner. Sin infects and spreads.

Conversation Starter:

• List all who were affected by Achan’s sin.

Achan’s Sin (Joshua 7:11-21)

Achan’s confession is deep and heart-revealing. Yes, he disobeyed by stealing with his hands, but the bigger crime was what took place in his heart. After years of God’s miraculous provisions in the wilderness and now the promised land, Achan should have known God could and would provide everything he needed and more. Yet, in the moment of temptation, he forgot and desired to secure blessings for himself with his own strength apart from God.

What scares me the most about Achan’s sin is how relatable it is. It only takes a second for my heart to forget all that God has done for me.

Conversation Starters:

• What was at the root of Achan’s sin? Why did he steal?
• What tempts us to covet and steal? What does this reveal about our trust in God?

Achan’s Punishment (Joshua 7:22-26)

Achan’s punishment was death. Maybe this seems too harsh? Anytime the LORD issues a punishment that I am uncomfortable with, it is usually because I don’t want this punishment to be for me also. Like Achan, I am afraid to confess that I, too, easily forget all that the LORD has done for me. I covet. I take what wasn’t meant for me. I may not hide my sins under my house, but I am getting pretty good at burying them under excuses.

But Jesus has made it safe for me to confess.

Conversation Starter:

• When did Jesus face the temptation to covet or take?
• Where did Jesus bury my sins of doubt, coveting, and stealing?

The Death of the King of Ai (Joshua 8:29)

Your lesson probably stops before you get to the death of the king of Ai. I understand. It’s gross. But, if you stop and think about it, you will learn a bit about the death of Christ. The king was the chief representative of the wicked people of Ai. When he was hung on the tree, it was for the purpose of public humiliation and shame.

In humiliation and shame, Jesus, our King, was hung on the tree as the chief representative of the wicked.

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource provides interesting commentary and application about Achan’s sin.

40 Minutes in the Old Testament Podcast

• Episode 187: Jericho has fallen, but it isn’t all smooth sailing going forward. Someone has “broken faith”, and all of Israel feels the consequences.
• Episode 188: Israel makes another attempt to overthrow the city of Ai and this time is successful. God confirms again that Joshua is his appointed leader. Everything is destroyed, and something very unpleasant is done to the king of Ai that ends up pointing us to Jesus.