What happensPermalink
Achan kept some of the spoil from Jericho that should have been destroyed, so Joshua’s next campaign, against Ai, fails. His sin is discovered, and the people stone him.
Why it mattersPermalink
As a covenant community, Israel is responsible for maintaining purity; when one member of the community (Achan) disobeys God, the nation loses God’s favor, and they fall before an inferior foe.
Key versePermalink
“Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.”