What Is Hidden Will Bring You Down

Joshua 7:1, 11-12, 19 / 9:14

[Jos 7:1, NIV] But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel.

[Jos 7:11-12, NIV] 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

[Jos 7:19, NIV] Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and honor him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me."

[Jos 9:14, NIV] The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.

The walls of Jericho had fallen. Those impenetrable walls came crashing down at the sound of Israel's footsteps. The victory was not military strength — it was the presence of God. It seemed as though all of Canaan was within Israel's reach.

And then, at the very next battle — against the small town of Ai — Israel collapsed. The spies reported: "It is a small place. Two thousand men will be enough." The soldiers went up — and came running back down. Thirty-six men were killed. The Book of Joshua describes that moment in these words:

"The hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water." (Joshua 7:5)

What had gone wrong?

1. What Is Hidden Destroys the Community

God spoke to Joshua and said: "Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies." (Joshua 7:11-12)

Inside Jericho, Achan saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold. Desire rose in him. When no one was looking, he took them. Then he buried them beneath the ground inside his tent. He must have thought no one would ever know. But God saw.

Look at the Hebrew of Joshua 7:1. "The Israelites were unfaithful" — notice the subject. One man sinned, yet the text says the Israelites were unfaithful. This is the principle of community. The hidden sin of one member infects the entire body.

Paul Washer said it plainly: "There is no such thing as a private sin. Your sin is never yours alone. It will always affect the community around you."

In 1 Chronicles 2:7, Achan's name is recorded as "Achar" — meaning "the one who brought disaster." By changing one man's name in the record of Scripture, God left an eternal warning for every generation. The way your name is remembered may well be determined by what you have kept hidden.

2. What Is Hidden Is Forgiven When It Is Confessed

Joshua said to Achan: "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and honour him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me." (Joshua 7:19)

"My son." How remarkable that these words were spoken in the very place of judgement. Joshua did not shout at the sinner. He gave Achan the opportunity to confess. God is always waiting for His people to turn back to Him.

Achan confessed: "It is true. I have sinned." It was a confession that came too late. Yet this very confession became the turning point that lifted God's anger from Israel. In chapter 8 verse 1, God says: "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Ai was given to them again. Full victory was restored.

The confession of sin opened the door to restoration.

3. Yet After the Victory of Chapter 8, Another Failure Comes

After conquering Ai, Israel gathered on Mount Ebal and read out the entire law — both the blessings and the curses. The whole nation stood before the Word of God. It was a magnificent sight.

Then in chapter 9, the Gibeonites arrived — with worn-out sacks, cracked wineskins, patched sandals, and dry, mouldy bread. It was a perfect disguise. Scripture passes its verdict on that moment in just one sentence:

"The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not enquire of the LORD their God." (Joshua 9:14)

Joshua did not pray. This time it was not a matter of sin. He simply did not ask. Perhaps he was busy. Perhaps he felt confident. Perhaps he simply forgot. But that one act of not asking bound Israel to a treaty that would last for generations.

The failure of chapter 7 was hidden sin. The failure of chapter 9 was a prayer that was never prayed. These are the two oldest traps that bring God's people down.

The Valley of Achor — the very place of cursing where Achan was burned. And yet God says in Hosea 2:15: "There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope."

The place of cursing becomes the door of hope. This is the gospel. Where Achan's sin was buried, the grace of God takes root. The very place of our most shameful confession becomes the place of God's most astonishing restoration.

What is buried beneath the floor of your tent today? What decision have you been making without enquiring of God?

The story of Achan is a warning. But the promise of the Valley of Achor is an invitation. Bring it out now. Confess it now. Get on your knees and ask now. God answered Joshua when he fell on his face before Ai. He answers the same way today.