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Patriarchs and Prophets
charities, and robbery of God “in tithes and offerings.” Among church
members “in good and regular standing” there are, alas! many Achans.
Many a man comes statedly to church, and sits at the table of the Lord,
while among his possessions are hidden unlawful gains, the things
that God has cursed. For a goodly Babylonish garment, multitudes
sacrifice the approval of conscience and their hope of heaven. Mul-
titudes barter their integrity, and their capabilities for usefulness, for
a bag of silver shekels. The cries of the suffering poor are unheeded;
the gospel light is hindered in its course; the scorn of worldlings is
kindled by practices that give the lie to the Christian profession; and
yet the covetous professor continues to heap up treasures. “Will a man
rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me” (
Malachi 3:8
), saith the Lord.
Achan’s sin brought disaster upon the whole nation. For one man’s
sin the displeasure of God will rest upon His church till the transgres-
sion is searched out and put away. The influence most to be feared by
the church is not that of open opposers, infidels, and blasphemers, but
of inconsistent professors of Christ. These are the ones that keep back
the blessing of the God of Israel and bring weakness upon His people.
When the church is in difficulty, when coldness and spiritual de-
clension exist, giving occasion for the enemies of God to triumph,
then, instead of folding their hands and lamenting their unhappy state,
let its members inquire if there is not an Achan in the camp. With
humiliation and searching of heart, let each seek to discover the hidden
sins that shut out God’s presence.
Achan acknowledged his guilt, but when it was too late for the
confession to benefit himself. He had seen the armies of Israel return
from Ai defeated and disheartened; yet he did not come forward and
confess his sin. He had seen Joshua and the elders of Israel bowed to
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the earth in grief too great for words. Had he then made confession,
he would have given some proof of true penitence; but he still kept
silence. He had listened to the proclamation that a great crime had
been committed, and had even heard its character definitely stated. But
his lips were sealed. Then came the solemn investigation. How his
soul thrilled with terror as he saw his tribe pointed out, then his family
and his household! But still he uttered no confession, until the finger
of God was placed upon him. Then, when his sin could no longer be
concealed, he admitted the truth. How often are similar confessions
made. There is a vast difference between admitting facts after they