EGW WritingsJoshua 7
Ellen G. White
Read Joshua 7 in the BibleJoshua 7:1-26
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 14a, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 14a, 1893, par. 6
When Achan stole the golden wedge and Babylonish garment that was appointed of God to be utterly consumed with fire, he thought it a little matter, and that he might as well be benefitted with the good appointed to destruction as to have it perish. But history shows us that which was to him a small matter was in the eyes of God a very serious matter, for he had disregarded the words of the Lord. One man who was of the tribe of [Judah] had sinned, for he “took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.” [Joshua 7:1.]8LtMs, Lt 14a, 1893, par. 9
“For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?” [Verses 6-9.] You who have spiritual discernment can now see that which was counted a little thing made a great deal of sorrow and anguish of spirit for the responsible men of Israel, and this is always the case when the Lord evidences that He is displeased, His anger is kindled against the people. The men upon whom rests the burden are the men who feel the weight and the agony of soul because of the rebuke of the Lord.8LtMs, Lt 14a, 1893, par. 12
“And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them; for they have even taken of the accursed thing (they had the thing appointed to destruction) and have also stolen (taken the golden wedge that was consecrated to the Lord’s treasury) and dissembled also, and they have put it also among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed (in consequence of the sin of this offender).” [Joshua 7:10-12.]8LtMs, Lt 14a, 1893, par. 13
Now hear the words from the lips of Jesus Christ enshrouded in the pillowy cloud, “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed thing from among you. Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” [Verses 12, 13.]8LtMs, Lt 14a, 1893, par. 14
Special directions were given of the Lord concerning this matter. See chapter 7, verses 14, 15. “In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be that the tribe which the Lord taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the Lord shall take shall come by households; and the household which the Lord shall take shall come man by man. And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.” Achan confessed not; but braved it out as though he were innocent.8LtMs, Lt 14a, 1893, par. 15
“So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken. And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites, and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken. And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah was taken.” [Verses 16-18.] Now the Lord reveals that He is acquainted with the hidden things of dishonesty, however men may try to hide the same.8LtMs, Lt 14a, 1893, par. 16
Now Achan may have continued in his denial, for he had shown such firm determination to cover his sin, but the Lord had fastened his guilt upon him. Many would have sympathized with him and in their human judgment, as they do today, have concluded him misused, because they leave God out of their reckoning. This is the reason that Joshua addressed Achan as follows, “My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.” [Verse 19.] The Lord had told Joshua what he had done, but many who are misled by human sympathy and their own natural feelings sympathize with the wrongdoer.8LtMs, Lt 14a, 1893, par. 17
The Lord designed to give a lesson to all Israel which shall come down along the lines from age to age to our time, and therefore Joshua entreats the young man “tell me now what thou hast done, hide it not from me.” [Verse 19.] He would have the Lord God of Israel feared and honored, as One who knows all their works, and searcheth out the hidden things of darkness, so that Israel may always know that the Lord God is among them, and acquainted with all their actions, for men who are tempted of the enemy will often cast reflection upon those who are trying to do their duty in the fear of God.8LtMs, Lt 14a, 1893, par. 19
Now the Lord God of Israel would not permit such a state of things to exist. Achan confessed and said, “Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done. When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.” [Verses 20, 21.] Achan thought his secret sin was hid from human eyes outside his own family. “So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the Lord.8LtMs, Lt 14a, 1893, par. 20
“And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why has thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, the valley of Achor, unto this day.” [Verses 22-26.]Conflict and Courage
One Man’s Sin, April 23
CC 119.1
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have. Hebrews 13:5, R.S.V.CC 119.2
Achan had fostered covetousness and deception in his heart, until his perceptions of sin had become blunted, and he fell an easy prey to temptation. Those who venture to indulge in a known sin will be more readily overcome the second time. The first transgression opens the door to the tempter, and he gradually breaks down all resistance and takes full possession of the citadel of the soul. Achan had listened to oft-repeated warnings against the sin of covetousness. The law of God, pointed and positive, had forbidden stealing and all deception, but he continued to cherish sin. As he was not detected and openly rebuked, he grew bolder; warnings had less and less effect upon him, until his soul was bound in chains of darkness.33Ibid., 997.CC 119.3
Shame, defeat, and death were brought upon Israel by one man’s sin. That protection which had covered their heads in the time of battle was withdrawn. Various sins that are cherished and practiced by professed Christians bring the frown of God upon the church....CC 119.4
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 who keep back the blessing of the God of Israel and bring weakness upon the church, a reproach that is not easily wiped away....CC 119.5
Christianity is not to be merely paraded on the Sabbath and displayed in the sanctuary; it is for every day in the week and for every place. Its claims must be recognized and obeyed in the workshop, at home, and in business transactions with brethren and with the world....CC 119.6
It is better to die than to sin; better to want than to defraud; better to hunger than to lie. Let all who are tempted meet Satan with the words: “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee” (Psalm 128:1, 2).34Testimonies for the Church 4:493-495.Conflict and Courage
Too Late! April 25
CC 121.1
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13.CC 121.2
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 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 have been proved and confessing sins known only to ourselves and to God. Achan would not have confessed had he not hoped by so doing to avert the consequences of his crime. But his confession only served to show that his punishment was just. There was no genuine repentance for sin, no contrition, no change of purpose, no abhorrence of evil.CC 121.3
So confessions will be made by the guilty when they stand before the bar of God, after every case has been decided for life or death.... When the records of heaven shall be opened, the Judge will not in words declare to man his guilt, but will cast one penetrating, convicting glance, and every deed, every transaction of life, will be vividly impressed upon the memory of the wrongdoer. The person will not ... need to be hunted out ... but his own lips will confess his shame. The sins hidden from the knowledge of men will then be proclaimed to the whole world.38Patriarchs and Prophets, 497, 498.CC 121.4
If you have sins to confess, lose no time. These moments are golden. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).39Selected Messages 1:352.Patriarchs and Prophets
Chapter 45—The Fall of Jericho
PP 487.1
The Hebrews had entered Canaan, but they had not subdued it; and to human appearance the struggle to gain possession of the land must be long and difficult. It was inhabited by a powerful race, who stood ready to oppose the invasion of their territory. The various tribes were bound together by the fear of a common danger. Their horses and iron battle chariots, their knowledge of the country, and their training in war, would give them great advantage. Furthermore, the country was guarded by fortresses—“cities great and fenced up to heaven.” Deuteronomy 9:1. Only in the assurance of a strength not their own could the Israelites hope for success in the impending conflict.PP 487.2
One of the strongest fortresses in the land—the large and wealthy city of Jericho—lay just before them, but a little distance from their camp at Gilgal. On the border of a fertile plain abounding with the rich and varied productions of the tropics, its palaces and temples the abode of luxury and vice, this proud city, behind its massive battlements, offered defiance to the God of Israel. Jericho was one of the principal seats of idol worship, being especially devoted to Ashtaroth, the goddess of the moon. Here centered all that was vilest and most degrading in the religion of the Canaanites. The people of Israel, in whose minds were fresh the fearful results of their sin at Beth-peor, could look upon this heathen city only with disgust and horror.PP 487.3
To reduce Jericho was seen by Joshua to be the first step in the conquest of Canaan. But first of all he sought an assurance of divine guidance, and it was granted him. Withdrawing from the encampment to meditate and to pray that the God of Israel would go before His people, he beheld an armed warrior, of lofty stature and commanding presence, “with his sword drawn in his hand.” To Joshua’s challenge, “Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?” the answer was given, “As Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come.” The same command given to Moses in Horeb, “Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy,” revealed the true character of the mysterious stranger. It was Christ, the Exalted One, who stood before the leader of Israel. Awe-stricken, Joshua fell upon his face and worshiped, and heard the assurance, “I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor,” and he received instruction for the capture of the city.PP 488.1
In obedience to the divine command Joshua marshaled the armies of Israel. No assault was to be made. They were simply to make the circuit of the city, bearing the ark of God and blowing upon trumpets. First came the warriors, a body of chosen men, not now to conquer by their own skill and prowess, but by obedience to the directions given them from God. Seven priests with trumpets followed. Then the ark of God, surrounded by a halo of divine glory, was borne by priests clad in the dress denoting their sacred office. The army of Israel followed, each tribe under its standard. Such was the procession that compassed the doomed city. No sound was heard but the tread of that mighty host and the solemn peal of the trumpets, echoing among the hills and resounding through the streets of Jericho. The circuit completed, the army returned in silence to their tents, and the ark was restored to its place in the tabernacle.PP 488.2
With wonder and alarm the watchmen of the city marked every move, and reported to those in authority. They knew not the meaning of all this display; but when they beheld that mighty host marching around their city once each day, with the sacred ark and the attendant priests, the mystery of the scene struck terror to the hearts of priest and people. Again they would inspect their strong defenses, feeling certain they could successfully resist the most powerful attack. Many ridiculed the thought that any harm could come to them through these singular demonstrations. Others were awed as they beheld the procession that each day wound about the city. They remembered that the Red Sea had once parted before this people, and that a passage had just been opened for them through the river Jordan. They knew not what further wonders God might work for them.PP 488.3
For six days the host of Israel made the circuit of the city. The seventh day came, and with the first dawn of light, Joshua marshaled the armies of the Lord. Now they were directed to march seven times around Jericho, and at a mighty peal from the trumpets to shout with a loud voice, for God had given them the city.PP 491.1
The vast army marched solemnly around the devoted walls. All was silent, save the measured tread of many feet, and the occasional sound of the trumpet, breaking the stillness of the early morning. The massive walls of solid stone seemed to defy the siege of men. The watchers on the walls looked on with rising fear, as, the first circuit ended, there followed a second, then a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth. What could be the object of these mysterious movements? What mighty event was impending? They had not long to wait. As the seventh circuit was completed, the long procession paused, The trumpets, which for an interval had been silent, now broke forth in a blast that shook the very earth. The walls of solid stone, with their massive towers and battlements, tottered and heaved from their foundations, and with a crash fell in ruin to the earth. The inhabitants of Jericho were paralyzed with terror, and the hosts of Israel marched in and took possession of the city.PP 491.2
The Israelites had not gained the victory by their own power; the conquest had been wholly the Lord’s; and as the first fruits of the land, the city, with all that it contained, was to be devoted as a sacrifice to God. It was to be impressed upon Israel that in the conquest of Canaan they were not to fight for themselves, but simply as instruments to execute the will of God; not to seek for riches or self-exaltation, but the glory of Jehovah their King. Before the capture the command had been given, “The city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein.” “Keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed ... and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.”PP 491.3
All the inhabitants of the city, with every living thing that it contained, “both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass,” were put to the sword. Only faithful Rahab, with her household, was spared, in fulfillment of the promise of the spies. The city itself was burned; its palaces and temples, its magnificent dwellings with all their luxurious appointments, the rich draperies and the costly garments, were given to the flames. That which could not be destroyed by fire, “the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron,” was to be devoted to the service of the tabernacle. The very site of the city was accursed; Jericho was never to be rebuilt as a stronghold; judgments were threatened upon anyone who should presume to restore the walls that divine power had cast down. The solemn declaration was made in the presence of all Israel, “Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his first-born, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.”PP 492.1
The utter destruction of the people of Jericho was but a fulfillment of the commands previously given through Moses concerning the inhabitants of Canaan: “Thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them.” Deuteronomy 7:2. “Of the cities of these people, ... thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth.” Deuteronomy 20:16. To many these commands seem to be contrary to the spirit of love and mercy enjoined in other portions of the Bible, but they were in truth the dictates of infinite wisdom and goodness. God was about to establish Israel in Canaan, to develop among them a nation and government that should be a manifestation of His kingdom upon the earth. They were not only to be inheritors of the true religion, but to disseminate its principles throughout the world. The Canaanites had abandoned themselves to the foulest and most debasing heathenism, and it was necessary that the land should be cleared of what would so surely prevent the fulfillment of God’s gracious purposes.PP 492.2
The inhabitants of Canaan had been granted ample opportunity for repentance. Forty years before, the opening of the Red Sea and the judgments upon Egypt had testified to the supreme power of the God of Israel. And now the overthrow of the kings of Midian, of Gilead and Bashan, had further shown that Jehovah was above all gods. The holiness of His character and His abhorrence of impurity had been evinced in the judgments visited upon Israel for their participation in the abominable rites of Baalpeor. All these events were known to the inhabitants of Jericho, and there were many who shared Rahab’s conviction, though they refused to obey it, that Jehovah, the God of Israel, “is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath.” Like the men before the Flood, the Canaanites lived only to blaspheme Heaven and defile the earth. And both love and justice demanded the prompt execution of these rebels against God and foes to man.PP 492.3
How easily the armies of heaven brought down the walls of Jericho, that proud city whose bulwarks, forty years before, had struck terror to the unbelieving spies! The Mighty One of Israel had said, “I have given into thine hand Jericho.” Against that word human strength was powerless.PP 493.1
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down.” Hebrews 11:30. The Captain of the Lord’s host communicated only with Joshua; He did not reveal Himself to all the congregation, and it rested with them to believe or doubt the words of Joshua, to obey the commands given by him in the name of the Lord, or to deny his authority. They could not see the host of angels who attended them under the leadership of the Son of God. They might have reasoned: “What unmeaning movements are these, and how ridiculous the performance of marching daily around the walls of the city, blowing trumpets of rams’ horns. This can have no effect upon those towering fortifications.” But the very plan of continuing this ceremony through so long a time prior to the final overthrow of the walls afforded opportunity for the development of faith among the Israelites. It was to be impressed upon their minds that their strength was not in the wisdom of man, nor in his might, but only in the God of their salvation. They were thus to become accustomed to relying wholly upon their divine Leader.PP 493.2
God will do great things for those who trust in Him. The reason why His professed people have no greater strength is that they trust so much to their own wisdom, and do not give the Lord an opportunity to reveal His power in their behalf. He will help His believing children in every emergency if they will place their entire confidence in Him and faithfully obey Him.PP 493.3
Soon after the fall of Jericho, Joshua determined to attack Ai, a small town among the ravines a few miles to the west of the Jordan Valley. Spies sent to this place brought back the report that the inhabitants were but few, and that only a small force would be needed to overthrow it.PP 493.4
The great victory that God had gained for them had made the Israelites self-confident. Because He had promised them the land of Canaan they felt secure, and failed to realize that divine help alone could give them success. Even Joshua laid his plans for the conquest of Ai without seeking counsel from God.PP 493.5
The Israelites had begun to exalt their own strength and to look with contempt upon their foes. An easy victory was expected, and three thousand men were thought sufficient to take the place. These rushed to the attack without the assurance that God would be with them. They advanced nearly to the gate of the city, only to encounter the most determined resistance. Panic-stricken at the numbers and thorough preparation of their enemies, they fled in confusion down the steep descent. The Canaanites were in hot pursuit; “they chased them from before the gate, ... and smote them in the going down.” Though the loss was small as to numbers—but thirty-six men being slain—the defeat was disheartening to the whole congregation. “The hearts of the people melted, and became as water.” This was the first time they had met the Canaanites in actual battle, and if put to flight before the defenders of this little town, what would be the result in the greater conflicts before them? Joshua looked upon their ill success as an expression of God’s displeasure, and in distress and apprehension he “rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.”PP 494.1
“Alas, O Lord God,” he cried, “wherefore hast Thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? ... O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt Thou do unto Thy great name?”PP 494.2
The answer from Jehovah was, “Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath ... transgressed My covenant which I commanded them.” It was a time for prompt and decided action, and not for despair and lamentation. There was secret sin in the camp, and it must be searched out and put away before the presence and blessing of the Lord could be with His people. “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.”PP 494.3
God’s command had been disregarded by one of those appointed to execute His judgments. And the nation was held accountable for the guilt of the transgressor: “They have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also.” Instruction was given to Joshua for the discovery and punishment of the criminal. The lot was to be employed for the detection of the guilty. The sinner was not directly pointed out, the matter being left in doubt for a time, that the people might feel their responsibility for the sins existing among them, and thus be led to searching of heart and humiliation before God.PP 495.1
Early in the morning, Joshua gathered the people together by their tribes, and the solemn and impressive ceremony began. Step by step the investigation went on. Closer and still closer came the fearful test. First the tribe, then the family, then the household, then the man was taken, and Achan the son of Carmi, of the tribe of Judah, was pointed out by the finger of God as the troubler of Israel.PP 495.2
To establish his guilt beyond all question, leaving no ground for the charge that he had been unjustly condemned, Joshua solemnly adjured Achan to acknowledge the truth. The wretched man made full confession of his crime: “Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel.... When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekel’s weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent.” Messengers were immediately dispatched to the tent, where they removed the earth at the place specified, and “behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, ... and laid them out before the Lord.”PP 495.3
Sentence was pronounced and immediately executed. “Why hast thou troubled us?” said Joshua, “the Lord shall trouble thee this day.” As the people had been held responsible for Achan’s sin, and had suffered from its consequences, they were, through their representatives, to take part in its punishment. “All Israel stoned him with stones.”PP 495.4
Then there was raised over him a great pile of stones—a witness to the sin and its punishment. “Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor,” that is, “trouble.” In the book of Chronicles his memorial is written—“Achar, the troubler of Israel.” 1 Chronicles 2:7.PP 495.5
Achan’s sin was committed in defiance of the most direct and solemn warnings and the most mighty manifestations of God’s power. “Keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed,” had been the proclamation to all Israel. The command was given immediately after the miraculous passage of the Jordan, and the recognition of God’s covenant by the circumcision of the people—after the observance of the Passover, and the appearance of the Angel of the covenant, the Captain of the Lord’s host. It had been followed by the overthrow of Jericho, giving evidence of the destruction which will surely overtake all transgressors of God’s law. The fact that divine power alone had given the victory to Israel, that they had not come into possession of Jericho by their own strength, gave solemn weight to the command prohibiting them from partaking of the spoils. God, by the might of His own word, had overthrown this stronghold; the conquest was His, and to Him alone the city with all that it contained was to be devoted.PP 496.1
Of the millions of Israel there was but one man who, in that solemn hour of triumph and of judgment, had dared to transgress the command of God. Achan’s covetousness was excited by the sight of that costly robe of Shinar; even when it had brought him face to face with death he called it “a goodly Babylonish garment.” One sin had led to another, and he appropriated the gold and silver devoted to the treasury of the Lord—he robbed God of the first fruits of the land of Canaan.PP 496.2
The deadly sin that led to Achan’s ruin had its root in covetousness, of all sins one of the most common and the most lightly regarded. While other offenses meet with detection and punishment, how rarely does the violation of the tenth commandment so much as call forth censure. The enormity of this sin, and its terrible results, are the lessons of Achan’s history.PP 496.3
Covetousness is an evil of gradual development. Achan had cherished greed of gain until it became a habit, binding him in fetters well-nigh impossible to break. While fostering this evil, he would have been filled with horror at the thought of bringing disaster upon Israel; but his perceptions were deadened by sin, and when temptation came, he fell an easy prey.PP 496.4
Are not similar sins still committed, in the face of warnings as solemn and explicit? We are as directly forbidden to indulge covetousness as was Achan to appropriate the spoils of Jericho. God has declared it to be idolatry. We are warned, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24. “Take heed, and beware of covetousness.” Luke 12:15. “Let it not be once named among you.” Ephesians 5:3. We have before us the fearful doom of Achan, of Judas, of Ananias and Sapphira. Back of all these we have that of Lucifer, the “son of the morning,” who, coveting a higher state, forfeited forever the brightness and bliss of heaven. And yet, notwithstanding all these warnings, covetousness abounds.PP 497.1
Everywhere its slimy track is seen. It creates discontent and dissension in families; it excites envy and hatred in the poor against the rich; it prompts the grinding oppression of the rich toward the poor. And this evil exists not in the world alone, but in the church. How common even here to find selfishness, avarice, overreaching, neglect of 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. Multitudes 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.PP 497.2
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 transgression 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.PP 497.3
When the church is in difficulty, when coldness and spiritual declension 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.PP 497.4
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 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 have been proved and confessing sins known only to ourselves and to God. Achan would not have confessed had he not hoped by so doing to avert the consequences of his crime. But his confession only served to show that his punishment was just. There was no genuine repentance for sin, no contrition, no change of purpose, no abhorrence of evil.PP 498.1
So confessions will be made by the guilty when they stand before the bar of God, after every case has been decided for life or death. The consequences to result to himself will draw from each an acknowledgment of his sin. It will be forced from the soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a fearful looking for of judgment. But such confessions cannot save the sinner.PP 498.2
So long as they can conceal their transgressions from their fellow men, many, like Achan, feel secure, and flatter themselves that God will not be strict to mark iniquity. All too late their sins will find them out in that day when they shall not be purged with sacrifice or offering forever. When the records of heaven shall be opened, the Judge will not in words declare to man his guilt, but will cast one penetrating, convicting glance, and every deed, every transaction of life, will be vividly impressed upon the memory of the wrongdoer. The person will not, as in Joshua’s day, need to be hunted out from tribe to family, but his own lips will confess his shame. The sins hidden from the knowledge of men will then be proclaimed to the whole world.From Eternity Past
Chapter 45—The Miraculous Fall of Jericho
EP 346.1
The Hebrews had entered Canaan, but they had not subdued it. It was inhabited by a powerful race, who stood ready to oppose the invasion of their territory. Their horses and iron battle chariots, their knowledge of the country, and their training in war would give them great advantage. Further, the country was guarded by “cities great and fenced up to heaven.” Deuteronomy 9:1. Only in the assurance of a strength not their own could the Israelites hope for success in the impending conflict.EP 346.2
The large and wealthy city of Jericho lay just a little distance from their camp at Gilgal. This proud city, behind its massive battlements, offered defiance to the God of Israel. Jericho was especially devoted to Ashtaroth, the goddess of the moon. Here centered all that was vilest and most degrading in the religion of the Canaanites. The people of Israel, in whose minds were fresh the fearful results of their sin at Beth-peor, could look upon this heathen city only with disgust and horror.EP 346.3
To reduce Jericho was seen by Joshua to be the first step in the conquest of Canaan. Withdrawing from the encampment to meditate and to pray, he beheld an armed warrior of commanding presence “with his sword drawn in his hand.” To Joshua’s challenge, “Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?” the answer was given, “As Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come.” The mysterious stranger was Christ, the Exalted One. Awe-stricken, Joshua fell upon his face and worshiped, and heard the assurance, “I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor,” and he received instruction for the capture of the city.EP 347.1
In obedience to the divine command, Joshua marshaled the armies of Israel. No assault was to be made. They were simply to make the circuit of the city, bearing the ark of God and blowing trumpets. The ark of God, surrounded by a halo of divine glory, was borne by priests clad in the dress denoting their sacred office. The army of Israel followed. Such was the procession that compassed the doomed city.EP 347.2
No sound was heard but the tread of that mighty host and the solemn peal of the trumpets, echoing among the hills and resounding through the streets of Jericho.EP 347.3
With wonder and alarm the watchmen of the city reported to those in authority. When they beheld that mighty host marching around their city once each day, with the sacred ark and the attendant priests, the mystery of the scene struck terror to the hearts of priest and people. Again they would inspect their strong defenses, feeling certain they could successfully resist the most powerful attack. Many ridiculed the thought that any harm would come to them through these singular demonstrations. Others were awed as they beheld the procession each day. They remembered that the Red Sea had once parted before this people and that a passage had just been opened for them through the river Jordan.EP 347.4
For six days Israel made the circuit of the city. The seventh day came, and with the first dawn of light, Joshua marshaled the armies of the Lord. Now they were to march seven times around Jericho, and at a mighty peal from the trumpets to shout with a loud voice, for God had given them the city.EP 347.5
The vast army marched solemnly around the walls. All was silent, save the measured tread of many feet. The watchers on the walls looked on with rising fear as, the first circuit ended, there followed a second, then a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth. What could be the object of these mysterious movements?EP 348.1
They had not long to wait. As the seventh circuit was completed, the long procession paused. The trumpets, which for an interval had been silent, now broke forth in a blast that shook the very earth. The walls of solid stone, with their massive towers and battlements, tottered and heaved from their foundations, and with a crash fell to the earth. The inhabitants of Jericho were paralyzed with terror, and the hosts of Israel marched in and took possession of the city.EP 348.2
The Israelites had not gained the victory by their own power; and as the firstfruits of the land, the city, with all that it contained, was to be devoted as a sacrifice to God. In the conquest of Canaan the Israelites were not to fight for themselves, not to seek for riches or self-exaltation, but for the glory of Jehovah their king. The command had been given, “Keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed ... and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.”EP 348.3
All the inhabitants, with every living thing, were put to the sword. Only faithful Rahab with her household was spared in fulfillment of the promise of the spies. The city palaces and temples, its magnificent dwellings with all their luxurious appointments, the rich draperies and the costly garments, were given to the flames. That which could not be destroyed by fire, “the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron,” was to be devoted to the service of the tabernacle. Jericho was never to be rebuilt as a stronghold; judgments were threatened on anyone who should presume to restore the walls that divine power had cast down.EP 348.4
The utter destruction of the people of Jericho was a fulfillment of commands previously given concerning the inhabitants of Canaan: “Thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them.” “Of the cities of these people, ... thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth.” Deuteronomy 7:2; 20:16.EP 349.1
To many these commands seem contrary to the spirit of love and mercy enjoined in other portions of the Bible. But they were in truth the dictates of infinite wisdom and goodness. God was about to establish Israel in Canaan. They were not only to be inheritors of the true religion, but to disseminate its principles throughout the world. The Canaanites had abandoned themselves to debasing heathenism, and it was necessary that the land be cleared of what would surely prevent the fulfillment of God’s gracious purposes.EP 349.2
The inhabitants had been granted ample opportunity for repentance. Forty years before, the judgments on Egypt had testified to the power of the God of Israel. The overthrow of Midian, of Gilead and Bashan, had further shown that He was above all gods. His abhorrence of impurity had been demonstrated in the judgments on Israel for their participation in the abominable rites of Baal-peor. All these events were known to the inhabitants of Jericho. Many shared Rahab’s conviction, though they refused to obey it, that the God of Israel “is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath.” Like the men before the Flood, the Canaanites lived only to blaspheme Heaven and defile the earth. Both love and justice demanded the execution of these rebels against God and foes to man.EP 349.3
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down.” Hebrews 11:30. The Captain of the Lord’s host communicated only with Joshua. He did not reveal Himself to all the congregation, and it rested with them to believe or doubt the words of Joshua. They could not see the host of angels who attended them under the leadership of the Son of God. They might have reasoned: “How ridiculous, marching daily around the walls of the city, blowing trumpets of rams’ horns. This can have no effect upon those towering fortifications.” But it was to be impressed upon their minds that their strength was not in the wisdom of man, nor in his might, but only in the God of their salvation. God will do great things for those who trust in Him. He will help His believing children in every emergency, if they will place their entire confidence in Him and faithfully obey Him.EP 350.1
Soon after the fall of Jericho, Joshua determined to attack Ai, a small town among the ravines a few miles west of the Jordan Valley. Spies brought the report that the inhabitants were few, and only a small force would be needed to overthrow it.EP 350.2
The great victory that God had gained for them had made the Israelites self-confident. They failed to realize that divine help alone could give them success. Even Joshua laid his plans for the conquest of Ai without seeking counsel from God.EP 350.3
The Israelites had begun to look with contempt upon their foes. An easy victory was expected, and three thousand men were thought sufficient to take the place. These advanced nearly to the gate of the city, only to encounter determined resistence. Panic-stricken at the numbers and thorough preparation of their enemies, they fled in confusion down the steep descent. The Canaanites “chased them from before the gate, ... and smote them in the going down.” Though the loss was small as to numbers—thirty-six men slain—the defeat was disheartening. “The hearts of the people melted, and became as water.”EP 350.4
Joshua looked upon their ill success as an expression of God’s displeasure. In distress and apprehension he “rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.”EP 350.5
“Alas, O Lord God,” he cried, “wherefore hast Thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? ... O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt Thou do unto Thy great name?”EP 351.1
The answer was, “Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath ... transgressed My covenant which I commanded them.” It was a time for prompt and decided action, not for despair and lamentation. There was secret sin in the camp, and it must be searched out and put away. “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.”EP 351.2
God’s command had been disregarded by one of those appointed to execute His judgments. And the nation was held accountable for the guilt of the transgressor: “They have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also.” The lot was to be employed for the detection of the guilty, the matter being left in doubt for a time that the people might feel their responsibility and thus be led to searching of heart and humiliation before God.EP 351.3
Early in the morning, Joshua gathered the people together, and the solemn and impressive ceremony began. Step by step the investigation went on. Closer and closer came the fearful test. First the tribe, then the family, then the household, then the man was taken, and Achan the son of Carmi, of the tribe of Judah, was pointed out by the finger of God as the troubler of Israel.EP 351.4
Joshua solemnly adjured Achan to acknowledge the truth. The wretched man made full confession of his crime: “Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel... . When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent.” Messengers removed the earth at the place specified, and “it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. And they ... brought them unto Joshua, ... and laid them out before the Lord.”EP 352.2
Achan’s sin was committed in defiance of direct, solemn warnings and mighty manifestations of God’s power. The fact that divine power alone had given victory to Israel, that they had not come into possession of Jericho by their own strength, gave solemn weight to the command prohibiting them from partaking of the spoils. God had overthrown this stronghold, and to Him alone the city with all that it contained was to be devoted.EP 352.3
Of the millions of Israel there was but one man who had dared to transgress the command of God. Achan’s covetousness was excited by that costly robe of Shinar; even when it had brought him face to face with death he called it “a goodly Babylonish garment.” And he appropriated the gold and silver devoted to the treasury of the Lord; he robbed God of the first fruits of the land of Canaan. How rarely does the violation of the tenth commandment so much as call forth censure. The enormity of this sin, and its terrible results, are the lessons of Achan’s history.EP 352.4
Achan had cherished greed of gain until it became a habit, binding him in fetters well-nigh impossible to break. He would have been filled with horror at the thought of bringing disaster upon Israel; but his perceptions were deadened by sin, and when temptation came, he fell an easy prey.EP 353.2
For one man’s sin the displeasure of God will rest upon His church till the transgression 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 ones that keep back the blessing of the God of Israel and bring weakness upon His people. With humiliation and searching of heart, let each seek to discover the hidden sins that shut out God’s presence.EP 353.3
Achan 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 bowed to the earth in grief too great for words. 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. 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.EP 354.1
There is a vast difference between admitting facts after they have been proved, and confessing sins known only to ourselves and to God. Achan’s confession only served to show that his punishment was just. There was no genuine repentance, no contrition, no change of purpose, no abhorrence of evil.EP 354.2
So confessions will be made by the guilty when they stand before the bar of God, after every case has been decided for life or death. An acknowledgment of sin will be forced from the soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a fearful looking for of judgment. But such confessions cannot save the sinner.EP 354.3
When the records of heaven shall be opened, the Judge will not declare to man his guilt, but will cast one penetrating, convicting glance, and every deed, every transaction of life, will be vividly impressed upon the memory of the wrongdoer. The sins hidden from men will then be proclaimed to the whole world.Conflict and Courage
No Hiding From God, April 24
CC 120.1
Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Joshua 7:12.CC 120.2
The sin of one man caused Israel to be beaten before the enemy. Something more than prayer was required. They were to get up and cleanse the camp of Israel.35 Manuscript 12, 1893.CC 120.3
Have you considered why it was that all who were connected with Achan were also subjects of the punishment of God? It was because they had not been trained and educated according to the directions given them in the great standard of the law of God. Achan’s parents had educated their son in such a way that he felt free to disobey the Word of the Lord; the principles inculcated in his life led him to deal with his children in such a way that they also were corrupted.... The punishment ... reveals the fact that all were involved in the transgression.36The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:998.CC 120.4
The history of Achan teaches the solemn lesson that for one man’s sin the displeasure of God will rest upon a people or a nation till the transgression is searched out and punished. Sin is corrupting in its nature. One man infected with its deadly leprosy may communicate the taint to thousands. Those who occupy responsible positions as guardians of the people are false to their trust if they do not faithfully search out and reprove sin....CC 120.5
The love of God will never lead to the belittling of sin; it will never cover or excuse an unconfessed wrong.... It has to do with all our acts and thoughts and feelings. It follows us, and reaches every secret spring of action. By indulgence in sin, men are led to lightly regard the law of God. Many conceal their transgressions from their fellow men, and flatter themselves that God will not be strict to mark iniquity. But His law is the great standard of right, and with it every act of life must be compared in that day when God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil. Purity of heart will lead to purity of life. All excuses for sin are vain. Who can plead for the sinner when God testifies against him? 37Ibid., 996, 997.From Eternity Past
One Family’s Sin Brings Defeat to All Israel
EP 352.1
“Why hast thou troubled us?” said Joshua. “The Lord shall trouble thee this day.” As the people had been held responsible for Achan’s sin and had suffered from its consequences, they were to take part in its punishment. “All Israel stoned him with stones.” In the book of Chronicles his memorial is written—“Achar, the troubler of Israel.” 1 Chronicles 2:7.From Eternity Past
Achan Refuses to Repent
EP 352.5
We are as directly forbidden to indulge covetousness as was Achan to appropriate the spoils of Jericho. We are warned, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” “Take heed, and beware of covetousness.” “Let it not be once named among you.” Matthew 6:24; Luke 12:15; Ephesians 5:3. We have before us the fearful doom of Achan, of Judas, of Ananias and Sapphira. Back of all these we have Lucifer. Yet, notwithstanding all these warnings, covetousness abounds.EP 353.1
Everywhere its slimy track is seen. It creates dissension in families; it excites envy and hatred in the poor against the rich; it prompts the grinding oppression of the rich toward the poor. And this evil exists not in the world alone, but in the church. How common even here to find selfishness, avarice, neglect of charities, and robbery of God “in tithes and offerings.” Many a man comes to church and sits at the table of the Lord, while among his possessions are hidden unlawful gains, things that God has cursed. For a “goodly Babylonish garment” multitudes sacrifice their hope of heaven. The cries of the suffering and poor are unheeded; the gospel light is hindered in its course; practices give the lie to the Christian profession; 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.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 18, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 18, 1896, par. 15
The heavenly Watcher was near, making a record of this godless course, and words were given me to speak to those assembled. I was referred to Joshua 7. “And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them; for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.” “Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow; for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take the accursed thing from among you.” [Verses 10, 11, 13.]Joshua 7:3-13
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 210, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 210, 1900, par. 9
Why do they not show their sense of their neglect? Do their feeble, fainting, half-hearted, unwilling works bear any effort to redeem the past? God will not make them the men to come near to Him, to whom He will communicate light either in blessing their own hearts, or in means to be used, for they are under the rebuke of God. “Neither will I be with you any more until the accursed thing is put away from among you,” was said of Achan who dissembled and stole and worked in crooked lines. [Joshua 7:12.] I shall not specify names.15LtMs, Lt 210, 1900, par. 13
The great displeasure of the Lord in this transaction was as the case of Achan. [He] was the means of the withdrawal of the Spirit of God from the whole Israel of God, [so] that defeat in the place of success was the result for a sin they did not know. But the Lord took [Joshua] to do for the matter. He was praying, lying prostrate in humility upon his face, because all Israel was humiliated before their enemies in being overcome [at] Ai. Thirty-six men [were] slain. What was the word? [Read] Joshua 7:8, 9-13.15LtMs, Lt 210, 1900, par. 15
Joshua knew not the sin, but he did know that God’s unseen armies were not with Israel, and the result was defeat, repulse, and death. Man’s offense in Israel called for the unseen armies that were the strength of Israel to withdraw their interposition in behalf of Israel. How the men in holy office, bearing sacred responsibilities, venture to act their own will and way! Joshua 7:3-5. Here was defeat. What did it mean? Verse 6. Here was a great humiliation before God. Verses 7-9. There was the case laid open before God with a great sorrow because the name God would not be magnified before the people.Joshua 7:4-13
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 66, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 66, 1899, par. 22
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, ... which is your reasonable service.” [Verse 1.] God requires us to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. If there are those in the school who desire to indulge habits against which we have been working for the last thirty years, we would say to them, You are here to learn how to give up those things which destroy your vitality, or to separate from the school. The Lord of heaven marks every deceptive act. When the children of Israel came to Ai, they went out against the city with full confidence in their own power. But the record says that they fled before the men of Ai. “Wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.” [Joshua 7:4, 5.]14LtMs, Ms 66, 1899, par. 23
Joshua was in deep distress at this calamity. He fell upon his face to the earth, and said, “O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our names from the earth; and what wilt thou do unto thy great name? And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up: wherefore liest thou upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them; for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. ... Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow; for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel; thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” [Verses 8-11, 13.]14LtMs, Ms 66, 1899, par. 24
Those now being educated in this school should go from it to educate others. They are to eat, drink, and dress to the glory of God. We shall not keep here those who say, I am not going to keep the rules. They can return to their homes if they are not willing to come into order. Let not the teachers think they are doing the students a kindness by allowing wrong to go unrebuked. We should stand where the Lord will not need to say to us, “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” [Verse 12.]Joshua 7:5-13
Sermons and Talks, vol. 2
Manuscript 66, 1899
2SAT 139.1
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice ... which is your reasonable service.” God requires us to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. If there are those in the school who desire to indulge habits against which we have been working for the last thirty years, we would say to them, You are here to learn how to give up those things which destroy your vitality, or to separate from the school. The Lord of heaven marks every deceptive act. When the children of Israel came to Ai, they went out against the city with full confidence in their own power. But the record says that they fled before the men of Ai. “Wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water” [Joshua 7:5].2SAT 139.3
“Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.... Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you” [Joshua 7:8-13].Joshua 7:5-18
Manuscript Releases, vol. 18 [Nos. 1301-1359]
MR No. 1322—Fragments
18MR 143.4
[Joshua 7:5-13, quoted.] The Lord desired to give Israel a lesson that they should never forget. [Verses 14, 15-18, quoted.]Joshua 7:5-21
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 53, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 53, 1902, par. 30
“And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face! Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant, which I commanded them; for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their back before their enemies, because they were accursed; neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow; for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel; thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” [Joshua 7:5-13.]17LtMs, Ms 53, 1902, par. 31
The Lord desires to give Israel a lesson that they should never forget. “In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes; and it shall be, that the tribe which the Lord taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the Lord shall take shall come by households; and the household which the Lord shall take shall come by man. And it shall be that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath; because he hath transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.” “And Achan ... was taken.” [Verses 14, 15, 18.]17LtMs, Ms 53, 1902, par. 32
“And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, I pray thee give glory unto the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.” [Verse 19.]17LtMs, Ms 53, 1902, par. 34
“And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel. ... When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth, in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.” [Verses 20, 21.]17LtMs, Ms 53, 1902, par. 36
“They have taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen and dissembled.” [Verse 11.] Let not the people of God today covet the things He has appointed to destruction. These things are a snare to the soul. They are cursed of God; for they lead to vanity and pride and self-exaltation.Joshua 7:6-13
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Ms 67, 1894
9LtMs, Ms 67, 1894, par. 16
Joshua cried in anguish of soul unto God, and “rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord .... And said, Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear it, and shall environ us around, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name? And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.” [Joshua 7:6-11.]9LtMs, Ms 67, 1894, par. 17
God had pronounced a curse upon anyone who should appropriate to his own use any of the goods which He had appointed to destruction. Achan had transgressed the express command of God. He had taken of the accursed thing and had also stolen, and dissembled also, and put it with his own stuff. This was why the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies. The sin and guilt of this one man was charged upon the congregation of Israel, and the Lord said, “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow; for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel; thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” [Verses 12, 13.]Joshua 7:6-26
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 13, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 13, 1893, par. 5
When they came back in disgrace, overcome by the enemy, “Joshua rent his clothes, and fell on the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord until eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?” [Joshua 7:6-9.]8LtMs, Lt 13, 1893, par. 9
But there were devoted men in Israel that felt the reproach that had come upon them in that the people were not sustained in the battle, but were discomfited before the enemy, who triumphed over their defeat. While Joshua was mourning in humiliation and keen anguish over the dishonor that had come upon the cause of God, the word of the Lord came to Joshua. “And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; why wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing (which had been appointed to destruction) and have also stolen (taken the golden wedge and the silver that had been consecrated to the Lord’s treasury), and dissembled also, and they have put it among their stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed (in consequence of the sin of this one offender).” [Joshua 7:10-12.]8LtMs, Lt 13, 1893, par. 10
Now hear the words from the lips of Jesus Christ who was enshrouded in the cloudy pillar, “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed thing from among you. Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow; for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” [Verses 12, 13.]8LtMs, Lt 13, 1893, par. 11
The Lord did not specify as to who was the guilty party, but He gave directions as to what was to be done. He said, “In the morning ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be that the tribe which the Lord taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the Lord shall take shall come man by man. And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath trespassed the covenant of the Lord, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.” [Verses 14, 15.] And Achan confessed not, but braved it out as though he were innocent.8LtMs, Lt 13, 1893, par. 12
“So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken.” <The knot was drawing around him, yet he would not make confession.> “And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken. And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah was taken.” [Verses 16, 17.]8LtMs, Lt 13, 1893, par. 13
In thus sifting the matter to the bottom, the Lord reveals the fact that He is acquainted with the hidden things of dishonesty, however men may think that they have hidden them. In all the transaction, Achan manifested a determination not to acknowledge his sin; but the Lord fastens his sin upon him. Had Joshua declared his [Achan’s] sin, many might have sympathized with him as the guilty one protested that he was innocent, and they might in their human judgment have thought he was misused and maltreated. It is thus that many do today when men are reproved for sin. <They will justify themselves,> for they drop God out of their reckoning. This is the reason that Joshua addressed Achan as he did. He said, “My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him, and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.” [Verse 19.]8LtMs, Lt 13, 1893, par. 17
Achan confessed and said, “Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done. When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.” [Verses 20, 21.] Achan had thought that his sin was secret and hidden from all human eyes except those of his own household. “So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. And they took it out of the midst of the tent, and brought them to Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the Lord.8LtMs, Lt 13, 1893, par. 18
“And Joshua and all Israel was with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? The Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The Valley of Achor unto this day.” [Verses 22-26.]8LtMs, Lt 13, 1893, par. 21
What was the sin of Achan? Listen carefully to the words spoken by Jesus Christ from the pillar of cloud. “Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.” [Verse 11.] Let such plain statements as these, given by the Lord in the Old Testament be compared with the same line of instruction given in the New Testament.Joshua 7:7-12
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Ms 7, 1886
4LtMs, Ms 7, 1886, par. 9
God said to Joshua, Why are you lying upon your face here? Said Joshua, There is an accursed thing in Israel. Why, the enemy had gained the victory over them. And God said, I will not go out to battle with you until you have put the accursed thing away from among you. [Joshua 7:7-12.] I want to talk further upon this point, but cannot at this time.Joshua 7:7-13
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Ms 13, 1894
9LtMs, Ms 13, 1894, par. 4
What was the trouble? Joshua did not know. He threw himself on his face in an agony of distress. “And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would to God we had been content and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their back before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round about, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do for thy great name? And the Lord said unto Joshua, get thee up: wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hast sinned and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and they have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from amongst you. Up, sanctify the people and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” [Joshua 7:7-13.]9LtMs, Ms 13, 1894, par. 5
Now the point that I wanted to bring before you was this: God notices evils which do exist. If there is wrong practiced by anyone in this school, which is but winked at and passed over, would the students consider it a gracious thing to do? There are some that might consider it so, but still God does not take it thus. If God has placed men in responsible positions, then it becomes everyone that has the responsibility of this position of trust to be faithful sentinels; to be guarding the fort lest there shall be things brought in which shall be an offense to God. God looks at sins that are even as Achan’s, and He says, “I will not be with you any more.” [Verse 12.]Joshua 7:8-11
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Ms 81, 1893
8LtMs, Ms 81, 1893, par. 86
Joshua could not account for this strange adversity. He knew God would not be glorified in this victory gained by their enemies, and he afflicted his soul. He lay upon the earth in distress; but Achan, the sinner, was not troubled. Joshua mourned out his prayer, “O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! ... And the Lord said unto Joshua, ... Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them.” This one man’s sin was charged to the whole camp of Israel. “For they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.” Joshua 7:8-11. The Lord did not name the person. The responsible men must search out the guilty one, and the Lord Jesus showed them how to do this. He did not name all the things which Achan had done, but specified some things.Joshua 7:10-12
Manuscript Releases, vol. 21 [Nos. 1501-1598]
MR No. 1533—Counsel to an Immoral Administrator in an Adventist Institution
21MR 165.3
Unless there is a humiliation of soul and true heart work in repentance, those who have been engaged in this work will surely be lost. You have the example of Achan. You know that because of Achan’s sin all Israel was made weak. When Joshua was pleading on his face before God, the Lord said unto him: [Joshua 7:10-12, quoted]. Here we see that the sin of one man was charged upon the whole nation. Israel was defeated and brought into contempt. The enemies of God and of man triumphed, and some of the army of Israel were slain. These things were written for our instruction and admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Ms 66, 1886
4LtMs, Ms 66, 1886, par. 16
God said to Joshua as he was mourning over the defeat of the armies of Israel, “Get up; wherefore liest thou upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” Joshua 7:10-12.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)
Lt 16, 1888
5LtMs, Lt 16, 1888, par. 30
Last night I received increased light. The words were spoken to me that were spoken to Joshua, “Why are you full of distress and anguish? Arise and set things in order. There has been falsehood and dissembling and iniquitous practices. God cannot bless His people until these sins are put away from among you.” [Joshua 7:10-12.] The lessons that you have given by precept and example have done a work, the results of which eternity alone will reveal. While you were concealing your own wrongs, you have imparted all you knew that was faulty in others, purely out of bitterness and revenge, which strengthened and confirmed him (Bro. G.) to vindicate his unrighteous course, when you yourself were a far greater sinner in the sight of God.5LtMs, Lt 16, 1888, par. 35
Unless there is a humiliation of soul and true heart work in repentance, those who have been engaged in this work will surely be lost. You have the example of Achan. You know that because of Achan’s sin all Israel was made weak. When Joshua was pleading on his face before God, the Lord said unto him, “Wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. ... Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” Joshua 7:10-12. Here we see that the sin of one man was charged upon the whole nation. Israel was defeated and brought into contempt. The enemies of God and of man triumphed, and some of the army of Israel were slain. These things are written for our instruction and admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)
Lt 51, 1887
5LtMs, Lt 51, 1887, par. 14
It is looked upon by you and some others, I fear, as unnecessary to have so much to say about this matter. Achan thought the same, but the Lord was of a different mind. He said to Joshua, Why liest thou thus upon thy face? Up, search the camp, Israel hath sinned, stolen and dissembled. Neither will I be with you any more, unless you put the accursed thing from among you. [Joshua 7:10-12.] How have the efforts been regarded that have been made to set things in order? Oh, that God would teach us just what to do! I do not feel at liberty to judge your motives, brethren, in acting so unchristlike, so directly in opposition to the Word of God, while you have professed great attachments to the institution for the sick. You have in some respects a very poor way of showing it. When the appeals have come to you from far off Europe, presenting every motive possible for high, holy, concerted action, you have done in almost everything exactly what the warnings told you was dangerous for you to do. Elder Rice, you have been active enough, you have worked hard enough, but you have not had that wisdom that is from above, that in your position you could do efficient service. You have not lifted the standard high and aimed to reach it.Joshua 7:10-13
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Ms 76, 1893
8LtMs, Ms 76, 1893, par. 50
“Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I have commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” Joshua 7:10-13.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Lt 57, 1895
10LtMs, Lt 57, 1895, par. 42
I call upon God’s people to open their eyes. When you sanction or carry out the decisions of men who, as you know, are not in harmony with truth and righteousness, you weaken your own faith and lose your relish for communion with God. You seem to hear the voice which was addressed to Joshua: “Wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them. ... There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel.” “Neither will I be with you any more, unless ye destroy the accursed from among you.” [Joshua 7:10-13.] Christ declares, “He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” [Matthew 12:30.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 83, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 83, 1896, par. 2
After the defeat of the Israelites at Ai, Joshua was lying upon his face before the ark, praying, when the Lord said unto him, “Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them; for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have stolen, and dissembled, and they have put it even among their own stuff. ... neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow; for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel; thou canst not stand before thy enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” [Joshua 7:10-13.]Joshua 7:11
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Ms 14, 1894
9LtMs, Ms 14, 1894, par. 5
God does not want us to keep ourselves in a state of feebleness and weakness, our minds drifting here and there, and take our own course and way and then secretly hide. What did I read you about Achan? God saw every phase of his sin, and He said that he had not only coveted but stolen. [Joshua 7:11.] There may be some in the school who say, “Oh, they are young. Do not treat this matter as though it were a serious thing.” But how soon would this school be demoralized? How much knowledge would the students obtain? How high would it stand religiously and morally? When the matter comes up, or faults in any respect, why, what are they here for? The [students] are here to be educated and trained and disciplined. [If] there was looseness in the home, the greater the battle and all the heavier the burden that falls upon the educators, because they have to meet their customs, they have to meet their habits, they have to meet the practices and education which the [students] have received from father and mother.9LtMs, Ms 14, 1894, par. 7
If that is the class of education that you have had, and you expect that things will go on like that at school, you will be terribly disappointed. Little acts of disobedience that seem very small in your eyes are just as large as the greatest in the sight of God. And God said, They have coveted, they have dissembled, they have stolen. [Verse 11.] God knew all about Achan. God told just what he had done. He knew that he had taken a goodly Babylonish garment and a wedge of [gold]. God had said that everything but the gold and silver was to be destroyed, every vestige of it. They were to be destroyed utterly. God said, He has taken it and he has concealed it in his tent. God knew what he had done with it, and how he had brought all the agony and distress upon the leaders and upon the people in authority, the men that were to carry out discipline and righteous actions.Joshua 7:11-12
Manuscript Releases, vol. 21 [Nos. 1501-1598]
MR No. 1537—Spirituality and Financial Integrity Needed at Church Headquarters
21MR 187.1
The Lord declares, “Neither will I be with you any more.” “Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also” [Joshua 7:12, 11]. All this is defiling the churches throughout our borders—dissembling and theft and robbery. Oh, how things have been left to drift into perverted channels forbidden of God! There must be an awakening to save the situation.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 181, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 181, 1897, par. 15
The Lord declares, “Neither will I be with you any more.” “Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also.” Joshua 7:12, 11. All this is defiling the churches throughout our borders—dissembling and theft and robbery. Oh, how things have been left to drift into perverted channels forbidden of God! There must be an awakening to save the situation.Joshua 7:12
Manuscript Releases, vol. 8 [Nos. 526-663]
MR No. 585—Inherited and Cultivated Tendencies to Sin
8MR 208.1
The Lord said to Joshua, “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” (Joshua 7:12.) The defects of character in any member of the church, or in the minister, are charged to the church, if the church make light of the defects. If you place Elder _____ over the church as a minister, you, as a church, assume his defects, you make them your own, and the whole church stands under the rebuke of God, even as ancient Israel was under His rebuke on account of the sin of Achan. But your case will be more grievous than theirs, because you knew the evil, yet hid your eyes from it, and walked contrary to the will of God.—Manuscript 1a, 1890, pp. 4, 5. (“A Consecrated Ministry,” February 13, 1890.)Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 24, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 24, 1897, par. 16
I have no heart to write out many things that might be given for the example and practice of those who have been often reproved. Those at the center of the work have manifested an avaricious spirit; they have, as it were, clothed fraud and double dealing [and] conniving—principles which God condemns in His work—with a garment of righteousness. They have so perverted their imagination that they have supposed gain to be godliness. If the sin of Achan, theft and dissembling and covetousness, were considered by God to be of such a grievous character that God said, “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you” [Joshua 7:12], how will He regard the sins that are practiced among His professed people?Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Lt 163, 1899
14LtMs, Lt 163, 1899, par. 8
Other dishonest, intriguing actions were done in a secret, artful manner. People were turned away from their rights. Some of these things have never been adjusted. Men were inspired by the suggestions of the great adversary of souls to turn aside the counsels of God for human inventions. God declares, “Neither will I be with you any more until you put away all these unholy things from you.” [See Joshua 7:12.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Lt 39, 1899
14LtMs, Lt 39, 1899, par. 25
Who was working in these men? Certainly it was not God. The managers of the Pacific Press have followed in the trend of those in responsible positions in Battle Creek. The enemy obtained advantage of us in many ways, and since that time the madness of men has reached to heaven. They have sought to spoil the work of God, and to betray the Lord into the hands of sinners. O what shame, what disgrace to the cause of God! The Lord declared of Israel, “Neither will I be with you any more unless these sins are put away from you.” [Joshua 7:12.] The Lord’s work has languished. There has been a revival of the Spirit of God, but the work has not prospered. Will it ever again stand in its elevated character? Will God ever again be with His people in the publishing work as He was at its commencement? Never, unless your principles are decidedly changed; and this can never be until hearts are cleansed by the Spirit of God.Ellen G. White: The Lonely Years: 1876-1891 (vol. 3)
Dealing Carefully and Firmly with the Church Situation
3BIO 349.1
They wanted me to bear my testimony. I told them it would do no good. My testimony was not received by those who wanted to do as they pleased, and they must do this work themselves, for God would say to them as to Joshua, “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you” (Joshua 7:12). This work has been neglected and the reputation of the truth greatly demerited by the very ones who claim to believe it.—Manuscript 57, 1886.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Ms 57, 1886
4LtMs, Ms 57, 1886, par. 14
Tuesday Brethren Olsen and Matteson came from Denmark. They report an excellent meeting there, that the work is further advanced than in Sweden, for they have had more labor. I was glad to hear this report. I conversed with them Wednesday quite freely in regard to the condition of the church—the elements in it which have degraded the church by much talking. One told Matteson that he lied, right in meeting, and accused another of being a thief—and all this in meeting. Her tongue seems set on fire of hell, and yet they are so blind that some voted for this woman to be on the board, and she is on the board. I talked decidedly in regard to this matter and showed them the way they had neglected to do their duty. They wanted me to bear my testimony. I told them it would do no good. My testimony was not received by those who wanted to do as they pleased, and they must do this work themselves, for God would say to them as to Joshua, “Neither will I be with you any more except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” Joshua 7:12. This work has been neglected and the reputation of the truth greatly demerited by the very ones who claim to believe it.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)
Ms 8a, 1888
5LtMs, Ms 8a, 1888, par. 52
There was a time when Israel could not prevail against their enemies. This was because of Achan’s sin. God declared, “Neither will I be with you any more until the accursed thing is put away from you.” [Joshua 7:12.] God is the same today. If defiling sins are cherished by those who claim to believe the truth, the displeasure of God rests upon the church, and He will not remove it until the members do all in their power to show their hatred for sin and their determination to cast it out of the church. God is displeased with those who call evil good and good evil. If jealousy, evil surmising, and evil-speaking are allowed to have a place in the church, that church is under the frown of God. It will be spiritually unhealthy until it is cleansed from these sins, for till then God cannot reveal His power to strengthen and elevate His people and give them victory.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Ms 1a, 1890
6LtMs, Ms 1a, 1890, par. 12
The Lord said to Joshua, “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” [Joshua 7:12.] The defects of character in any member of the church, or in the minister, are charged to the church, if the church makes light of the defects. If you place Elder Daniels over the church as a minister, you, as a church, assume his defects, you make them your own, and the whole church stands under the rebuke of God, even as ancient Israel was under His rebuke on account of the sin of Achan. But your case will be more grievous than theirs, because you knew the evil, yet hid your eyes from it, and walked contrary to the will of God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Lt 73, 1894
9LtMs, Lt 73, 1894, par. 19
I was brought by the Spirit of God into a room where I heard expressions in regard to Sister Starr. <There was> a repetition of what the different individuals had said and how the students expressed themselves. Then I saw a curtain lifted, and One was standing with a book, tracing the words spoken, while deep sadness was upon his countenance. My Guide spoke solemnly, “Bear to them the message that God saith, Neither will I be with you any more until ye put away the accursed thing from among you.” [See Joshua 7:12.] All such confederacy, such surmising and evil speaking as has been indulged in, is from beneath, from him who is the father of lies, an accuser of the brethren, and a murderer.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Lt 18, 1894
9LtMs, Lt 18, 1894, par. 20
The word I heard spoken concerning you was, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 18:3.] “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” [Joshua 7:12.] I sincerely hope that you both may have the curtain withdrawn, and that the Lord may present to you as He has done to me the grave things of an objectionable character which I have tried to present to you. I have nothing but love in my heart toward you, but I am compelled to speak the words of warning which I give you in these letters. I could write much more that has been presented before me in regard to these things, but I have not time nor strength.Joshua 7:12-13
Manuscript Releases, vol. 12 [Nos. 921-999]
MR No. 951—Testimony to Battle Creek Sanitarium
12MR 132.1
We know that the sanitarium is not answering the purpose of God. Is it anything surprising that the people everywhere know these things when the patients carry the reports all over the field? Truly, we have cause to put away our idols, to clothe ourselves with modest apparel and repent for our extravagance, and greatly humble our souls before God, for His wrath is upon us as a people. There is the accursed thing in the camp of Israel, and God says of you, “Neither will I be with you any more, ... until ye take away the accursed thing from among you” [Joshua 7:12, 13].Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce
Chapter 36—Appeal to Ministers
TSB 237.2
The words of God to Joshua are: “Neither will I be with you anymore, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you” [Joshua 7:12, 13]. These things are written for our benefit, upon whom the ends of the world are come.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)
Ms 4a, 1881
3LtMs, Ms 4a, 1881, par. 11
We know that the sanitarium is not answering the purpose of God. Is it anything surprising that the people everywhere know these things when the patients carry the reports all over the field? Truly, we have cause to put away our idols, to clothe ourselves with modest apparel, repent for our extravagance, and greatly humble our souls before God, for His wrath is upon us as a people. There is the accursed thing in the camp of Israel, and God says of you, “Neither will I be with you any more, ... until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” Joshua 7:12, 13.Joshua 7:12-25
Testimony Treasures, vol. 1
Achan an Object Lesson
1TT 336.2
In the case of Achan’s sin God said to Joshua: “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” Joshua 7:12. How does this instance compare with the course pursued by those who will not raise their voice against sin and wrong, but whose sympathies are ever found with those who trouble the camp of Israel with their sins? Said God to Joshua: “Thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” Verse 13. He pronounced the punishment which would follow the transgression of His covenant.1TT 337.2
“And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the Lord. And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.” Verses 19-25.Joshua 7:13
Christ Triumphant
God’s View of a Supposed “Small” Sin, May 10
CTr 137.1
There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you. Joshua 7:13.Testimony Treasures, vol. 1
Wives as Co-workers
1TT 38.1
Our God is a jealous God. It is a fearful thing to trifle with Him. Anciently, Achan coveted a golden wedge and a Babylonish garment, and secreted them, and all Israel suffered; they were driven before their enemies. And when Joshua inquired the cause, the Lord said: “Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” Joshua 7:13. Achan had sinned, and God destroyed him and all his household, with all they possessed, and wiped the curse from Israel.Joshua 7:14-20
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Ms 12, 1893
8LtMs, Ms 12, 1893, par. 5
Read what is recorded in Joshua when Achan had stolen the Babylonish garment and wedge of gold. Achan takes the property appointed to destruction, and hides it. Israel knew nothing about it. The sin of one man caused Israel to be beaten before the enemy. Something more than prayer was required. They were to get up and cleanse the camp of Israel. Please read Joshua 7:14-20. Achan had taken what was appointed to destruction, and God’s Spirit searched him out. I want to tell you, brethren and sisters, we [had] better examine our own cases before we shall undertake to examine anybody else. Anything like fraud as of that man must be cleared away. God knew about the Babylonish garment. The searching Spirit of God searches out the hidden things. God gives His people sufficient to heed in warnings and admonitions, and sometimes to bring them to their senses, He sends affliction and suffering. It becomes us to act upon every ray of light given.Joshua 7:15
Christ Triumphant
No Sin Can Be Hidden From God, May 11
CTr 138.1
And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel. Joshua 7:15.Joshua 7:19
Sons and Daughters of God
To Call Sin by Its Right Name, July 26
SD 214.1
And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me. Joshua 7:19.EGW Writings — Ellen G. White. Ellen G. White Estate · all rights reserved
Joshua 7:1-13
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 120, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 120, 1897, par. 3
The Lord would not favor the children of Israel, because of Achan’s sin, and the displeasure of God was not only upon Achan, but upon all Israel. “The children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: ... and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.” [Joshua 7:1.] He permitted thirty and six men to be slain to signify His displeasure against the sin in the encampment of Israel. Joshua was greatly afflicted. He knew not of the sin, or of the reason why the army of Israel was defeated. “And Joshua rent his clothes and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.12LtMs, Lt 120, 1897, par. 4
“And Joshua said, ... O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! ... And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them; for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed; neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed thing from among you.” “Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take the accursed thing from among you.” [Verses 6-8, 10-13.]12LtMs, Lt 120, 1897, par. 5
You can see that the unknown sin existing among the tribes of Israel was charged against the whole church in the wilderness. Success in warfare against their enemies could not be given them until this evil thing was searched out, until they had done all in their power to expel the wrong and cleanse it from the encampment. God had testified, “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed thing from among you.” [Verse 12.]