The Valley of Trouble Joshua 7:20-26 The story of Achan teaches us some very important lessons.

The Valley of Trouble Romans 15:4 - “written for our learning” The story of Achan teaches us several important lessons. Story in Joshua 7:20-26 Take nothing out – Spoils belong to God Achan took some items, hid in his tent He was exposed for this sin Achan and family were stoned, then burned. The valley is called “The Valley of Trouble.”

Spoils belong to victor Joshua 6:18-19 18 And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. 19 But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the Lord; they shall come into the treasury of the Lord."

Spoils belong to victor Why was God angry? Joshua 7:26 Then they raised over him a great heap of stones, still there to this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day. He had stolen from God!

Sin hurts others Joshua 7:5 And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore the hearts of the people melted and became like water. 36 men died because of Achan's sin.

Sin hurts others Joshua 7:24 Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. His entire family died because of his sin. Sin hurts the church, Christ and the sinner.

Greed is a serious sin Joshua 7:21 "When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it." Many covet what others have.

Greed is a serious sin Covet = eager for gain, greed Material things – money, things Honor – fame, promotion In 10 Commandments In the New Testament

Confession is not forgiveness Confession is good for the soul But confession does not eliminate punishment of the wrong Achan confessed – vs. 20 Was punished – vs. 25 Confession + Repentance – still suffer the consequences

Sin in the camp Joshua 7:11 Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff.

Sin in the camp The principle applies to sin in the church 1 Corinthians 5:5-7 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

Sin in the camp God is holy. He cannot support or endorse sin. Get rid of sin or get rid of God. Joshua 7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you. 1 Corinthians 5:13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person."

Learn these Lessons The spoils belong to the victor (God). Sin hurts more than the sinner. Greed is a serious matter. Confession does not eliminate punishement. The church can not have “sin in the camp.”