The Achan Factor

Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

We can operate within the guidelines of the Kingdom of God to be empowered to live a life equipped with the power of God to live blessed and victorious in this world. 

Joshua 6:17-19; 7:1-9, 19-21 Instructions are given by the Lord that the first city to be conquered is under a ban and all that is in it belongs to the Lord. Achan acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban and took some things for himself. Joshua discovers Achan has taken what belongs to the Lord.

First things always belong to the Lord

  • Jericho was the first city taken and all its spoils belonged to the Lord
  • There would be many victories and spoils from the other cities to be taken
  • Leviticus 27:26 ‘However, a firstborn among animals, which as a firstborn belongs to the LORD, no man may consecrate it; whether ox or sheep, it is the LORD’S.
  • Numbers 18:29 Make sure that GOD’S portion is the best and holiest of everything you get.
  • We’re not actually giving the first to God like it’s ours to give: it already belongs to Him
  • God can’t be second. God is always first, no matter where you place Him. – Robert Morris

Victory belongs to the Lord

  • Joshua and the men with him didn’t realize how much they needed the help of God for every battle
  • God has a promise of victory for you but it is tied to your current connection and communion with Him
  • God doesn’t strengthen you once, enabling you to always win
  • Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the LORD.
  • God won’t ever lead us to a place where we are beyond extreme dependence on the person of the Lord Jesus
  • John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
  • Our victory is as sure as our communion with God is current

Our life impacts those around us

  • Achan’s disobedience affected all of Israel: our disobedience affects others, too
  • Something powerful would happen to those around you if you get consumed with vision for the purpose of God, for excellence, for apprehending the best in God 
  • When we don’t rise to seize our full potential, we are robbing those around us

God’s purpose is primary; His blessing is secondary

  • God’s purpose and obedience to it are the real issue, not the blessing
  • The battles are for the purpose of the Lord; the spoils are just a bonus of winning
  • God does not exist to win our battles for us. We exist to engage in the battles He’s called us to
  • You find yourself in trouble when you get more concerned about the spoils than the purpose of God
  • First things first help us realistically put God and His purposes first

Don’t accept defeat – Let it be your wake-up call

  • Joshua 7:10 So the LORD said to Joshua, “Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face?
  • 2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
  • Defeat is going to happen, but we can make it serve us by making it a wake-up call
  • When we are honest enough to face defeat, God can give us victory