This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Joshua 7, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once, the Israelites were going to fight against a city called Ai. Before the battle, God told them not to take anything from the city because it was supposed to be all for God. But a man named Achan took some things that he was not supposed to take – a beautiful cloak from Shinar, 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels.
When the Israelites went to fight, they lost the battle even though there were fewer enemies. The Israelites were very sad, and Joshua, their leader, fell down and prayed to God. He tore his clothes and fell to the ground before the ark of the Lord. Joshua didn’t understand why God would let them lose.
He cried out to God, “Why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?”
Then, God spoke to Joshua and said that someone in the Israelite camp had taken things that belonged to God. God said that they could not win battles until the stolen things were returned to God. So Joshua told everyone to come to him and to bring their things. Then Joshua separated everyone into groups, and the group that had stolen things was found.
The man who had taken things from God was named Achan. Joshua talked to him and asked him what he had done. Achan admitted that he had taken things that he was not supposed to take. So, the Israelites took everything that belonged to Achan and stoned him to death. They put a pile of rocks over his body.
After this, God was no longer angry with the Israelites. Joshua and the people learned that it was important to obey God’s rules, and that there were consequences for not doing so.
Biblical Lessons
- It is important to take responsibility for our actions and to confess our sins to God and to others.
- Disobedience can harm not only ourselves but also others around us.
- Even when things go wrong, we should turn to God in prayer and trust that He will help us and guide us.
- God is just and holy, and He expects us to live according to His standards.
- The story also shows us that the consequences of sin can be severe, but it also shows us that there is forgiveness and restoration available through repentance and confession.
