Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In my opinion, God proceeded as He did (rather than merely singling Achan out at the beginning) to impress upon Israel that, even though they were His "chosen people", one individual's sin could defile the entire nation (as reflected in God's saying, "Israel has sinned"), similar to the way in which Adam and Eve's sin tainted the entire subsequent human race.

March 24 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Reddit User Supporter Let the corpus of my replies speak for my beliefs

Not to disagree with Tim Maas, because his view is certainly valid! But I would add that the singling out of Achan is an act of mercy from a merciful G-d. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ (Ezekiel 33:11)

G-d wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4) 

So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. (Joel 2:13) 
Or 
What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction? (Romans 9:22)

Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. (Isaiah 55:6,7)

I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7) 

If you've read this far, and I hope you have, it's important to note that despite G-d's detractors who unfairly charge that "the G-d of the old testament is a god of wrath and punishment, and the G-d of the new testament is full of love and mercy" miss that the punishment in the Tanakh was steeped in patience and loving-kindness. 

Deuteronomy 13:6-18 taking special note of 17: 
Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands, so that the LORD will turn from His fierce anger, grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as He swore to your fathers, 

The compassion was extended to Achan even after he sinned in that such a process of narrowing, and narrowing, and narrowing took time, and the criminal knew that G-d was who knew had uncovered his secret sin and soon "All things done in darkness shall be broadcast in the Light". 

When G-d speaks through Moshe and tells of how He will punish them for apostasy and errant ways, He states that if they will not relent but continue in sin He will continue to multiply the hard conditions. All of which takes time and should serve to cause them to repent. 

Leviticus 26:18 – “If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over.” This mirrors Deuteronomy 28 with the goal being repentance. 

Joshua said, "What have you done, give glory to G-d, son". The long process was over, but G-d was still to be praised in the process and Achan even though he did not relent until the last, knew that G-d was just.

8 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report