In this chapter, Israel is defeated at Ai because Achan took things under the ban from Jericho; Achan and his entire family are stoned and their possessions burned.
- Love of the world is a difficult root to remove
- It is easy to promise yourself secrecy and impunity
- Though none may see secret sins, God does and will bring such to light, v. 1
- “True Israelites tremble when God is angry” (Matthew Henry)
- “Nothing is more grievous to a gracious soul than dishonor done to God’s name” (Matthew Henry)
- If one does not now repent and forsake sin that separates the sinner from God it will eternally separate them
- Learning from others’ sin can help our sanctification
- We must continually ask God and work with Him to examine our lives and carefully review our consciences for our own attempts to hide sin
- “Let not the best families think it strange if there be those found in them, and descending from them, that prove their grief and shame” (Matthew Henry)
- Sin injures God and His honor
- Sincere repentance is specific repentance
- One sin hardens the heart for other sins
- Sin demands a great investment yet yields a poor return, Matt 16:26
- Wandering eyes make weeping hearts, v. 21
- Kill the desire to sin before sin kills you, v. 21
- Those who think they can fool God fool only themselves
- Sinners bring trouble upon those around them and themselves, v. 25
- Public sin demands public repentance and when necessary public judgment, vv. 24–25
