Sin has an Expensive Price Tag
The Old Testament uses any number of terms to convey the concept of sin. The term most often used has to do with missing the mark, falling short of a standard or running rough shod over any standard of behavior. That word is used in Joshua 7:11 and is translated, “Israel has sinned…”
But there is another term that shows up in Joshua 7:1: “…the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things…” “Acted unfaithfully” is a word that conveys a treacherous act, something that was well thought through and accomplished with stealth.
The story hinges on Joshua’s command in Joshua 6:18 to NOT steal any of the devoted things, but Achan stole some of those things. At the moment, it looked like a great idea. A sneaky act… stealing something no one would miss…providing some pleasure along the way. That’s the basic problem with sin. It “looks” good. It “looks” like fun. It appears to provide some pleasure…for a brief moment or two.
Consider how the writer of Hebrews regales the spiritual achievements of the Heroes of the Faith in Hebrews 11. He makes an amazing statement about Moses. “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”
Some translations render that last verse with the words, “the pleasures of sin for a season.”
When I am disciplining young believers, I often use that phrase. I will refer to some kind of sin and remark, “Nobody ever said sin isn’t fun. But it's only fun for a season and then there are massive repercussions.”
Our passage in Joshua 7 teaches that very same truth about sin. It may be pleasurable for a moment, but it has far reaching consequences. Ultimately Achan, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all he had were stoned and burned.
The fleeting joy he had as he schemed his plan, snuck in and stole the items, hid them in his own tent faded very quickly under the stare of Joshua and the other leaders.
The moral of this amazing story is to stop and think. Yes, some act of rebellion might seem fun for the moment. Some passionate expression may delight us for a short while. Some crazy scheme that seems to work might delight our sinful heart, but in the end, it is painful as the Lord deals with that sin.
Sin is just too expensive.
The Old Testament uses any number of terms to convey the concept of sin. The term most often used has to do with missing the mark, falling short of a standard or running rough shod over any standard of behavior. That word is used in Joshua 7:11 and is translated, “Israel has sinned…”
But there is another term that shows up in Joshua 7:1: “…the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things…” “Acted unfaithfully” is a word that conveys a treacherous act, something that was well thought through and accomplished with stealth.
The story hinges on Joshua’s command in Joshua 6:18 to NOT steal any of the devoted things, but Achan stole some of those things. At the moment, it looked like a great idea. A sneaky act… stealing something no one would miss…providing some pleasure along the way. That’s the basic problem with sin. It “looks” good. It “looks” like fun. It appears to provide some pleasure…for a brief moment or two.
Consider how the writer of Hebrews regales the spiritual achievements of the Heroes of the Faith in Hebrews 11. He makes an amazing statement about Moses. “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”
Some translations render that last verse with the words, “the pleasures of sin for a season.”
When I am disciplining young believers, I often use that phrase. I will refer to some kind of sin and remark, “Nobody ever said sin isn’t fun. But it's only fun for a season and then there are massive repercussions.”
Our passage in Joshua 7 teaches that very same truth about sin. It may be pleasurable for a moment, but it has far reaching consequences. Ultimately Achan, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all he had were stoned and burned.
The fleeting joy he had as he schemed his plan, snuck in and stole the items, hid them in his own tent faded very quickly under the stare of Joshua and the other leaders.
The moral of this amazing story is to stop and think. Yes, some act of rebellion might seem fun for the moment. Some passionate expression may delight us for a short while. Some crazy scheme that seems to work might delight our sinful heart, but in the end, it is painful as the Lord deals with that sin.
Sin is just too expensive.
Sherry Worel
Sherry Worel is a Bible teacher at heart and lives a life of ministry. She’s been involved at Coast Hills teaching Women’s LIFE, Bible studies, online courses, devotionals, participating in Upstream conversations, and much more. Having a love for education, Sherry has over 50 years of teaching experience with schools, churches, and mission agencies. As well as earning her Master’s at Talbot Seminary, she rounded out her education with 35 years as Head of School at Stoneybrooke Christian School. Sherry is happiest with a book or fishing pole in hand.