Holy War and Achan's Sin

Monday, July 21, 2008 -- Week of Proper 11

Today's Reading for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 977)
Psalms 41, 52 (morning) 44 (evening)
Joshua 7:1-13
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 26:36-46

The story of Achan's sin is a significant story in our corporate history. It illustrates the power of several concepts that were crucial to religious identity, including the notion of holiness, sacrifice, and corporate responsibility. Underneath part of the story is the tradition of the "holy war."

A holy war was understood to be a conflict engaged under God's guidance and direction. It was understood that God would fight on behalf of the people in a holy war. Since it would be God the divine warrior who would achieve the victory in a holy war, the spoils of war would be dedicated to God. Such booty fell under the ban ("herem" in Hebrew). The English Bible uses words like "devote to destruction," "utterly destroy," or "annihilate" to describe what is to happen to things that are under the ban. The spoils of war that would have been claimed customarily by the human victors will instead be given to God. They belong irrevocably to God and must be kept from human use (sacrificed).

An enemy population which might otherwise become the slaves of the victors will, in a holy war, be killed. Normally non-living booty and cattle did not come under the ban. Jericho is an extreme case. In this holy war the cattle also were to be destroyed, the entire city (except the household of Rabab the prostitute) was to be destroyed, and all other objects. Only the valuable metals are to be preserved for the treasury of the sanctuary. The spoils of Jericho were to be devoted to God alone, and therefore utterly destroyed.

God kept God's part of the holy war promise. With a long blast of a trumpet to signal the attack and a great shout to initiate it (both aspects of holy war tradition), the army of Joshua gave siege to Jericho and God gave it into their hand. It was burned to the ground, its inhabitants, cattle and everything in it (except Rahab and her family and the valuable metals for the sanctuary) was burned to the ground and cursed in fulfillment of the promise of the holy war.

But one person, Achan, secretly kept part of the booty. His act was solitary and unknown, except to him and to God.

The next time Joshua's troops set out, they were routed. Fear filled their hearts, for they were a small force in the midst of a foreign land. Fear had played a big part in their victory in Jericho. Now they experience the dread that their enemies had felt.

When Joshua prays, God tells him, "Israel has sinned." Achan's act contaminates the whole community. There is a sense of corporate responsibility, that the unfaithful act of one person in the community means that all of the members of that community have broken faith. The consequences and the punishment will fall upon all. Achan has violated the covenant; his crime endangers the community's relationship with God in a fundamental way.

There is an effect that is something like contagion. Because Achan has violated the ban, now Israel has fallen under the ban, "they have become a thing devoted for destruction themselves." God will not fight on their side, but rather will treat Israel as a "thing devoted for destruction... unless you destroy the devoted things from among you." They must give back to God what is God's, the booty that Achan has taken. It is a critical event.

There is only one way this can end. Israel must discover the source of the contamination and destroy it. We'll read about that tomorrow.

This story is a fundamental metaphor for sin and holiness, obedience and sacrifice before God. It colors so much of the Biblical understanding. It also influences the early Church's understanding of Jesus' death and its preaching about the effects of his resurrection.

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

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The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas