A Clear Confession from a Tragic Figure

     We do not admire Achan for several reasons.  He disobeyed God at Jericho, hid his sin as long as possible, and caused the death of thirty-six men of Israel.  In one sense, he is the type of sinner on the Day of Judgement with sin exposed and confessed, but too late.  In another way, Achan serves as a lesson for us all that we cannot sin without affecting other people.  The key element which is lacking in Achan’s confession is repentance.  Repentance is vital to true confession.  There is one way, however in which we as Christians can learn a good lesson from Achan for our own spiritual lives regarding confession of sin.

     The first aspect of Achan’s confession worth our consideration is that he took the responsibility for what he had done.  He said, “I have sinned.”  We ought to do just the same.  Let us stop shifting the blame for the sins we commit by pointing the finger at someone or something else.

     Another noteworthy element of his confessions is that he called sin by its name.  He did not try to identify sin as a “little mistake,” a “personal glitch,” or an “error in judgement.”  We want to get away from the psychobabble jargon that calls sin by any title other than what it is.

     Another helpful aspect of Achan’s confession is that he clearly declared against whom he had sinned. He says, “I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel.”  His words remind us of David’s confession in Psalm 51:4, “Against, Thee, Thee only, have I sinned and done this evil in Thy sight.”  No matter who else suffers from the effects of our sin, we want to remember that we sin against the One True, Holy God.  Achan knew that, and said so.

     It is as well worthwhile to consider that this man did not glibly generalize his sin.  Our text says “and thus and thus have I done.”  The next verse enumerates his sin in graphic detail.  We ought not sin in specific and then confess in general.  Achan, whatever other defects he had, on this occasion enunciated exactly the kind of thing which should proceed from our mouths when we have transgressed God’s law.  Here is an excellent pattern of clear confession for us to follow.  What we want to add is that true heart repentance which is so vital.  Let us learn what we can from Achan’s confession.

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice