Joshua 7:19 - Joshua said to Achan, “My son, please give glory to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and make confession to him. Tell me now what you have done! Don’t hide it from me!”
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What does "Joshua 7:19" mean?
This verse from Joshua 7:19 is a pivotal moment in the story of the Israelites' defeat at Ai, which followed their triumphant victory at Jericho. It reveals Joshua's strategy for addressing the sin that has brought defeat upon the nation. Let's break down the meaning:
"Joshua said to Achan, “My son...": This is a significant opening. Joshua addresses Achan with a term of endearment, "my son." This is likely a gesture of pastoral concern, a plea for Achan to come clean rather than facing dire consequences without repentance. It's a plea for honesty rather than a harsh accusation, although Joshua likely suspects Achan's guilt. It suggests a desire for redemption, if possible.
"...please give glory to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and make confession to him.": This is the core of the verse. Joshua urges Achan to:
Give glory to Yahweh: Acknowledging God's holiness, power, and justice. Confessing sin is a way of affirming that God's law is right and that the transgression was a violation of his will. Acknowledging God's glory is paramount; sin diminishes that glory.
Make confession to him: This isn't just about admitting a mistake. It's about acknowledging the offense against God. The sin has impacted the entire nation because it broke the covenant relationship with God. Confession is about restoring that relationship. This wasn't simply a private matter.
"Tell me now what you have done! Don’t hide it from me!": Joshua directly asks Achan to confess his sin. The plea "Don't hide it from me!" emphasizes the importance of full disclosure. The fact that Achan hid the sin suggests that he understood it was wrong and that there would be consequences. Joshua understands that the sin is the reason for the loss at Ai, and that revealing it is the key to restoring the relationship with God.
In summary, the verse is about:
Recognizing and acknowledging God's holiness and justice.
Confessing sin as an offense against God.
Seeking forgiveness and restoration of the relationship with God and the community.
The importance of honesty and transparency.
Contextual Significance:
The events leading up to this verse are crucial. After the victory at Jericho, God had commanded the Israelites not to take any of the spoils for themselves. However, Achan disobeyed and took some of the devoted things (valuable items) for himself, hiding them in his tent. This act of disobedience broke the covenant and brought God's anger upon the Israelites, resulting in their defeat at Ai.
This verse highlights the link between sin, confession, and national consequences. It emphasizes the importance of obedience and the devastating impact of disobedience, not just on the individual but on the entire community. Achan's sin is a communal problem. The passage emphasizes the communal aspect of the covenant.
This verse sets the stage for Achan's confession and the subsequent consequences, which are severe. It demonstrates the seriousness of sin in the context of a covenant relationship with God. It also shows the possibility of confession as a way to acknowledge God's glory even in the midst of wrongdoing.
Joshua 7:19 - Joshua said to Achan, “My son, please give glory to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and make confession to him. Tell me now what you have done! Don’t hide it from me!”
What does "Joshua 7:19" mean?
This verse from Joshua 7:19 is a pivotal moment in the story of the Israelites' defeat at Ai, which followed their triumphant victory at Jericho. It reveals Joshua's strategy for addressing the sin that has brought defeat upon the nation. Let's break down the meaning:
"Joshua said to Achan, “My son...": This is a significant opening. Joshua addresses Achan with a term of endearment, "my son." This is likely a gesture of pastoral concern, a plea for Achan to come clean rather than facing dire consequences without repentance. It's a plea for honesty rather than a harsh accusation, although Joshua likely suspects Achan's guilt. It suggests a desire for redemption, if possible.
"...please give glory to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and make confession to him.": This is the core of the verse. Joshua urges Achan to:
Give glory to Yahweh: Acknowledging God's holiness, power, and justice. Confessing sin is a way of affirming that God's law is right and that the transgression was a violation of his will. Acknowledging God's glory is paramount; sin diminishes that glory.
Make confession to him: This isn't just about admitting a mistake. It's about acknowledging the offense against God. The sin has impacted the entire nation because it broke the covenant relationship with God. Confession is about restoring that relationship. This wasn't simply a private matter.
"Tell me now what you have done! Don’t hide it from me!": Joshua directly asks Achan to confess his sin. The plea "Don't hide it from me!" emphasizes the importance of full disclosure. The fact that Achan hid the sin suggests that he understood it was wrong and that there would be consequences. Joshua understands that the sin is the reason for the loss at Ai, and that revealing it is the key to restoring the relationship with God.
In summary, the verse is about:
Recognizing and acknowledging God's holiness and justice.
Confessing sin as an offense against God.
Seeking forgiveness and restoration of the relationship with God and the community.
The importance of honesty and transparency.
Contextual Significance:
The events leading up to this verse are crucial. After the victory at Jericho, God had commanded the Israelites not to take any of the spoils for themselves. However, Achan disobeyed and took some of the devoted things (valuable items) for himself, hiding them in his tent. This act of disobedience broke the covenant and brought God's anger upon the Israelites, resulting in their defeat at Ai.
This verse highlights the link between sin, confession, and national consequences. It emphasizes the importance of obedience and the devastating impact of disobedience, not just on the individual but on the entire community. Achan's sin is a communal problem. The passage emphasizes the communal aspect of the covenant.
This verse sets the stage for Achan's confession and the subsequent consequences, which are severe. It demonstrates the seriousness of sin in the context of a covenant relationship with God. It also shows the possibility of confession as a way to acknowledge God's glory even in the midst of wrongdoing.