71 But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban , for Achan , the son of Carmi , the son of Zabdi , the son of Zerah , from the tribe of Judah , took some of the things under the ban , therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel . 2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai , which is near Beth-aven , east of Bethel , and said to them, "Go up and spy out the land ." So the men went up and spied out Ai . 3 They returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not let all the people go up; only about two or three thousand men need go up to Ai ; do not make all the people toil up there , for they are few ." 4 So about three thousand men from the people went up there , but they fled from the men of Ai . 5 The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men , and pursued them from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down on the descent , so the hearts of the people melted and became as water .
6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening , both he and the elders of Israel ; and they put dust on their heads . 7 Joshua said , "Alas , O Lord GOD , why did You ever bring this people over the Jordan , only to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites , to destroy us? If only we had been willing to dwell beyond the Jordan ! 8 "O Lord , what can I say since Israel has turned their back before their enemies ? 9 " For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and they will surround us and cut off our name from the earth . And what will You do for Your great name ?"
10 So the Lord said to Joshua , "Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face ? 11 "Israel has sinned , and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived . Moreover, they have also put them among their own things .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 7:1-11
Commentary on Joshua 7:1-5
(Read Joshua 7:1-5)
Achan took some of the spoil of Jericho. The love of the world is that root of bitterness, which of all others is most hardly rooted up. We should take heed of sin ourselves, lest by it many be defiled or disquieted, Hebrews 12:15; and take heed of having fellowship with sinners, lest we share their guilt. It concerns us to watch over one another to prevent sin, because others' sins may be to our damage. The easy conquest of Jericho excited contempt of the enemy, and a disposition to expect the Lord to do all for them without their using proper means. Thus men abuse the doctrines of Divine grace, and the promises of God, into excuses for their own sloth and self-indulgence. We are to work out our own salvation, though it is God that works in us. It was a dear victory to the Canaanites, whereby Israel was awakened and reformed, and reconciled to their God, and the people of Canaan hardened to their own ruin.
Commentary on Joshua 7:6-9
(Read Joshua 7:6-9)
Joshua's concern for the honour of God, more than even for the fate of Israel, was the language of the Spirit of adoption. He pleaded with God. He laments their defeat, as he feared it would reflect on God's wisdom and power, his goodness and faithfulness. We cannot at any time urge a better plea than this, Lord, what wilt thou do for thy great name? Let God be glorified in all, and then welcome his whole will.
Commentary on Joshua 7:10-15
(Read Joshua 7:10-15)
God awakens Joshua to inquiry, by telling him that when this accursed thing was put away, all would be well. Times of danger and trouble should be times of reformation. We should look at home, into our own hearts, into our own houses, and make diligent search to find out if there be not some accursed thing there, which God sees and abhors; some secret lust, some unlawful gain, some undue withholding from God or from others. We cannot prosper, until the accursed thing be destroyed out of our hearts, and put out of our habitations and our families, and forsaken in our lives. When the sin of sinners finds them out, God is to be acknowledged. With a certain and unerring judgment, the righteous God does and will distinguish between the innocent and the guilty; so that though the righteous are of the same tribe, and family, and household with the wicked, yet they never shall be treated as the wicked.