v1: Achan had taken the devoted (or accursed) things, things which belonged to God (6.17). Although none of the people saw this, God had seen. The consequences of the Lord's anger were seen when the people attacked Bethel and Ai. The effect of one man’s disobedience proved both significant and decisive.

v2-4: Joshua sent spies to view Ai. There is no reference here to prayer; perhaps Joshua had become over-confident. The message was that, since the city was small, Joshua need only send a small army to attack it.

v5: There was defeat and suffering because sin had not been dealt with, even though it was hidden. Compare David's grief (1 Sam 22.22), where he admitted that the death of the priests was his fault. The Lord said that Israel was doomed to destruction (v12 - RAV) whilst sin was not dealt with. We note also that the defeat brought real discouragement.

v6-9: Joshua rightly turned to prayer.

v10-15: The Lord answered Joshua's prayer, but He did not just name the man. He explained, first, that sin was in the camp, and that victory was impossible until it was dealt with (v11-12). He then gave a procedure by which the guilty party would be identified (v14-15).

Joshua had to "stand up" (v10), and sort out the problem. Even though Achan had been disobedient, Joshua had to follow God's instructions in sorting out the problem. We never have permission to depart from God's ways, whatever the circumstances.

v16-20: The casting of lots identified Achan. He did not admit to wrong doing until he was found out (v20).

v21: Achan's sin; I saw, I coveted, I took, I hid; the same pattern as with Adam and Eve. Although what Achan had taken may have been small, the sin was in his heart, in disobeying the Lord's instruction.

Sin has its consequences; 2 Sam 12.12; Acts 5.3, 9. In our culture which so often minimises and excuses sin, this is an important reminder.

v24-26: Achan's whole family was punished; they became 'devoted to God'. We presume that the family knew of Achan's sin, and therefore shared in his guilt. Once punishment was exacted, the Lord's anger was satisfied.

The valley of Achor remained as a testimony and a warning.It is referred to in Hos 2.15.