ACHAN, THE MAN WHO STOLE.

The walls of Jericho fell flat
When israel marched around,
On seven days they circled the town,
Having followed God’s command,

God said that nothing must be touched
In the ruins of the town,
And nothing should be taken out
No matter what was found.

But Achan disobeyed God’s Word
When a special coat he saw.
He gathered up some bags of gold,
And looked around for more.

He hurried back into his tent,
He digged a very deep hole,
And buried there the garment rare,
And the money that he stole.

‘Ha! No-one knows’, young Achan thought,
As he shovelled back the dirt,
And went to join his soldier friends,
Who for battle now were girt.

But Israel lost the fight that day,
Brave Joshua wondered why.
He knew that God was on their side.
He felt that he could cry.

Then Joshua spoke to his great God,
And asked for counsel true,
‘Why did we lose this battle, Lord
O, were our men too few?’

‘No, Joshua, my trusting servant,
I will tell you why –
A traitor is within your ranks –
This man shall surely die.’

Joshua then questioned all his men –
‘Are you the one who took
The money and the garment rare,
And God’s command forsook?’

Joshua pointed where Achan stood.
(Would Achan tell a lie?)
He knew that he had cheated,
And answered, ’It is I’

Achan was stoned to death that day,
A sad, sad end had he.
He wrongly thought that no-one knew,
And that no-one could see.

He had forgotten God above
Who knows all that we do.
God looks to see a holy life,
And every action true.

So let us ask our Father God
To help us every day –
And make us wise to tell the truth
And walk the heavenly way.

Read this story in JOSHUA chapter 7.