With the Torah complete, the Children of Israel, through Joshua’s leadership, begin their conquest of the Promised Land. Beyond territorial acquisition, governance is required which involves the adherence to the Torah’s commandments. The Book of Joshua tackles the complexities of implementing Mosiac Law during unsettled times. This post concerns Achan’s theft.
There is much going on for the Children of Israel prior to Achan’s theft. The Book of Joshua tells of a puzzling re-enactment of the Exodus which is complete with the splitting of waters.
Certainly, the Ark of the Covenant -with the tablets inside- crossing the Jordan river into the Promised Land should have impressed the Children of Israel. Certainly, the mass circumcision should have been eye opening event and bring feeling to the happenings. Certainly, a connection to the covenant was re-dedicated. The Children of Israel even had a Pesach Offering complete with matzoh; a reminder meal they had immediately prior to leaving Egypt. For Joshua, there was even a Burning Bush-like moment as he encountered an Angel who tells him to remove his shoes as he is standing on holy land. Joshua 5:15.
The Children of Israel ‘s attack on Jericho was done with pomp and circumstance; a parade around the walled city with all the men at war, for six days in a row, the Ark of the Covenant, and seven Kohanim Priests armed with shofars. With the seventh day, the shofar would give an extended blast and “all” the people would give a great cry and the city walls would drop in their place. Joshua 6:1-5.
There were directions that came along with this assault. With the confiscation of property, “all the silver and gold and vessels of copper [collected] are holy to the Lord; they shall go to treasury of The Lord.” Joshua 6:19. It was later reported that “the Children of Israel trespassed against the consecrated property; Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the consecrated property, and the wrath of the Lord flared against the Children of Israel. Joshua 7:1.
The Lord advises Joshua of the transgression. After an investigation of sorts, the thief is revealed- Achan. Joshua asks for him to confess and he does so. Achan reveals that he had taken a garment, two hundred shekels of silver and a fifty shekel weight gold bar. The items were buried underneath his tent. Joshua 7:20-22.
As punishment, Achan, his sons, daughters, livestock and possessions were taken to the Valley of Achor. There Joshua says: “why have you caused us trouble? The Lord will cause you trouble this day.” With that, “all” of Israel[the people] pelted Achan with stones, burned them in fire, and stoned them. [note: there is some question as to whether the family members were also punished. At minimum, they were witnesses to the punishment. According to Ralbag/Radak, this was done as a deterrent against such conduct in the future. The Prophets, The Rubin Edition, P. 37. ]
Was this punishment fair? The loss life for a theft? Was it fair that his family’s lives were taken for his theft?
In the case of Achan’s family, Professor Richard Elliot Friedman, in lecture, noted that with respect to sacred matters, there is a different standard. The Torah documents death resulting from individuals inadvertently coming in contact with a sacred or holy objects, i.e. the Ark. In those instances, no moral violation was necessary for someone to incur an extreme punishment. With this reasoning, Achan’s family was in contact with holy possessions as they were located under their tent. This may have been viewed as a violation warranting a death sentence. This notion would also apply to Achan.
In Achan’s case, his punishment was truly one of context and was intended to be memorable. In the Almighty’s first assertive and awesome display of force to resettle the Children of Israel, Achan disobeyed God’s law, the Torah. Not only did he steal from God, he did so in the presence of the actual Ten Commandments. He humiliated the Master of the Universe in front of those he was seeking to rid from the Promised Land.
Was there precedent for a death sentence? In Numbers, a death sentence for a sabbath violator who was caught gathering wood. This incideny occurred after the Children of Israel once again fell short and after Moses pled to God to spare them. The Almighty sentenced the sabbath violator and “all” of the congregation was to exact the punishment. After this incident, the commandment to wear fringes was enacted as a reminder of the commandments. Numbers 15:39.
Post Achan’s punishment, something similar to the institution of the fringes or talit. After the theft incident, there was a ceremony upon Mount Gerizim and Mount Elbal. There, Joshua read all the words of the Torah, the blessings the curses, according to all that is written in the Book of the Torah. It was reported that “not a word of all Moses’ commandments that Joshua did not read to the entire congregation of Israel. This included the women, children and converts that walked among them. Joshua 8:34-35.
In sum, a Ten Commandments’ based society is one thoroughly educated. All members must be afforded the opportunity to learn and appreciate the rules of conduct. It is incumbent that not only should the members of such a society be fully aware of the laws, they should also particpate in the administration of justice. For instance, in the United States, there is a right to have a jury trial.
Be well!!!
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