Contemplative Bible Reading

Joshua 7:24-25 (New Living Translation)

24 Then Joshua and all the Israelites took Achan, the silver, the robe, the bar of gold, his sons, daughters, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, tent, and everything he had, and they brought them to the valley of Achor. 25 Then Joshua said to Achan, “Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will now bring trouble on you.” And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies.

This is part of the (hi)story of a man named Achan who lived and died several thousand years ago. Achan had stolen some things that were dedicated to God. This thievery brought punishment and grief to all the people (all the Israelites).

Once found guilty, Achan faced punishment. We read that ALL this Israelites gathered and threw rocks at Achan AND ALL HIS FAMILY until they all died. ALL the Israelites then burned the dead bodies.

This was one of the great things that discouraged sin in the land. If you, my good neighbor and friend, sinned in such a way that required punishment of death, I had to help throw rocks at you until you died. I had to throw rocks. We didn’t have a professional executioner that did this for us. We all had to participate in killing you.

That was bloody and awful.

“Please don’t do that,” neighbors would tell one another. “I don’t want to help kill you, but I will have to help kill you if you do that.”

Have an affair with the young man down the road? I will have to help kill you. “Borrow” things without permission? I will have to help kill you. The list goes on. The “I will have to help kill you” goes on.

That was bloody and awful.

The death of Jesus on the cross was bloody and awful. The death of Jesus on the cross ended this bloody and awful situation in the community. Consider that for a moment. If nothing else, consider the size of that great gift. I no longer have to help kill my friend and neighbor.

Thank you God.