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Chapter 7 records another sin of disobedience that brought judgment upon Israel. Fortunately, it was only one family that sinned. Achan, of the Tribe of Judah, took some of the spoils of Jericho that should have been put into the treasury of the Tabernacle and kept it for himself. As a result, Israel lost its next battle to the Amorites at Ai.
What caused the defeat at Ai? (Midian) The obvious answer is Achan's disobedience, but there were other contributing factors also. The victory at Jericho had given the Israelites a "big head". It provided much gold and silver, plus food and supplies which they did not have to work for. God needed to humble the people. Their "big headedness" was evidenced by their evaluation of Ai assuming that 3000 troops would be all that they would need to defeat them. God does not like to be taken for granted.
When Joshua hears of the defeat he rents his cloths and fell upon his face before the Ark of the Lord. Notice in verse 7 how he addresses God. "Ad-o-noy" is a combination of two words: Adan = Sovereign, Master, Owner. Noy = Controller. Together they mean, God - Lord. From this we can see the emotional state of Joshua. A few weeks before, God had promised Joshua that all that lay before him was his. What happened? Sin, in the form of disobedience to an order, had entered the camp of Israel. Who had sinned? Well God certainly knew but He had a plan so that Joshua could find out. All the people were commanded to purify themselves.
The next day, each tribe would pass before the Lord until the guilty tribe was determined. Judah was that tribe. Then the Clans of the tribe of Judah came by, and the clan of Zerah was found guilty. Then the families in the clan of Zerah came by and the family of Achan was found guilty. Then Joshua asked him what he had done and he told Joshua that he had taken from Jericho for himself, a "Babylonian type" robe (a beautiful mantle from the Plain of Shinar). The Hebrew word suggests that it was a "kingly garment" similar to those worn by royalty in Babylon which was the fashion capitol of the world at that time. Certainly it was to fine a garment to be destroyed with Jericho. He also had taken 50 shekels of gold ($500.00) and 200 shekels of silver ($200.00) which he buried deep in the ground under his tent.
Joshua sent some men to Achan's tent where they found the stolen goods and brought it to Joshua Then Joshua took it and Achan and his family and herds to the Valley of Achor (meaning outside the camp) and there they were stoned to death and their bodies were burned. Then piles of stones were put upon them. The place was called the Valley of "Calamity" or "Trouble".
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