God was very particular in regard to Jericho, lest the people should be charmed with the things that the inhabitants had worshiped and their hearts be diverted from God. He guarded His people by most positive commands; yet notwithstanding the solemn injunction from God by the mouth of Joshua, Achan ventured to transgress. His covetousness led him to take of the treasures that God had forbidden him to touch because the curse of God was upon them. And because of this man’s sin the Israel of God were as weak as water before their enemies. {3T 264.2}

Gud er meget bestemt med hensyn til Jeriko, så folket ikke skal fortrylles med de ting som indbyggerne har frygtet og deres hjerter blev adskilt fra Gud. Han vogtede sit folk med de tydeligste påbud; dog uanset denne alvorlige formaning fra Gud gennem Josvas mund, vovede Akan at overtræde. Hans begærlighed ledte ham til at tage de rigdomme som Gud havde forbudt ham at røre fordi Guds forbandelse var over dem. Og på grund af dette menneskes synd var Israels Gud lige så svag som vand over for deres fjender.