Humanity's History in Two Words

Joshua 7:1 But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things;
Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD’s anger burned against Israel.

     "Were Unfaithful." There are two intertwining themes in our lives a human beings. The one we love to talk about. We talk about the great things that we accomplish, the buildings we build, the discoveries we make, the technologies we invent. These all reflect the creative potential instilled in us as image-bearers of the Creator of the Universe. We create, build, discover and invent because we are created to be like our Great God.
     But there is another side of us that we don't like to talk about. We also fail miserably at caring for each other, being stewards of the world in which we live, being faithful to our commitments, being true to our Creator's design. We all fail to one degree or another to rise to our full potential.
     Right after entering the Promised Land through a miracle from the LORD and capturing a city through unlikely means, one person disobeyed the simple, direct command of the LORD. The LORD had said certain things in the city belonged to Him and Him alone. Pretty simple, right?
     Achan thought he could get away with disobedience. He thought he wouldn't be noticed. He thought his sin wasn't so bad. It was only a few small things, after all. And the consequences of his sin cost the lives of thirty-six fellow Israelites! Their deaths were clearly laid at Achan's feet.
     The people responded by getting discouraged and turning to fear. Not the best attributes for those who will fight the battles.
     So Joshua pleads with the LORD. Not his best moment! He blames the LORD for what has happened. But the LORD puts the blame right back where it belongs. They had violated the terms of the covenant. So Joshua obeys the LORD and sorts through the people, tribes to clans to families to man. Achan is selected.
     Achan comes clean and suffers the consequences for his disobedience. His sin is so dangerous that the only solution is his complete elimination. Sin MUST be dealt with; it can't be tolerated in God's people.
     And there was a pile of stones to remind future generations of the consequences of disobedience. (See Stones To Remember)