From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
The Old Testament > Joshua > Chapter 7
[edit] Questions
[edit] Verse 13
- Individual guilt and communal suffering. Why does all of Israel suffer the consequences of one person's sin (viz. Achan's act of stealing described throughout this chapter)?
[edit] Lexical notes
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[edit] Exegesis
[edit] Verse 13: Individual guilt and communal suffering
The conditional aspect of the Sinai Covenant (see link below) implies that if any of Israel is not obedient, then all of Israel will suffer. This is analogous to the fallen nature of humanity through Adam's transgression in the Garden of Eden. Later, God offers the Davidic Covenant to Israel (see link below) whereby only the king must be obedient in order to achieve God's blessing. This is analogous to Paul's teachings about how the atonement works: although we are all condemned through Adam's transgression, we are all redeemed through Christ's atonement (see Rom 5:12-19).
[edit] Related links
[edit] Verse 13: Individual guilt and communal suffering
- Sinai covenant. See this comment for a discussion of the communal nature of the Sinai covenant contrasted with the individual nature of the Davidic covenant.
- If ye are not one. This is a blog post by Kevin Burt at Millenial Star offers personal reflections about the story of Achan.
