Joshua 6:17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
The Bible speaks of the accursed thing in several of the passages which pertain to the title of the study. It has to do with specific things God has expressly forbidden, and that have been slated for destruction and it can include places, and individuals that might have a curse hanging over them.
There are also inanimate objects which are accursed and are designated as such in the Bible. Now, even though we have the freedom of choice, and even if God’s protection is over us, there might be instances when we might become adversely affected in some way by an accursed thing.
This usually occurs when folks deliberately interact with an accursed thing, or person, and it could also happen inadvertently, where a person did not know, but somehow, was affected by the accursed thing or person. According to the Bible, accursed things, and persons can produce collateral damage in others.
This is not superstition by any means, and God does not want any Christian to live in fear, but there are certain realities which we will have to come to grips with, as we near the close of earth’s history, when demonic activity, coupled together with ignorance, or disobedience can place persons in compromised positions.
Case in point is our first passage which specifically says that the physical city of Jericho was accursed, and all the people and animals that belonged to it. With the exception of Rahab and her family, every thing and everyone else had a curse upon them and that’s why the entire city was to be destroyed.
Curses do not come upon persons or things by mere accident, for the accursed thing, or person is always invariably, the result of a departure from the plainly stated will of God, and deliberate persistence in the paths of unrighteousness, where mercy no longer is allowed to do its work.
The question is: How did Jericho receive such a bad designation as being accursed? Was it an arbitrary classification by God, or was it something definitive the inhabitants and national leaders had done, for it to be labelled as being accursed?
Consider what is being said carefully, because it has personal, and it can also have national implications, according to the Bible. And what about the animals and the inanimate objects of Jericho?
How is it that they too could also fall under the very same designation, even though as far as we know, they didn’t knowingly participate in whatsoever the issue or problem was?
This raises very grave and important questions, for if indeed, the entire city did fall under the designation of being accursed then it means that there would be issues of domain, jurisdiction, and territory at stake, which must now be addressed, for to the cursory reader it may seem an arbitrary act on God’s part.
The presidential seal of any nation stipulates those territories which fall under its jurisdiction, therefore everything and everyone under its dominion could become part and parcel of a designation, if persons participate in whatsoever the problem is.
And because the animals and the inanimate objects of the place in question, belong to the inhabitants thereof, they can also become accursed by default, as when Adam sinned, and everything and everyone under his jurisdiction suffered because of the curse.
After the fall of man in Eden, the entire creation fell under a curse, and everything, and everyone who fell under Adam’s dominion were adversely affected by the curse. That includes every person born after Adam, the ground upon which we walk, all the fruit trees, every animal, and things like the atmosphere, and weather patterns which saw great changes.
When God gave Adam the dominion, He put him in charge, and thus, everything under his domain will be affected for the better or the worse, depending on the course of action Adam pursued. That is why we in our day currently are not in a spectator sport, for there will be trickle down effects depending on what persons in charge do.
That’s the reason why the prince of darkness targets leaders, heads of families, and persons in high office specifically, for if it is the case that he can succeed in getting them to commit grave errors, those who are under their domain would end up suffering adverse effects, some more, some less. Let’s read:
Proverbs 29: 2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn.
This should serve as a teaching moment to all of us, because the heads of families, whether they are single parent families or those households that have two parents; they are responsible for whatsoever is taking place under their roof, because that is your little domain that God has entrusted you to manage.
But especially fathers, where there are fathers, they are responsible for what takes place at home, for if the head of the family fails, he can put his wife and children at risk. This is the reason why the fourth commandment, pertaining to the Sabbath includes domain, when it mentions “The stranger within Thy gates”.
If it’s your gates, then whatsoever takes place there over the sacred hours of the Sabbath belongs to you as the head of your family. And, if there are known violations which are allowed to go unaddressed and unresolved, then it’s time for reform and change.
The same issue of domain is applicable where there might be a son or daughter doing, or selling drugs at your home. If the cops were to show up, and they found a bag of ninety pounds of marijuana stuffed under the son’s bed, the cops may hold the parents responsible even if they did not know, because that is their domain. Let’s read:
Genesis 1: 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.
And now, with the prince of darkness having a good and thorough understanding of the issue of domain and jurisdiction, he presently goes about seeking to upend Adam and Eve’s dominion, if he can get them to commit deliberate sin.
And if he is successful, the curse which is the natural byproduct of deliberate sin will rest upon everything and everyone under Adam’s domain. This is how the city of Jericho became accursed with everything and everyone in it, because it hinges on two main issues, namely dominion and participation. Let’s read:
Genesis 3: 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
And now, that Adam has consciously disobeyed the express command of God, the default setting is the curse, which is not something that God is now going to do to them. When God said to Adam and Eve you will surely die, if you eat of the forbidden tree, that did not mean I will surely kill you.
It meant that their disobedience would essentially disconnect them from God, the Source of all life and when that occurred, they would gradually sink into a lower and still lower state of existence, until their sins would culminate in death, which is the natural result of sin.
It was never something that God did to the human family, and therefore, the curse, as it pertains to our eventual demise is just the natural result/ byproduct of disobedience. Be very careful of the perspectives in the world, as it pertains to what God did, or did not do. Let’s read:
Genesis 3: 17 And unto Adam he said, because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded you saying, thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.
Some persons reading this account may erroneously fault God for doing such and such. But many people fail to realize that the devil is in the details, for there are natural consequences, including being accursed, especially when a deliberate decision to do wrong is made by persons who have jurisdiction.
When God cursed the ground, He simply stated the natural results of sowing and reaping that would be commencing. When persons get separated from the source of life, their lives would eventually fade into oblivion. Not that God would be doing something to them perse.
The time is coming when God will purify the earth by fire, and there have been certain instances in the history of our planet, when, because of deliberate sin and unrepentant hearts, it became necessary to intervene, and do things unto persons and nations, as was the case with Sodom and Gomorrah.
But as a general rule, the accursed thing occurs as a direct result of deliberate conscious evils, in most of the instances, and the destruction or adverse results which follow, often occur whenever the restraining power of God is removed, as a result of the sin.
The results of sin, which we will read of in the next references, occur naturally, just as if a person were to deliberately touch a live, high-tension wire, which is loaded with electricity. Yes, you will get shocked, and might even die in the process.
But individuals who might read the obituary in the newspapers of your demise, should never conclude that F.P.L somehow deliberately did something unto you. They did not, because what took place was just the naturally occurring consequences of someone touching the live wire.
In the Bible, God is often portrayed as doing things He does not prevent, and because of this, persons have drawn incorrect conclusions of Him. Thus, the following excerpts are naturally occurring results of Adam’s deliberate sin, not something that The Lord is going to do to them purposefully. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 50>57]
[1] The atmosphere, once so mild and uniform in temperature, was now subject to marked changes, and the Lord mercifully provided them with a garment of skins as a protection from the extremes of heat and cold.
[2] As they witnessed in drooping flower and falling leaf the first signs of decay, Adam and his companion mourned more deeply than men now mourn over their dead. {Fall}
[3] As a result of his disobedience, he was driven from his beautiful home, and forced to struggle with a stubborn soil.
[4] The robe of light which had enshrouded them, now disappeared.
[5] Under the curse of sin all nature was to witness to man of the character and results of rebellion against God.
[6] So long as Adam remained loyal to Heaven, all nature was in subjection to him, but when he rebelled against the divine law, the inferior creatures were in rebellion against his rule.
As proof that there are natural consequences which follow a course of sin, let us leave Adam alone for a moment, so that the erroneous perspectives of God doing these things can be corrected.
The following is the naturally occurring curse, now resting upon the prince of darkness, as a result of him deliberately following a wrong course of action over the years, for when persons get disconnected from God, The Source of life, their gradual eventual demise begins. Let’s read:
[Early Writings pp 152] I was shown Satan as he once was, a happy, exalted angel. Then I was shown him as he now is. He still bears a kingly form. His features are still noble, for he is an angel fallen.
But the expression of his countenance is full of anxiety, care, unhappiness, malice, hate, mischief, deceit, and every evil. His frame was large, but the flesh hung loosely about his hands and face.
Jericho was given over to idolatry, graven images of gold and silver were everywhere and the worship of false gods had taken deep root to the point where it was considered quite normal and acceptable in that society for the vile and the evil to be indulged freely, being supported and financed by the leaders.
That’s how the city, and everything in it came to be accursed, because the proof is in the pudding, and the wages of sin is death. In other words, through the continual indulgence in sin, with no repentance, the city became permanently and inseparably linked to sin, and that produces the accursed condition.
However, just for the record, the same merciful God who bore long with pharaoh, and Nebuchadnezzar, also dealt mercifully with the Amorites, who lived in the land for four hundred years. Therefore, when it is declared by God that the city is accursed, we must understand the issue in the context of His mercies, and forbearance. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 424] Although the Amorites were idolaters, whose life was justly forfeited by their great wickedness, God spared them four hundred years to give them unmistakable evidence that He was the only true God, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Sufficient evidence was given; they might have known the truth, had they been willing to turn from their idolatry and licentiousness. But they rejected the light and clung to their idols.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 487] Jericho was one of the principal seats of idol worship, being especially devoted to Ashtaroth, the goddess of the moon. Here was centered all that was vilest, and the most degrading in the religion of the Canaanites.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 127] In the groves were set up the altars of false gods, and human sacrifices were offered upon the neighboring heights.
It is worthy of note that it was not any supernatural spell that was cast over the city, that caused it to be accursed. It was the deliberate practice of idolatry in its darkest hues, that caused the classification to be stated by the God of heaven.
Thus, a warning was issued to the children of Israel that they should not appropriate to themselves, any of the accursed things for by doing so they would be guilty by association.
At the command of God, they were to go there, and do exactly, and only what God had told them to, but they are not to bring home to themselves anything which belonged to Jericho, because it was accursed.
If for any reason, someone was to take the accursed things to themselves, not only would they become accursed, but there will also be naturally occurring collateral damage to persons who had nothing to do with the violations, since God’s protection would be removed, leading to signal failure and defeat. Let’s read:
Joshua 6:18 And you, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest you make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
This is why it was stated earlier, that very careful consideration must be given to the subject matter. According to narrative the accursed thing could only be processed in the sanctuary, where God’s work of cleansing was centered. Let’s read:
Joshua 6:19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.
However, with all of the warnings given by God, the temptation to take the accursed thing proved to be too great for one person, even Achan and therefore, what follows next is where our study will begin, for it will us give pause for concern as we observe all of the ramifications and consequences that follow.
Several observations will be highlighted, and then, God will bid us to keep ourselves from the accursed thing in our day, lest we also become accursed. Let’s read:
Joshua 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.
[1] The accursed thing, or an accursed person could cause catastrophic damage to come upon others, if persons are not guided by God in all things.
These are the days when you will have to pray about any, and everything, because there is a heavy curse resting upon the land. Especially will this be true if you plan to travel, especially to places where there’s the drum beat of war, or where you would associate with persons you don’t know, in close proximity.
For instance, because of the accursed thing across the globe, you would have to pray first before going on a cruise, lest some Hantavirus, or other sudden, unforeseen problem, puts a spoke in your wheels, possibly for months on end, as Covid once did.
It doesn’t mean that you cannot go; all God is saying is that you should seek Him in prayer first, so that if He so chooses, He could give you a heads up of any potential problems that might arise out of the blue, of which you were not expecting.
Joshua did not pray first, and the men also under his jurisdiction most likely did not pray too, or else, God would have given them a heads up by alerting them to the fact that a curse was resting upon the land, as He did with Rahab. And because of a lack of prayer, lives were lost, even though they did not participate in Achan’s sin.
Their problem was not one of collusion to commit a crime; their issue was carelessness and presumption which led them to believe that just because the God of heaven had promised the land of Canaan they did not need to pray and ask Him for guidance.
When God makes a promise, and begins to fulfill it in His own time and way, we should never conclude that devils would not try to interfere in some way or the other. In fact, it is a cardinal rule in the spiritual realm that whenever God is about to do great things for His people, the prince of darkness is also usually there, to contest every step of advance.
[2] According to the narrative, failure in a war could potentially be the result of an accursed thing, or an accursed person in the midst. Let’s read:
Joshua 7:4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.
5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
This is a war now, and we should bear in mind that the thirty-six men never ever touched or even came close to the accursed thing, thus, they really did not know, and yet, here they are, being quite adversely affected while some of them have lost their lives in the process.
This account raises very grave questions with global implications for when the narrative is scrutinized, or analyzed, it raises the grim prospect that failure in a war may not be because of equipment or strategy, it might be attributable to an accursed thing or person in the camp.
We are just observing the principles in question. Is it possible that one person could do wrong and others suffer as a result, even if they were not aware of the wrong, or did not participate in it. Is it possible that a nation could actually fail in battle because of some accursed thing, or because some person in question is accursed?
Joshua needed to find out the truth in the matter urgently, because, if they have just come off a fresh victory in Jericho, and an army that is much inferior to them is giving them so much trouble, then, as far as Joshua is concerned, he has to get to the bottom of this, to find out what is going on.
Could it be their equipment? It couldn’t be because under God’s leadership in Jericho, their equipment was more than adequate and superior. Could it be their numbers? It could not be because God knows how to win with few or many, as He once did with only three hundred men in Gideon’s day.
So, what exactly is the problem? This haunting and complex question would find no answer until, in his desperation and frustration, Joshua asks of God, the all-important question, what’s going on. Let’s read:
Joshua 7:6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.
7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord God, wherefore have thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!
8 O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turns their backs before their enemies!
10 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?
11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
A grave responsibility rests upon individuals who try to cover up wrongs that can affect a congregation or a nation in negative ways. Maybe, just maybe, those individuals who lived in Achan’s tent, did not initially know of his plans to steal the accursed things from Jericho.
But now that they know for sure, they must not try to cover up for Achan because if you see something, it is your positive duty to say something, especially if men are dying on the battlefield because of what he had done in stealing the accursed thing.
Achan’s wife and family members should first go to him and let him know of the wrongs committed, so that the curse may be lifted, and we hope that the father would have a change of heart and mind.
But if he digs in his heels, every one of them should get dressed, and head over to Joshua’s door, and let him know of the evils Achan committed. It makes us shudder in our boots, as we think about it, but there is a moral duty resting upon Mrs. Achan, and all of her kids to snitch on the husband and father.
Would doing so drive a wedge between Achan, and his wife and family? It almost certainly would, but if they are not to be held culpable, that is what would be required and who knows, God might have shown them mercy, just as He once did with Rahab, when she saw something and said something. Let’s read:
Joshua 7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except you destroy the accursed from among you.
In studying the ramifications of this incident, within the context of current events we became startled as we read the exposition on the matter. When a dear leader digs in his or her heels in deliberate sin, and when there is no hint of repentance, or a change of heart, those folks under their jurisdiction may suffer, some more, some less.
Thus, now, more than ever before, we need to pray, for we cannot afford to make the same mistake that Joshua made, in doing this or that without seeking direction and clearance from The Lord. Take a good look at what is written, concerning the incident that took place as a result of the accursed thing being in the midst. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 497] For one man’s sin the displeasure of God will rest upon His church till the transgression is searched out and put away.
We didn’t have a problem with that statement, for it is to be expected in the context of the church, which has to bear the stamp and character of God, if we’re to expect God’s protecting care, and His victories to sustain us in spiritual warfare.
What gave us great pause for concern was the next statement, which moves the arena from the church, to a national or international level, for, according to the script, the accursed thing or an accursed person could also adversely affect entire nations not merely God’s people in churches. Let’s read:
[Signs of the Times April 21 1881 Par 17] The history of Achan teaches the solemn lesson, that for one man’s sin, the displeasure of God will rest upon a people or a nation till the transgression is searched out and punished. Sin is corrupting in its nature. One man infected with its deadly leprosy may communicate the taint to thousands.
So, the question is: what constitutes the accursed thing, or accursed person in our day? The answers to this question may surprise you. We will do five categories because of the constraints of time, but if and when you get a chance, look up the accursed thing or the abomination in the Bible, and see what you get.
Category [1] Graven images of gold and silver, made to worship and adore. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 7: 25 The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God.
26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
Wherever there is an unusual, insatiable craving for idols made of gold or silver, and wherever there are statues for worship, adoration or self-exaltation, you will most likely find the accursed thing, or accursed persons in the midst.
Category [2] The presence of an overabundance of lies, and blatant falsehoods, repeated without any compunction of conscience.
Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Wherever there is an over-abundance of lies, each and every day and wherever truth has become as an endangered species, there, you will most likely see the accursed things or accursed persons present.
Category [3] Foods that are strictly forbidden.
Leviticus 11: 7 And the swine, though he divides the hoof, and be cloven-footed, yet he chews not the cud; he is unclean to you.
10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you.
11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; you shall not eat of their flesh, but you shall have their carcasses in abomination.
12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.
In addition, if it has more than four legs, and if it has claws, you should proceed with caution, because it is likely to be an accursed thing. And if it is currently in your house, it can trigger adverse effects on the members of the household.
Category [4] Sermons from preachers who preach or mix falsehoods with truth deliberately such as those who teach that God’s law is abolished, or no longer binding upon men.
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preaches any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Category [5] Wherever there is a convergence or a confluence of evil traits of character being manifest in a person, without remorse or repentance, there, you most likely will see an accursed person.
Proverbs 6: 16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him.
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaks lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
If for some reason you were to see these attributes converging in a single individual, it is quite possible that the person’s name is Achan and if so the person is accursed. Furthermore, according to what we’ve studied earlier, there will be trickle down effects, if anyone happens to be under their jurisdiction. It is a fearful truth, but it is the truth.
In closing, remember that Joshua, together with the thirty-six men who perished, really did not know of the accursed thing, and yet, everyone was affected. It is a call to prayer and deep soul searching, lest we inadvertently, or deliberately place ourselves in the compromised position, and thus, suffer adversities unnecessarily.
Spending quality time with God will prevent a host of evils, and God will give you a heads up wherever He sees fit because it’s never His will that His people suffer because of deliberate or willful ignorance.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that is relevant and pertinent to such a time as this, for you are going to see some very strange developments in the not-too distant future. Let’s read:
Psalms 32: 8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9 Be not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusts in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.
God Bless!