"But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, 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."
Achan's covet on those accursed things had caused a terrible warning to the people of Israel, which was a violation to the command of the Lord.
What remained as mystery was there are two possible interpretations of this verse:
"Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them."
Matthew's Henry commentary interpreted it that it was His whole belongings and family were burned as the consequences of keeping secret of the sin he committed (It's rather disturbing if you saw the actual portraits drawn). However, my pastor's told me that only his things that he took were burned.
As a matter in fact, I know is God merciful, but I know His intolerance to sin is absolute.
On the other hand, Joshua made a good example. When He heard the news when the Israelites have fallen to the hands of the people of Ai. He quickly seek and pleaded with God, asking what was the reason that God allowed such things happened. He demonstrated a good example of a spiritual leader, he did not sort matters on his own, instead he turned to God, seeking the solutions and consecrated the people when God told him there were accursed sins hidden inside of people's hear.
References.
Matthew Henry's Commentary, Joshua 7
New International Version 1984, Joshua 7
Pictures were obtained from Google Images for visual references
Joshua 12 listed a lot of kings were conquered by both the leadership of Moses and Joshua.
