In chapter six Israel had great success. However, they violated the ban God gave in taking spoil. “But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan,…….took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the LORD burned against the sons of Israel.” (1a, c) In this way, they failed to give God the ‘first fruits’ of their victory. As a result of one man’s disobedience, 36 men died in the next battle against Ai. Joshua presumptuously blamed God and became angry. God quickly rebuked him pointing to Israel’s sin as the reason for their loss. Sometimes we get angry that God does not answer our prayers while we hide the sin in our lives. When Achan was exposed, Israel stoned him and his family [who knew and would benefit from his disobedience], and then God turned from His anger and gave them compassion. When we ignore sin, it has a deadly impact. Blaming God is a foolish thing! To move into God’s favor, we must confess our sin and forsake it. “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper; But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.” (Proverbs 28:13)