The deep concern of Joshua 7:1–26 is that the people of Israel might become just like the Canaanites who inhabit the land and as a result be exiled from God’s presence (Joshua 7:12b). The Lord in his grace does not leave Joshua and Israel in the dark regarding their sin; he tells them why he is angry and how the situation can be remedied. Once the terms of the Mosaic covenant are kept and Achan is killed, the Lord’s anger is turned and Israel can once again continue with their invasion of the land.
1 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.