There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. Hosea 2: 15 

The Valley of Achor was known as ‘trouble valley’ because it was the place where Achan and his family were put to death.  Achan had stolen some gold, silver, and a beautiful Babylonian robe from the spoils of Jericho and kept them for himself. All of this was in direct violation of God’s orders ~ all spoils were to be gathered, sanctified, and set aside for use in the Lord’s treasury.  Achan’s family was also killed because they were privy to the crime.   Everything was hidden right under their noses, in their own family tent.  

The Valley Achor was the mountain pass one had to travel to reach the promised land.  While it should have been a passageway of hope, taking the Israelites to the land God promised them, it ended up being a place of pain and punishment instead.  Achan’s sin affected all the people, not just him.  Their next battle against the people of Ai was lost and Israelites were killed, all because there was concealed sin in Israel’s camp.

Sin committed privately is never isolated from affecting others.  A crooked employee affects the company and the potential prosperity of every worker. A wicked father corrupts the home and harms each member.  A evil dictator oppresses the people and sends them to the dark ages.  Sin infects.  

Though there is, presently, a godly remnant in America, the sins of our leaders and the anti-god culture have infected the whole.  God has made it clear how to see our land healed.  Through ‘identificational repentance’.  

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

Collectively, and humbly, we repent by identifying with our nation.  “We repent. Forgive us our sins.”  Only then will our present Valley of Achor become a Door of Hope.  

Even the sin of Achan can teach me.  I humble myself to learn from history.  Amen