Achan Confesses and Wins a Share in the World to Come

Yalkut Shimoni on Nach 18:11

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"Indeed I have sinned" (Joshua 7:20). Our rabbis taught: when the condemned man was about ten cubits from the place of stoning, they would say to him, "Confess," for it is the way of all who are put to death to confess, since everyone who confesses has a share in the World to Come. And if he does not know how to confess, they say to him, "Say: may my death be an atonement for all my sins." For so we find with Achan, that Joshua said to him, "My son, give now glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make confession to Him" (Joshua 7:19), "and Achan answered Joshua and said, Indeed I have sinned" (Joshua 7:20). And how do we know that his confession atoned for him? As it is said, "And Joshua said, Why have you troubled us? The LORD shall trouble you this day" (Joshua 7:25) — this day you are troubled, but you are not troubled in the World to Come.

Themes

RepentanceAfterlifeDivine Justice

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