2 Corinthians 6:17; Touch Not the Unclean Thing
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
After the resounding victory at Jericho, Israel sought to take Ai but was defeated. Ai was a much smaller and weaker city, yet they were defeated. What was the reason?
Joshua 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
During the conquest of Jericho, one man in Israel disobeyed God’s instruction to keep the spoil of the city which God commanded to destroy. This resulted in their defeat. They touched the unclean thing and kept it with them. Items dedicated and symbolising worship to the gods of the land. God was displeased.