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Do you remember Julius Caesar? He was the emperor of Rome during its golden age. But did you know that Julius Caesar was once captured by pirates? Before his reign as emperor, Caesar set sail for Rhodes, where he wanted to study under some of the great teachers. Unfortunately, his ship was attacked by pirates, who demanded a ransom for Caesar's return to his family. Caesar, who thought himself very important, was insulted that the pirates were asking so little money for his life and told them that he was worth twice the amount!

The pirates agreed quite happily to Caesar's suggestion, and instantly demanded more money for his ransom. Then they sat and waited. Thirty-eight days later they received the money. During that time, the pirates and Caesar got along pretty well. Caesar, however vowed to the pirates that he would make them pay -by death- for kidnapping him. The pirates laughed, took the money and left Caesar, thinking they had seen the last of him.

Caesar, however, was furious. After the pirates released him, he went to the nearest port and built up a fleet of ships. (Caesar was rich and could afford to do this). Quickly, with his new ships, Caesar captured the pirates and killed them all. He had returned to repay them for their crime, when they thought he was gone forever. Caesar was simply a powerful man, who kept his promise to bring the pirates to justice. In our story from Joshua, however, it is the all powerful God himself who brought Achan to justice for his crime. Both Achan and the pirates thought no one would find them out, and take revenge. Both were caught.

God says in his word, "Be sure your sins will find you out". (Numbers 32:23) Fortunately when we sin today, we are not killed for it. Instead, God has provided His Son, the Lord Jesus, as a sacrifice instead. The Lord died for our sins so we do not have to worry about paying for them. If, however, we do not accept the Lord as our Savior, the Bible says "the wrath of God" will abide on us. Don't make the mistake of thinking, like the pirates , or Achan, that obtaining money or wealth is worth disobeying God. In the end, the money was gone and they lost their lives. If you reject the Lord Jesus, and pretend that no one sees your sin, then God will find you out. If you accept him, you can have peace with God and your sins forever forgiven.

Related Items:

• Face to Face with Pirates
• F inally Set Free
• Sunday School Lesson 304 Achan Steals from Jericho and is stoned to death
• The Person of Christ - 06 - The Deity of Christ
• The Crime of the Century