Joshua 7:1-9 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Joshua 7:1-9. Let’s go!
Joshua 7:1-6 (NIV)
1 But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD’s anger burned against Israel.
2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.
3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the people will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary all the people, for only a few men are there.”
4 So about three thousand men went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai,
5 who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water.
6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads.
On verses 1-6: Riding the wave of their great victory at Jericho, Joshua uses the same strategy when attacking the next city, Ai. Joshua first sends spies to spy out Ai. Based on the spies’ report about Ai’s small population, Joshua decides not to send so many troops to Ai (v3). However, Joshua’s army is routed by the small town of Ai. It’s the first defeat Israel has experienced under Joshua’s leadership. The defeat leads Joshua and Israel’s elders to humble themselves before God.
What can we learn from this?
One could argue that Joshua’s approach to attacking Ai lacked one thing: prior to the attack on Ai, at least on paper there didn’t seem to be much communication between Joshua and the Lord concerning what to do with Ai. It’s almost as if Joshua just assumed that he knew what to do and relied on his previous experience and smarts to get the job done. It’s a reminder that even when we face challenges that don’t seem that big to us, we still want to rely on the Lord and keep the lines of communication with Him open. With God, all things are possible. Apart from God we can do nothing.
Joshua 7:7-9 (NIV)
7 And Joshua said, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!
8 O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?
9 The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?”
On verses 7-9: After the discouraging defeat at Ai, Joshua was asking God questions, but they were only questions of complaint. At least in these verses Joshua wasn’t seeking to understand where he and his army went wrong. Rather Joshua was more just sulking and panicking.
What can we learn from this? When you’ve experienced disappointment, it is good to go to God and pour out your heart. But when things don’t go your way, don’t just go to God with your complaints and fears. Go to God with a humble and teachable heart, seeking to understand what God wants to teach you through the situation.
Heavenly Father, whether the challenge I am facing seems big or small in my eyes, may I always rely on You and Your wisdom, not my own. When things don’t go my way, may I not come to You only with my complaints and fears, but with a humble and teachable heart as well. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
