Now the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. (v.1)
Message: The Israelites Conquer Ai
Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components.
What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 7 was a little setback in their conquest of Canaan. Because of the sin of Achan and his desire to take from some of the loot that was seized through the falling of Jericho, there were men lost in the battle at Ai. This time then the Lord says to Joshua to take everyone with you to Ai (v.1) and Ai will be like Jericho, taking only its spoil and cattle as plunder (v.2). 30,000 went (v. 3). They will bring the people out of the city and once that is done will set the city on fire (v.4-8). The people came up and camped on the north side of Ai (v.11). Joshua set some people in front of the city, about 5,000 and the king of Ai saw this, not realizing that there were more on the other side: an ambush (v.12-14). All of Ai pursued those in front leaving the city unguarded (v.15-17). What resulted was a setup or trap of the people of Ai, with Israel killing all of the inhabitants of Ai after setting fire to Ai. All the people of Ai numbered 12,000 (v.18-25). The king of Ai was hung and then threw it to front of the City among stones (v. 16-29).
The Tabletalk reading today infers several ideas from the king hanging on the tree.
1. It was a sign to the Israelites that God’s curse was on the Canaanites and that the Lord remained determined to expel them from the land, since a body hanged on a tree was cursed by God.
2. It was a warning to any other Canaanites who might have seen it that they would meet the same fate if they did not leave the land.
3. It was a reminder to Israel of the severe consequences of resisting the Lord. Persistent, impenitent disobedience leads to death whether or not one is part of God’s covenant people. After all, the Israelite Achan, no less than the king of Ai, was killed for breaking God’s law.
Death is the result of every person. The image of Jesus hung on a tree for us is a reminder now to all people everywhere that death is the outcome of each person. And yet God conquers death if we trust in Him and walk in His ways. We are to be a people trusting in God.
Summary: The Lord leads Joshua on the people back to Ai to conquer it, showing them a way to ambush the people, with the end result of the king of Ai being cursed, hanging on a tree.
Promise: The way to have the comfort of what God allows us, is, to keep from what he forbids us.
Prayer: Lord, I was encouraged by my friend Bobby yesterday as he took what was troubling him before you. Today, what I am struggling with is getting the work before me completed. There are many things before me and I am struggling to get them done, but rather want to focus on what is the immediate or even things that do not matter much. Help me dear God to take the time to write out a plan, to document the path. I need to get things done and I need your strength to get it done. I do not have a good attitude about things. Help me to have better direction in my life. Strengthen me. Show me the path you would have me walk and let me trust You in obedience.
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