JOSHUA CHAPTER 7:1-9, “Defeat
At Ai, Part #1”
By
Jim Bomkamp
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. In our previous studies in
the book of Joshua, we observed:
1.1.1. Chapter 1:
1.1.1.1.
The book of Joshua symbolizes for us as Christians the walk in the
blessing and victory that is our inheritance in Christ
1.1.1.2.
Stepping out and conquering the land of Canaan symbolizes the claiming
and appropriating of the promises that the Lord has given us in Christ
1.1.2. Chapter 2:
1.1.2.1.
The rescue of Rahab the Harlot was initiated by the Lord because as we
saw she was a true child of God for she possessed true saving faith in Christ
1.1.3. Chapter 3:
1.1.3.1.
The crossing of the Jordan River symbolized for us as Christians the
death to sin and the old nature, with this symbolized by the flow from the city
of
1.1.3.2.
The cross of Jordan also symbolized the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it
being the second crossing of water for the children of
1.1.4. Chapter 4:
1.1.4.1.
This chapter showed us the importance of setting up memorials to the
Lord of what He has taught us and done in our lives
1.1.5. Chapter 5:
1.1.5.1.
As the children of
1.1.6. Chapter 6:
1.1.6.1.
The conquest of the city of
1.1.6.2.
We had finally begun the second section of the book of
1.1.6.3.
We saw that it was by their faith that the children of Israel conquered
the city of Jericho
1.1.6.4.
We saw that God’s methods are not at all what man’s carnal reasoning
and wisdom would suggest that should be done
1.1.6.5.
We saw that the enemies in the
1.1.6.5.1.
The world.
1.1.6.5.2.
The flesh.
1.1.6.5.3.
The Devil.
1.1.6.6.
We saw that it was by remaining steadfastly obedient to the Lord and by
persevering in obedience through trial and difficulty that the children of Israel
were able to achieve such a glorious victory in Jericho
1.2. In our study today, we are
going to look at the defeat that occurred at the city of
1.2.1. We are going to spend two
weeks looking at this defeat at Ai since there is so much we can learn from
this story, plus the fact that usually there is more to be learned from our
failures than from our successes
1.2.2. We will see that this is the
only defeat that the children of Israel encountered in the book of Joshua and
in their conquering of the land of Canaan
1.2.3. We will observe several
causes for this defeat as well as some principles that we as Christians need to
learn from this story, including:
1.2.3.1.
The danger in success
1.2.3.2.
How being victorious can cause you to think that God’s using you
mightily has something to do with you
1.2.3.3.
The sin of prayerlessness
1.2.3.4.
How trusting in God can turn into self-confidence
1.2.3.5.
The folly in relying upon carnal wisdom and council instead of trusting
in the Lord and He alone for victory
1.2.3.6.
The irony of blaming the Lord for your own faithlessness
2. VS 7:1 - “1 But the sons of Israel acted
unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of
Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some
of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the
sons of Israel.” - Joshua tells us that a man
named Achan violated the ban that was placed upon all of the plunder of the
city of
2.1. It has been noted that the
wilderness land in the Arabah where
2.1.1. We Christians likewise have
our mountain top experiences of blessing as well as our valleys of despair.
2.1.1.1.
We appreciate the mountain tops because of the fact that we have
entered them from the valleys.
2.1.1.2.
However, it is in the valleys where the real and precious growth
occurs in our lives, not on the mountains.
Mountains aren’t the kind of terrain that is cohesive to lush vegetative
growth.
2.2. The children of Israel
hadn’t realized that the greatest danger that they faced was actually their own
success,
for their incredible victory at
2.2.1. So it is with us in the church
today. We need to be the most cautious
and the most circumspect when the Lord begins to do a great work in and through
us, for it is at that point that our greatest temptations will come upon us!
2.3. In Joshua 1:7-8, the
Lord had told Joshua that there was a pre-requisite to their being
victorious in conquering of the land of Canaan, for they were guaranteed
success only as long as they were faithful to be obedient to all of the
things that the Lord had commanded them, “7 “Only be strong and
very courageous; be careful to do according to “all” the law which Moses My
servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that
you may have success wherever you go.8 “This book of the law shall not depart
from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be
careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make
your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”
2.3.1. It was sin, transgression of
God’s commands, that caused the Israelites not to have God’s favor and thus to
be conquered at Ai.
2.3.2. In the church today, it seems that when God’s
work is being hindered that there are few who are willing to consider that
their own disobedience to “all” of God’s word could be causing the setbacks.
2.4. The Holy Spirit has given us
some information about this man Achan, and like all else He reveals in His
word, it has significance:
2.4.1. Achan means “troubler” and
Achan is discovered here to be one who brought much trouble to
2.4.2. Achan is the direct
descendant of Zerah, whom we learn from Gen. 38:15-30 was born as a result of
2.5. We see in this chapter also,
that the sin of just one man caused the anger of the Lord to burn against
all
2.5.1. We in the church today are also one
body before the Lord, and thus we read in 1 Cor. 12:26 that ‘if one
member suffers, all the members suffer with it.’
2.5.2. In the church it is also the
case that if one person sins he will adversely affect the entire body.
2.5.3. When we in the church today
see that the Lord’s work is being hindered, hearts are resistant, and the
gospel reaches dead ears, we ought to come before the Lord and ask Him to
reveal if there in fact be any hurtful way in us that is causing this to
happen!
2.5.3.1.
I believe that there are so many churches all across our world that
are ineffective because believers in those congregations have not been willing
to honestly come before the Lord and let Him reveal their sin which
is causing the hand of God to be hindered.
2.5.3.2.
In the late 70’s and early 80’s I played guitar in a Christian jazz
rock band in my home state of
2.6. Jesus taught us that a
little leaven leavens the whole lump, and now we will see how the sin of Achan
had adversely begun to affect the entire nation as well as their very leader,
Joshua.
2.7. What a foolish thing it is
also when people think that like Achan that they can hide their actions and
what is truly in their hearts from the Lord.
2.7.1. None of us can hide from the
Lord for in Num. 32:23 we read, “…be sure and know for your sin
will find you out.”
2.7.2. Hiding our sins is
foolishness and leads only to disaster.
3. VS 7:2-3 - “2 Now Joshua sent men from
Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go
up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.3 And they
returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up; only
about two or three thousand men need go up to Ai; do not make all the people
toil up there, for they are few.”” - Having
gloriously triumphed in victory over
3.1. Notice in these verses how
differently everything progresses with the battle of Ai verses the pattern
that the Lord had led them to implement with the battle of
3.1.1. Before going to
3.1.2. Before going to
3.1.2.1.
The tendency in churches after a great victory where the Lord has
blessed in a great way is to relax in prayer. However, we must realize that with great
victories for the Lord there is now more reason than ever to be in prayer
and to persevere in prayer.
3.1.3. Arrogantly, the spies to
went up to Ai tell Joshua not the condition of the city of Ai (as they had done
with Jericho) but how they ought to proceed in conquering it, and then Joshua follows
their advice, and thus we see that it is their carnal reasoning and wisdom
which is followed instead of the Lord’s leading.
3.1.3.1.
It is amazing how in the church that we can go so quickly from trusting
in the Lord and Him alone to looking to the carnal wisdom and counsel of
men.
3.1.4. At
3.1.5. When the Israelites
conquered Jericho every man went up to battle, and thus every man could see the miraculous
hand of the Lord at work, however here Joshua concedes to the advice of the
spies and sends only 3,000 men.
3.1.6. At the battle of
3.2. We see in this chapter the
humanity and weaknesses of Joshua for he displays much of the flesh as well as
the Spirit.
3.3. After the tremendous victory
at Jericho, Joshua somehow seems to feel that the victory in that battle had
something to do with him and his innate gifting and abilities, for at Ai he
does not seek the Lord for His wisdom, leading, and power, for the conquest.
3.3.1. This is such a common
phenomena amongst Christian leaders of our day. When they have had success in ministry
they immediately begin to pray less instead of more and rely not upon the
Lord as their only hope, and this is because that for some reason they can begin
to think that they have some great innate gifting that has caused the Lord to
work mightily through them.
3.3.2. Again, we see that following
success in the ministry that we in the church need to be most in prayer and
trembling before the Lord so that we do not fall prey to the many and great
temptations we will face.
3.4. It is a foolish thing for us
as Christians to like Joshua think that we can battle spiritual forces in our
own strength. It is after all the case
that we battle not flesh and blood but spiritual forces of wickedness in the
heavenly places. We need to realize that we
must rely completely upon the Lord and the strength of His might in order for
us to have victory and be used by the Lord in any person’s life.
3.5. As I mentioned at the outset of this
chapter, in the Christian experience there are many mountain tops as well as
valleys, however we learn our greatest lessons in the valleys. Here in chapter 7, Joshua and the children
are taught their greatest lessons, and it is from this experience that we
will see later in this chapter another memorial is setup, one which should
also be a continual reminder to them of these lessons to be learned.
3.5.1. As I review this chapter, I
am taken with the fact that Joshua and the children of
3.5.1.1.1.
Learning their greatest lessons.
3.5.1.1.2.
The path for further victories being provided to them.
3.5.1.2.
God’s grace is so awesome in that He allows His people to fail, but not
that He might smash, condemn, or destroy them, but that He might strengthen and
teach them
and in doing so make them mighty for battle and victorious for Him.
4. VS 7:4-5 - “4 So about three thousand men
from the people went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai.5 And the men
of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them from the gate
as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent, so the hearts of the
people melted and became as water.” - Joshua
tells us that the children of
4.1. We see such humiliation here in these verses. The mighty conquerors now become cowards
and flee before their enemies.
4.2. What a reproach this is to
God’s people for
in Lev. 26:7-9 they were told that five of them would chase a hundred
and a hundred of them would chase ten thousand, and yet now 3,000 of them are
fleeing as cowards before the men of this insignificant city of Ai, “7 ‘But
you will chase your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword;8 five
of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and
your enemies will fall before you by the sword.9 ‘So I will turn toward you and
make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will confirm My covenant with you.”
4.3. We see here that there are
grave consequences for Achan’s sin as thirty-six men are killed.
4.3.1. We Christians get so
consumed in our pride and flesh sometimes that we are completely ignorant of
the grave consequences for our sins. It
also ought to be a sobering fact that people will be in hell because of our faithlessness
and rebellion against the Lord.
4.3.2. How the world could be
different if just a few of God’s people had been more faithful.
5. VS 7:6-9 - “6 Then Joshua tore his clothes
and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening,
both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.7 And Joshua
said, “Alas, O Lord God, why didst Thou ever bring this people over the Jordan,
only to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? If only we had
been willing to dwell beyond the
5.1. Joshua, the man who was so
disposed to being in the presence of the Lord when Moses was alive as he would
stay in the tent whenever the Lord was there, realized that they had not
taken the “Ark of the Lord” into the battle, and thus they had failed, so now
he comes and falls down and prostrates himself before the Ark until evening.
5.2. In Joshua’s responses as
well as his prayers in this chapter, we are brought face to face with his humanity and
weaknesses. His reactions we see are
a combination of flesh and Spirit:
5.2.1. To his credit, we see in
this chapter that Joshua is not devastated because of his own personal loss
in the battle of Ai, but rather because the Lord Himself is being dishonored
in it.
5.2.2. Joshua’s prayer is
reprehensible however because he echoes the very words that the children of
Israel uttered after crossing the Red Sea when the ten other spies brought their
discouraging report which was contrary to that of Caleb’s and Joshua’s, and, it
was for these very words that the Lord was angry with the people and swore to
that generation, to all of those 20 years and older, would not enter the
Promised Land. Joshua is in essence
saying, “Oh, that we had never left
5.3. One of the proofs for the
inspiration of the scripture is that concerning the heroes of our faith that
the Bible tells us the good as well as the bad things that they did, the times when they were
being faithful and acting in faith, as well as the times when they sinned and
acted in unbelief. Precious few have
only good things written about them. Here
we see that Joshua, one of those heroes of our faith, is described
in “real-life” terms. We see him at
his worst and acting in unbelief.
5.3.1. Let’s think for a minute
about some of the great heroes of our Christian faith and how the scripture
also includes their moral failures and faithlessness:
5.3.1.1.
Abraham was often acting in unbelief when traveling with Sarah, making her say
that she was his sister, thus placing her in harm’s way. His son Isaac did this as well with
his wife.
5.3.1.2.
Moses
sinned against the Lord in front of all of the people when he in anger struck
the rock to get the water to come out instead of speak to it as the Lord had
told him to do, and thus he was disallowed from entering the Promised
Land. Christ was symbolized in that rock
we learn in the New Testament, and Moses destroyed this beautiful picture
created by the Lord for us that the rock only needed to be struck once to
provide the water. This was to show us
that Jesus only needed to die on the cross once
so that all of mankind’s sins for all time could be forgiven and
covered.
5.3.1.3.
David
fell into adultery with Bathsheba, and worse than that he had her husband
murdered.
5.3.1.4.
Hezekiah didn't seem to pray and seek the Lord unless he was in
difficulty.
5.3.1.5.
Peter
was prejudiced against Gentiles.
5.3.1.6.
Paul and Barnabas had an un-Christian falling out before the second missionary journey.
5.3.1.7.
Etc., etc., etc.
5.3.2. We in our culture all want
to have our heroes, and we want to have them be perfect also. However, this is not the reality of
people’s lives, even the best of men and women, for as we read in James
3:2, “…we all stumble in many ways.”
5.3.3. It is only by the grace of
God that any man could be a leader of God’s people.
5.3.3.1.
The qualifications for an elder in the church require that he be “blameless and
above reproach,” however in reality no one shall ever be able to meet this
standard.
5.3.3.2.
The apostle John wrote in 1 John that, “…if we say we have no sin
then we are a liar and the truth is not in us.”
5.3.3.3.
This helps us to understand what Paul meant when he wrote in 1 Cor.
15:10 that, “by the grace of God I am what I am.”
5.3.3.4.
God's grace and mercy allows me to be able to minister and be used by
Him, it is not because I have been faithful enough to be used by Him. I don't deserve to even call myself a
Christian if the truth were known. I am
aware of how short I fall of the Lord's standard of perfection. I'm not saying that there is an excuse for my
sinning, or anyone else's for that matter.
Rather, I am just telling you that there is a big gap between a holy God
and myself, or any other man or woman for that matter. But, you know the really incredibly good
news is that God is still crazy about you and me, His children. This is the reality and the wonder of God's
grace!
5.3.4. The fact that God can again
use and work through a man like Joshua who in this story so miserably failed
the Lord both in his leading of the people as well as in his humbling of
himself before God and his subsequent prayer, ought to give us all hope that by
the grace of God He can use our life even after we have sinned and acted
blatantly in unbelief!
5.4. We see that Joshua is
ashamed before the Lord that under his command
5.4.1. Joshua says, ‘what can I
say?’
5.5. But, we see in this chapter
that the Lord doesn’t slam Joshua nor fry him with a lightning bolt because
of his unfaithfulness and weakness, as certainly He would have been
justified in doing. No, the Lord
knows our frame and He is mindful that we are but dust!
5.5.1. God just tells Joshua where
the problems lies, and how to go about rectifying it so that they can get back
into God’s favor.
5.6. Notice from Joshua’s prayer
that he has no idea why Israel has failed in their conquest of Ai, and that in fact
in his weakness he believes that it is actually the Lord who has let the people
down, that He has brought them over the Jordan and into the Promised Land to
destroy them.
5.7. We see in the scriptures
though that the Lord never lets down His people, He is always faithful to keep
every single one of His promises. Rather,
it is always the case that God’s people turn away from Him and thus fail in
their mission and service to Him.
5.7.1. 2 Tim. 2:13, for instance, tells us
that God is always faithful to keep every one of His promises, “13 If we
are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.”
5.8. However, do not we as God’s
people often blame the Lord for things when in fact it is we who are at fault
and faithless?
5.8.1. We Christians often whine to
the Lord about
things like:
5.8.1.1.
Giving us this lousy job that initially we claimed in faith that He would
give us.
5.8.1.2.
Causing us to have to pay this huge mortgage every month for that house
that we didn’t pray about buying initially.
5.8.1.3.
Giving us this spouse that drives us crazy at times when in fact we
were outside of His will when we married him/her.
5.8.1.4.
Etc., etc., etc.
5.9. Although it is good that
Joshua did in fact pray and seek the Lord at this time, his prayer is an
expression of lack of faith.
5.10.
Instead of Joshua’s prayer consisting of his expressing his doubt of
the Lord’s faithfulness to keep His promises, he should simply have asked the
Lord why this defeat had happened to them.
5.10.1. Actually, had Joshua
initially prayed to the Lord after the victory at Jericho, before they went up
to Ai, the Lord would have revealed to him that though this was a
resounding victory for the Lord and the children of Israel that things were not
good at all at that moment and that His anger burned against the children of
Israel because there was sin in their midst.
5.10.2. Joshua expresses that now because
of this devastating loss to the city of
5.11.
In our next study, we’ll look at the Lord’s response to Joshua and how
the people were to resolve things between them and the Lord and thus regain His
favor.
6. CONCLUSION: As we think about this story and the lessons
to be learned by the resounding defeat at Ai, we should consider our own lives:
6.1. We here in the church need
to be careful when the Lord brings success to us in the ministry, perhaps
giving us a big increase of growth or people won to Christ, and never allow
prayerlessness to exist in our life.
6.2. We need to always be careful
to consecrate ourselves to the Lord, and seek Him in prayer and depend upon Him
and His might alone for victory in the battles we go through as Christians.
6.3. We must never rely upon
self-confidence or carnal wisdom as our weapons to fight our battles as
Christians, but trust in the Lord, the power of His might, and the full armor
of God to equip us.
6.4. We need to ask the Lord to
search our hearts and ask Him if there be in us any sinful thing, any rebellion
to one of His commands, that might keep us and the church from having His favor,
and, when God’s work is being hindered around us we ought to ask the Lord to
show us if in fact we may be the one that has allowed something in our life
that is causing the problem.