Christian Family Services Ministry

12-1-2018 – A Word to the Wise: As one reviews biblical circumstances one often sees parallels between the failures of even godly men, and our situations today.

How often do you suppose we go about our daily business never inquiring of the Lord what would please Him? Frequently, we conduct business, make friends, and enter into contracts without a single thought to God’s warnings.

One such biblical situation illustrates and holds a warning for us to earnestly seek the Lord’s approval before we set out on our own.

The battle of Ai serves as a warning to all godly people.

So what happened at Ai?

Contrast the battle for Jericho shortly before and the first battle of Ai. With respect to Jericho the first battle Joshua gave very specific directions to the two men sent to gather intelligence before the attack.

In sharp contrast Joshua gives limited directions to those making pre battle plans for the taking of Ai. In fact the directions were vague almost careless. He simply said “go spy out the land.” Just as simply the spies gives a vague report and then concludes, a couple of thousand can do the job.

This same attitude plagued the generals planning the invasions of certain Japanese held islands i

during World War 2

Ai is located about 12 miles West of Jericho about 6 to 8 hours march. The spies hurried and missed a few important details. They probably crawled up to the top of one of the mounts surrounding the city and looked down into the valley where Ai is located and saw a small town in partial ruins. The text calls it ‘the Ai’ a translation which means ruins.

If they had sent men into town they would have discovered that this town served as a large outpost protecting Bethel. It was well fortified and no doubt for warned, heavily armed and prepared for their visit.

Moreover, Israel has no experience in taking armed, walled cities. But the problem is further compounded by violations of scripture.

In the Old Testament all young men were required to have military training. Moses is very specific about who is to go into battle. Rules of engagement are spelled out. Personal preparation for battle on the part of each warrior is a part of the preparatory process. Failure to observe these rules

bring battle causalities. When we look at the first battle of Ai, we are struck by the fact that none of these rules appear to be followed.

The conditions of Deuteronomy are very clear:

1. God’s minister is to address the people. This was not done.
2. Warning is to be given about fearfulness. This is not done.
3. Warning not to panic, this is not done.
4. Cause to remember that God goes before then. This was not done.
5. Removal of those who should not go into battle this was not done.
6. There was no attempt to cleanse the people of unrighteousness.
7. No search made to determine sin.
8. No recon of the area to the point of knowing the enemy.

Joshua relied on his own wisdom. Joshua made no attempt to seek out his own failure before accusing the Lord.

In fact there is no indication after the battle of Jericho that Joshua made an effort to follow up on the Lord’s direction that none of the devoted things were to be taken.

After the loss of the first battle Joshua shamed by the failure of his troops falls on his face before God blaming Him for the loss. God confronts Joshua with his failures as leader and refuses his false contrite bowing down before Him. God demands that he get up then tells him about the stolen property.

Joshua had made no real effort to recon the area of Ai, but relied on the information and conclusions provided by his spies. There was no inquiry of the commander of the army (the Lord) about what was to be done.

I suspect a couple of thousand Israelites walked up to the front gates expecting an easy victory. This attitude is so like our attitude towards solving problems. We think a little sermonette will resolve deep seated attitudes.

A friend does some not so nice sinning and we pay a visit to warn them of the error of their way only to have the door slammed in our face. We are shocked our feeling shattered and our ego in shambles. We easily forget our enemy is a roaring lion, and to make matters worse we ignore the spike sticking out of our own eye.

The text says they went up to fight and ran from the enemy. Fearfulness in close combat has cost many a battle and a multitude of causalities. But the real crux of the matter, how Joshua knew that something was severely wrong, was not so much that his men ran from the enemy. They did do that, but it was the death of 36 men in that battle. You see success was to be judged by the lack of any losses!

Now Joshua gets to the heart of the matter; the theft of God’s property. He deals with the offender and reexamines the battle plan.

The text does not address it but I imagine Joshua spent a lot of time talking to the men who had gone up to do battle. What he discovered was the enemy would be no push over. Whereas his army was lightly armored with sword, shields, slings, and bows the enemy was heavily armed and masters of the battlefield. They were able to use long pikes and phalanx formations. It is doubtful that they would have chariots in this mountainous area but possibly a light cavalry. The Egyptians found the Canaanite to be a bitter enemy at the battle of Kedesh several years before.

With new information Joshua is able to prepare a plan of battle which best suits his armies ability.

The city is taken with all of its treasures as well as the arms. Between the defeated armies of Jericho and Ai his force is now exceptionally well-armed. But more importantly Joshua has succeeded in putting the fear of God in the enemy.

There are a couple of lessons we may draw from this story. First anytime we are faced with major decisions we have to make sure that we are sinless before the Lord if we want His help. Simple little Lord forgive me prayers are not sufficient. It takes a deep cleansing of our soul if we are to engage the enemy.

Moreover, shoddy planning is never acceptable and will invariable lead to failure.