RPG Adults
THE LORD ASSURED JOSHUA OF VICTORY AT AI
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Joshua 8:1-9
Psalm 27:1-6
“…the LORD
is the strength of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?”
THE LORD ASSURED JOSHUA OF VICTORY AT AI
Earlier, when Israel wanted to capture the City of Ai, they were defeated because of the sin of Achan. When Joshua had the culprit punished, the nation was sanctified. They were then ready to make a second and victorious assault on Ai. Joshua devised and executed a strategy as God assured him of victory, and it worked. Israel waged the war and overcame Ai. They took the spoils and burned the city.
As Israel prepared to capture Ai, God spoke to Joshua to encourage him. God told him not to fear or be dismayed. God knew that he needed that assurance. Though Joshua was the commander of Israel, it was God who ordered the war. Joshua simply followed what God had told him. God instructed him to take all the men of war. Each one had to take part in the battle. God also told him that He had given him the king of Ai and its people. This was understood to mean that Israel would have victory over Ai. The fate of Ai would be like that of Jericho.
These are the opening words in the narrative: “And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land” (Josh 8:1). The capture of Ai was by simple conquest with military strategy and was not as complex as that of Jericho. Nevertheless, God’s hand was equally with Joshua as it was in the conquest of Jericho. The location of Ai is near Bethel and is some fifteen kilometres from Jerusalem. Researchers have made efforts to confirm the location of this city and almost all concur on the identification of that location. The city subsequently came under the tribe of Benjamin.
In Jericho, Israel was forbidden to take anything from the city and God commanded them to kill all the living. In Ai, Israel was allowed to take the cattle and other spoils for themselves.
THOUGHT: When God speaks, mortal beings are to obey.
PRAYER: Father, may I always listen carefully to Thy words.