Joshua 8

Chapter Introduction

The faithful of Israel, who refrained from covetousness and taking charem, would be rewarded with the spoils of Ai. The comfort and provision of God is always better than what we think we can attain by our own hand.

Joshuah 8:1-2

When the children of Israel came across the Jordan, the hearts of people in the land melted, and they lost their spirit. They, in essence, had no courage or determination about them. They were ruled by fear. Then, when sin entered the camp of Israel, the hearts of the Jews melted, and they were overcome with fear. The people in Ai found courage and defeated Israel, chasing them away. But then, when sin was dealt with, God encouraged them not to be ruled by fear but to trust Him. Just like Jericho, God gave them victory and announced it as if it were already done.

Ai means a heap of ruins; (root = to bend; to twist; to distort; to act perversely; to subvert; sin; to contort with pain as in a woman giving birth).

Smith, S., & Cornwall, J. (1998).

In The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible names (p. 11).

North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos.

When in good standing with Him, the children of God are a tool in His hand. He doesn't set them apart (sanctify) by separating them from the Ai's of the world. But they are sanctified for God's purpose and engaged in His purpose in the world. There is a lesson here for a Christian: we are to be about the business of the Father in this world. We don't receive the promise and sit idly by while waiting for His return. Get to work brothers and sisters.

God's directions remained the same when they engaged Ai the second time, though they would be different after the battle. After the victory, they could have the spoil and its cattle. This makes Achan's sin even more profound. All he had to do was wait on the Lord.

Joshuah 8:3-8

Israel's first victory in Jericho led to pride and underestimating their enemy, which brought them defeat in their second battle. In this second attack, the people of AI would fall to the same human error. They underestimated God's people. They fell easily into the trap of leaving the city since they had already chased Israel away once. Isn't it fascinating how God even uses our prior mistakes and sins?

Joshua chose to send thirty thousand mighty men (Gibborim) (v. 30).

This is an exorbitant number, considering AI was a small town.
1. In v. 25, it says twelve thousand died – too many for a small town.
2. The word “thousand” must be understood as a division or company of men.
This is a large army for a surprise attack.

Joshuah 8:9-13

This is the picture in which we find ourselves. Bethel means “house of God,” while Ai means a heap of ruins, sin, perversity, etc. God's people find themselves camped right between the two and preparing for war.

It would be easy to forget the Lord had already declared that victory.

The people of Ai and their king were defeated before they started, yet look at their confidence. They trusted in what their eyes saw and their way of war. Their confidence was weak and misplaced, and it failed them.

We can see the same thing every day in this world. People trust money, power, fame, education, heritage, and more. In the end, it will all let them down. They are already dead in their sins, already defeated, and don't know it.

Joshua 8:14-17

The king responded with the confidence bred from victory. They hurried to their demise. He was completely deceived. They left the city open and unprotected, but this seemed wise to them at the time.

Joshua 8:18-20

Joshua extended his spear at God’s command. It was the first action to claim the victory God had given them. It was an act of faith and courage.

Those in ambush moved on the city and captured it, trapping the army of Ai in the open. The Israeli troops that lured them out of the city turned back on them.

Joshua 8:21-29

The men who had taken the city then came out, pinching the troops of Ai from all sides. None would escape the battle. The casualties are listed as twelve thousand, but this is too many for a small town. The word “thousand” should be understood as a company or division, allowing for a more reasonable number.

The spear Joshua extended was not withdrawn until the destruction was completed. The town was looted and then burned.

The king of Ai was brought to Joshua alive, who hanged him on a tree. Cursed is he who hangs on a tree. It is a picture of utter destruction. This wasn’t a form of execution but the treatment of the body after death. The curse was on display. This king of this trash heap was judged, put on display, and then buried at the gate of his heap. A memorial is raised to the king of Ai. It's a memorial of unbelief and a system apart from God. This burned-out city where all the inhabitants were dead was the culmination of what was already a reality. They were dead in their sin, living in a trash heap and calling it home.

Joshua 8:30-35

Some scholars wonder if this passage is not in chronological sequence.

Joshua built an alter to the Lord on Mount Ebal. No tool was used on this altar, as indicated in Exodus 20:25. It was to be made of fieldstones. Archeologists have located an altar that is consistent with this description.

Moses commanded this ceremony of covenant renewal for the people in Deuteronomy 27. The sins of Israel would be dealt with by sacrifice. The bloodshed for covering sin is a picture of the final blood shed for all sins: the blood of Jesus.

Atonement was made by burnt sacrifice, and peace offerings were made for fellowship with the Lord. Per Deuteronomy, the stones were whitewashed, and the Law of Moses was written on them.

The bases of Mount Ebal and Mount Gerazim are only five hundred yards apart. As the children of Israel stood on both sides of the Ark, some were at the base of Mount Ebal, while some were at the base of Mount Gerazim.

Mount Gerizim was the mount of blessing, while Mount Ebal was the mount of cursing. Ebal means a heap of ruins, barrenness, or confusion. To stand between them was to hear the law and realize the choices. It was a great mountain of blessing for those who loved the Lord and were obedient. To those who rejected the law, a great heap of curses awaited. Perhaps the mount of curses was to be viewed as a heap of stones similar to those raised over the king of Ai.

There may also be the picture of differing levels of spiritual maturity among the people of God. Everyone heard the law. Everyone had to respond. Yet, not everyone was at the same spiritual maturity. All would grow in the presence of God and His people.

The Big Idea

The two battles of Ai stand as testimony and examples to the people of Israel. One was defeat, loss of courage, threatened by their enemies, defenseless, and without hope due to disobedience and failure to consult with the Lord. It was an example of Mount Ebal.

The other battle was a victory, with courage, confidence, purpose, and plan. It was salvation and hope found in obedience and fellowship with the Lord. It was a community established before the Lord. It stood as a testimony to our great God to all the world. It was an example of Mount Gerizim.

Joshua