Joshua 8 (2)

So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai; and Joshua chose thirty thousand mighty men of valor and sent them away by night. And he commanded them, saying: “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready. Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city; and it will come about, when they come out against us as at the first, that we shall flee before them. For they will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city, for they will say, ‘They are fleeing before us as at the first.’ Therefore we will flee before them. Then you shall rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand. And it will be, when you have taken the city, that you shall set the city on fire. According to the commandment of the LORD you shall do. See, I have commanded you.” Joshua 8.3-8

Reflect.
1.  What is Joshua counting on by the use of this strategy?

2.  We note that God’s instruction to Joshua was not very specific: “Lay an ambush for the city behind it” (v. 2). It was up to Joshua to work out the details of that mandate. Can you see a principle of Biblical interpretation in this?

Think about it.
God’s instruction was not very specific. He was counting on Joshua, filled with the Spirit, to take His Word and apply it to the specific situation. Doubtless, as he recalled the report of the spies (7.2, 3) and the previous failed assault on Ai, Joshua made his plans accordingly. And this time he would make sure “all the people of war” were involved (vv. 1, 3).

We can see Joshua maturing here, both as a careful thinker and planner and a skilled military leader. He counted on what he knew of the enemy to design an effective tactic. Joshua knew overconfidence when he saw it. This time, however, he would make it work for him rather than against him.

Joshua equates his instructions (“I have commanded you”) with the Word of God (“the commandment of the LORD” – v. 8). He has taken into consideration God’s previous revelation about destroying Jericho (v. 2), together with His instruction to employ an ambush (v. 2), and he has developed a strategy specific for the situation based on what God has revealed in His Word. 

This is what preachers are supposed to do. They must be steeped in all the revelation of God and speak His Word to His people with such scope and clarity that they can apply it effectively to the specific situations they face each day. The great confessions of the Reformed tradition hold that the preaching of the Word of God is the Word of God when that preaching is faithful to Scripture and faithfully applied to the lives of God’s people. This is how Joshua regarded his instructions for the second assault of Ai.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Meditate on 1 Corinthians 2.12, 13. Why is it so important to be always increasing in our knowledge of Scripture and the “spiritual things” it contains?

2.  Joshua knew his enemy. He knew what the people of Ai would do once Israel began to flee before them. Is it important that we know how the enemy of our soul likes to work? Explain.

3.  Here is now the second time in the book of Joshua that God has commended the use of deception in accomplishing His purposes. Should we take this as a general or a qualified commendation of deception? Explain.

“It was of great consequence to Joshua, as well as the people, to inspire new courage, that they might prepare with confidence to assault the city of Ai, from which they had lately been repulsed with loss and greater disgrace. God, therefore, to inspire them with intrepidity on this expedition, promises that he will give them the city. With the same view he enjoins them to fight by stratagem more than open war, to entice the enemy out, and to select a secret place for an ambuscade which might take them by surprise.” John Calvin, Commentary on Joshua (1509-1564)

Guide me into all truth, O Lord, and help me to obey Your Word in all I do, including…

Pray Psalm 33.1-12.
Pray for our nation, that God will put in place leaders – in homes, churches, businesses, schools, and government – who look to His plans, rely on His counsel, and seek His blessing for the people they serve.

Psalm 33.1-12 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
Sing with rejoicing in the Lord, for praise becomes His righteous ones!
With harps and songs raise grateful words, and let new songs of praise be sung!

Joyfully shout!  His Word is true; He does His work in faithfulness.
His love prevails the whole world through; the Lord loves truth and righteousness.

God spoke and heaven came to be, and all its hosts His Spirit wrought.
He heaps the waters of the sea; the deeps their dwelling place are taught.

Let all below now fear the Lord; let all in awe of Him abide!
The worlds exist by Jesus’ Word; let all on earth in Him confide.

He nullifies the nations’ plans; forever stands His sov’reign Word.
All they are blessed who with Him stand – the chosen people of the Lord.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).