Joshua 8 (3)

Joshua therefore sent them out; and they went to lie in ambush, and stayed between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai; but Joshua lodged that night among the people. Then Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. And all the people of war who were with him went up and drew near; and they came before the city and camped on the north side of Ai. Now a valley lay between them and Ai. So he took about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. And when they had set the people, all the army that was on the north of the city, and its rear guard on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley. Now it happened, when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hurried and rose early and went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at an appointed place before the plain. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness. So all the people who were in Ai were called together to pursue them. And they pursued Joshua and were drawn away from the city. There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. So they left the city open and pursued Israel. Joshua 8.9-17

Reflect.
1.  Joshua took the simple instruction of the Lord (8.2) and turned it into a fairly elaborate set of tactics. Was he right in so doing? 

2.  Would you say that you plan your daily work for the Lord with as much care as Joshua? Why or why not?
 
Think about it.
First, 30,000 armed men are placed in ambush between Ai and Bethel, to the west. I think these must be the “rear guard” (v. 13) and the “others” mentioned in verse 22. They would have been for protection against the people of Bethel joining the fray and gaining an advantage on Joshua’s flank. 

Next, all Israel is mustered and sets up camp to the north of Ai, across a valley. There they were in plain sight to the king and people of Ai. 

From that group, another 5,000 are dispatched to the west of Ai, with the special instructions of entering and destroying the city on Joshua’s signal. 

During the night, Joshua and the bulk of the people of Israel slipped into the valley between their camp and Ai. All is in readiness, and in the morning, the king and people of Ai, brimming with confidence, assemble before their city in battle array.

The bait was set, and then Joshua sprung the trap. Feinting retreat before the assembled forces of Ai (v. 15), Joshua and “all Israel” fled eastward, back toward the wilderness. The valley through which they retreated would have been a much more favorable terrain for Joshua’s plan than if Israel had fled northward, to their camp.

Seeing Israel in retreat – again – the people of Ai could not help themselves. They rushed out of the city, together with the people of Bethel, and plunged headlong into the trap Joshua had set for them. Their cities lay open and unattended as they exuberantly pursued the fleeing Israelites. 

Meditate and discuss.
1.  How would you assess Joshua’s battle plan? Was he faithful to the Word of the Lord? Did he make the best use of his resources, and of the terrain? Is there any guidance for us here in making plans to work our Personal Mission Fields (Ps. 90.12, 16, 17)?

2.  Joshua had revealed the plan to the people, so everyone knew they weren’t really retreating. How do you suppose the people of Israel felt as they saw Joshua’s plan falling into place? Should we rejoice in the Lord when our plans work out as we intended? Explain.

3.  We note again the phrase “Joshua and all Israel” (v. 15). Claiming God’s promises is a community effort, and requires all the resources we can muster. How should knowing this guide church leaders in their work of making disciples?

“The question here asked by some, as to whether it is lawful to overcome an enemy by wiles and stratagem, originates in gross ignorance. First, it is certain that wars are carried on not merely by striking blows; for those are considered the best commanders who accomplish more by art and counsel than by mere violence; and secondly, the longer any one has served so as to acquire experience, the better soldier he makes. If war, then, is lawful, it is beyond all controversy that the usual methods of conquering may be lawfully employed, provided always that there be no violation of faith once pledged either by truce or in any other way.”John Calvin, Commentary on Joshua (1509-1564 AD)

Help me to plan my work and to work my plan each day, O Lord, so that…

Pray Psalm 90.11-17.
Use these verses to present your work for this day to the Lord, and to seek His blessing and glory in all your work.

Psalm 90.12-17 (Landas: My Faith Has Found a Resting Place)
So teach us all our days to note that wisdom may be ours.
Return, O Lord, have pity on those servants who are Yours.
Each morning let Your love appear that we for joy may sing.
And make us glad for every day You us affliction bring.

Now let Your work to us appear; our children show Your might.
And let Your favor rest on us; show mercy in Your sight.
The work that You have given us, confirm, and to us show,
That we Your chosen path may walk and in Your precepts go.

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).