Back to Victory

Joshua 8:1–2 KJV 1900

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: And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.

Joshua 8:7–8 KJV 1900

Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the Lord your God will deliver it into your hand. And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the Lord shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.

Introduction

The book of Joshua records for us the hills and the valleys of following the leading of the Lord. Last week, we saw the effects of sin and the cost that is involved in making sin right. This morning, we see the pursuit of a return to victory. How many people spend their lives living in chapter 7!

We need to be looking throughout the book for our theme for 2025. The central focus of the book of Joshua is that God wants us to move forward and take ahold of the blessings of our salvation.

Joshua 1:11 KJV 1900

Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it.

As we saw in our study of Ephesians, God has blessed us with spiritual blessings. All the saved have access to these blessings. Do we share them with the lost? Do we live them faithfully in our lives? Do we thank God for them daily? The book of Joshua leads us along the path of living the victorious Christian life. All we need to live victoriously, we already have in Christ. We must just cross over the river of fear and take ownership of the land of Promise!

One of the greatest generals of the Second World War almost missed out on its biggest battles. If you were to ask someone who the most knowledgable commander in the American army about tank tactics, one name always came to mind, George S. Patton. Patton had fought in the deserts of Mexico in pursuit of Pancho Villa. He had fought in the First World War both in the tank corps and in the calvary. Patton understood the military tank better than any other American.

But Patton was not involved in the invasion of Europe in 1944. Because of a series of missteps, he had effectively alienated himself from any commands in the landings at Normandy. For him, it almost seemed like the war was over. But all that changed in July 1944. Patton arrived in Europe to command the American Third Army. Breaking out of Normandy and traveling speedily across France, the Third Army lead the charge into the heart of Nazi Germany.

What made the change? Was it a removal of past mistakes? Was it a decision to ignore the problems and concerns of others regarding the general? The difference seemed to be that Patton was not willing to be left to the side. He wanted to get involved again and get back to fighting the enemy. The comeback to victory began with the decision to move on from defeat.

The children of Israel had been defeated in chapter 7. The first record of any of their number dying in battle in Canaan took place at Ai. But the people obeyed God. They removed the sin from in the middle of the camp. God could now use the people again and bless them with victory.

Many people today spend their whole lives living in the middle of chapter 7. They have made a mistake and they do not know how to make it right. Perhaps they make it right with the offended party but they cannot forgive themselves. How did the Israelites come back to victory?

Proverbs 24:16 KJV 1900

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: But the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Declaration

An obedient spiritual leader will direct and model for his people thoroughness in the carrying out of God's commands. Joshua raised the javelin until victory was won. The leadership of Joshua was instrumental in moving the people back to victory. The leader and the follower need to be careful to obey the instruction of God. Two eternal principles are communicated by the leader to the people.

1. God Desires Total Obedience

Joshua 8:1–9 KJV 1900

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: And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it. So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night. And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready: And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them, (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them. Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the Lord your God will deliver it into your hand. And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the Lord shall ye do. See, I have commanded you. Joshua therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people.

A. God commands a battle plan v. 1-2

God speaks directly to Joshua once again to begin this chapter. God has throughout the book spoken directly to Joshua on quite a few occasions. We also have this privilege through the Bible in our hands. All that we need to find the plan of God for the spiritual battles of our lives is to open it.

The plan for the victory is the subject of the conversation with Joshua. He gives a personal command before He explains the corporate one. The command of God is to choose to not be afraid or dismayed.There is a great temptation to be afraid because of the challenge ahead. We fear the past defeats of our lives. We are dismayed because we could face them again. We are unsure how to handle victory because we are too caught up in the losses of our pasts. We have already seen in chapter 5 that God wants us to be ready for victory in our hearts before we see it manifest in our lives. Here, speaking to Joshua, God commands a prohibition on doubts and fears as He had in chapter 1. God said,

Joshua 1:9 KJV 1900

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Be reminded today that this is the same promise that we have. As the sun comes up on the day after we were defeated, God is with us. As the light shines into our tear filled eyes, God gives us His daily mercy. Surely, we would have lost patience with ourselves long ago. But the statement of God to the people of the rebellious city of Jerusalem rings out to us today,

Lamentations 3:21–23 KJV 1900

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

God commands Joshua the battle plan for Ai. The city of Ai was called “The Ruins” by the people. It was likely built on top of an early settlement and perhaps had ruins built on the area around it even in Joshua’s day. Why would anyone want to live in a place of ruin? But the people who were living there were about to be part of the ruins on the hill.

God commands the people to go up and fight again because the possession of the city is already given to Israel. God is very clear that the entire people are to be taken to the battle in verse 1. The crux of the battle is the ambush that the soldiers are to set. The replay of the previous battle will be the downfall of Ai. Verse 1 tells us that God, the Giver of life, is also the giver of victory over the city of Ai.

B. Joshua sends out the soldiers v. 3-7

In verses 3-7, we see Joshua carrying out the commands of God and issuing the instructions to the people. The only authority that the spiritual leader has is found in the Word of God. God chose Joshua to lead the people. He spoke to Him directly and gave the plan for the battle. Unlike the battle of Jericho, there will be involvement by the people in combat outside the city. Joshua and his soldiers are going to be directly responsible for the battle and following the divine plan. How often do we try to improve on the clear teachings of the Word of God!

C. The battle hangs on the promise of God v. 7-9

Verse 7 points out that God is the one who will give the city to the people. No matter how hard the believer works or fights or tries, the outcome is uncertain without God in the battle. There had been no Divine help in the first battle of Ai. Now, God has promised that there will be help. The presence of God was what made the difference in the midst of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV 1900

And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

It is important to see the centrality of complete obedience to the victories in the land of Canaan. Part of the plan was to destroy once again the people and the city. While the spoils were available to the people, the inhabitants and the buildings were still accursed. God is testing the hearts of the people again to see if they will allow the dedicated to be destroyed. Many time in our lives, we retake tests again because we did not make the right choice the first time. The burning city was the signal for the total destruction of the people of Ai. One writer reminds us,

Be Strong Joshua 8:1a

God never discourages His people from making progress. As long as we obey His commandments, we have the privilege of claiming His promises. God delights “to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect [wholly devoted] toward Him” (2 Chron. 16:9).

God desires total obedience in the battles of our lives. As we saw in our study of Ephesians, the Christian soldier has been outfitted for a defensive war. We hold our ground and call for help in prayer. Joshua and the people were give the plan for victory but it was up to them to follow it.

2. Victory Results from Constant Persistence

Joshua 8:10–29 KJV 1900

And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai. And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of the city. And when they had set the people, even all the host that was on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley. And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in 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. And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel. And the Lord said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire. And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai. And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape. And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua. And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai. For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the Lord which he commanded Joshua. And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day. And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.

A. God took the control of the battle v. 10-17

The day of the battle arrives. As the sun rises, Joshua looks up from where he had camped with his men. He sees the hills behind the city of Ai. Behind the hills are the soldiers of the ambush God had commanded. He sees the camp of Israel facing the city. Around him, he sees men who are choosing to follow him into battle. These are men that remember a humiliating defeat just a few days before. How can Joshua inspire these men to follow him? He cannot do anything. God is the power and the authority that has commanded this battle.

In verses 10-17, we see the actions of God on behalf of the people. The battle unfolds just as God had commanded. Israel flees before Ai and the city is emptied of its defenders. There is no defense against the victorious God!

B. Joshua raises the javelin v. 18-26

God speaks to Joshua again in verse 18 and commands him to raise his spear. How could the people on the other side of the city see this signal? How would they recognize that spear as Joshua? Was there another signal as well. We are left to wonder. But we are not left to wonder at the obedience of God’s people. They arise, enter the city and burn it with fire.

As with the Amelekites, Joshua raises something indicating victory. When Joshua was fighting in his first battle, Moses had been on the mountain raising his staff over his head. Aaron and Hur had helped him keep it raised. Here, Joshua is the leader who raises the javelin in victory over the enemy.

Exodus 17:11–12 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

The spiritual leader points the way to victory. Often times, we struggle with weariness. We are tempted to stop before we have seen complete victory over sin in our life. Victory over Ai was directly connected to the completion of the plan of God.

One of the greatest mistakes a football player can make is to drop the football at the one yard line. However, this has now become a common occurence even in the National Football league. Sometimes, it is directly connected to premature celebration for scoring a touchdown. Sometimes, it is because a defensive player tackles the offensive player at the last moment. Regardless, because of the great effort exerted to get that close to the goal line, two hands are surely warranted on the football!

Yet, we are too often just like these football players as we stop short of constant persistence to obey God.

Proverbs 28:20 KJV 1900

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

Wiersbe reminds us,

Be Strong Joshua 8

It was said in a sermon preached on August 12, 1849, by the famous British preacher F.W. Robertson.

Life, like war, is a series of mistakes, and he is not the best Christian nor the best general who makes the fewest false steps. Poor mediocrity may secure that; but he is the best who wins the most splendid victories by the retrieval of mistakes. Forget mistakes; organize victories out of mistakes.

C. The city is destroyed according to God’s command v. 27-29

The completion of the battle is described in verses 27-29. The spoil is distributed. The city is burned and turned into a heap. The king of Ai is hanged and then placed on the top of the “ruins of the city of ruins.”

There is a warning in v. 29 for the remaining Canaanites in the land. The city is now left as a place where trash or broken items could be left. There was no reason for people to live in the ruins anymore. Victory over our flesh is found in the Word of God and His sanctification in our hearts. Paul reminds us,

2 Corinthians 10:2–6 KJV 1900

But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Throughout the land of Canaan, there are today ruins of ancient cities. One commentator pointed out that this word, “an heap”, seems always to be connected to a destroyed city as a result of God’s judgment for sin. Perhaps in our own life we can see the ruins left by our victories over sin and self. God has told us to win the victory by constant persistence in our spiritual battles.

Conclusion

An obedient spiritual leader will direct and model for his people thoroughness in the carrying out of God's commands. Joshua raised the javelin until victory was won. The leadership of Joshua was instrumental in moving the people back to victory. The leader and the follower need to be careful to obey the instruction of God.

Joshua received specific instructions from God to fight this victorious battle. The people followed his instructions. Joshua raised the spear until the battle was done. We see here the leadership and follower-ship in Israel.

The central focus of the victory of Ai is again on the actions and glory of God. Joshua was not the master strategist who selected this ambush and pincer attack. God is the one who commanded it from the beginning of the planning. When victories occur in our lives, it is God who has given us the instructions and it is God who gets the glory.

We have seen today two principles that apply directly to our lives.

God desires total obedience. Do we give Him total obedience? The children of Israel had learned just before of the dangers of disobedience through the example of Achan. In the battle of Ai, they follow faithfully the commands of God for victory.

Victory results from constant persistence. Where are you going today? Are you running into the battle or away from the battle? Many people are running away from the battle or better yet hiding behind the front lines. If you want to have victory after a defeat, you must be persistent. The Christian life is a series of daily choices to deny self and follow the Saviour and His Word. The Word of God and the Presence are available to the persistent believer.

These are two parts of a comprehensive plan to get back to victory. One is the work of God. The other is the choice of ourselves. Together, they involve us in the spiritual battle that continues to rage today for the fate of the lost souls of this world.

God sent His Son to earth to die for mankind. The ultimate victory over sin takes place at the cross of Calvary. All of us have sinned. All of us can have victory over sin through the finished work of Christ in our place. If you have not yet experienced that victory, the cry of the cross is that you maybe forgiven today!

How do we look to those who have yet to decide their eternal fate? The children of Israel may have looked like defeated people in chapter 7 but they were victors in chapter 8. The difference was the presence of God in their lives. Joshua and the people saw the fulfilled promise of God from chapter 1 and they lived the victorious life,

Joshua 1:3 KJV 1900

Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.