Combat and Covenant: Ai's Fall

Ai’s Fall: Combat and Covenant

A Reassured Promise

Reminder of Josh.1:9

Deals with fear and discouragement

A sobering generosity — YHWH gives the spoils of Ai, and Achan was judged for taking too soon.

“Serpent Theology” reminds us of the things few things God has forbidden and intentionally turns our attention away from the copious amounts of blessings YHWH HAS given us.

A Redirected Servant

A new plan, a God-given plan

Promise of v.1, 7 — God gives the victory

Dependent upon obedience to God’s Word

Partnership of grace and works — God gives, but Israel obeys

NOT God helps those who help themselves

Rather, God blesses those who obey His word

Complete victory — king buried under a large pile of rocks — another reminder

A Reaffirmed Covenant

Brought to Schechem — God has kept His promise to Abraham

Ai has served as a reminder of both the cursings and blessings of YHWH, Joshua/covenant ceremony is the verbal interpretation of what has happened at Ai

Further, Josh.8:30-35 are the closing to a section of Scripture that began in Josh.5:2-12.

Covenant initiation: circumcision and Passover (Josh.5:2-12).

Victory at Jericho: God’s grace and Israel’s obedience (Josh.6).

Defeat at Ai: God’s judgment and Israel’s disobedience (Josh.7).

Victory at Ai: God’s grace and Israel’s obedience (Josh.8:1-29).

Covenant affirmation: sacrifice and law (Josh.8:30-35).

This portion of Scripture will actually set the tone for the rest of salvation history and Israel’s life in the land!

Passage shows Israel’s renewed obedience — ceremony was commanded by Moses

Deuteronomy 27:1–8 CSB

Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, “Keep every command I am giving you today. When you cross the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up large stones and cover them with plaster. Write all the words of this law on the stones after you cross to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. When you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you are to cover them with plaster. Build an altar of stones there to the Lord your God—do not use any iron tool on them. Use uncut stones to build the altar of the Lord your God and offer burnt offerings to the Lord your God on it. There you are to sacrifice fellowship offerings, eat, and rejoice in the presence of the Lord your God. Write clearly all the words of this law on the plastered stones.”

Entire episode foreshadows Josh.24:15, places a question before us: will we obey the Lord?

Call to Action:

What are the little things we are tempted to leave God out of, believing we can handle them on our own?

In what ways have you seen “serpent theology” slithering its way into your thinking?

Do you cheapen grace by neglecting obedience? Do you worship obedience and self-righteousness by forgetting grace?

How important is it to stop what you’re doing, drop everything on your schedule, and roll out God’s Word before you, to be reminded of what is primary in life and to re-center your life on God’s Word?