Joshua09

Joshua 7:1-9

Defeat at Ai

1.  After a spectacular victory at Jericho, the Israelites move to their next challenge, the City of Ai.  Prior to the conquest of Jericho, Joshua warned the people, “...keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it.”  (Joshua 6:18)  We see here, in the first verse of Chapter 7, that at least one amongst the Israelites, Achan, failed to heed this warning.  As a consequence to this one man’s acts, Joshua says that “the Israelites” acted unfaithfully, and that the Lord’s anger burned against “Israel.”

Is it fair that the entire nation of Israel should suffer because of this one man’s sins?

2.  Similar to the planning preceding the battle at Jericho, again Joshua sent spies to check out Ai prior to attacking.  Compare the account of the Jericho spies (Joshua 2:24) to that of the spies here at Ai (Joshua 7:3).

3.  In verses 4 & 5 we learn that the Israelites were badly defeated in their first attack at Ai.

            a)  How do these verses describe the defeat?

            b)  Even though this was a relatively minor battle, why did the results have such a profound impact on the courage of the Israelites?

4.  Joshua had a reputation for being a great general and military strategist.  We would expect a sovereign leader, following a humiliating defeat, to regroup, evaluate his mistakes, and create a new strategy.  Instead, Joshua, with desperate remorse, approached the symbol of the presence of God, the ark of the Covenant.

            a)  Describe how Joshua showed his remorse.

            b)  While some may think that Joshua was weak, this act of grief in the Lord’s presence was a clear testament to Joshua’s understanding of his commission and of the source of the Israelite’s strength.  In the first chapter of this book, the Lord commands Joshua to be “strong and courageous.”  Did Joshua fulfill this command?

5.  Surely the parting of the waters of the Jordan, and the crumbling of the walls of Jericho were two of the great miracles we see in scripture and overwhelming evidence that God will fulfill His promise to “never leave you nor forsake you.”  But like many similar biblical accounts, we soon see a dramatic shift in the hearts of the Israelites.

Look at Joshua 7:7, and read the following verses in Exodus: 14:11, 16:3, 17:3.  Discuss how people could be the recipients of such grace one day, and doubt the Lord the next.

6.  As desperately concerned as Joshua was for the survival of the Hebrew nation, his greater concern was that shame would come to the Lord he so revered (Joshua 7:7).  What does this verse say about Joshua’s faith and love?