In this chapter, the Lord reestablishes himself with the people of Israel and provides a plan to Joshua to conquer the city of Ai. The chapter begins, “Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the entire army and attack Ai, for I have given to you the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. You will destroy them as you destroyed Jericho and its king. But this time you may keep the captured goods and the cattle for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.” (Joshua 8:1-2)
Joshua did as the Lord instructed, and at night, sent out thirty thousand men with these instructions: “Hide in ambush close behind the city and be ready for action. When our main army attacks, the men of Ai will come out to fight as they did before, and we will run away from them. We will let them chase us until they have all left the city. For they will say, “The Israelites are running away from us as they did before.” Then you will jump up from your ambush and take possession of the city, for the Lord your God will give it to you. Set the city on fire, as the Lord has commanded. You have your orders.” (Joshua 8:4-8)
Joshua strategically positioned men on the west and north side of the city of Ai. When the king of Ai saw the men coming from the north, he and all his army attacked the Israelites, not knowing there were men hiding on the west side of the city. “Joshua and the Israelite army fled toward the wilderness as though they were badly beaten, and all the men in the city were called out to chase after them. In this way, they were lured away from the city. There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not chase after the Israelites, and the city was left wide open. Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Point your spear toward Ai, for I will give you the city.” (Joshua 8:15-18)
Joshua did as the Lord commanded; he signaled to his men in ambush, and they captured and burned the city. “When the men of Ai looked behind them, smoke from the city was filling the sky, and they had nowhere to go. For the Israelites who had fled in the direction of the wilderness now turned on their pursuers. When Joshua and the other Israelites saw that the ambush had succeeded and that smoke was rising from the city, they turned and attacked the men of Ai. Then the Israelites who were inside the city came out and started killing the enemy from the rear. So the men of Ai were caught in a trap, and all of them died. Not a single person survived or escaped. Only the king of Ai was taken alive and brought to Joshua.” (Joshua 8:20-23)
The entire population of Ai was wiped out that day, except the cattle and treasures of the city, which the Israelites kept for themselves, as the Lord commanded. Joshua hung the king; threw him in front of the city gate, and piled a great heap of rocks over him.
“Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal. He followed the instructions that Moses the Lord’s servant had written in the Book of the Law: “Make me an altar from stones that are uncut and have not been shaped with iron tools.” Then on the altar they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. And as the Israelites watched, Joshua copied the law of Moses onto the stones of the altar.” (Joshua 8:30-32)
The chapter ends with Joshua dividing all the people into two groups. One group stood at the foot of Mount Gerizim, and the other stood at the foot of Mount Ebal. As the groups faced one another, the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Lord’s covenant stood between them. All of this was done according to the instructions Moses had given for blessing the people of Israel. “Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of the Law. Every command Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly, including the women and children and the foreigners who live among the Israelites.” (Joshua 8:34-35)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Like Joshua, help us carry out your instructions to us. If we do, no enemy of ours can escape the traps that you set on our behalf. Thank you for your mercy and grace and continually reestablishing yourself with us. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.