Joshua's Javelin

O. T. #461  "Joshua's Javelin"
February 17, 2015
Joshua 8-Part 1
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 inn his hand toward the city.  Joshua 8:18

LET IT GLOW

Have you fought any battles recently? To God be the glory, He is healing me after surgery! Phase two is coming, so I am not being afraid of what the future holds, for I know Who holds my hand and my future. Victory in Jesus is ahead for us all when we trust in Him, doing it His way and in His time.
Joshua lifted up his javelin, spear, while Israel was in battle. Read on to find out the outcome.

Joshua won the Battle of Jericho, and God made the walls come tumbling down. Did he expect the same at Ai? Well, it didn't happen. There was sin in the camp and God was not pleased with the disobedience of Achan taking spoils from Jericho when told those things belonged in the Lord's treasury. So the people stoned Achan and his family, as well as burned up their possessions. The sin was removed, in addition to the sinners. Don't fool around with sin, friends. God is serious about its judgments and consequences.

Then, grace and mercy came...

God repeated His declaration to Joshua that the battle before them was already won; they simply had to obey Him and carry out the victory. (verses 9, 6:2, Deut. 1:21, 7:18) To succeed, Israel would have to live God's way. No explanation is offered as to why the spoils of victory at Jericho wee accursed by the booty from Ai was not. Whether or not God's commands make sense to His people, they can submit without fear, knowing that He always acts righteously.  (David Jeremiah)

Again, we read where the Lord told Joshua to not be afraid nor dismayed. God gave Joshua the plans for the attack on the little town of Ai, which had previously put the Israelite army on the run and killed 36 of them.

God assures victory when plans are followed His way. Can we say,
"Your way,
today,
I pray?"

LET IT GROW

What was the divine plan for victory at Ai, a town of only 12,000 people?

• The Israeli army of 30,000 men were sent on the 11-13 mile hike by night to the west side of the city and wait there in ambush. Ambush means to lurk, lie in wait.
• Meanwhile, Joshua took 5,000 men to the north side of Ai, where the valley was between them and the town. He set an ambush between Ai and Bethel so no other armies in Canaan could come to aide Ai. How smart is that?!!
• When the king of Ai saw the warriors of Israel on their north side, he led his men out to fight, not knowing about Joshua's battalion hiding on the west side. The city was left open since all their men were in pursuit of Israel.
• In verse 18, the LORD told Joshua to hoist up his javelin, spear, as an indicator to occupy Ai. Possible the raised weapon was even a signal of confidence in God. (Moses did a similar thing, trusting God for the victory over Amalek. Ex. 17) (MacArthur)
• Joshua's 5,000 men fled so the men of Ai would pursue them, away from the town, leaving it unprotected.
• The west side army of Israel rushed into Ai and killed the inhabitants there, then set fire to the contents. Smoke signaled the ambush team to attack the men of Ai. Joshua did not draw back his spear until all of Ai were utterly destroyed.(verse 26)
• Israel only took the cattle and spoil of the city for themselves as God allowed.
• The king of Ai was hung on a tree until evening, as Deuteronomy 21:23 instructed. He was removed at sun down and cast into the burning city.
• A great heap of stones were raised at the place of Ai, and remains unto this day. (verse 29)
• Victory was won for Israel that day. Grace and mercy was shown by their God.

Matthew Henry said, "Joshua conquered by yielding. So our Lord Jesus Christ; when He bowed His head and gave up the Ghost; seemed as if death had triumphed over Him; but in His resurrection He rallied again, and gave the powers of darkness a total defeat."

Are we holding up the Word of God, salvation through Jesus, to a dying world?

LET IT GO

Change my plans when God instructs differently.

Trust and obey.

Stay in the fight for good and against evil.

Give God the glory for the victories in my life.