Lessons learnt (Joshua 8)
What is the significant difference in the campaign of Joshua 7 campaign against Ai and the Joshua 8 campaign?
It is noteworthy that in the narrative of Joshua 7 there is no reference to God speaking or Joshua enquiring after God for guidance or strategy for the city of Ai.
God had given clear instructions for Jericho, and their obedience resulted in great victory.
But the pattern is not repeated in Joshua 7 – no guidance from God was sought out.
Aren’t we like this!
We blow hot and cold, one moment asking for help then acting the next moment like we need none!
In Joshua 8, there seems to be a different spirit, a humility in evidence, that no doubt had something to do with the defeat at Ai and the subsequent seeking God for answers, and then God’s revealing the source of their defeat as being the sin of Achan.
The second attempt on Ai proceeds in response to explicit divine instructions (Joshua 8:1-2, 8-9, 18 & 27) which were followed. The passage goes into great detail for a relatively small battle, probably to emphasize that success comes only from following the Lord’s instructions which is in stark contrast to the failure in Joshua 7 as a result of failure to seek God or follow His instructions.
What is God saying to you, to us as a church at this present time?
Are you leaving room, leaving time for God’s specific leading?
Are you obeying what God has told you to do?
Two words that matter 