Old Testament - Joshua 7 - 8 - May 26, 2022

5/26/2022 – Joshua 7 & 8

 Joshua 7

The Israelites seem to have astonishingly short memories and extremely poor commitment abilities. After being a part of the miraculous taking of the city of Jericho. 

The Canaanites were ferocious and warlike. They resisted bitterly any attempt by others to settle on the land they regarded as their own. It is very evident the difference it makes, as in the battle of Jericho, when the Lord is with you, and you are with the Lord.  Because the next thing we learn is that Joshua sent men to view the town of Ai. V 1 tells us that after the battle of Jericho, men of the tribe of Judah “took of the accursed thing.” 

V 2 tells us that Joshua sent men to scout out the town of Ai. The men came back saying they could take it easily. They also told Joshua that they need not cause everyone to come to battle, but that they could take that town with two or three thousand men. So they now have two problems here. First v 1 tells us that there were Israelites who had taken of  “the accursed thing”, and we now have Israelites who felt THEY had been responsible for the conquering of Jericho, and they were now relying only on themselves and no longer acknowledging the miraculous help the Lord had given them at Jericho. The end result was that when the 3000 came to the city Ai, they were easily overcome by the men of Ai “wherefore the hearts of the people (Isralites) melted, and became as water”. (v 5)

When the men returned with the dismal story of their efforts, Joshua turns immediately to the Lord asking why had He brought them here only to forsake them. The Lord’s response was quick: “Get thee up; wherefore liest thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also taken booty from Jericho. V 21 tells us the booty was Babylonish garments, 200 shekels of silver, fifty shekels of gold which they had buried in the dirt under their tents and dissembled [meaning they have been false and have deceived] also, and they have put it [the accursed things] even among their own stuff.” (v 10-11)

The Lord then said: “Up, sanctify the people” and He told them they would not be triumphant in their battles until they were no longer stealing and doing things the Lord had commanded them not to do. These Israelites were still slow learners. When a few of them failed big time in not following the Lord’s commandments it hurt everyone. 

Joshua 8

After the hard lessons in chapter 7, the Lord tells Joshua “Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land.” (v 1)  Joshua took his men to war, and they followed his instructions and they were triumphant. 

After the battle Joshua built an alter giving thanks to God, and he went over all the laws of Moses to keep them firm in the memories of the Israelites.

Once we truly repent, the Lord seeks only to help us. 

 

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