Yesterday's small group lesson was from Joshua 7 and 8. In the sixth chapter of Joshua, the Jewish people defeated the city of Jericho thanks to God's divine intervention. Now they were up against a much lesser foe, the people of the city of Ai. Several spies came back and told Joshua, "Do not have all the people
go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do
not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.”
Based on the advice of this group of spies, Joshua sent a small contingent of about 3000 men to attack the city of Ai. Scripture records the Israelites were soundly defeated and sent running back to their camp having lost the lives of 36 men. The rest of chapter 7 recounts the story of Achan, his sin, and punishment. It was the sin of Achan that had caused God to remove his protective hand from the Jews which led to their defeat at Ai.
When I was studying for the week's lesson about Ai and Achan, one thing struck me. That was Joshua's failed leadership. Joshua relied on the advice of the spies he had sent out. He made the decision to attack with a small force. I understand he had trusted his spies to bring back information and in this case that information was interpreted incorrectly by the spies. Where Joshua failed the people is in his apparent lack of going to God for insight and wisdom.
Prior to attacking Jericho, Joshua receives confirmation from God. Joshua 6:2, "And the Lord said to Joshua. . ." Before attacking Ai a second, this time successful, time, "And the Lord said to Joshua. . ." Joshua 8:1 These two verses contrast sharply with Joshua 7 where the spies report and Joshua sends out a small army. No where is there "and the Lord spoke" prior to the failed first attack on Ai.
Joshua relied on the advice of men. Good men. Godly men. But men nonetheless. I wonder if the rout and lost lives could have been avoided if Joshua had spent time on his knees consulting with God before moving forward with an attack on Ai.
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