May 18-22

For Joshua did not withdraw his hand with which he stretched out the javelin until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Joshua 8:26



“The only one you hurt is yourself!” How many times have you heard those words? This week we learn that it’s not always true. Last week we ended our journey with an amazing victory at Jericho. Who could question that God was with them? The Israelite warrior surely believed nothing could stand in their way!!! Ai? No big deal. A handful of warriors and we will have this battle sown up in nothing flat. Unfortunately, the wounds they suffered as a result went beyond their egos. How could things have gone so wrong?

It is amazing the havoc one person can wreak when he not only chooses to be disobedient, but thinks he can hide his sin from everyone else. Take careful notice of the steps God takes to eradicate the wrong. When Joshua and the leaders come crying to Him, God tells them to, “Get up, stop your crying, and deal with it! I’ll guide you, but you’ve got to expose it. There will be no victory until you do!”

Dealing with sin in the camp can be difficult. When does “love cover a multitude of sin,” and when is it time to expose it publicly? Like last week, we can think that some things are only relegated to the Old Covenant, but a quick look at Paul’s words to Timothy (I Timothy 5:20) will show us differently.

The battle of Ai is fought a second time. This time there is no thoughts that it’s going to be an easy battle. You talk about humility! God’s instructions required that they take on the appearance of humiliation. Basically they had to go back to where they left off, running in defeat. But thank God, the outcome was not the same. And in this battle, victory did not come from Moses holding the rod, but with Joshua pointing the javelin. And this time they would not use the strategy of man, but the wisdom of God. When sin is dealt with, we walk in humility, and follow God’s wisdom, we will find that we don’t have to fight the same battles quite so frequently!

The victory at Ai was followed by the fulfillment of God’s command instructing them to go to Mount Ebal and Gerizim at their first opportunity. There, they were to read the words of the covenant and declaring all the blessings and cursings that would result from their corresponding actions. The mountains themselves, now stood as a witness that Israel knew what God had said and promised to love Him and abide by His Laws. The people could never say, “Oh, but we didn’t know!”

Tuesday we meet the Gibeonites. Their story is remarkable! Now there’s some real strategy for you. Once again, Joshua and the leaders fall prey to hidden information. It just goes to show that even the best leaders will make mistakes now and then. It also shows that Joshua understood the power of a covenant. Once the peace treaty had been made, it could not be annulled just because of their ignorance. The key to the whole story is found in the statement:

So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord. (Joshua 9:14)

It may seem strange to our western minds that the Gibeonites call to Joshua to come and save them when they are about to be attacked, but that was a major part of a “salt covenant,” also called “a covenant of peace.” The covenant bound them to be there for provision and protection. Joshua knew he had no choice but to respond. We see Joshua’s integrity. He wastes no time in fulfilling what is required of him. Wait until you see God’s amazing response to this battle! Mark it in your memory. It will be important later on!!!!!!

With these battles behind us, we now begin to march face a major conquest. For some of you, it will be to get through the next few chapters! Reading through the division of the land can be difficult, especially if you’ve never been to Israel. For those who have, it tends to be a bit more exciting, because you can envision places that you have seen and get excited all over again.

When I was a child, my dad used to love to take us on short trips and long vacations. He did things like pile us all in the car and drive all night so we could see Niagara Falls when it was completely frozen, and drive from Cleveland, Ohio to California on Route 66 (cause there was no Interstate Highway) and stop at every major site he could manage in 2 weeks time. When I think about them, two things stand out vividly in my mind. 1. He used to buys us Coke out of the vending machine. Soda was a luxury in those days and 2. He would get us each a map to follow. Maps were free back then. You could get them at any gas station. (I’m beginning to feel very old) As a result, both my sisters and I were good map-readers, even as children. Dad knew that the maps would help us cope with the long journey. (It also kept us from constantly asking, “Are we there yet?”) To help you along this lengthy stretch, I am including a map showing the territories of each tribe. Our TRAIL STOPS below will help you to get oriented. Keep this map close because we will be using it for the next couple of weeks. I think you will find it quite useful. And for those serious students who really want to experience the journey, you’re welcome to come with us on the teaching tour in November. It doesn’t get any better than that!!!

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TRAIL STOPS

Find the following places on the map.

Monday
1. Find Gilgal, Israel’s first camp in the Promised Land.
2. Find Jericho
3. Find Ai
4. Find Mount Ebal and Gerizim

Tuesday
1. Find Gibeon
2. Find the cities of the Amorite kings that attacked Gibeon

Wednesday
1. Find Hazor
2. Find Mount Hermon
3. Find the three cities where the descendants of Anak remained
4. 4. Find the five cities of the Philistines

Thursday
1. Find Caleb’s city and area
2. Find the city of the Jebusites

Friday
1. Find Endor – Who remained in this town? (This will be important later on)
2. Find Shiloh