How does Joshua 7:2 illustrate the importance of seeking God's guidance before action? Setting the Scene Joshua 6 ends in triumph at Jericho. Israel has seen walls fall by God’s power and might easily assume every next step will be just as easy. Joshua 7:2 records the first move after that victory: “Meanwhile Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, telling them, ‘Go up and spy out the land.’ So the men went up and spied out Ai.” What Happened in Joshua 7:2? • Joshua takes initiative. • He sends scouts as he did at Jericho (Joshua 2:1). • No mention appears of prayer, consultation with the LORD, or waiting for divine instruction. The Missing Piece: No Consultation with the LORD • At Jericho, God gave exact orders (Joshua 6:2-5). • Here, Joshua relies on military routine rather than fresh revelation. • The nation moves forward while hidden sin (Achan) remains, a fact only God could expose (Joshua 7:11-12). • The subsequent defeat at Ai (Joshua 7:4-5) underlines how even a small city overwhelms Israel when God’s counsel is ignored. Why Skipping God’s Counsel Leads to Trouble • Human assessment is limited; only God sees the whole picture (1 Samuel 16:7). • Disobedience, even by one person, can undermine collective success; only God can identify and remedy it (Psalm 19:12). • Presumption turns past victories into stumbling blocks (Proverbs 16:18). Scriptural Echoes that Reinforce the Lesson • Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…” Guidance follows acknowledgment. • Psalm 32:8 — “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go…” God pledges personal direction. • 1 Chronicles 14:10, 14 — David inquires twice before battling the Philistines; each time God gives a distinct strategy. • James 1:5 — God gives wisdom generously to those who ask; failure to ask forfeits that promise. Taking the Principle to Heart Today • Victories do not create spiritual autopilot; fresh dependence is required for each new decision. • Routine actions (planning, sending, organizing) must still begin with prayerful surrender. • Ignoring God’s voice invites avoidable defeat, even when circumstances appear minor. • Continual, humble consultation with the LORD safeguards against hidden sin, misjudgment, and overconfidence, turning every step into an opportunity for His wisdom to prevail. |
    |