◄ Joshua 8:1 ►
Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. See, I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.
Study Bible
Then the LORD said to Joshua
This phrase indicates direct divine communication, emphasizing God's active role in guiding Israel. It reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God provides leadership and direction. This is consistent with God's previous communications with Moses and now with Joshua, affirming Joshua's leadership.

Do not be afraid or discouraged.
This reassurance echoes God's earlier encouragement to Joshua in Joshua 1:9. It is a common biblical exhortation, found in various contexts, such as God's words to Moses and later to the prophets. It underscores the importance of faith and trust in God's promises, especially after the initial defeat at Ai in Joshua 7.

Take the whole army with you,
This instruction contrasts with the previous attack on Ai, where only a portion of the army was sent (Joshua 7:3-4). It highlights the need for complete obedience and reliance on God's strategy rather than human judgment. It also signifies a united effort of the Israelites under God's command.

and go up and attack Ai.
The command to "go up" reflects the geographical elevation of Ai, which was located in the hill country. The term "attack" indicates a direct military engagement, which was a common method of conquest in the ancient Near East. This reflects the continuation of the conquest of Canaan, as promised to Abraham.

See, I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai,
This phrase is a prophetic assurance of victory, emphasizing God's sovereignty and control over the outcome. It parallels God's promise to deliver the Canaanite kings into Israel's hands, as seen in Joshua 2:24 and later in Joshua 10:8. It also foreshadows the ultimate victory over sin and death through Christ.

his people, his city, and his land.
This comprehensive victory includes the king, the inhabitants, the city, and the territory, signifying total conquest and fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land. It reflects the ancient practice of herem, or devotion to destruction, which was part of God's judgment on the Canaanites. This also prefigures the complete victory of Christ over all spiritual enemies.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who provides guidance and assurance to His people.

2. Joshua
The leader of Israel, successor to Moses, tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.

3. Ai
A Canaanite city that Israel is commanded to attack and conquer, representing a strategic victory in the conquest of Canaan.

4. The King of Ai
The ruler of Ai, symbolizing the opposition to God's people and His plans.

5. The Israelites
God's chosen people, who are being led into the Promised Land and are learning to trust in God's promises and commands.
Teaching Points
Courage in Obedience
God commands Joshua not to fear, highlighting the importance of courage when following God's directives. Believers today are called to trust and obey God, even when facing daunting challenges.

Divine Assurance
The assurance of victory given to Joshua is a reminder that God is sovereign and faithful to His promises. Christians can find peace in knowing that God is in control and works for their good.

Strategic Action
God instructs Joshua to take the whole army, emphasizing the need for preparation and action in fulfilling God's plans. Believers are encouraged to be diligent and proactive in their spiritual battles.

God's Deliverance
The promise of delivering Ai into Joshua's hands illustrates God's power to deliver His people from their enemies. This serves as a reminder of God's ability to overcome obstacles in our lives.

Leadership and Responsibility
Joshua's role as leader required him to listen to God and lead the people with confidence. Christian leaders are called to seek God's guidance and lead others with faith and integrity.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does God's command to Joshua to "not be afraid or discouraged" apply to situations you face today?

2. In what ways can you prepare yourself spiritually and practically to face challenges, as Joshua was instructed to take the whole army?

3. How does the assurance of God's deliverance in Joshua 8:1 encourage you in your personal battles or struggles?

4. What can we learn from Joshua's leadership in this passage about trusting and acting on God's promises?

5. How do other scriptures, such as Romans 8:31 or Hebrews 13:5-6, reinforce the message of God's presence and support found in Joshua 8:1?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 31:6
This verse echoes the command to be strong and courageous, as God is with His people, a promise reiterated to Joshua.

Joshua 1:9
God previously commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, emphasizing His presence and support.

Romans 8:31
This New Testament verse reflects the assurance that if God is for us, no one can stand against us, similar to the assurance given to Joshua.

Psalm 27:1
The psalmist's declaration of the LORD as his light and salvation, removing fear, parallels God's encouragement to Joshua.

Hebrews 13:5-6
The promise of God's constant presence and help, encouraging believers to live without fear.
Sermons
God's People VictoriousS.R. Aldridge Joshua 8:1, 2
The Right PolicyA. B. Mackay.Joshua 8:1-2
The Taking of Ai SpiritualisedJ. Parker, D. D.Joshua 8:1-2
The Use of FailureW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 8:1-2
People
Israelites, Joshua, Levites
Places
Ai, Arabah, Bethel, Jericho, Mount Ebal, Mount Gerizim
Topics
Affrighted, Afraid, Ai, Arise, Army, Attack, Behold, Delivered, Discouraged, Dismayed, Fear, Fighting, Fighting-men, Hands, Joshua, Rise, Town, Troubled, War
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 8:1

     4207   land, divine gift
     5606   warfare, nature of
     8220   courage, facing enemies
     8713   discouragement

Joshua 8:1-2

     5607   warfare, examples

Joshua 8:1-3

     5214   attack

Joshua 8:1-22

     8131   guidance, results

Library
The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

February the Seventeenth Blessings and Cursings
"He read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings." --JOSHUA viii. 30-35. We are inclined to read only what pleases us, to hug the blessings and to ignore the warnings. We bask in the light, we close our eyes to the lightning. We recount the promises, we shut our ears to the rebukes. We love the passages which speak of our Master's gentleness, we turn away from those which reveal His severity. And all this is unwise, and therefore unhealthy. We become spiritually soft and anaemic. …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Whether it is Lawful to Lay Ambushes in War?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is unlawful to lay ambushes in war. For it is written (Dt. 16:20): "Thou shalt follow justly after that which is just." But ambushes, since they are a kind of deception, seem to pertain to injustice. Therefore it is unlawful to lay ambushes even in a just war. Objection 2: Further, ambushes and deception seem to be opposed to faithfulness even as lies are. But since we are bound to keep faith with all men, it is wrong to lie to anyone, as Augustine states (Contra …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Jesus in the Tomb.
It was about three o'clock in the afternoon, according to our manner of reckoning,[1] when Jesus expired. A Jewish law[2] forbade a corpse suspended on the cross to be left beyond the evening of the day of the execution. It is not probable that in the executions performed by the Romans this rule was observed; but as the next day was the Sabbath, and a Sabbath of peculiar solemnity, the Jews expressed to the Roman authorities[3] their desire that this holy day should not be profaned by such a spectacle.[4] …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Crucifixion.
Subdivision D. Jesus Found to Be Dead. His Body Buried and Guarded in the Tomb. ^A Matt. XXVII. 57-66; ^B Mark XV. 42-47; ^C Luke XXIII. 50-56; ^D John XIX. 31-42. ^d 31 The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day ), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. [According to rabbinical writing a few hours before the Sabbath were called the Preparation; …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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