They will pursue us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, 'The Israelites are running away from us as they did before.' So as we flee from them, They will pursue us until we have drawn them away from the cityThis phrase describes a strategic military maneuver. The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, are employing a tactic of deception to lure the men of Ai away from their fortified city. This reflects a common ancient warfare strategy where an apparent retreat is used to draw the enemy into a vulnerable position. The city of Ai, identified with the archaeological site of et-Tell, was strategically significant due to its location near Bethel and its control over the central highlands. This tactic also demonstrates the Israelites' reliance on divine guidance for victory, as God had instructed Joshua on this plan. for they will say, ‘The Israelites are running away from us as they did before.’
This phrase references the previous defeat of the Israelites at Ai, as recorded in Joshua 7. The initial failure was due to Achan's sin, which led to God's displeasure and the Israelites' defeat. The memory of this defeat would have emboldened the men of Ai, making them overconfident and more likely to pursue the Israelites. This overconfidence is a recurring theme in biblical narratives, where God uses the pride of the enemy to bring about their downfall, as seen in the story of Pharaoh's pursuit of the Israelites in Exodus 14. So as we flee from them
The act of fleeing is part of the ruse to draw the enemy out. This tactic requires discipline and trust among the Israelite soldiers, as they must convincingly feign retreat without breaking ranks. Theologically, this can be seen as a test of faith, where the Israelites must trust in God's plan despite appearances. This mirrors the broader biblical theme of God using the weak and foolish things of the world to confound the strong and wise, as articulated in 1 Corinthians 1:27. The Israelites' apparent weakness is a setup for God's demonstration of power and deliverance. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites, succeeding Moses, tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land. 2. AiA Canaanite city that the Israelites are attempting to conquer after their initial defeat. 3. IsraelitesThe people of God, chosen to inherit the Promised Land, who are executing a strategic military plan. 4. CanaanitesThe inhabitants of Ai, who are defending their city against the Israelites. 5. The AmbushA strategic military maneuver planned by Joshua to draw the men of Ai out of their city. Teaching Points Strategic ObedienceGod often requires us to follow specific strategies that may not make sense to us but are crucial for victory. Learning from Past MistakesThe Israelites' initial defeat at Ai teaches the importance of addressing sin and seeking God's guidance before moving forward. Trust in God's PlanEven when circumstances seem unfavorable, trusting in God's plan and timing is essential for success. The Role of LeadershipJoshua's leadership exemplifies the importance of courage, wisdom, and reliance on God in guiding others. Spiritual WarfareJust as the Israelites used physical strategies, Christians are called to use spiritual strategies, such as prayer and Scripture, in spiritual battles. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joshua 8:6 demonstrate the importance of strategic planning in our spiritual lives? 2. In what ways can we learn from past failures, as the Israelites did after their initial defeat at Ai? 3. How can we apply the principle of trusting in God's plan when facing challenges that seem insurmountable? 4. What role does leadership play in achieving victory, both in biblical times and in our current context? 5. How can we use spiritual strategies, similar to the ambush at Ai, to overcome challenges in our personal lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 7Provides context for the initial defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin, highlighting the importance of obedience to God. Judges 20Describes a similar military strategy used by the Israelites against the Benjamites, showing the recurring use of ambush tactics. Exodus 17Illustrates another instance of strategic warfare under God's guidance, emphasizing reliance on divine direction. Proverbs 21:31Reminds us that while preparation is essential, victory ultimately comes from the Lord. Romans 8:28Connects to the theme of God working through all situations for the good of those who love Him, even after apparent failures. People Israelites, Joshua, LevitesPlaces Ai, Arabah, Bethel, Jericho, Mount Ebal, Mount GerizimTopics Drawn, Fled, Flee, Fleeing, Flight, Got, Lured, Running, Till, TownDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 8:1-22 8131 guidance, results Joshua 8:3-19 5178 running Joshua 8:4-7 5608 warfare, strategies 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 ScriptureFebruary 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 Links Joshua 8:6 NIVJoshua 8:6 NLTJoshua 8:6 ESVJoshua 8:6 NASBJoshua 8:6 KJV
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