Slices
Prepare
Spend some time to bring your day before the Lord. Seek his perspective on those things that trouble or confuse you.
Bible passage
Achan’s sin
7 But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.
2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, ‘Go up and spy out the region.’ So the men went up and spied out Ai.
3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, ‘Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.’ 4 So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, 5 who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.
6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell face down to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, ‘Alas, Sovereign Lord, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! 8 Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? 9 The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?’
Explore
How quickly a victory can turn into a defeat! The overthrow of Jericho was a high point in Israel’s entry into the Promised Land (Joshua 6:20). Yet like their forefathers they needed to learn that the grace of God was not to be taken lightly. To presume on God’s kindness quickly leads to disaster.
Achan had failed Joshua’s command not to take the spoils of war (v 1). This covetous act led to God’s wrath against the nation. It meant Israel’s defeat by the people of Ai (vs 4,5). No wonder their hearts melted in fear (v 5).
Joshua did not know the reason for Israel’s defeat, but he did know God’s name and honour were at stake (vs 6–9). His response is a model of what to do when setbacks come upon us – turn to God in open and honest prayer. Such prayer recognises that even if we don’t understand the ‘why’ of difficult times, we can know the ‘who’ to whom we can turn. Only then can new perspectives and understandings emerge.
Respond
Reflect on Psalm 62:8: ‘Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge’ (NIV). Consider a difficult situation that you are currently facing and bring it to the Lord in prayer.
Deeper Bible study
‘Just as I am, without one plea / but that thy blood was shed for me.’1
In the first six chapters of Joshua we read of God’s promise to Joshua that he will give his people their own land. Joshua tells the people ‘the Lord will do amazing things among you’.2 Then they crossed the Jordan and God gave Jericho into their hands. Chapter 6 ends with the statement: ‘So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land’ – but by the middle of chapter 7 he is on his face in desperation. Everything was going so well and the first six chapters report only success – but then it all goes wrong.
There are several factors in the defeat. There is complacency and overconfidence in sending a small army. (Some commentators suggest that 3,000 may be a copying error for 300, as the loss of 36 out of 3,000 would not have seemed unusual in ancient battles.) The attack on Ai is described in terms of a human initiative, with no reference to waiting on God or following God’s plan as they did in the later successful Ai campaign. Verse 1 gives us a spiritual key to unlock the narrative that follows. The main reason for the defeat was that the Israelites had been unfaithful. The reversal was a timely reminder that the conquest of Canaan was dependent on God’s grace and presence, not on their ability.
More important than the military defeat, the incident sapped Joshua’s confidence in God and God’s promise to give them the land. Most of us will recognise the despair Joshua felt when we remember an occasion when our failure or some incident outside our control has left us praying, as he did, ‘Why… if only…’ (see v 7). We need to learn from Joshua to come to God honestly, to plead – but also to listen.
When things are going well, there is always the temptation to become complacent. How do we ensure that we keep our focus on God?
1 Charlotte Elliott, 1789–1871 2 Josh 3:5
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 12,13; Proverbs 23,24
Pray for Scripture Union
Ask God to open the hearts and minds of the children and young people who saw the Hope Tour and to receive his love and the hope that he offers through Jesus.
Help share God's love with children and young people
At this time of uncertainty and change, we know that God is our refuge and strength, and we want children not in church to hear about God's love.
With the uncertainty surrounding our summer holidays, missions and other events, we need to seek and trust in God’s guidance as we find alternative ways of sharing his love.
