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Commentary on Joshua 8 verses 3–22
We have here an account of the taking of Ai by stratagem. The stratagem here used, we are sure, was lawful and good; God himself appointed it, and we have no reason to think but that the like is lawful and good in other wars. Here was no league broken, no treaty of peace, that the advantage was gained; no, these are sacred things, and not to be jested with, nor used to serve a turn; truth, when once it is plighted, becomes a debt even to the enemy. But in this stratagem here was no untruth told; nothing was concealed but their own counsels, which no enemy ever pretended a right to be entrusted with; nothing was dissembled, nothing counterfeited but a retreat, which was no natural or necessary indication at all of their inability to maintain their onset, or of any design not to renew it. The enemy ought to have been upon their guard, and to have kept within the defence of their own walls. Common prudence, had they been governed by it, would have directed them not to venture on the pursuit of an army which they saw was so far superior to them in numbers, and leave their city unguarded; but (si populus vult decipi, decipiatur - if the people will be deceived, let them) if the Canaanites will be so easily imposed upon, and in pursuit of God's Israel will break through all the laws of policy and good management, the Israelites are not at all to be blamed for taking advantage of their fury and thoughtlessness; nor is it any way inconsistent with the character God is pleased to give of them, that they are children that will not lie. Now in the account here given of this matter,
I. There is some difficulty in adjusting the numbers that were employed to effect it. Mention is made (Jos 8:3) of 30,000 that were chosen and sent away by night, to whom the charge was given to surprise the city as soon as ever they perceived it was evacuated, Jos 8:4, Jos 8:7, Jos 8:8. And yet afterwards (Jos 8:12) it is said, Joshua took 5000 men and set them to lie in ambush behind the city, and that ambush entered the city, and set it on fire, Jos 8:19. Now, 1. Some think there were two parties sent out to lie in ambush, 30,000 first, and afterwards 5000 to guard the roads, and to intercept those that were first sent out; and that Joshua made his open attack upon the city with all the thousands of Israel. So the learned bishop Patrick, insisting upon God's command (Jos 8:1) to take all the people of war with him. But, 2. Others think that all the people were taken only to encamp before the city, and that out of them Joshua chose out 30,000 men to be employed in the action, out of which he sent out 5000 to lie in ambush, which were as many as could be supposed to march incognito - without being discovered (more would have been seen, and thus the design would have been broken) and that then with the other 25,000 he made the open attack, as Masius thinks, or with the 30,000, which, as Calvin thinks, he kept entire for that purpose, having, besides them, sent out 5000 for an ambuscade. And those 5000 (they think) must be meant by those (Jos 8:3) whom he sent away by night, with orders to lie in wait behind the city, though the particular number is not specified till Jos 8:12. If we admit such a seeming disturbance in the order of the narrative (of which, perhaps, similar instances might be cited from the other scripture histories), it seems most probable that there was but one ambushment, which consisted only of 5000, enough for such a purpose.
II. Yet the principal parts of the story are plain enough, that a detachment being secretly marched behind the city, on the other side to that on which the main body of the army lay (the situation of the country, it is probable, favouring their concealment), Joshua, and the forces with him, faced the city; the garrison made a vigorous sally out upon them, whereupon they withdrew, gave ground, and retreated in some seeming disorder towards the wilderness, which being perceived by the men of Ai, they drew out all the force they had to pursue them. This gave a fair opportunity for those that lay in ambush to make themselves masters of the city, whereof when they had given notice by a smoke to Joshua, he, with all his force, returned upon the pursuers, who now, when it was too late, were aware of the snare they were drawn into, and, their retreat being intercepted, they were every man of them cut off. The like artifice we find used, Jdg 20:30, etc. Now in this story we may observe,
1.What a brave commander Joshua was. See, (1.) His conduct and prudence. God gave him the hint (v. 2) that he should lay an ambush behind the city, but left him to himself to order the particulars, which he did admirably well. Doubtless wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men, Ecc 7:19. (2.) His care and industry (Jos 8:10): He rose up early in the morning, that he might lose no time, and to show how intent his mind was upon his business. Those that would maintain their spiritual conflicts must not love their ease. (3.) His courage and resolution; though an army of Israelites had been repulsed before Ai, yet he resolves to lead them on in person the second time, Jos 8:5. Being himself also an elder, he took the elders of Israel with him to make this attack upon the city (Jos 8:10), as if he were going rather to sit in judgment upon them as criminals than to fight them as enemies. (4.) His caution and consideration (Jos 8:13): He went that night into the midst of the valley, to make the necessary dispositions for an attack, and to see that every thing was in good order. It is the pious conjecture of the learned bishop Patrick that he went into the valley alone, to pray to God for a blessing upon his enterprise, and he did not seek in vain. (5.) His constancy and perseverance; when he had stretched out his spear towards the city (Jos 8:18, a spear almost as fatal and formidable to the enemies of Israel as the rod of Moses was) he never drew back his hand till the work was done. His hands in fighting, like Moses's in interceding, were steady till the going down of the sun. Those that have stretched out their hands against their spiritual enemies must never draw them back. Lastly, What Joshua did in the stratagem is applicable to our Lord Jesus, of whom he was a type. Joshua conquered by yielding, as if he had himself been conquered; so our Lord Jesus, when he bowed his head and gave up the ghost, seemed as if death and triumphed over him, and as if he and all his interests had been routed and ruined; but in his resurrection he rallied again and gave the powers of darkness a total defeat; he broke the serpent's head, by suffering him to bruise his heel. A glorious stratagem!
2.What an obedient people Israel was. What Joshua commanded them to do, according to the commandment of the Lord (Jos 8:8), they did it without murmuring or disputing. Those that were sent to lie in ambush between Beth-el and Ai (two cities confederate against them) were in a post of danger, and had they been discovered might all have been cut off, and yet they ventured; and, when the body of the army retreated and fled, it was both disgraceful and perilous, and yet, in obedience to Joshua, they did it.
3.What an infatuated enemy the king of Ai was, (1.) That he did not by his scouts discover those that lay in ambush behind the city, Jos 8:14. Some observe it as a remarkable instance of the power of God in making men blind to their own interest, and the things that belong to their peace, that he wist not that there were liers in wait against him. Those are most in danger who are least aware that they are so. (2.) That when Israel seemed to fly he drew out all his forces to pursue them, and left none to guard his city and to secure his retreat, Jos 8:17. Thus the church's enemies often run themselves into destruction by their own fury and the violence of their rage against the Israel of God. Pharaoh plunged himself into the Red Sea by the eagerness with which he pursued Israel. (3.) That from the killing of thirty-six men out of 3000, when Israel made the former attack upon his city, he should infer the total routing of so great an army as now he had to deal with (Jos 8:6): They flee before us as at the first. See how the prosperity of fools destroys them and hardens them to their ruin. God had made use of the men of Ai as a scourge to chastise his people for meddling with the accursed thing, and this had puffed them up with a conceit that they must have the honour of delivering their country from these formidable invaders; but they were soon made to see their mistake, and that when the Israelites had reconciled themselves to their God they could have no power against them. God had made use of them only for the rebuking of Israel, with a purpose, when the correction was over, to throw the rod itself into the fire; howbeit, they meant not so, but it was in their heart to destroy and cut off, Isa 10:5-7.
4.What a complete victory Israel obtained over them by the favour and blessing of God. Each did his part: the divided forces of Israel, by signals agreed on, understood one another, and every thing succeeded according to the project; so that the men of Ai, even when they were most confident of victory, found themselves surrounded, so that they had neither spirit to resist nor room to fly, but were under a fatal necessity of yielding their lives to the destroyers. And now it is hard to say whether the shouts of the men of Israel, or the shrieks of the men of Ai, were the louder, but easy to imagine what terror and confusion they were filled with, when their highest assurances sunk so suddenly into the heaviest despair. Note, The triumphing of the wicked is short, Job 20:5. They are exalted for a little while, that their fall and ruin may be the sorer, Job 24:24. See how easily, how quickly, the scale turns against those that have not God on their side.
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SUMMARY
Joshua 8:7 delivers a pivotal command and a powerful divine assurance to Israel's forces during their second, successful assault on Ai. Following the humiliating defeat caused by Achan's sin and the subsequent purification of the camp, the LORD graciously provided Joshua with a precise military strategy involving an ambush. This verse specifically instructs the hidden contingent to rise up and seize the city, emphatically declaring that "the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand." It marks a crucial moment of restored divine favor, renewed obedience, and the certain promise of victory, underscoring God's active involvement in the success of His covenant people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 8:7 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is Divine Command and Promise, where God issues a direct imperative ("rise up... and seize") immediately followed by an absolute guarantee of success ("for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand"). This structure highlights God's authority and His unwavering commitment to His people. The phrase "deliver it into your hand" is a powerful Idiom, common in Old Testament conquest narratives, signifying a complete and decisive victory granted by God. It underscores the theological truth that the victory is a divine bestowal, not merely a human achievement. The verse also functions as a moment of Dramatic Irony, as the people of Ai are unaware of the hidden ambush and God's certain promise of their defeat, while the reader and Israel are privy to this divine plan. Furthermore, the verse stands in stark Contrast to the previous defeat at Ai in Joshua 7, emphasizing the restoration of divine favor and the efficacy of obedience after a period of sin and judgment.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 8:7 is a profound testament to God's unwavering faithfulness, even in the face of human failure. It demonstrates that while sin brings consequences and separates us from God's blessing, genuine repentance and obedience pave the way for restoration and renewed divine empowerment. The verse underscores God's sovereignty over all circumstances, showing that He not only orchestrates the grand narrative of history but also meticulously plans the details of His people's victories. The "delivery" of Ai into Israel's hand is a vivid illustration of God fighting for His people, fulfilling His covenant promises to give them the land. This divine initiative transforms a military conquest into a theological declaration of God's active presence and power among His chosen nation, reminding Israel that their strength comes from Him alone.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 8:7 offers profound lessons for believers navigating the challenges of life. Just as God provided a meticulous strategy for Ai after a period of failure, He continues to guide us. Our greatest successes, whether in spiritual growth, overcoming personal struggles, or fulfilling our callings, come not from relying on our own wisdom or strength, but from patiently seeking and obediently following God's divine direction, even when His path seems unconventional or requires humility. The assurance, "the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand," provides immense encouragement. When we are walking in God's will and have sought His guidance, we can face obstacles with confidence, knowing that He is with us and will enable us to overcome. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's boundless grace. Even after our failures or disobedience, if we humble ourselves, confess our sins, and turn back to Him, God is faithful to forgive, restore, and empower us for new victories, demonstrating His redemptive heart and unwavering commitment to His covenant people.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was the ambush strategy so important for Ai, and what does it tell us about God's methods?
Answer: The ambush strategy for Ai was crucial for several reasons. Militarily, it was a clever tactic designed to draw the defenders out of the city, leaving it vulnerable to the hidden force. Theologically, its importance lies in the fact that it was a divinely revealed strategy, not merely human ingenuity. After the previous defeat at Ai (documented in Joshua 7), which was a direct result of Israel's disobedience, God could have simply given them a direct, miraculous victory. Instead, He provided a detailed plan that required human effort, coordination, and obedience. This demonstrates that God often works through human means and requires our active participation, even when He is the ultimate source of victory. It teaches us that God's methods may not always be what we expect, but they are always perfectly suited to accomplish His purposes and often designed to teach us dependence and obedience.
Does God still "deliver" victories into the hands of believers today, and if so, how?
Answer: Yes, the principle of God "delivering" victories into the hands of His people absolutely applies today, though the nature of the "battles" has shifted from physical conquest to spiritual and personal challenges. For believers, our primary warfare is not against "flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). God delivers us from sin, temptation, spiritual oppression, and the schemes of the enemy. He grants us victory over personal struggles, provides wisdom in difficult decisions, and enables us to overcome obstacles that would otherwise defeat us. This "delivery" often comes through His empowering presence (the Holy Spirit), His revealed Word (Psalm 119:105), and the community of faith. Just as with Ai, it requires our obedience, trust, and active participation in His plan, knowing that the ultimate victory is His to give.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 8:7, with its themes of divine strategy, assured victory, and restoration after failure, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God provided a perfect plan for Israel's victory at Ai, so too did He orchestrate the perfect plan for humanity's victory over sin and death through His Son. Jesus is the ultimate General, not leading armies to conquer earthly cities, but leading His people to triumph over spiritual foes. His obedience to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross, is the perfect model of the obedience required of Joshua and Israel. Through His sacrifice, Jesus "delivered" us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). The promise "the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand" foreshadows the certain victory believers have in Christ; we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37). The restoration offered to Israel after Achan's sin points to the greater grace found in Christ, who offers forgiveness and a new beginning to all who repent and believe, cleansing us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). In Christ, the spiritual Ai—any obstacle or enemy that stands against God's purposes for our lives—is already conquered, and we are called to rise up and seize the victory already secured by our Lord (Philippians 4:13).