Joshua 8:5

And I, and all the people that [are] with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,

And I, and all the people {H5971} that are with me, will approach {H7126} unto the city {H5892}: and it shall come to pass, when they come out {H3318} against {H7125} us, as at the first {H7223}, that we will flee {H5127} before {H6440} them,

I and all the troops with me will approach the city; and when they come out to attack us, as they did before, we will run away from them.

Then I and all the troops with me will advance on the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them.

and I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city. And it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them;

Commentary

Joshua 8:5 reveals a crucial part of Israel's renewed strategy for conquering the city of Ai after their initial, humiliating defeat. This verse outlines Joshua's role in the deceptive military maneuver: he, along with a portion of the Israelite army, would approach Ai, and upon the city's inhabitants sallying forth, they would feign a retreat, just as they had genuinely fled in the first encounter.

Context of Joshua 8:5

Following a disastrous first attempt to capture Ai, detailed in Joshua 7:4-5, Israel faced a significant setback due to Achan's sin. After God's judgment and Achan's removal, the Lord gave Joshua new instructions and a detailed battle plan for Ai. Joshua 8:1-2 reveals God's specific command for an ambush strategy. Verse 5 describes Joshua's personal commitment to leading the baiting force, drawing the enemy out of the city by pretending to flee, thereby setting them up for the hidden ambush, as described in Joshua 8:6-7.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Strategic Warfare and Divine Guidance: This verse highlights a sophisticated military tactic – the feigned retreat – which was commonly used in ancient warfare. However, for Israel, it was not merely a human strategy but one divinely ordained. God Himself provided the blueprint for this deceptive maneuver, ensuring Israel's success after their previous failure.
  • Learning from Past Defeat: The phrase "as at the first" directly references the prior rout. This time, what was a genuine flight born of fear and disorganization becomes a calculated, strategic withdrawal. It demonstrates Israel's willingness to follow God's new instructions, even if they involved repeating a seemingly humiliating action for a greater purpose. This shows a profound shift from human fear to obedience to God's plan.
  • Joshua's Leadership: Joshua's declaration, "And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city," underscores his personal commitment and leadership in executing God's plan. He led from the front, taking on the risky role of drawing out the enemy.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "flee" here is nus (Χ Χ•ΦΌΧ‘), which simply means to run away or escape. In the context of Joshua 7:4, it described a genuine, panicked rout. Here in Joshua 8:5, the same word is used, but its meaning is transformed by the strategic intent behind it. It is a controlled, tactical withdrawal, not a fearful escape, demonstrating a deliberate act within a larger, divinely inspired plan.

Practical Application

Joshua 8:5 offers several insights for believers today:

  • God's New Strategies for Old Problems: Sometimes, overcoming past failures requires a new approach, even one that might seem counterintuitive or reminiscent of previous setbacks. God provides fresh wisdom and tactics for our challenges.
  • Strategic Retreat for Future Victory: Not every "retreat" is a defeat. Sometimes, a temporary withdrawal or a change of tactics, guided by wisdom and prayer, can be a necessary step to achieve a larger, ultimate victory. This resonates with the principle of "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD" (Proverbs 21:31).
  • Obedience to Divine Direction: Just as Joshua meticulously followed God's detailed plan, our success in life's battles often hinges on our willingness to listen to and obey God's specific guidance, even when the path seems unconventional.
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Cross-References

  • Joshua 7:5 (3 votes)

    And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them [from] before the gate [even] unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

  • Judges 20:31 (2 votes)

    And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, [and] were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, [and] kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

  • Judges 20:33 (2 votes)

    And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, [even] out of the meadows of Gibeah.

  • Matthew 10:16 (2 votes)

    ΒΆ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.