Strategy, Blessing & Encouragement

1Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take all your fighting men and attack Ai, for I have given you the king of Ai, his people, his town, and his land. 2You will destroy them as you destroyed Jericho and its king. But this time you may keep the plunder and the livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the town.”

                                                                               Joshua 8:1-2   NLT

Confession and repentance to God brings freedom and opens the way forward. When God next spoke with Joshua, it was with a different outlook, God had a plan and Joshua was listening. God told him to take all of his troops to attack. 30000 would go first and hide in ambush waiting for the enemy to come by. The next day, Joshua would go with the rest of the troops and when the enemy saw and attacked them, they would run away as they did before. When the enemy had ran by after Joshua, the troops in ambush would go into Ai and completely destroy it. The enemy would see this but, it would be too late because Joshua and his men would turn around and attack and kill them. This time they would be allowed to take the spoils of war for themselves, the king  would be executed and the land destroyed.

It was like a game of chess; the strategy was amazing; God was the chess master. As long as Joshua held up and pointed his spear at Ai, victory would be theirs v18. God was totally in charge this time. As God had said to Moses in the Book of Instruction, an altar was to be built on Mount Ebal from uncut, unworked stones with details written upon them. Joshua did this and the altar was finished. Archaeologists have recently discovered an altar on Mount Ebal but, there were no instructions written on the stones. However, this could still be the altar Moses referred to.

Assessment  

*  When we confess our sin to God, He hears our confession and through Jesus' blood they are wiped out. He doesn't hold grudges; He chooses to forget the wrongs and He blesses us

*  Note how Joshua's listening skills had improved. He ensured that all of the troops went into battle this time and, they had the victory. We should always listen properly, getting all of the information before we step out

*  Look what happens when we are in God's blessing and involving Him in the planning. Sometimes, God tells us to do things that we can't work out, rather like Joshua holding up and pointing his spear at Ai. Whether or not it seems right, it is always best to do what God is telling us to do. It brings victory and success

*  Building the altar according to Moses' instructions may also have seemed pointless to some but, it was a matter of honouring God, honouring Moses and obedience to our Father. Obedience is the way to God's heart. He loves us to do what He tells us.

Conclusion

When we put God in the driving street, it is a smooth ride but, as I say many times, if we allow Satan into the back seat, pretty soon he is going to want to drive himself. Avoid this at all costs. It is the difference between Blessing and Chaos.

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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