In today’s Daily Devotional on Joshua 8, the saga of Ai continues with a profound lesson in obedience and divine guidance. Previously in the Daily Devotional on Joshua 7, Israel suffered a setback at Ai due to disobedience and sin within their camp. Yet, after purging themselves of wrongdoing, they face Ai once more. This time, Joshua receives a clear battle plan from God, emphasizing the importance of following divine instruction rather than relying on human strategies alone. The narrative underscores a timeless truth: victory comes not through our own efforts, but through alignment with God’s will.
Reflecting on this passage through various personal insights over the years reveals deeper layers of its significance. We see the stark contrast between failure when acting independently of God and success when adhering to His word. Joshua’s story brings us back to the pivotal moment when he rewrites the law and reads it aloud, symbolizing a renewed commitment to God’s commandments. This act of public devotion serves as a call to all believers to embrace God’s guidance wholeheartedly and to prioritize His Word in their lives.
As we delve into the chapters preceding and following Joshua 8, we uncover a profound spiritual journey. It begins with acknowledging our shortcomings, purifying our hearts, and recommitting ourselves to God’s divine plan. Just as Joshua did at Ai, let us continually seek God’s counsel, knowing that true victory in life’s battles comes through faithfulness to His Word.
Joshua 8 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In Joshua 8, we are not finished with Ai yet. Yesterday, there was sin in the camp. It was expelled; but what happens to Ai now in Joshua 8? Do you follow God’s battle plan, or do you go it alone? Please read or listen to Joshua 8.
What Is the Book of Joshua Trying to Tell Us?
In 1995, I wrote, “Joshua defeats Ai, then turns to scripture. The Book of the Law. The blessings and the curses read before all the people, according to verses 34 and 35.”
Who Is Ai in the Bible?
In 2004, I read Joshua 5-8 on the same day. I will now summarize that entire journal entry. “God is serious about the little things. The walls fall flat at Jericho when they obeyed the little things. Ai routs Israel because one man in a million disobeys and takes a few items under the ban. God wants a pure heart. Lord, help me be willing to walk according to Your ways.”
Why Was the City of AI Destroyed?
In 2013, I read Joshua 8 on two days, splitting the chapter in two. On the first day, I read the first 29 verses and wrote, “‘And the Lord said to Joshua’ (v. 1). God speaks. He gives the specific battle plan to Joshua. He also says before the battle even takes place, ‘I have given (it) into your hand’ (v. 1). The victory is assured in the Lord. I love verse 8, ‘You shall do according to the word of the Lord.’” I continued to write, “Go out on your own, get beat. Go according to the Word of the Lord, victory.”
The next day, I finished Joshua 8, reading verse 30 through the end. I wrote, “This worship, this event, takes place at Shechem, the place God first made the promise of the land to Abraham. Moses said, when you get to the Promised Land, recommit yourselves to God. Joshua does exactly that. Joshua rewrites a copy of the law of Moses, according to verse 32. Joshua ‘read all of the words of the law, the blessing and the curse’ (v. 34). ‘There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read’” (v. 35). And I wrote part of my prayer that day, “Joshua committed himself to the law of God. He wrote it and read it to himself and all the people. God, help me be the same, committed to Your Word.”
What Is the Main Message of Joshua 8?
As we start into chapter 8, we need to go back to chapter 7. Remember, Israel was defeated at Ai. There was no battle plan from the Lord in that first battle which they lost. Yes, Israel had broken faith. Yes, there was sin in the camp. But they also went out on their own. How often have you gone out on your own without a battle plan from the Lord?
After the sin of Achan is expunged from the Israeli camp, the battle resumes with Ai. This time, God gives Joshua a battle plan for victory. Once again, before the battle even begins, He says, “I have given into your hand the king of Ai and his people, his city, and his land” (v. 1). Amazing, isn’t it? Go it alone, get beat. Go with the Lord, have victory. How are you living your life?
After the victory in Ai, Joshua builds an altar to the Lord. And then, look at verse 32, “And there, in the presence of the people of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses”. Joshua demonstrated his commitment to the Word of God in front of all the people. In verses 34 and 35, “he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel”.
After going .500, 1 win and 1 loss, in his first two battles, Joshua recommitted himself and his people to the Word of God. Do you need to do the same? Have you been out there in life on your own fighting your battles without a battle plan from the Lord? Have you been defeated? Like in Joshua 7, expunge the sin from your camp. Confess to the Lord, repent, and be forgiven. And then once again, follow God’s battle plan for your life.
What Does the Story of Joshua Teach Us?
Like Joshua, recommit yourself to the Word of God. Read it all. The Ezra Project will help you do that. We cover all Old Testament books and all New Testament books, chapter by chapter. Joshua read it all. I hope you will too.
Prayer
Father, thank You for showing us in these last two chapters the right way to live our own lives. Thanks for reminding us You have a battle plan for us, and we need to follow it exactly. You remind us when we deviate from the plan, we get ourselves in trouble! Often, we end up defeated. But chapter 8 is a restoration chapter, and we thank You that You are a God of restoration. You always have a new battle plan for us. May we, like they, do all according to Your Word and may You grant us victory in our lives. In the name of Jesus, we ask it. Amen.
