◄ Joshua 8:12 ►
Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.
Study Bible
Now Joshua
The name "Joshua" is derived from the Hebrew "Yehoshua," meaning "Yahweh is salvation." Joshua, as the leader of Israel, is a type of Christ, leading God's people into the Promised Land. His actions are divinely guided, reflecting obedience and faith in God's promises. Historically, Joshua's leadership is pivotal in the conquest narratives, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant with Israel.

had taken about five thousand men
The strategic choice of "five thousand men" for the ambush reflects Joshua's military acumen and reliance on divine strategy rather than sheer numbers. The number five in biblical numerology often symbolizes grace, suggesting that this ambush is undergirded by God's grace and favor. This tactical decision underscores the importance of obedience to God's specific instructions, as seen throughout the conquest of Canaan.

and set them in ambush
The concept of an "ambush" in ancient warfare was a common tactic, but here it is divinely inspired. The Hebrew root for "ambush" is "ארב" (arab), which implies lying in wait. This reflects the wisdom and patience required in spiritual warfare, where believers must be vigilant and ready to act according to God's timing. The ambush signifies a turning point, where Israel's previous defeat at Ai is redeemed through obedience and strategic planning.

between Bethel and Ai
"Bethel," meaning "House of God," and "Ai," meaning "heap of ruins," are significant locations. Bethel is a place of divine encounters, while Ai represents human failure and sin. The positioning "between Bethel and Ai" symbolizes the tension between divine promise and human struggle. Archaeologically, these sites are well-documented, providing historical context to the biblical narrative. This geographical setting reminds believers of the constant choice between following God or succumbing to worldly ruin.

to the west of the city
The direction "west" in biblical symbolism often represents moving towards God, as the tabernacle faced east, and entering it meant moving westward. By setting the ambush "to the west of the city," Joshua aligns the military strategy with a spiritual journey towards God's presence and victory. This directional choice emphasizes the importance of aligning our actions with God's will, moving towards His promises and away from past failures.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua
The leader of the Israelites, successor to Moses, tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land. Known for his military strategy and faithfulness to God.

2. Five Thousand Men
A contingent of Israelite soldiers chosen by Joshua to execute a strategic ambush against the city of Ai.

3. Bethel
A nearby city to Ai, significant in Israelite history as a place where Abraham and Jacob had encounters with God.

4. Ai
A Canaanite city targeted by the Israelites for conquest. Previously, the Israelites suffered a defeat here due to Achan's sin.

5. Ambush
A military tactic used by Joshua to capture Ai, demonstrating strategic planning and reliance on divine guidance.
Teaching Points
Strategic Obedience
Joshua's use of an ambush reflects the importance of following God's guidance in our plans. We should seek divine wisdom in our strategies and decisions.

Learning from Past Mistakes
The Israelites' previous defeat at Ai taught them the necessity of obedience and repentance. We should learn from our past failures and seek God's forgiveness and direction.

Faith and Action
Joshua's actions demonstrate a balance of faith in God and practical action. We are called to trust God while actively participating in His plans.

Community and Leadership
Joshua's leadership and the cooperation of the Israelite soldiers highlight the importance of unity and effective leadership in achieving God's purposes.

God's Sovereignty in Battle
The victory at Ai underscores that success in our endeavors ultimately depends on God's sovereignty and blessing.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Joshua's strategy at Ai demonstrate the importance of seeking God's guidance in our plans? Reflect on a time when you sought divine wisdom in a decision.

2. In what ways can we learn from past mistakes, as the Israelites did after their initial defeat at Ai? Consider a personal experience where you learned from failure.

3. How does the balance of faith and action in Joshua's leadership apply to your current life situation? Identify areas where you need to trust God more while taking practical steps.

4. What role does community and leadership play in achieving God's purposes, as seen in the cooperation between Joshua and the Israelite soldiers? How can you contribute to unity and effective leadership in your community or church?

5. Reflect on a situation where you experienced God's sovereignty in a "battle" or challenge in your life. How did this experience strengthen your faith and reliance on God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 7
The previous chapter details the initial defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin, highlighting the importance of obedience to God.

Judges 20
Another instance of using an ambush in battle, showing the recurring theme of strategic warfare in Israel's history.

Proverbs 21:31
Emphasizes that while preparation is essential, ultimate victory comes from the Lord, aligning with Joshua's reliance on God for success.
Sermons
All the People At Work for JesusSpurgeon, Charles HaddonJoshua 8:3-29
Joshua's Address to the Soldiers of the ExpeditionF. G. Marchant.Joshua 8:3-29
The Outstretched SpearA. B. Mackay.Joshua 8:3-29
The Victorious RetreatT. De Witt Talmage.Joshua 8:3-29
United Effort NeededSpurgeon, Charles HaddonJoshua 8:3-29
Variety of Divine MeansW. Seaton.Joshua 8:3-29
Work for God Among the HeathenSpurgeon, Charles HaddonJoshua 8:3-29
People
Israelites, Joshua, Levites
Places
Ai, Arabah, Bethel, Jericho, Mount Ebal, Mount Gerizim
Topics
Ai, Ambush, Attack, Bethel, Beth-el, Lie, Position, Setteth, Surprise, Taketh, Taking, Thousand, West
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 8:1-22

     8131   guidance, results

Joshua 8:3-19

     5178   running

Joshua 8:10-14

     4954   morning

Joshua 8:10-19

     5544   soldiers

Library
The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

February the Seventeenth Blessings and Cursings
"He read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings." --JOSHUA viii. 30-35. We are inclined to read only what pleases us, to hug the blessings and to ignore the warnings. We bask in the light, we close our eyes to the lightning. We recount the promises, we shut our ears to the rebukes. We love the passages which speak of our Master's gentleness, we turn away from those which reveal His severity. And all this is unwise, and therefore unhealthy. We become spiritually soft and anaemic. …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Whether it is Lawful to Lay Ambushes in War?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is unlawful to lay ambushes in war. For it is written (Dt. 16:20): "Thou shalt follow justly after that which is just." But ambushes, since they are a kind of deception, seem to pertain to injustice. Therefore it is unlawful to lay ambushes even in a just war. Objection 2: Further, ambushes and deception seem to be opposed to faithfulness even as lies are. But since we are bound to keep faith with all men, it is wrong to lie to anyone, as Augustine states (Contra …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Jesus in the Tomb.
It was about three o'clock in the afternoon, according to our manner of reckoning,[1] when Jesus expired. A Jewish law[2] forbade a corpse suspended on the cross to be left beyond the evening of the day of the execution. It is not probable that in the executions performed by the Romans this rule was observed; but as the next day was the Sabbath, and a Sabbath of peculiar solemnity, the Jews expressed to the Roman authorities[3] their desire that this holy day should not be profaned by such a spectacle.[4] …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Crucifixion.
Subdivision D. Jesus Found to Be Dead. His Body Buried and Guarded in the Tomb. ^A Matt. XXVII. 57-66; ^B Mark XV. 42-47; ^C Luke XXIII. 50-56; ^D John XIX. 31-42. ^d 31 The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day ), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. [According to rabbinical writing a few hours before the Sabbath were called the Preparation; …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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