When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now became the pursuers. When the men of Ai turned and looked backThis phrase highlights a pivotal moment in the battle strategy orchestrated by Joshua. The men of Ai, confident in their initial pursuit of the Israelites, are caught off guard. This turning back signifies a realization of their vulnerability. Biblically, this moment echoes the theme of divine intervention and strategic wisdom granted to Israel, reminiscent of other instances where God confounds Israel's enemies, such as in Exodus 14:24-25 during the crossing of the Red Sea. the smoke of the city was rising into the sky
The rising smoke serves as a signal of the successful ambush and destruction of Ai, fulfilling God's promise of victory. This imagery of smoke is often associated with divine judgment and presence, as seen in Genesis 19:28 with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Archaeologically, the site of Ai has been debated, but the narrative underscores the completeness of the conquest, a common theme in ancient Near Eastern warfare accounts. They could not escape in any direction
This phrase emphasizes the totality of the trap set by Joshua. The men of Ai find themselves surrounded, illustrating the completeness of God's deliverance for Israel. This mirrors the fate of the Egyptians in Exodus 14:27-28, where they were similarly trapped and defeated. Theologically, it underscores the futility of opposing God's plans and the assurance of His promises to His people. and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers
The strategic retreat by the Israelites was a ruse, drawing Ai's forces away from the city. This turning back signifies the reversal of fortunes, a common biblical motif where God turns the plans of the wicked against them, as seen in Esther 9:1. The wilderness, often a place of testing and encounter with God, here becomes the staging ground for victory. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of God using unexpected means and places to achieve His purposes, foreshadowing the ultimate victory through Christ, who often turned societal expectations upside down. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites, who succeeded Moses and led the people into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in the conquest of Canaan. 2. AiA Canaanite city that the Israelites attacked and eventually conquered. The initial defeat at Ai was due to Achan's sin, but this passage describes the successful second attempt. 3. The IsraelitesThe people of God, chosen to inherit the Promised Land. They are executing God's judgment on the Canaanite cities as part of their divine mandate. 4. The Men of AiThe defenders of the city of Ai, who initially repelled the Israelites but were ultimately defeated due to a strategic ambush. 5. The AmbushA military tactic used by Joshua and the Israelites to deceive and defeat the men of Ai, involving a feigned retreat and a surprise attack. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceThe initial defeat at Ai was due to disobedience. Obedience to God is crucial for success in our spiritual battles. God's Strategic WisdomJust as God provided Joshua with a strategy for victory, He offers us wisdom and guidance in our daily lives. The Power of Repentance and RestorationAfter dealing with Achan's sin, the Israelites were restored and able to achieve victory. Repentance restores our relationship with God. Trust in God's TimingThe Israelites had to wait for God's instruction before attacking Ai again. Trusting in God's timing is essential for our spiritual journey. Victory Through FaithThe Israelites' victory at Ai was a result of faith in God's promises. Our faith in Christ assures us of victory over life's challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Ai illustrate the consequences of disobedience and the blessings of obedience to God? 2. In what ways can we seek God's strategic wisdom in our personal and spiritual battles today? 3. How does the concept of repentance and restoration in Joshua 8 relate to New Testament teachings on forgiveness and grace? 4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' trust in God's timing, and how can we apply this to our own lives? 5. How does the victory at Ai encourage us to have faith in God's promises, and what New Testament scriptures reinforce this assurance? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 7The previous chapter details the initial defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin, highlighting the importance of obedience to God. Exodus 17The battle against the Amalekites, where strategic warfare and reliance on God led to victory, similar to the ambush at Ai. Judges 7Gideon's victory over the Midianites with a small army, demonstrating God's power in battle and the importance of divine strategy. Proverbs 21:31This verse emphasizes that while preparation is important, victory ultimately comes from the Lord, aligning with the Israelites' experience at Ai. Romans 8:37This verse speaks of believers being more than conquerors through Christ, paralleling the Israelites' victory through God's guidance. People Israelites, Joshua, LevitesPlaces Ai, Arabah, Bethel, Jericho, Mount Ebal, Mount GerizimTopics Ai, Ascended, Behind, Behold, Chance, Desert, Direction, Escape, Fled, Flee, Fleeing, Flight, Heaven, Heavens, Hither, Israelites, Power, Pursuer, Pursuers, Rising, Sky, Smoke, Thither, Town, Unable, Waste, WildernessDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 8:20 5319 fugitives Joshua 8:1-22 8131 guidance, results Joshua 8:20-21 4848 smoke 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 ScriptureFebruary 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 Links Joshua 8:20 NIVJoshua 8:20 NLTJoshua 8:20 ESVJoshua 8:20 NASBJoshua 8:20 KJV
Joshua 8:20 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
