JOSHUA 8: RECAPTURE
Joshua 8: The Conquest of Ai 1 “Now the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.”
Outline:
1) LISTEN TO THE COACH:
2) LORD ENCOURAGES US
3) GATHER THE PEOPLE
4) GOD REMINDS US OF PAST VICTORIES
5) LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING
6) ATTACK THE ENEMY SECRETLY/ STAY UNDETECTED:
INTRODUCTION:
Sometimes due to a wrong marriage, disobedience and unwise decisions, imprudent business dealings, impulsive relocation to a foreign country- many such things can take you to utter chaos and destruction; however, God does not leave you there to rot, He wants to connect with you, help you join the dots between where you are and where you have to be and help you along the way. Listen to the coach!
Only when you go round and round the Mighty God, would you know His character, His heart and His enduring Love. Without knowing the background of chapter 7, you can never appreciate the great victory that you read in chapter 8. Because of the sin of one man Achan, the entire nation was shattered and in shambles, though it was only Achan who was involved in the theft, but the Lord said “Israel has sinned”. God was angry! Joshua prostrated on the floor and he cried, asking God for reasons. Lord looked at Joshua and said:” Joshua 7:1 "Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face?” God was unable to be quiet after seeing the broken –prostrated prayers of Joshua. Psalm 34:18”The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Some sit in a rocking chair, with a coffee mug, shake their legs and pray, despite their life in a mess. They even dare to ask” why is God not answering my prayers?” Let your prayers not be sloppy, pray with assurance that God is hearing every word, are you listening? When things don’t go right, you tend to swing the pendulum the other way, all the yo-yoing does not last long, immeasurable happiness and joy in the Lord, do not come from ‘sporadic’ prayer life - running to God only during time of emergencies - but being consistent, committed and loyal in your walk with God will go a long way. The Lord answered Joshua and gave the reason for failure, He said: 12 "Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.” Destroy the evil things and set right your life before you point fingers at God:
• Some of you need to change even your profession which might not be right in the eyes of God. If you are dealing with unrighteous dealings or business, right now ‘stop’ before further damage.
• If you are living with another man’s wife, STOP right now and change your direction.
• Join a local church and be connected with the Body of Christ, don’t be attending online services
• Give your offerings to God
“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” Proverbs 12:15
Each of us should memorize these scriptures in order to understand about our God:
Exodus 34: 6 Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." Did you hear that? So, be careful about your life!
I would like to sum up this devotion- God looked at Joshua and said “ you suffer because you have sinned so ARISE NOW , set right your life according to my commandments!
Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
2) LORD ENCOURAGES US:
1. The Lord encourages them in verse 1
Joshua 8:1-Now the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.”
Leader Joshua was devastated, the people of Israel who had tasted victory in Jericho and the crossing of Jordan, now had to cover their faces due to the great defeat in Ai. 36 soldiers were lost; nevertheless, God revealed in this chapter that you can arise from the ash heap. Hallelujah!
I saw a new flower vase in my mom’s living room! When I asked about it, she said that those flowers were discarded, thrown away and they lay abandoned in the rain, snow and sun for two years; but she picked it up, cleaned them, dusted them, washed them and brought back its sheen and beauty and finally kept them in the middle of the living room. Isn’t that lovely! God would do the same for you! Have you seen wasted plastic, rubber and other throw-away items being turned into awesome products? Likewise, when you get into the Hands of Jesus, He would restore you! I just checked on the meaning of ‘restore’ and this is what I read: “return to a former position/state”, this is what God would do for you! Cheer up!
Deuteronomy 1:21 'See, the LORD your God has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear or be dismayed.'
God wants to build your life back, business back, life back – HE IS OUR REBUILDER
Illustration: Mr. Ratan Tata rebuilt His Hotel after the attack:
The Taj Hotel which stands tall in Mumbai is the pride of India. It is more than 100 years strong. The terrorist attack on the fine establishment on 26th November 2008 shook the country to the core. 31 lives were lost and 28 people were injured because of the attack. However, Mr Ratan Tata was determined to not only restore the hotel to its initial glory but also send a message to the world that the attack has failed to bring down the spirit of our nation. Mr. Tata also built a memorial in the hotel to pay tribute to the 31 employees who lost their lives in the attack. Even though the Taj was reopened a month after it was attacked, it took 21 months to restore the iconic hotel to its glory. The cost of reconstruction is estimated to be $38 million. Mr. Ratan Tata is 86 years old now. No matter what your age, God can rebuild your ruined your life! Clap hands for God!
3) GATHER THE PEOPLE– Victory IN UNITY:
Joshua 8: The Conquest of Ai 1 “Now the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise….
“Take all the people of war with you and arise”
Joel 2:16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.
Esther 4:15-16 Then Esther sent this answer to Mordecai: “Mordecai, go and get all the Jews in Susa together, and fast for me. Don't eat or drink for three days and nights. I and my women servants will fast too. After we fast, I will go to the king.”
God wants you to join with the body of Christ and fight the battle against the demon, you were not called to be alone.
One of the most amazing and astounding Gospel team that I have ever heard of were George Beverly Shea, the Gospel singer and Cliff Barrows, Musical director who joined Rev Billy Graham to work in the crusades conducted by him in the year 1947 and have worked together for more than 50 years. When Gospel singer Beverly Shea died this year at the age of 104, Billy (now 95) said, ‘George Beverly Shea was one of my closest friends for nearly 70 years.’ Ah, imagine being together for 70 years! Today, with puffed up egos, high tempers and selfish attitudes it is tough to work together!
There was one particular elderly woman who gathered a group of women and prayed exclusively for Rev Billy Graham for the success of his crusades. You cannot do it alone, there is someone behind your success.
Who’s packing your parachute?
Proving the importance of teamwork is about a US jet fighter pilot in Vietnam – Charles Plumb. He had completed 75 combat missions when he was shot down. Plumb was ejected and parachuted into enemy hands, where he spent six years in a Vietnamese prison.
One day, a man came up to him and said, “You’re Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!”
Plumb was confused and asked how the man knew about that. “I packed your parachute,” the man replied.
The man then shook his hand and said, “I guess it worked!” Plumb assured him it had and said, “If your chute hadn’t worked, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Plumb thought a lot about that man who held the fate of someone he did not even know, in his hands. He kept pondering how many times he might have seen the guy, and not even said anything because he was a fighter pilot and the stranger was just a sailor.” Many people have worked behind your success and survival.
Someone said: "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."
4) God reminds them of past victories:Remembering past victories during present difficulties
"You shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king…”
• When Storm come in our life, we need to think of God’s mighty Hands that led us through in the messy labyrinth of life.
• We think of past victories because we serve an unchanging God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
• Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14
Keep a list of all your testimonies and how God used you too in the life of others, that would help you to tackle the present crisis.
I heard an African American Pastor Creflo Dollar tell that he had stored all the testimonies written by people about him and he would read them when he felt discouraged and low. Everybody go through period of loneliness, lowliness and unimportance, we need to remember the loveliness of God towards you during such times. People are ready to bury you but God desires to resurrect you from the miry clary. Arise!
5) LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING (8:1-9)
Joshua 8:4 He commanded them, saying, "See, you are going to ambush the city from behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.
DIFFERENT STRATEGY OF GOD:
Knowledge puffeth up:
Joshua 8:4”He commanded them, saying, "See, you are going to ambush the city from behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.”
Why did God give a different strategy of attack in this chapter? God wants you trust Him in all ways and not get too smart and arrogant. Proverbs 3:6 says” In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Amen.
No matter what your age, God wants you to come to Him like kids depending on His knowledge and guidance. My mom is 84 this year, so when I call her to speak to her, she has very little to share, her memory fading, she would be at a loss for words. So I would talk on subjects that would interest her, if I ask her recipe of her favorite dish, she would get excited and we would have happy conversation for a long time. Though I can cook for 100 students effortlessly, when I ask my mom for her advice, it makes her extremely happy, likewise, no matter what our education or skills, God desires for us to totally rely on Him. How do you do that? Prayer and Bible reading! James 1:5 (NIV) "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." This familiar and famous scriptures remind us of the importance of asking God to show us His views, His perspective and His standards.
Isaiah 55: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
When the kids join nursery in Abide School, they look so cute and innocent, but as they grow old and reach class 3, they start getting self-dependent, naughty and mischievous, by the time they reach class 8 they become wild and unmanageable. I write this with pain in my heart! I see the same in the church and among Christians too, they are so cute and lovely during the initial days of salvation; however, once God blesses them with few spiritual gifts, their head gets swollen with pride. I was very touched and inspired by a young man’s preaching, God had blessed him with deep revelations, so I invited him to share the Word in one of our zoom prayer gathering. I was very stunned to see his appearance that day with very long and unruly hair, since he was also a pastor’s son, I was shocked. Moreover, he was very insolently, arrogantly and disrespectfully rocking his chair back and forth and preaching . Unbelievable! One particular girl after the meeting asked me, ‘aunty, why did he rock like that and preach, his hair also was very funny.’ God is looking for kid-like nature, 1 Corinthians 8:1 says ”…. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.”
Be it marriage, business, job, oversees travel or assignments; whatsoever,” do not lean unto your own understanding and be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.”(Proverbs 3:5,7) Did you hear me? Humbly check out with God as to what He has planned for you! You may not have a clear idea of the journey but trust Him to take you through! I never knew what God had for me in Hyderabad when we moved to this new city six years back, we just obeyed as a family and carted our young children along with us! The train journey from Chennai to Hyderabad was eerie and arduous because I was traveling alone with my maid and son since we had to settle many things in Chennai and we did not have enough money for it! Uncertainty hovered over our head; yet, we moved forward through the ‘Light’ of God’s Word and His promises! Amen. A marriage team of noisy crowd traveled in the compartment that we were in and made our night journey miserable; however, God never left our side! Everything did not happen hastily and quickly but God unfolded His plans for our life very gradually.
We thought we would start a Church in the new city but God told us to start a free School for the poor without any experience in the field of education. God sometimes wants you to reply on His wisdom and not yours! I type this on February 24, 2024, we had started free English medium School for the poor in Hyderabad 12 years back, and we now have Government recognition for the next 10 years. This is how God would bless if you follow His plans.
God told Joshua “Set an ambush for the city behind it.”( Remain concealed)
12 “And he took about 5,000 men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. 13 So they stationed the people, all the army that was on the north side of the city, and its rear guard on the west side of the city, and Joshua spent that night in the midst of the valley.”
You cannot always put big billboards, glossy advertisements, distribute tracts and do ministry, we right now live in an era, where Christian ministry is attacked. So God told Joshua:
Keep 5000 men concealed! Phew, what a plan! God knows inside and out of the situation!
Most important part of the plan
He commanded them, saying, "See, you are going to ambush the city from behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.
Testimony of our Shiloh Revival Church: We moved to a particular area where a particular hindu god was dominating the area, with giant size statues. We were on the first floor, people from that area met the owner of the building and told him, “ kindly ask the church to vacate from this area, because of this church in the entrance all our businesses are on loss.” But the owner refused to listen to them because he found us harmless. After 5 years of this complaint, we still stay strong in that area while all the others have vanished; however, we stay concealed and do ministry in that area. Anybody listening?
The complete victory of Ai is recorded in the following scriptures:
11 Then all the people of war who were with him went up and drew near and arrived in front of the city, and camped on the north side of Ai. Now there was a valley between him and Ai.
12 And he took about 5,000 men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.
13 So they stationed the people, all the army that was on the north side of the city, and its rear guard on the west side of the city, and Joshua spent that night in the midst of the valley.
14 It came about when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hurried and rose up early and went out to meet Israel in battle, he and all his people at the appointed place before the desert plain. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city.
15 Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
16 And all the people who were in the city were called together to pursue them, and they pursued Joshua and were drawn away from the city.
17 So not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who had not gone out after Israel, and they left the city unguarded and pursued Israel.
18 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand." So Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand toward the city.
19 The men in ambush rose quickly from their place, and when he had stretched out his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it, and they quickly set the city on fire.
20 When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers.
21 When Joshua and all Israel saw that the men in ambush had captured the city and that the smoke of the city ascended, they turned back and slew the men of Ai.
6) ATTACK THE ENEMY SECRETLY/ STAY UNDETECTED:
On May 2, 2011, bin Laden was killed when a small U.S. force transported by helicopters raided the compound.
OSAMA BIN LADEN
The raid, approved by U.S. President Barack Obama and involving two dozen Navy SEALs in two Black Hawk helicopters, was launched from about 120 miles (190 km) away in Afghanistan, where U.S. forces were stationed. The raid took 40 minutes, and bin Laden was killed shortly before 1:00 a.m.
On Sept. 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon, killing all 64 people on the plane and 125 people in the Pentagon. The next 10 years US was working on killing the terrorists, are you listening? Drones, - Unmanned aerial vehicles in this war has been to act as a nearly undetectable eye-in-the-sky that can circle a target area for hours on end. In addition to weapons, these aircraft carry video and infrared cameras, radar, and devices that can intercept electronic communications.
All this makes them ideal for what is called "forensic intelligence," in which analysts review the video and other data drones have gathered over days or weeks and use it to work backward in time, tracing the comings and goings of known or suspected terrorists. Using all these materials, they identified the compound where Osama Bin Laden was hidden.
The raid was scheduled for a time with little moonlight so the helicopters could enter Pakistan "low to the ground and undetected." Did you hear me say undetected??? The helicopters used hilly terrain and nap-of-the-earth techniques to reach the compound without appearing on radar and alerting the Pakistani military. The flight from Jalalabad to Abbottabad took about 90 minutes.
The U.S. military operators wore night-vision goggles that enabled them to see in the dark.
Only CONFIDANT OF OSAMA: Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti, was armed. From beginning to end, the operation had taken less than 40 minutes.
3:39 p.m. – Osama bin Laden is located on the third floor of the compound and is shot in the head, above the left eye.
Sometime during the operation, three other men (including one of bin Laden’s sons) and a woman in the compound are also killed.
3:53 p.m. – President Obama receives preliminary word that bin Laden is identified and dead.
3:55 p.m. – SEAL team members move bin Laden’s body to the first floor of the compound and place it in a body bag.
Operation over!
Work meticulously, carefully, diligently, shrewdly, cautiously and stealthily!
I wonder if former US President Barack Obama read chapter Joshua 8 of the Bible and got the plans for the raid to kill Osama. Our Bible has given us everything that we need for success !
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