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Joshua 7:1 + 1 Chronicles 2:7 + Joshua 7:2-9:27<\/strong><\/span> In Joshua chapter 6 yesterday we read about the fall of Jericho to the Israelites \u2013 but\u2026 things take a turn for the worse in chapter 7 today with the defeat at the city of Ai.\u00a0 It is interesting to note why the defeat happened in Ai, in verse 1 \u2013 \u201cBut Israel was unfaithful concerning the things set apart for the LORD.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Think about it.\u00a0 Israel just had a great victory at Jericho and then they were unfaithful toward God.\u00a0 I wonder if perhaps we are like this in our lives today as well?\u00a0 Maybe something amazing happens in our life, and we get so swept up in the victory dance that we forget about God.\u00a0 And yet\u2026 it is God who gave us that victory.\u00a0 It is God who gives us every good thing we have in our lives.\u00a0 Are we being unfaithful in our lives concerning things set apart for God?\u00a0 <\/span>Below is an image for verses 2 & 3 as Joshua sends out some men to spy on Ai, before the defeat\u201d \u201cJoshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the city of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. When they returned, they told Joshua, \u201cIt\u2019s a small town, and it won\u2019t take more than two or three thousand of us to destroy it. There\u2019s no need for all of us to go there.\u201d\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n In Joshua chapter 7 today we continue to read about Achan\u2019s sin, which caused 36 Israelites to die in the first attack on the city of Ai.\u00a0 I realize that the destruction of Achan and his family may be tough for us to read, but I think it\u2019s important to remember Achan\u2019s sin caused other Israelites to die.\u00a0 I found Joshua\u2019s words interesting in verse 19 as he spoke to Achan: \u201cMy son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, by telling the truth.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 He has a fatherly tone here \u2013 and I like the thought of giving glory to God by telling the truth.<\/span><\/p>\n In chapter 8 verse 1 we read this today \u2013 \u201cThen the LORD said to Joshua, \u201cDo not be afraid or discouraged.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This repeats what we heard God say to Joshua in chapter 1 verse 9 \u2013 \u201cHave I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This makes sense that in the midst of the conquest of the Promised Land that this would need to be repeated often.\u00a0 I\u2019m wondering if we need to hear this in our lives today as well from God often \u2013 do not be afraid or discouraged.\u00a0 It is so true.\u00a0 With God in our lives we do not need to be afraid or discouraged!\u00a0 I need to be reminded of this often\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Now that we are just past the Pentateuch in our readings \u2013 the first five books in the Old Testament \u2013 verses like 34 & 35 stand out to me as God\u2019s covenant is renewed with the Israelites \u2013 \u201cJoshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of the Law. Every command Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among the Israelites.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>After our recent readings about the Israelites victories at Jericho and Ai, I am not surprises by Joshua chapter 9 verse 2 at all\u2026.\u00a0 \u2013 \u201cThese kings quickly combined their armies to fight against Joshua and the Israelites.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Seems like a logical idea to try to band together.\u00a0 We get some interesting tactics coming from the Gibeonites in tomorrow\u2019s readings.\u00a0 Stay tuned!\u00a0 Below is nineteenth century French artist Gustave Dore\u2019s take on today\u2019s readings about Ai:<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on Joshua chapter 7 is <\/span>at this link<\/span>, and <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 Commentary on Joshua chapter 8 is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/p>\n As we read about the Gibeonites deception today, Joshua chapter 9 verses 14 & 15 teach a valuable lesson for each of us: \u201cSo the Israelite leaders examined their bread, but they did not consult the LORD. Then Joshua went ahead and signed a peace treaty with them, and the leaders of Israel ratified their agreement with a binding oath.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 They did not consult the Lord \u2013 and thus signed a binding oath based on a deception.\u00a0 How about you in your life today?\u00a0 How often do you consult God on major decisions in your life?\u00a0 Even minor decisions?\u00a0 I know that I don\u2019t do this enough.\u00a0 I do know that more and more I have found myself praying \u201cthy will \u2013 not mine \u2013 be done\u201d when major decisions are before me.\u00a0 I am seeking God\u2019s will and guidance in my life.\u00a0 But, I\u2019m not sure that I\u2019m really consulting God all that often.\u00a0 And I\u2019m afraid when I don\u2019t I can rush into quick & bad decisions\u2026\u00a0 I pray each of us will consult God with all of our plans & decisions in our lives \u2013 be they major or minor.\u00a0 Bible.org\u2019s commentary on our Joshua chapter 9 readings today titled \u201cThe Peril of Walking by Sight\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in Joshua 8:34 reminded me of Shawn McDonald\u2019s song \u201cCloser:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
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