Victory at AiJoshua 8:1-35

09/09/2007Dr. Dane Boyles

Victory at Ai

– This chapter begins with Israel facing the same city that they faced previously and failed to conquer.

– Sin caused them to be defeated at Ai.

Victory at Ai

• Hebrews 12:1 tells us to1 …let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Heb 12:1-2, NIV)

Victory at Ai

• The Promised Victory.1 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. (Josh 8:1, NIV)

Victory at Ai

2 You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.” (Josh 8:2, NIV)

Victory at Ai

– A Word About Winning • God knew that they needed to

overcome the defeat at Ai before they could move on in the conquest of Canaan.

• If we do not gain victory now, we will be stuck with a ‘level one’ Christian life.

Victory at Ai

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9-10, NIV)57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:57, NIV)

Victory at Ai

– A Word About Waiting• If Achan would have waited just a few

more days, then he could have had all the riches that he could have imagined.

• If we could just learn to wait on God and let Him lead and bring into our lives the things that need to be there, we would be far better off.

Victory at Ai

34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. (Psa 37:34, NIV)

Victory at Ai

• God Always Has a Plan (8:3-17).– God told them exactly how they were to

win this battle against Ai. • When you fight the battle by following

His plan, you cannot fail. • God also has a detailed plan for our

victory.

Victory at Ai

• He has instructed us concerning the importance of … –The Word of God2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, (1 Peter 2:2, NIV)

Victory at Ai

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15, NIV)

Victory at Ai

–Prayer1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1, NIV)

Victory at Ai

–The Local Church42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42, NIV)

Victory at Ai

– Following God’s plans will always bring God’s power.

18 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand, for into your hand I will deliver the city.” So Joshua held out his javelin toward Ai.

Victory at Ai

19 As soon as he did this, the men in the ambush rose quickly from their position and rushed forward. They entered the city and captured it and quickly set it on fire. (Josh 8:19, NIV)

Victory at Ai

20 The men of Ai looked back and saw the smoke of the city rising against the sky, but they had no chance to escape in any direction, for the Israelites who had been fleeing toward the desert had turned back against their pursuers. (Josh 8:20, NIV)

Victory at Ai

21 For when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city and that smoke was going up from the city, they turned around and attacked the men of Ai. (Josh 8:21, NIV)

Victory at Ai

22 The men of the ambush also came out of the city against them, so that they were caught in the middle, with Israelites on both sides. Israel cut them down, leaving them neither survivors nor fugitives. (Josh 8:22, NIV)

Victory at Ai

23 But they took the king of Ai alive and brought him to Joshua. (Josh 8:23, NIV)

Victory at Ai

• Israel fought the battle, but God gave the victory!

• Again, there is a lesson here for each of us. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Eph 6:10, NIV)

Victory at Ai

– God’s victory was complete. (8:24-29)• Israel trusted in the Lord and

absolutely prevailed over their enemy. • We can count on Him to keep His Word.

Victory at Ai

21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. (Rom 4:21, NIV)

Victory at Ai

• Worship is the Result of Victory – Joshua led the people in obedience to

God’s Word. (8:30-35)• An altar was built (Deut 27:4-8).• A sacrifice was made. • The commanded observance was held.

Victory at Ai

29 When the LORD your God has brought you into the land you are entering to possess, you are to proclaim on Mount Gerizim the blessings, and on Mount Ebal the curses. (Deut 11:29, NIV)

Victory at Ai

– Blessings or curses determined by our obedience.

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt 4:4, NIV)

Victory at Ai

• Conclusion– Victory can be ours when we choose to

obey His Word. blessings or curses? – The choice is ours

Victory at AiJoshua 8:1-35

09/09/2007Dr. Dane Boyles