Israel Defeated at Ai

Israel Defeated at Ai

But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. Jos. 7:1

children of Israel... Not all of them did, but the one man who committed the trespass brought disgrace upon all the sons of Israel (Jos. 7:1, 7:19-26).

committed a trespass... Hebrew: ma‛al, a breach of faith or trust; treachery. It was translated "trespass" (Jos. 6:1; 22:16, 22:20, 22:31; Lev. 5:15; 6:2; 26:40; Num. 5:6, 5:12, 5:27; 31:16; 2Ch. 33:19; Ezr. 9:2; Eze. 15:8; 17:20; 18:24; 20:27; 39:26; Dan. 9:7), and "transgression" (Jos. 22:22; 1Ch. 9:1; 2Ch. 29:19; Ezr. 9:4; 10:6).

the accursed thing... Anything devoted to destruction or consecrated to the sanctuary. It would become the accursed thing to the sinner who took it. We saw Jericho Accursed thing in the last chapter. This was the same sin that Ananias and Sapphira committed in Act. 5:1-3.

and the anger... This was the first time that God became angry with Israel under Joshua.

The Anger of God and Man

Not only was the anger of God "kindled" (32 times), but it "waxed hot" (Exo. 32:22; Deut. 9:19; 29:24; Jdg. 2:14, 2:20; 3:8; 10:7); is "fierce" (Num. 25:4; 32:14; Deut. 13:17); and has been "provoked" (37 times; Deut. 4:25; 9:18; 1Ki. 14:9; 16:2, 16:26, 16:33; 2Ki. 17:11, 17:17; 21:6; 2Ch. 33:6, etc.). God’s anger must be understood in the same sense as that of human beings or angels. The words "anger" and "angry" are used first of Esau (Gen. 27:45) and next of Jacob (Gen. 30:3).

Fifteen Examples of Men Being Angry:

1. Esau (Gen. 27:45)

2. Jacob (Gen. 30:2)

3. Simeon and Levi (Gen. 49:6-7)

4. Potiphar (Gen. 37:36; 39:19)

5. Moses (Exo. 11:8; 32:19)

6. Balaam (Num. 22:27)

7. Balak (Num. 24:10)

8. Zebul (Jdg. 9:30)

9. Samson (Jdg. 14:19)

10. Saul (1Sa. 11:6; 20:30)

11. Eliab (1Sa. 17:28)

12. David (2Sa. 12:5)

13. Israelites (2Ch. 25:10)

14. Elihu (Job. 32:2-5)

15. Enemies (Psm. 124:3)

Twelve Causes of God’s Anger:

1. The stubbornness of Moses (Exo. 4:14)

2. Idolatry (Exo. 32:19-22; Num. 25:3)

3. Murmuring (Num. 11:1, 11:10)

4. The lust of people (Num. 11:33-34)

5. Pride (Num. 12:9)

6. Disobedience (Num. 22:22)

7. Rebellion (Num. 32:10-13)

8. Backsliding (Deut. 6:15; 7:4; 11:16-17; 29:25-28; 32:15-22; 1Ki. 11:9)

9. Sin (Jos. 7:1, 7:19-26; 23:16; 2Ki. 13:1-3; 22:13; 23:26)

10. Hypocrisy (Job 42:7)

11. Wickedness (Psm. 7:11)

12. The works of men (Jer. 32:30)

And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. Jos. 7:2

Go up and... Joshua turned his attention next to Ai (called Hai in Gen. 12:8) which was east of Bethel and about ten to twelve miles north of Jericho. Evidently a strong place, it chose war and a siege regardless of what happened at Jericho. Ai is the only name of a city in Scripture which has to be spelled to be pronounced.

And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. Jos. 7:3

they returned to... The spies returned with a favorable report. They expected an easy victory and suggested that only 2,000 or 3,000 soldiers be sent. The suggestion was approved by Joshua who evidently failed to ask God what to do. About 3,000 men were sent but they were defeated and fled before the men of Ai, losing 36 men (Jos. 7:4-5). This greatly discouraged Israel (Jos. 7:5).

So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. Jos. 7:4

So there went... But Joshua sent only 3,000 men to Ai, where sadly they did not conquer but were routed. They rushed in terror down the steep pass which they had so confidently climbed in the morning, till the pursuers caught them at some stone quarries, where 36 Israelite soldiers were slain. The rest escaped and returned to camp.

And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. Jos. 7:5

thirty and six men... These were the only casualties recorded for Israel in all the battles up to this time, because it was the miraculous power of God defeating the people of Canaan and east of Jordan. The failure here never would have happened if all Israel had stayed free from sin. One man’s trespass caused this defeat and the loss of thirty-six men (Jos. 7:10-26).

for they chased... Compare this with the promise of God if Israel would not sin (Jos. 23:10; Lev. 26:7-8; Deut.32:30). The last pursuit and defeat of Israel was also because of sin (Num. 14:44-45; Deut. 1:44).

even unto Shebarim... Shebarim signifies "breaches" or "broken places," perhaps referring to the rough wady at the bottom of the hill on which Ai was built. The Septuagint omits the word altogether.

And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. Jos. 7:6

rent his clothes... Joshua evidently did not go with this expedition. So, when he heard about the defeat, he tore his clothes and fell on his face before the ark of God until evening. He and the elders of Israel did so, with dust on their heads.

And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! Jos. 7:7

Alas, O Lord... Joshua’s prayer was one of utter despondency and followed the pattern of Moses’ prayers on certain occasions of rebellion (Exo. 5:22-23; 14:15; 17:4; Num. 11:11-15, 11:21-22). Part of it also sounded like the murmurings of Israel under trial (Exo. 14:11-12; 16:2-3; Num. 11:1-9; 14:1-4; 21:5). It was one of complaint and unbelief (Jos. 7:7-9).

Wherefore hast thou... Questions 6-8. Next, Jos. 7:25. This is the same as "Wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land to fall by the sword?" (Num. 14:3) and "Wherefore have ye brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?" (Num. 21:5). Joshua should have known better than this from truth and experience, but natural man finds it difficult to hold steady and exercise faith in time of trial.

would to God... This is the same as "Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in Egypt" (Exo. 16:3), "Would to God we had died in the land of Egypt" (Num. 14:2), and "Would to God we had died when our brethren died" (Num. 20:3).

O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! Jos. 7:8

what shall I... Joshua should have known the cause of failure, having experienced similar trials in the wilderness several times, and he should have inquired about sin instead of looking for something else to blame. More than ten plagues and the loss of hundreds of thousands of people in Israel had already demonstrated the cause of failure, as recorded in the Book of Numbers alone.

For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name? Jos. 7:9

and cut off... Joshua’s greatest concern was that the news of this defeat might somehow reduce the respect of the heathen for God’s own great name. Consequently their name would be wiped out, that is, they would be destroyed and never remembered.

The Sin of Achan

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Jos. 7:10

the LORD said... Three commands—dealing with sin:

1. Joshua, get up.

2. Sanctify the people (Jos. 7:13).

3. Say: Sanctify yourselves.

Get thee up... Seldom does God stop a person from praying, but, when sin is involved, such prayer is useless if dealing directly with the transgression. When sin is cleaned out of the life, there is only one reason for unanswered prayer—unbelief (Mat. 17:20; 21:22; Mar. 9:23; 11:22-24; John 2:21-22; 5:13-14).

Fifty "Get" Commands in Scripture

Get Thee Up:

1. From prayer (Jos. 7:10)

2. Out of Sodom (Gen. 19:14)

3. In peace (Gen. 44:17)

4. Southward (Num. 13:17)

5. From among these rebels (Num. 16:24, 16:45)

6. Into this mount (Num. 27:12)

7. To view the land (Deut. 3:27)

8. Into the place (Deut. 17:8)

9. Into this mountain and die (Deut. 32:49)

10. To the wooded country (Jos. 17:15)

11. Find the man of God (1Sa. 9:13)

12. Greet Nabal for me (1Sa. 25:5)

13. Eat and drink (1Ki. 18:41)

14. Into the high mountain (Isa. 40:9)

15. To a wealthy nation (Jer. 49:31)

16. Buy corn (grain) (Gen. 42:2)

17. To Israel (Exo. 19:24; 32:7; Deut. 9:12)

Get Thee Down:

18. To the host (Jos. 7:9)

19. To the floor (Ruth 3:3)

20. From the Amalekites (1Sa. 15:6)

21. For the press is full (Joe. 3:13)

22. Go with them (Act 10:20)

Get Thee Out:

23. Of your country (Gen. 12:1; Act 7:3)

24. Of the way (Isa. 30:11)

25. From this country (Gen. 31:13)

26. Out of the land (Exo. 1:10; 11:8)

Get Thee Unto:

27. The land of Canaan (Gen. 45:17)

28. Your burdens (Exo. 5:4)

29. Pharaoh (Exo. 7:17)

30. Your tents (Jos. 22:4)

31. This treasurer (Isa. 22:15)

32. The house of Israel (Eze. 3:4)

Get Thee Into:

33. The land of Moriah (Gen. 22:2)

34. Your land (Num. 22:13)

35. Your tents (Deut. 5:30)

36. The wilderness (Num. 14:25)

37. Darkness (Isa. 47:5)

Get:

38. From me (Exo. 10:28)

39. You forth (Exo. 12:31)

40. Hence (1Ki. 17:3; Zec. 6:7; Mat. 4:10)

41. A linen girdle (Jer. 13:1)

42. A potter’s bottle (Jer. 19:1)

43. Away (Jer. 38:9)

44. You afar off (Jer. 49:30)

45. To them (Eze. 3:11)

46. Far from the Lord (Eze. 11:15)

47. Behind Me (Mat. 16:23; Mar. 8:33; Luke 4:8)

48. Wisdom (Pro. 4:5, 4:7)

49. Understanding (Pro. 4:5, 4:7; 16:16)

50.Quickly out (Act 22:18)

Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Jos. 7:11

Israel hath sinned... Sixfold accusation of Israel:

1. Israel has sinned.

2. They have transgressed My covenant.

3. They have taken the accursed thing.

4. They have also stolen.

5. They have dissembled also.

6. They have put the accursed thing among their own stuff.

sinned... Sin is transgression of the law (1Jn. 3:4). The part of the covenant they transgressed in particular was that which concerned taking devoted things for personal use (Lev. 27:28).

and dissembled also... Hebrew: kachash, to be untrue in word; to lie; feign; dissemble; deceive; deal falsely; be a hypocrite (Jos. 7:11; cp. Pro. 26:4, Pro. 26:24; Jer. 42:20; Rom. 12:9; Gal. 2:12). Achan pretended to be in obedience to the law, knowing that he had sinned and deceived Israel, and had hidden what he had stolen in his tent.

Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Jos. 7:12

children of Israel... could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed.

The Power of One Sin

could not stand... One sin brought all the nation to defeat and caused God to stop His blessing. One sin is what caused Adam and the whole race to be under the present curse (Gen. 2:19; Rom. 5:12-21). One sin brings the same result as committing all sins (Jas. 2:9-10). Any one of the death-penalty sins of Mar. 7:19-21; Rom. 1:21-32; 1Co. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5-10 will damn the soul of any person, regardless of his claims to salvation, for there is no partiality with God. Grace, love, mercy, and salvation from God do not license one to sin or free him from responsibility. Sin has its deadly effect on all alike—in every generation, in every place and among all races.

Neither will I... God was the leader of Israel and for Him to lead a people tainted with sin to victory would be a stain upon His character. Hence, the demand for each person to be clean and obedient to the law and will of God. The method used in detecting the exact sin and the person who committed it brought fear to all Israel and helped curb such practices during the rest of the war (Jos. 7:10-15).

except ye destroy... God promised not to be with Israel any more unless this sin was cleansed from the whole camp. He promises the same to all people in every age, regardless of law or grace.

Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you. Jos. 7:13

sanctify the people... We cannot over-emphasize the utter simplicity of sanctification. It is made clear in every passage where the subject is found. It does not mean one thing in one scripture or in one particular age and another thing in another. It does not have one meaning for Israel and another for the church, one meaning under law and another under grace. Wherever it is found sanctification means a setting apart from a profane or secular use to a sacred and holy use. Holy, sanctified, born again, converted, redeemed, saved, and purified people can and must be continually set apart to obedience as they walk in the light (1Jn. 1:7). How could Joshua sanctify the people, and how could the people sanctify themselves, as commanded here? By setting themselves apart for the revelation of God, in the same way that Israel sanctified or set themselves apart to receive the law in Exo. 19:10-23.

In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man. Jos. 7:14

In the morning... This selection from tribe to tribe, family to family, and man to man was probably done by the Urim and Thummim. The Urim ("lights") and Thummim ("perfections") were gemstones that were carried by the high priest of Israel on the ephod / priestly garments. They were used by the high priest to determine God's will in some situations. Some propose that God would cause the Urim and Thummim to light up in varying patterns to reveal His decision.

And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel. Jos. 7:15 

And it shall... This terrible penalty of the broken law was a shadow of the eternal death penalty in the lake of fire (second death). To burn refers to burning after being stoned to death, not burning alive (Jos. 7:25-26).

wrought folly in... Fifteen Things that Were Folly in Israel

1. Sacrilege—taking sacred things for personal use (Jos. 7:12-15; Lev. 27:28)

2. Rape (Gen. 34:7; Judges 19:22-20:10; 2Sa. 13:12)

3. Playing the whore (Deut. 22:20-21)

4. Homosexuality (Jdg. 19:22-23)

5. Misrepresenting God (Job. 42:8)

6. Ways and sayings of natural men without God (Psm. 49:13; 85:8)

7. Sins and iniquities (Pro. 5:22-23)

8. Ignorance (Pro. 13:16; 14:8, 14:18; 15:21; 16:22)

9. Deceit (Pro. 14:8)

10. Foolishness (Pro. 14:24)

11. Hasty spirit—hotheadedness (Pro. 14:29)

12. Judgment without knowledge (Pro. 18:13)

13. Hypocrisy and evil doing (Isa. 9:17)

14. False prophecy and doctrine (Jer. 23:13)

15. Resisting truth, corruptness of mind, and being reprobate in faith (2Ti. 3:7-10)

So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken: Jos. 7:16   

early in the morning... About daylight. Joshua rose early on the fateful day. All Israel was assembled for the ritual of determining the offender. This was probably done by drawing lots, perhaps by taking inscribed potsherds out of a jar. But since God knew who was guilty, why did He not simply reveal his identity to Joshua? The answer is that this dramatic method would impress on the nation of Israel the seriousness of disobeying God’s commands.

And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken: Jos. 7:17   

There was a grim silence as the process narrowed from the selection of the tribe of Judah to the clan of the Zerahites, to the family of Zimri.

And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken. Jos. 7:18 

and Achan... Achan means "troubler." He is called "Achar, the troubler of Israel" in 1Ch. 2:7. This was no quirk of fate; it was the direction of God’s providence. Solomon described the process well: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord” (Pro. 16:33).

And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me. Jos. 7:19 

And Joshua said... Three commands—confession of Achan:

1. Give glory to the God of Israel.

2. Make confession to God.

3. Tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.

My son, give... In such a case, giving God glory would be to acknowledge the omniscience of God, and confess that He was right in His accusation.

And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: Jos. 7:20 

Indeed I have... Achan gave proper confession of his sin, which is only partially recorded here (Jos. 7:20-21). The penalty for his crime was physical death for himself and all his family and the destruction of his stock and material goods (Jos. 7:24). No blood was shed or any ritual carried out for him as far as the record goes, so we do not know whether his confession brought him forgiveness and salvation for his soul.

When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. Jos. 7:21 

among the spoils... Three Things Stolen by Achan

1. A Babylonish garment. Hebrew: ’addereth, Shin‛ar, a splendid, costly robe of Shinar. The plain of Shinar was celebrated for its gorgeous robes with a variety of brilliant colors, generally arranged in patterns which probably resembled Oriental tapestries or carpets. The colors were either woven into the material or embroidered. This garment may have been decorated with idolatrous figures which would have made it more abominable. Perhaps it was the royal robe of the king of Jericho, for ’addereth is used in Jon. 3:6 of the royal robe that the king of Nineveh laid aside to seek the Lord when he humbled himself before God. There is no doubt the robe or cloak was beautiful and costly, which is why Achan coveted it.

2. The 200 shekels of silver. At $2.50 each, this would be $500.

3. A wedge of gold of 50 shekels weight. At $200 per shekel this was $10,000 which, with the shekels of silver, made a total of $10,500 besides the costly Babylonish garment.

I coveted them... This broke the eighth and tenth commandments, as well as the law of devoted things (Lev. 27:28). One might covet and not steal what he covets, but Achan did both.

So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. Jos. 7:22 

Joshua sent messengers... Achan’s confession was quickly verified; the stolen objects were found where he said they were.

And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD. Jos. 7:23   

and laid them... They were then spread… out before the Lord to whom they belonged. God had already seen everything. So this means they brought them out to the public eye before the tabernacle where judgment was being given.

And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. Jos. 7:24 

and his sons... Achan’s sons and daughters were evidently stoned with him, for Jos. 7:25 says Israel stoned them and burned them, and Jos. 22:20 says he did not perish alone. The law forbade children being put to death for the sins of fathers UNLESS they were partakers of the crimes (Deut. 24:16). So, we conclude that Achan’s children partook of his crime and had to suffer with him (Jos. 7:24-25). They protected Achan until he was forced to confess, because he was found out by God. Even in civil governments, parties to crimes are held guilty and punished. In God’s government, even bidding a transgressor "Godspeed" makes one a partaker of another’s evil deeds (2Jn. 1:10-11).

And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. Jos. 7:25 

And all Israel... The fatal stones felled Achan and his children, and fire consumed their bodies and belongings. Having stolen “devoted” objects Achan himself became contaminated and under the doom of destruction.

And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day. Jos. 7:26 

a great heap... It was customary to heap up stones as crude monuments of important events (Jos. 7:26; 8:28-29; Gen. 31:46-52; Deut. 13:16; 2Sa. 18:17-18). It was also customary for travelers to continue throwing stones on such heaps for criminals. Jews and Muslims for instance, were in the habit of casting stones upon Absalom’s tomb which he set up for himself in the king’s valley (2Sa. 18:18).

So the LORD... The Lord was satisfied that all sin had been cleaned out of Israel. So God resumed command of this holy people to punish the nations of Caanan for their crimes (Jos. 7:26; 8:18; etc.).

place was called... The crime of Achan is remembered in references to the valley of Achor (Jos. 7:26; 15:7; Isa. 65:10; Hos. 2:15). It is called the brook Cherith in 1Ki. 17:3-5.

But because Israel was willing to deal with the sin problem in her midst, God’s burning anger (Jos. 7:1) was turned away and He was ready to lead them again to victory.