Fear is the reason for some of the Israelite’s advantages according to Joshua 5.  While they were being left alone, they celebrated Passover for the first time in their new homeland.  They also took care of the symbol of the Abrahamic covenant, circumcision of every male.  The manna ends when they eat the first of the produce of Canaan during the celebration.

Tomorrow they attack Jericho, but today Joshua meets the commander of Heaven’s armies.  You will notice that he does not tell Joshua that they are for them or against them. This is the army that will conquer Jericho and all of the Canaanite Cities.

Joshua 6 is the story of the destruction of Jericho.  They begin by walking around the city with the priests leading the way and blowing trumpets.  This is the way it happens for six days.  The citizens of Jericho are wondering what is going on.  On day seven they walk around seven times and shout.

At that shout, the walls fall.  Every living thing in the walls is killed except for Rahab and her family that is saved because of her actions to protect the two spies.  Nothing is to be taken by any individual.  The precious metals are gathered for the Lord’s treasury.  The conquest of Canaan has begun.

Have you ever done something that cost others their lives?  In Joshua 7 Achan does just that.  By taking some of the plunder from Jericho, Yahweh is angered against all the Israelites.  When they attack the city of Ai, they are pushed back and thirty-six are killed.  Joshua pleads their cause and God identifies the individual that has disrupted the conquest of their new land.

When confronted with the truth, he confesses.  The judgment is swift and appears to be harsh.  Jehovah wants our obedience.  That is the point.  No excuses and no apologies accepted.  Today we are forgiven of our sins, but we must accept God’s conditions even now.

Ai still must be taken.  Joshua chapter eight tells the story of the second attack.  Joshua sets an ambush behind the city at night.  While a force the size of the first attackers follows the previous scenario as before, the balance of the Israeli army hides.  The troops from Ai follow as before.  When they are defenseless, they are besieged.

The signal is the burning of the city.  Then the retreating force reverses their direction.  The defenders are trapped and turn to see Israelites behind them and their homes on fire.  The plan works perfectly.

Two towns have been destroyed and Joshua builds an altar to worship Yahweh.  The law is written on stones and read to all the people.  The reminders continue.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger