AI DESTROYED (2)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) Ai destroyed
(Text: Joshua 8:1-29)
1. What is the text all about?
a) God wants the cycle of sin, repentance, and forgiveness to strengthen us, not weaken us. The lessons we learn from our failures should make us better able to handle the same situation the second time around. Because God is eager to give us cleansing, forgiveness, and strength, the only way to lose is to give up. We can tell what kind of people we are by what we do on the second and third attempts.
b) Why did God allow the Israelites to keep the booty and livestock this time? Israel's law for handling the spoils of war covered two situations.
@1. Cities like Jericho which were under God's ban (judgment of idolatry) could not be looted (see Deuteronomy 20:16-18). God's people were to be kept holy and separate from every influence of idolatry.
#1) 16 However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. 17 Completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you. 18 Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 20:16-18 NIV)
@2. The distribution of booty from cities not under the ban was a normal part of warfare. It provided the army and the nation with the necessary food. flocks, and weapons needed to sustain itself in wartime. Ai was not under the ban. The conquering army needed the food and equipment . Because soldiers were not paid, the booty was part of their incentive and reward for going to war.
c) The conquest of Ai was very important to the Israelites. Only 11 miles away from Jericho. Ai was a key stronghold for the Canaanites and a buffer fortress for Bethel (see Joshua 8:12).
@1. 12 Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city. (Joshua 8:12 NIV)
d) If the Canaanite kings got wind of an Israelite defeat at Ai, they could unite in a coordinated attack. They did not know that God had restored his power and protection to Joshua's troops. We must depend on God with absolute obedience to be sure of the victory he has promised.
e) The Lord gave Joshua the city. Yesterday's defeat became today's victory. Once sin is dealt with, forgiveness and victory is ahead. With God's direction we need not stay discouraged or burdened with guilt. No matter how difficult a setback sin may bring, we must renew our efforts to carry out God's will.
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that no matter what wrong that we have done, we can come to God for forgiveness and then move ahead to carry out God's will.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) Ai destroyed
(Text: Joshua 8:1-29)
1. What is the text all about?
a) God wants the cycle of sin, repentance, and forgiveness to strengthen us, not weaken us. The lessons we learn from our failures should make us better able to handle the same situation the second time around. Because God is eager to give us cleansing, forgiveness, and strength, the only way to lose is to give up. We can tell what kind of people we are by what we do on the second and third attempts.
b) Why did God allow the Israelites to keep the booty and livestock this time? Israel's law for handling the spoils of war covered two situations.
@1. Cities like Jericho which were under God's ban (judgment of idolatry) could not be looted (see Deuteronomy 20:16-18). God's people were to be kept holy and separate from every influence of idolatry.
#1) 16 However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. 17 Completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you. 18 Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 20:16-18 NIV)
@2. The distribution of booty from cities not under the ban was a normal part of warfare. It provided the army and the nation with the necessary food. flocks, and weapons needed to sustain itself in wartime. Ai was not under the ban. The conquering army needed the food and equipment . Because soldiers were not paid, the booty was part of their incentive and reward for going to war.
c) The conquest of Ai was very important to the Israelites. Only 11 miles away from Jericho. Ai was a key stronghold for the Canaanites and a buffer fortress for Bethel (see Joshua 8:12).
@1. 12 Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city. (Joshua 8:12 NIV)
d) If the Canaanite kings got wind of an Israelite defeat at Ai, they could unite in a coordinated attack. They did not know that God had restored his power and protection to Joshua's troops. We must depend on God with absolute obedience to be sure of the victory he has promised.
e) The Lord gave Joshua the city. Yesterday's defeat became today's victory. Once sin is dealt with, forgiveness and victory is ahead. With God's direction we need not stay discouraged or burdened with guilt. No matter how difficult a setback sin may bring, we must renew our efforts to carry out God's will.
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that no matter what wrong that we have done, we can come to God for forgiveness and then move ahead to carry out God's will.
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