Recovering From Defeat

Joshua
April 21, 2024

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Key Scriptures

Key Points

  • God’s grace is apparent in His response to Israel’s defeat at Ai.
  • God instructs Joshua with a precise strategy for their victory at Ai; Joshua obeys.
  • The King is captured alive and brought to Joshua to be hung on a tree.
  • After the success at Ai, Joshua remembers what Moses had instructed regarding the reading of the blessings and curses between the two mountains, Gerizim and Ebal. He calls all the people to head to this area and places the Arc of the Covenant between the two mountains. The words are proclaimed, and the people agree with “Amen.”

Discussion

  1. Discuss how Gods response to their loss at AI includes grace. 
  2. What do you think is the significance regarding point number 4?
  3. A common cycle found in Joshua:
    • Obedience followed by victory.
    • Victory followed by blessing.
    • Blessing followed by pride & disobedience.
    • Disobedience followed by defeat.
    • Defeat followed by judgment.
    • Judgment followed by repentance.
    • Repentance followed by obedience.
  4. Where are you in this cycle right now? Why are you there?
  5. How does the passage in Galatians present itself as a shadow and type when compared to the fate of the King in Joshua 8?