In the destroying of Jericho, no fighting was needed. But at Ai, because Israel had lost the presence of the Lord (v. 12c), Joshua sent out spies for fighting. Because of their foolishness, pride, and blindness, they despised their enemy (v. 3).

The report of the spies to Joshua indicates that Israel had set God aside. Instead of asking God what they should do against Ai, they forgot God and knew only themselves. Israel acted on their own, without seeking the Lord’s direction and without having the Lord’s presence. Israel was separated from God because of their sin (vv. 11-12).

Lit., they.

The secret of Israel’s defeat at Ai was that they had lost God’s presence and were no longer one with God. After this defeat Joshua learned the lesson of staying with the Lord before the Ark (v. 6a). Eventually, the Lord came in to speak to him and to tell him what to do (vv. 10-15). The spiritual lesson to be learned from this account is that we, the people of God, should always be one with our God, who is not only among us but also in us, making us men with God — God-men. As God-men, we should practice being one with the Lord, walking with Him, living with Him, and having our entire being with Him (Rom. 8:4; 2 Cor. 2:10; Gal. 5:16, 25). This is the way to walk as a Christian, to fight as a child of God, and to build up the Body of Christ. If we have the Lord’s presence, we have wisdom, insight, foresight, and the inner knowledge concerning things. The Lord’s presence is everything to us.

Although this sin was committed by an individual, Achan (v. 20), it affected the entire body of God’s people. Because of this sin God stayed away from Israel, withdrawing His presence from them (v. 12c). This was the reason that Joshua and all the children of Israel became foolish, proud, and blind in attacking Ai.

Israel found out the man who committed the sin (vv. 16-18) by the Urim and the Thummim on the high priest’s breastplate of judgment (Exo. 28:30 and notes).

Or, give praise.

The area later called Babylon (Dan. 1:1-2).

Lit., them.

Meaning trouble (cf. v. 25).