Almost everyone has heard about the battle of Jericho where the walls collapsed. This was a miraculous event as described in Joshua, chapter 7.
Jericho was surrounded by 2 walls and considered impenetrable. Both walls were 30 feet high. The outer wall was six feet thick, and the inner was 12 feet thick. It wasn’t likely that anyone could overcome these obstacles unless divine intervention occurred. Jericho was the first place on the way to settling in the Promised Land. God directed the Jewish people, and they followed His instructions to the letter and the walls tumbled down.
Shortly after conquering the city, Joshua decided to conquer a small city just over the hill from Jericho. This little place was AI. Joshua thought it would be easy for the men of Israel to win this battle after the Jerico victory. Joshua was wrong! The sons of Israel were soundly routed and fled from the Ai warriors as their hearts melted within them.
What happened? Two things had happened that spelled defeat. First, the Israelites were told not to take anything from Jericho. Everything was to be destroyed and that didn’t happen. One warrior decided to take some booty against the direct order of God. Second, Joshua did not seek the guidance of God. Joshua took the matter into his own hands.
Today, believers face new battles every day. Some are big and as believers we turn to God through prayer seeking guidance. When believers like Joshua decide they do not need God for “little” things they often find themselves in “big” messes like those men at Ai.
Our take from this is to always be careful to seek God in everything we do.
Note: There is an Ai, Georgia in Gilmer County. There is only one way to Ai and the same road to get out of town. Ai is located on Fightingtown Creek. It is believed there is only one resident left. History says that the community was named after Ai in Canaan.
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