Joshua 8: Fighting the Same Battle Twice but With Different Results

Welcome to Chapter by Chapter for your Welcome to Chapter by Chapter for your journey through the greatest book given journey through the greatest book given journey through the greatest book given to the human race, the word of God, the to the human race, the word of God, the to the human race, the word of God, the Bible. We get to go through it chapter Bible. We get to go through it chapter Bible. We get to go through it chapter by chapter, 7 minutes a day, 7 days a by chapter, 7 minutes a day, 7 days a by chapter, 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week. Join us each day and share it with week. Join us each day and share it with week. Join us each day and share it with others so they can join this journey others so they can join this journey others so they can join this journey that will be life-changing. We'll stop that will be life-changing. We'll stop that will be life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected places on the journey and at unexpected places on the journey and at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses will create be challenged. Some verses will create be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder and we'll have chapters awe and wonder and we'll have chapters awe and wonder and we'll have chapters that will be instructive and in others that will be instructive and in others that will be instructive and in others we'll find joy and comfort. We will we'll find joy and comfort. We will we'll find joy and comfort. We will occasionally be convicted and want to occasionally be convicted and want to occasionally be convicted and want to change, but all in all, the journey will change, but all in all, the journey will change, but all in all, the journey will be worth it. Once in a while we may take be worth it. Once in a while we may take be worth it. Once in a while we may take a detour on the journey and hear from a detour on the journey and hear from a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's servants on their favorite some of God's servants on their favorite some of God's servants on their favorite passages from a chapter of scripture. passages from a chapter of scripture. passages from a chapter of scripture. Let them give you their insight. Every Let them give you their insight. Every Let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a small detour journey needs a small detour journey needs a small detour occasionally. The best way to get the occasionally. The best way to get the occasionally. The best way to get the most from this podcast is read the most from this podcast is read the most from this podcast is read the chapter we're discussing before or chapter we're discussing before or chapter we're discussing before or after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by Chapter and today's chapter is Joshua 8. Chapter and today's chapter is Joshua 8. Chapter and today's chapter is Joshua 8. Fighting the same battle twice but with Fighting the same battle twice but with Fighting the same battle twice but with different results. different results. different results. There is a verse in Isaiah 30 that gives There is a verse in Isaiah 30 that gives There is a verse in Isaiah 30 that gives us a promise of direction in difficult us a promise of direction in difficult us a promise of direction in difficult times. It's found in Isaiah 30 verse 20.

times. It's found in Isaiah 30 verse 20. times. It's found in Isaiah 30 verse 20. This is what it says, "And though the This is what it says, "And though the This is what it says, "And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity Lord gives you the bread of adversity Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your and the water of affliction, yet your and the water of affliction, yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner teachers will not be moved into a corner teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your anymore, but your eyes shall see your anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers and your ears shall hear a word teachers and your ears shall hear a word teachers and your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, 'This is the way, behind you saying, 'This is the way, behind you saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.'" walk in it.'" walk in it.'" We will all face adversity and We will all face adversity and We will all face adversity and affliction in our lives and when we do, affliction in our lives and when we do, affliction in our lives and when we do, we need clear direction from the Lord. we need clear direction from the Lord. we need clear direction from the Lord. We need to hear from the Lord. What We need to hear from the Lord. What We need to hear from the Lord. What happens in difficult times if we lose happens in difficult times if we lose happens in difficult times if we lose the voice of God and we're only left the voice of God and we're only left the voice of God and we're only left with our own voice, it means nothing with our own voice, it means nothing with our own voice, it means nothing less than disaster. This is a story of less than disaster. This is a story of less than disaster. This is a story of Israel's second battle that happened Israel's second battle that happened Israel's second battle that happened twice. twice. twice. We read about two battles with the same We read about two battles with the same We read about two battles with the same people in Joshua 7 and 8. They had to people in Joshua 7 and 8. They had to people in Joshua 7 and 8. They had to fight the same battle twice because fight the same battle twice because fight the same battle twice because God's voice was missing the first time. God's voice was missing the first time. God's voice was missing the first time. They were fighting a battle twice, so They were fighting a battle twice, so They were fighting a battle twice, so that the victory would be a reminder that the victory would be a reminder that the victory would be a reminder what was missing the first time. what was missing the first time. what was missing the first time. The battle orders Joshua got from God on The battle orders Joshua got from God on The battle orders Joshua got from God on how to fight the second battle with the how to fight the second battle with the how to fight the second battle with the same people are pretty elaborate. God same people are pretty elaborate. God same people are pretty elaborate. God says this in Joshua 8:1.

says this in Joshua 8:1. says this in Joshua 8:1. Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take all of your afraid or discouraged. Take all of your afraid or discouraged. Take all of your fighting men and attack Ai. For I've fighting men and attack Ai. For I've fighting men and attack Ai. For I've given you the king of Ai, his people, given you the king of Ai, his people, given you the king of Ai, his people, his town, and his land. You will destroy his town, and his land. You will destroy his town, and his land. You will destroy them as you destroyed Jericho and its them as you destroyed Jericho and its them as you destroyed Jericho and its king. But this time, you may keep the king. But this time, you may keep the king. But this time, you may keep the plunder and the livestock for plunder and the livestock for plunder and the livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the yourselves. Set an ambush behind the yourselves. Set an ambush behind the town." So Joshua and all the fighting town." So Joshua and all the fighting town." So Joshua and all the fighting men set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose men set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose men set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose 30,000 of his best warriors and sent 30,000 of his best warriors and sent 30,000 of his best warriors and sent them out at night with these orders, them out at night with these orders, them out at night with these orders, "Hide in ambush close behind the town. "Hide in ambush close behind the town. "Hide in ambush close behind the town. Be ready for action. When our main army Be ready for action. When our main army Be ready for action. When our main army attacks, the men of Ai will come out to attacks, the men of Ai will come out to attacks, the men of Ai will come out to fight as they did before, and we will fight as they did before, and we will fight as they did before, and we will run away from them. We will let them run away from them. We will let them run away from them. We will let them chase us until we have drawn them away chase us until we have drawn them away chase us until we have drawn them away from the town. For they will say the from the town. For they will say the from the town. For they will say the Israelites are running away from us as Israelites are running away from us as Israelites are running away from us as they did before. Then while we are they did before. Then while we are they did before. Then while we are running from them, you will jump up from running from them, you will jump up from running from them, you will jump up from your ambush and take possession of the your ambush and take possession of the your ambush and take possession of the town, for the Lord your God will give it town, for the Lord your God will give it town, for the Lord your God will give it to you. Set the town on fire as the Lord to you. Set the town on fire as the Lord to you. Set the town on fire as the Lord has commanded. You have your orders."

has commanded. You have your orders." has commanded. You have your orders." God gives them a seven-part plan. Don't God gives them a seven-part plan. Don't God gives them a seven-part plan. Don't be afraid or discouraged, set an ambush be afraid or discouraged, set an ambush be afraid or discouraged, set an ambush from behind, choose 30,000 of your best from behind, choose 30,000 of your best from behind, choose 30,000 of your best warriors, hide them, send an army to warriors, hide them, send an army to warriors, hide them, send an army to fight in the open against against Ai, fight in the open against against Ai, fight in the open against against Ai, then run away like a retreat. When they then run away like a retreat. When they then run away like a retreat. When they go after you, then you will take go after you, then you will take go after you, then you will take possession of the city, set it on fire, possession of the city, set it on fire, possession of the city, set it on fire, and then defeat the enemy. That's the and then defeat the enemy. That's the and then defeat the enemy. That's the Isaiah 30 voice. They're in a battle, Isaiah 30 voice. They're in a battle, Isaiah 30 voice. They're in a battle, and there is direction from God. In and there is direction from God. In and there is direction from God. In adversity, God is talking. Israel heard adversity, God is talking. Israel heard adversity, God is talking. Israel heard God in their second fight against AI. God in their second fight against AI. God in their second fight against AI. Why was a second battle needed? Because Why was a second battle needed? Because Why was a second battle needed? Because the first fight against AI was the first fight against AI was the first fight against AI was catastrophic. catastrophic. catastrophic. God's voice was not present in AI battle God's voice was not present in AI battle God's voice was not present in AI battle number one. Sin hijacked God's voice and number one. Sin hijacked God's voice and number one. Sin hijacked God's voice and Israel was left with its own voice. Israel was left with its own voice. Israel was left with its own voice. Here's how it went for the first AI Here's how it went for the first AI Here's how it went for the first AI conflict, Joshua 7:2. conflict, Joshua 7:2. conflict, Joshua 7:2. Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the town of Ai east of Bethel to spy out the town of Ai east of Bethel to spy out the town of Ai east of Bethel near Bethaven. When they returned, they near Bethaven. When they returned, they near Bethaven. When they returned, they told Joshua, "There's no need for all of told Joshua, "There's no need for all of told Joshua, "There's no need for all of us to go up there. It won't take more us to go up there. It won't take more us to go up there. It won't take more than two or three thousand men to attack than two or three thousand men to attack than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, Ai. Since there are so few of them, Ai. Since there are so few of them, don't make all of our people struggle to don't make all of our people struggle to don't make all of our people struggle to go up there." So, approximately three go up there." So, approximately three go up there." So, approximately three thousand warriors were sent, but they thousand warriors were sent, but they thousand warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai were soundly defeated. The men of Ai were soundly defeated. The men of Ai chased the Israelites from the town gate chased the Israelites from the town gate chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed as far as the quarries, and they killed as far as the quarries, and they killed about 36 who were retreating down the about 36 who were retreating down the about 36 who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed

slope. The Israelites were paralyzed slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and with fear at this turn of events, and with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away. The results their courage melted away. The results their courage melted away. The results of Joshua 7 and Joshua 8 are like night of Joshua 7 and Joshua 8 are like night of Joshua 7 and Joshua 8 are like night and day. and day. and day. We were introduced to the culprit that We were introduced to the culprit that We were introduced to the culprit that stole the voice of God from Israel in stole the voice of God from Israel in stole the voice of God from Israel in Joshua 7. His name was Achan. He stole Joshua 7. His name was Achan. He stole Joshua 7. His name was Achan. He stole the voice of God because he stole things the voice of God because he stole things the voice of God because he stole things from Jericho that didn't belong to him. from Jericho that didn't belong to him. from Jericho that didn't belong to him. Keep this in mind though, Achan is more Keep this in mind though, Achan is more Keep this in mind though, Achan is more than a name, it's a presence. It's the than a name, it's a presence. It's the than a name, it's a presence. It's the presence of a hindrance. It's the presence of a hindrance. It's the presence of a hindrance. It's the presence of something in our lives that presence of something in our lives that presence of something in our lives that God has forbidden. Always remember that God has forbidden. Always remember that God has forbidden. Always remember that sin silences God's voice. sin silences God's voice. sin silences God's voice. David says in Psalm 66:17 these words, David says in Psalm 66:17 these words, David says in Psalm 66:17 these words, "I cried aloud to him with all my heart, "I cried aloud to him with all my heart, "I cried aloud to him with all my heart, and he answered me. Now my mouth and he answered me. Now my mouth and he answered me. Now my mouth overflows with the highest praise. Yet, overflows with the highest praise. Yet, overflows with the highest praise. Yet, if I had closed my eyes to my sin, the if I had closed my eyes to my sin, the if I had closed my eyes to my sin, the Lord God would have closed his ears to Lord God would have closed his ears to Lord God would have closed his ears to my prayer." Nothing is more devastating my prayer." Nothing is more devastating my prayer." Nothing is more devastating than to have God close his ears. That is than to have God close his ears. That is than to have God close his ears. That is what happened in Joshua 7. The spirit of what happened in Joshua 7. The spirit of what happened in Joshua 7. The spirit of Achan affects us all when we try to move Achan affects us all when we try to move Achan affects us all when we try to move forward into our future with disregard forward into our future with disregard forward into our future with disregard and contempt of what God prohibits on and contempt of what God prohibits on and contempt of what God prohibits on the journey. Today is a plea that the journey. Today is a plea that the journey. Today is a plea that bitterness is not worth it. Pornography bitterness is not worth it. Pornography bitterness is not worth it. Pornography is not worth it. Sexual sin is not worth is not worth it. Sexual sin is not worth is not worth it. Sexual sin is not worth clouding your next steps because your clouding your next steps because your clouding your next steps because your future is critical because life is future is critical because life is future is critical because life is filled with battles. I need God's voice filled with battles. I need God's voice filled with battles. I need God's voice behind me saying, "This is the way."

behind me saying, "This is the way." behind me saying, "This is the way." When God's voice doesn't seem to be When God's voice doesn't seem to be When God's voice doesn't seem to be clear, then get on your knees and see if clear, then get on your knees and see if clear, then get on your knees and see if there's anything hindering the clear there's anything hindering the clear there's anything hindering the clear direction of God. direction of God. direction of God. One thing that bothered me about this One thing that bothered me about this One thing that bothered me about this story was Joshua speaking without story was Joshua speaking without story was Joshua speaking without echoing what God was speaking. He gives echoing what God was speaking. He gives echoing what God was speaking. He gives his own battle orders that were so far his own battle orders that were so far his own battle orders that were so far off than the Joshua 8 battle orders. off than the Joshua 8 battle orders. off than the Joshua 8 battle orders. Joshua said, "3,000 soldiers." When he Joshua said, "3,000 soldiers." When he Joshua said, "3,000 soldiers." When he needed 30,000. He was off by 27,000 needed 30,000. He was off by 27,000 needed 30,000. He was off by 27,000 men, which means he got 10% correct. I men, which means he got 10% correct. I men, which means he got 10% correct. I think if Joshua would have prayed about think if Joshua would have prayed about think if Joshua would have prayed about the first AI battle, he would have known the first AI battle, he would have known the first AI battle, he would have known that there was sin in the camp and then that there was sin in the camp and then that there was sin in the camp and then he took the next steps to deal with it. he took the next steps to deal with it. he took the next steps to deal with it. I believe then he would have gotten the I believe then he would have gotten the I believe then he would have gotten the real battle instructions. Joshua prays real battle instructions. Joshua prays real battle instructions. Joshua prays after the defeat and not before the after the defeat and not before the after the defeat and not before the battle. Therein lies the issue. battle. Therein lies the issue. battle. Therein lies the issue. AI number two was a wake-up call to not AI number two was a wake-up call to not AI number two was a wake-up call to not move forward without God's direction and move forward without God's direction and move forward without God's direction and God's inspection of my life. God's inspection of my life. God's inspection of my life. Remember, the child of pride is Remember, the child of pride is Remember, the child of pride is presumption and pride's grandchild is presumption and pride's grandchild is presumption and pride's grandchild is prayerlessness. Joshua failed to get prayerlessness. Joshua failed to get prayerlessness. Joshua failed to get God's direction for how to fight this God's direction for how to fight this God's direction for how to fight this battle. His pride presumed and left out battle. His pride presumed and left out battle. His pride presumed and left out God's voice. Joshua 8 is moving into the God's voice. Joshua 8 is moving into the God's voice. Joshua 8 is moving into the future with God's direction. The loss at future with God's direction. The loss at future with God's direction. The loss at AI number one made AI number two very AI number one made AI number two very AI number one made AI number two very instructive.

instructive. instructive. The writers who helped David Wilkerson The writers who helped David Wilkerson The writers who helped David Wilkerson write the best-selling book The Cross write the best-selling book The Cross write the best-selling book The Cross and the Switchblade was John and and the Switchblade was John and and the Switchblade was John and Elizabeth Sherrill. The Cross and the Elizabeth Sherrill. The Cross and the Elizabeth Sherrill. The Cross and the Switchblade is a story of how a country Switchblade is a story of how a country Switchblade is a story of how a country Pennsylvania preacher came to the worst Pennsylvania preacher came to the worst Pennsylvania preacher came to the worst part of New York City to share the part of New York City to share the part of New York City to share the gospel with the worst gangs. It's a gospel with the worst gangs. It's a gospel with the worst gangs. It's a story of miracle changes in young story of miracle changes in young story of miracle changes in young people's lives. This book would touch people's lives. This book would touch people's lives. This book would touch millions of people all over the world. millions of people all over the world. millions of people all over the world. John and Elizabeth prayed for God to John and Elizabeth prayed for God to John and Elizabeth prayed for God to guide them on every page. guide them on every page. guide them on every page. The Sherrills would pray over every page The Sherrills would pray over every page The Sherrills would pray over every page of the manuscript as it was being of the manuscript as it was being of the manuscript as it was being written and as a result we have over 50 written and as a result we have over 50 written and as a result we have over 50 million copies in some 30 languages of million copies in some 30 languages of million copies in some 30 languages of this incredible story. David Wilkerson this incredible story. David Wilkerson this incredible story. David Wilkerson told the story of reading the manuscript told the story of reading the manuscript told the story of reading the manuscript as the Sherrills wrote it and he noticed as the Sherrills wrote it and he noticed as the Sherrills wrote it and he noticed a strange grouping of letters on top of a strange grouping of letters on top of a strange grouping of letters on top of every page. The original manuscript of every page. The original manuscript of every page. The original manuscript of The Cross and the Switchblade had at the The Cross and the Switchblade had at the The Cross and the Switchblade had at the top of every page these letters L B W U top of every page these letters L B W U top of every page these letters L B W U A W W O T P. David Wilkerson had no idea A W W O T P. David Wilkerson had no idea A W W O T P. David Wilkerson had no idea what that meant when he would read it.

what that meant when he would read it. what that meant when he would read it. Finally, when David couldn't take it Finally, when David couldn't take it Finally, when David couldn't take it anymore he finally asked John and anymore he finally asked John and anymore he finally asked John and Elizabeth what this meant. They told Elizabeth what this meant. They told Elizabeth what this meant. They told David that those letters L B David that those letters L B David that those letters L B W U A W W O T P means Lord be with us as W U A W W O T P means Lord be with us as W U A W W O T P means Lord be with us as we work on this page. That's genius. we work on this page. That's genius. we work on this page. That's genius. That's Joshua 8. That's Joshua 8. That's Joshua 8. Every page would be a battle to write Every page would be a battle to write Every page would be a battle to write because God would use this book to because God would use this book to because God would use this book to change lives. They needed God in that change lives. They needed God in that change lives. They needed God in that battle and God would come and help them. battle and God would come and help them. battle and God would come and help them. I want those letters over my life with I want those letters over my life with I want those letters over my life with the exception of one. I want to write the exception of one. I want to write the exception of one. I want to write this over my everyday life. this over my everyday life. this over my everyday life. Lord be with us as we work on this and Lord be with us as we work on this and Lord be with us as we work on this and substitute page for day. substitute page for day. substitute page for day. Every day we will face battles Every day we will face battles Every day we will face battles and I want to face AI just once. Some of and I want to face AI just once. Some of and I want to face AI just once. Some of us have fought AI dozens of times us have fought AI dozens of times us have fought AI dozens of times because of sin and finding out we are because of sin and finding out we are because of sin and finding out we are left with our own voice. I want to left with our own voice. I want to left with our own voice. I want to confess I need his voice more than my confess I need his voice more than my confess I need his voice more than my own voice. Getting 10% right is not good own voice. Getting 10% right is not good own voice. Getting 10% right is not good enough for victory over AI. We need enough for victory over AI. We need enough for victory over AI. We need complete victory. I want Joshua 8 AI complete victory. I want Joshua 8 AI complete victory. I want Joshua 8 AI not Joshua 7.

not Joshua 7. not Joshua 7. Thanks for joining chapter by chapter. Thanks for joining chapter by chapter. Thanks for joining chapter by chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, Every chapter from the greatest book, Every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 minutes a the Bible, the word of God. 7 minutes a the Bible, the word of God. 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see you day, 7 days a week. We'll see you day, 7 days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.