Joshua 8:2
And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Ai's strategic location in the central highlands made its conquest essential for controlling Canaan's interior. Unlike Jericho, which as first conquest was entirely devoted to God, subsequent cities would provide plunder for Israel. This pattern follows ancient Near Eastern practice where conquering armies lived off the spoils. The permission to take cattle and goods as prey (baz, בַּז—plunder, booty) provided economic sustenance for an army that had wandered forty years without establishing agriculture. The instruction to set an ambush shows God working through military wisdom. Ancient warfare employed ambushes frequently—Judges and Samuel record multiple examples. God's sovereignty doesn't bypass human means but sanctifies and directs them. The combination of divine promise ('I have given into thy hand the king of Ai') and human strategy (ambush) illustrates covenant partnership—God guarantees outcomes while commanding human participation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's varying commands (Jericho vs. Ai) teach about following specific guidance rather than assuming patterns?
- What does permission to take spoil teach about God's provision through legitimate means after Achan's theft?
- How do you balance trusting God's sovereignty with exercising strategic wisdom?
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Analysis & Commentary
God's instruction for Ai differs from Jericho: 'thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves.' Unlike Jericho where all was devoted to God (cherem), at Ai Israel may keep plunder. This merciful adjustment follows Achan's sin—God provides legitimate means for acquiring wealth, removing temptation to steal devoted things. The distinction teaches that not all conquered cities carried the same restrictions. God's commands vary according to His purposes. The permission to take spoil also provided practical provision for Israel's massive army. The strategic instruction 'lay thee an ambush for the city behind it' shows God directing military tactics—combining supernatural guidance with natural means. God's sovereignty doesn't eliminate human strategy but directs it. This balance between divine initiative and human responsibility characterizes biblical faith.