Men's Group Study Guide
Introduction
Now that the sin has been dealt with, God’s children can progress forward into His plan for them. It is the same for us in that we must always deal with sin in our lives first before we can receive the blessing. There is no need for the shedding of blood anymore as was the law. It is simply a matter of faith in Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. He said it best while hanging there in our place, “It is done”. Now let us move on in grace into what has been given to each one of us. Newness of life (Romans 7:6)
STUDY NOTES: verses 1-35
Vs 1-2 Now the Lord said to Joshua: “Do not be afraid, or dismayed; take all of the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shall take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it. Giddy up! The Lord saw what He needed to. They had dealt with their iniquity as instructed. Even though there has been failure we can use that to build a strong foundation in His grace (Phillipians 3:13-14). It’s amazing what God will do with the proper heart conditions. Now they are told to not be afraid or shaken up by what had just occurred, but to get serious (take the people of war), get up and go. This exhortation is meaning to get serious about what has been given to them and hold onto it (Hebrews 3:14). They were given a promise of being able to enter into His rest and it was time to go in and take it (Hebrews 4:8-9). We can have the victory that God has promised to all of His people when we move ahead in faith. Now it is time to receive a new battle plan or vision from the Lord.
Vs 3-8 So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai; and Joshua chose thirty thousand mighty men of valor and sent them away by night. And he commanded them saying,........ vs. 8 And it will be when you have taken the city, that you will set the city on fire. According to the commandment of the Lord you shall do. See, I have commanded you. Joshua applied wisdom and new found courage from the Lord. A strategy for victory is being laid with faith and contentment in the right place. If only Achan had waited on the Lord, he would be preparing to reap the harvest with the rest of Israel (Psalm 37:9/Romans 8:25)
Vs 9-13 Joshua therefore sent them out; and they went to lie in ambush, and stayed between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai; but Joshua lodged that night among the people. Then Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai....... vs 13 And when they had set the people, all the army that was on the north of the city, and its rear guard on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley. In these verses we see how Joshua, sleeps with and stays close to the people. They needed to know that he was near.
Just like Joshua, Jesus stays intimately close to us to lead us into a promised life of abundance (Proverbs 18:24).
Vs 14-17 Now it happened, when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hurried and rose early and went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at an appointed place before the plain. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city........ vs.17 There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. So they left the city open and pursued Israel. The people of Ai were expecting another victory. Practically speaking they had already defeated the Israelites once before and what was to stop it from happening again? Well, there is a different attitude, the right attitude. Jesus is always looking at our hearts. Not pursuing our own ambitions but the righteousness of the Lord.
Vs 18-23 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “ Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.” And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand toward the city......... vs. 21 Now when Joshua and all of Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city and that the smoke of the city ascended, they turned back and struck down the men of Ai......... vs. 23 But the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua. Stretch out your hands and worship the Lord. Joshua was told to stretch out the spear that was in his hand and victory would be theirs. In Exodus 17:8-13 we see that as long as Moses held his spear up there was victory. In both stories victory is had with the raising of the hands. It also shows that God is always the same but working differently with each individual. One thing is for sure, that we should always be lifting our hands to the Almighty God and let Him initiate the victory.
Vs 24-29 And it came to pass when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness where they pursued them, and when they all had fallen by the edge of the sword until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned to Ai and struck it with the edge of the sword........ vs.29 And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until evening. And as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his corpse down from the tree, cast it at the entrance of the gate of the city, and raise over it a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Take seriously your vision from God. Get on the offensive and stick with it. Persevere! Joshua and company
followed thru with a no mercy anihalation of their enemies. If we are going to have the victories that are intended for us we must have this same level of obedience. We may well have those moments in the flesh (Achan), but we must quickly put those things away from us and repent. Be renewed in the Spirit and let God’s grace cover you. If we do not take God at His word then we can tear down no stronghold. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Vs 30-35 Now Joshua built an altar to the Lord God of Israel in Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses:....... Victory is now theirs. What next? Quickly and expeditiously we should build a memorial to the Lord. To thank Him and to praise His awesome name.
Maybe not an altar built with our hands, but an altar built with prayers of thanksgiving. To build up in our hearts and our minds a rememberance of the powerful ways in which He has showed Himself to be true. Build it up not only in your own heart, but in the midst of the people that are in your sphere of influence (vs.35).
TRUTH APPLIED:
Q. 1 After you have taken your sin to God what is your next logical step? Do you walk in grace and follow the lead of the Spirit? Do you have a better plan?
Q. 2 In everyday struggles, how do you cope? Do you apply God’s truth for you or is it the old man who steps in?
Q. 3 How about those bigger than life conflicts? Do you run at them in the strength of the Lord or cower away and try to forget the problem?
Q. 4 Was there ever a time in your life when you saw the options of doing it your own way and doing it God’s way? What did you choose and what was the result?
Q. 5 Is there ever a time in our lives that we can make decisions on our own? Is it ok to do that?
Q. 6 When you know God’s will and you step forward in obedience what happens? Is there power there for you to draw from? And when that victory has been had, do you remember the Lord?
CONCLUSION:
Joshua and the Israelites had been addressed about the sin that was in their midst. They got right with the Lord and continued forward in His will. From it, came great success and joy throughout a nation. God gave them His directions for their new nation to be established, but it would only happen through obedience and perseverance. They all new what was promised to them. All they had to do was advance. Not sit idle and wait. There are two types of Christians. Green and red light. Some of us wait for God to give us a green light to go forward. Others go forward (in His will) and don’t stop until He gives them a red light. Are you moving forward in the grace or waiting?