Invasion and Conquest Lesson 4

Overview The Sin of Achan The Victory Over Ai The Covenant with the Gibeonites

The Problem… Unbeknownst to anyone in Israel, Achan took of the “accursed things” in Jericho Notice Josh. 6:18-19 Jericho was considered the “firstfruits” of the land The Israelites were not to take anything from the city of Jericho Jericho was to be utterly destroyed

The First Battle at Ai Joshua sends spies to Ai The spies return and say that there is no need to send everyone, only 2 or 3 thousand Joshua heeds their advice and sends 3000 The men of Ai defeated the men of Israel 36 Israelite soldiers died in this battle The people became very afraid

Joshua’s Response Joshua tore his clothes and fell on his face – Read Josh. 7:7-9 The LORD was NOT pleased with Joshua’s reaction… “GET UP!” The LORD explains to Joshua why the battle was lost The LORD tells Joshua what to do

The Sanctification of the People The people appeared before Joshua The LORD took a tribe, clan, family, household, and then man by man This selection went through Judah, Zerah (remember Gen. 38?), Zabdi, Carmi, and ended with Achan Why was Achan’s confession not acceptable? Josh 7:20-21 Achan and his family were stoned and burned

Victory at Ai! This time Joshua took 30, waited in Ambush on the west side of Ai Joshua took the others and led an attack from the north of Ai When the men of Ai came after Joshua, they fled as before and ALL the men of Ai chased them Then, those lying in ambush rushed and burned the city Joshua and his men turned from fleeing and attacked!

Israel Worships God After this battle, Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal Israel offered burnt offerings and peace offerings Half of the people were on Mount Gerizim, the other half were on Mount Ebal Joshua read the law to them, including the blessings and curses written by Moses Recall Deut 11:26-29; 27:4

Covenant with the Gibeonites The kings of Canaan came together to fight Israel The Gibeonites had another plan They pretended to come from a far country and offered to make a covenant with Israel Israel was suspicious, but the Gibeonites convinced them Israel made a covenant Israel later learned that they had been tricked! Israel made the Gibeonites their slaves Deut 7:1-2; Deut 20:10-18