(credit: Varsha Salome)
Ai, Again!
Fresh from the success at Jericho, Joshua decides to take on Ai (pronounced “eye”, mind you intelligence was all natural then!)) . But while the battle of Jericho was scripted by God to the last “t”, there is no mention of a similar act this time. Call it presumption, call it over- confidence, call it hubris, or whatever, the fact was that the battalion of about 3000 men of war that Joshua sent up – encouraged by a rather airy-fairy report by the spies – bit the dust.
It is only now that Joshua seeks the Lord; he and the elders go into a penance mode. Then the Lord reveals the sin of Achan. Once that is dealt with (rather ruthlessly), Joshua takes on Ai again, not only with the full might of his force but also by clever stratagem, and is handsomely rewarded!
Is there any unconfessed sin in your midst that is hindering your spiritual progress?
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* 27 January, setting 1 January as Day 1