Lessons from the Defeat at Ai (Joshua 7:1–5 11/30/2025
Lessons from the Defeat at Ai (Joshua 7:1–5 11/30/2025
Israel, who had just brought down the mighty walls of Jericho, suffered defeat and collapse in the battle against Ai—a city incomparable to Jericho in size and strength (v. 6–9).
Why did God allow this? And why does Scripture record such an event?
1 Corinthians 10:11 says that all the failures of God’s people were written as examples for us, especially for those living in the last days. It is for us to look at ourselves, renew ourselves, and prepare to become vessels whom God does not have a choice but to use. Why does a saved child of God, who has received important answers and been used by God, one day suddenly fall? We must first understand the reasons.
- Scripture teaches that there are at least three reasons why God’s people fail.
1) Ignorance of spiritual reality
① Why did God command Israel to carry the ark of the covenant ahead and blow trumpets made of ram’s horns at Jericho? It was the covenant that Christ would come and completely crush Satan, the enemy of God and of all believers. This is also why it was prophesied that anyone who tried to rebuild Jericho would lose his firstborn and youngest son (Joshua 6:26). In every situation, Satan cannot overcome the Christ whom God sent, nor can he overcome God’s people (Romans 16:20). Now all we must do is open our eyes to spiritual reality and fight. This is where many believers fail.
② Ignorance does not simply mean “lack of information.” It means knowing something in your head, but failing to apply it personally. Adam and Eve knew why God gave the tree of knowledge, and they knew Satan existed. But when Satan actually attacked, they were not spiritually aware, and they fell in a an instant.
Job also feared God and was upright and blameless (Job 1:1). He certainly knew Satan existed. Yet when raiders stole all his possessions, a storm killed his children, and severe sickness struck his body, he did not realize that this was the work of Satan. The conclusion of Job is that his spiritual eyes were opened (Job 42:5).
③ Peter too followed Jesus, cast out demons, and carried out important ministry (Mark 3:13–15). He never imagined that Satan would attack him, who was willing to die for the Lord (Luke 22:31–32). One reason God sometimes allows Satan’s attacks is so we may see spiritual reality through our own problems.
2) Desires rooted deeply in the human heart.
① Human desire is endless. This is why Scripture says that learning to be content brings great gain in godliness (1 Timothy 6:6). The most dangerous sin is idolatry (Exodus 20:4–5), and the Bible defines unending greed as idolatry (Colossiians 3:5).
② This hidden desire was the root cause of Ai’s defeat (Josh 8:22–26). God commanded Israel not to keep anything from Jericho but to destroy it all. Yet Achan hid and stole some of it.
He missed the spiritual meaning behind Jericho’s destruction and could not overcome his greed.
③ Behind human failure lies Satan’s temptation. Satan first stirs up desire, then attacks.
This desire can come from wounds, from comparison, or from competitiveness. Such things become strongholds Satan builds inside us, so we must recognize them and fight by holding onto God’s power (2 Corinthians 10:4–5).
3) Pride and self-arrogance rooted within us.
① We must guard against this in ordinary times and in difficult times. Even despairing and giving up because things are hard is pride, judging ourselves by our own standards. If God has not given up on us, why should we give up on ourselves? This was the difference between Judas Iscariot and Peter.
② We must be especially careful after receiving important answers and blessings. This was the immediate cause of Ai’s defeat. After defeating Jericho, they became overconfident.
Joshua accepted the spies’ report, “They are few; do not trouble all the people by sending them” (v. 3). This is why we must always stay alert, and remember, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
- How then should we live so that we do not lose important blessings through failure?
The defeat at Ai did not end in failure. Through complete renewal, it became a turning point in the conquest of Canaan (chapter 8). True faith, true power, and true spiritual skill is the ability to turn trials and failures into the greatest answers.
1) Hold onto the covenant and start again.
① Christ has already finished every problem (John 19:30). We are those transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son (Colossians 1:13–14). God will never give up on us until our salvation is complete and His masterpiece is finished (Philippians 1:6). Though weak and failing, those who love God will see all things work together for good (Romans 8:28).
② Enter into enjoying the covenant 24/7. Satan also works 24 hours to destroy us.
To “enjoy” means to look to Christ who works in our weakness, wounds, and all that we do. Look to Christ and the throne even for five minutes during scheduled times of prayer daily (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).
2) Bring before God anything within you that has become a channel for Satan, and begin a life of absolute obedience.
① God exposed Achan’s hidden greed and sin (v. 11–18). Before all Israel, Achan, his family, and his hidden things were judged. God was warning how terrifying the result of sin is (Romans 6:23). This is the judgment of the last day (Matthew 25:41).
② Yet thankfully, God opened a way for all our sins, failures, and iniquities to be resolved. He patiently waits for us to repent and start again (Isaiah 43:25; 1 John 1:9). Christ, our Redeemer, intercedes for us from heaven every time we fail (1 John 2:1).
Never give up. God can renew everything (This is His 25 hours, re-creation).
3) See God’s absolute things in the small things, and challenge toward eternity.
① Even the failures caused by Satan begin with small things. Ai became a painful but vital lesson.
② Likewise, the answers and blessings God gives us also begin with small things. God does not require something grand from us. He does not require that we have exceptional ability. God can make a masterpiece out of our small things (Isaiah 60:21–22). He delights in small faithfulness (Matt 25:23). What we do for “the least of these” is counted as done unto Him (Mattew 25:40). In the end, these become eternal works, inheritance, and crowns.
Conclusion – The defeat at Ai is a mirror for us today. The important point is that Ai did not end in failure or shame. Israel rose again, conquered Ai, and moved closer to the complete conquest of Canaan. This is God’s covenant, God’s method, and God’s conclusion.
11.30.25 Lessons from the Defeat at Ai