INTRODUCTION: The people suffered defeat at Ai because of the sin of one man. Now the Lord speaks to Joshua and assures him of victory. The sin of one man brought them death, but the presence of one (The LORD) will bring certain victory.

1. THE STRATEGY FOR TAKING AI (Joshua 8:1-8 [1] And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: [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. [3] So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night. [4] And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready: [5] And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them, [6] (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them. [7] Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand. [8] And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.
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1. The Lord Promises Victory (Joshua 8:1-2 [1] And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: [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.
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1. The Lord gives Joshua encouraging words (Joshua 8:1And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
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2. The Lord gives details of the victory (Joshua 8:1-2 [1] And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: [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.
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1. The Lord will deliver everything into the hands of Joshua (Joshua 8:1And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
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2. The Lord will deliver Ai as He delivered Jericho (Joshua 8:2And 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.
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3. The cattle and spoil are to be kept for Israel (Joshua 8:2And 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.
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4. The children of Israel will do this by ambushing Ai (Joshua 8:2And 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.
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2. Joshua Provides the Battle Plan (Joshua 8:3-8 [3] So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night. [4] And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready: [5] And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them, [6] (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them. [7] Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand. [8] And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.
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1. A group of soldiers are to lie in wait behind the city (Joshua 8:3-4 [3] So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night. [4] And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:
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1. Joshua chooses thirty thousand mighty men of valour (Joshua 8:3So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night.
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2. Joshua instructs the men to lie in wait behind the city (Joshua 8:4And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:
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3. These men are not to get too close to the city, but neither are they to get too far from the city (Joshua 8:4And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:
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2. Another group of soldiers are to draw out the men of Ai (Joshua 8:5-6 [5] And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them, [6] (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.
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1. Joshua and his group will approach unto the city of Ai (Joshua 8:5And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,
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2. They will flee before the men of Ai to draw them out of the city (Joshua 8:5-6 [5] And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them, [6] (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.
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3. The soldiers lying in wait will take the city (Joshua 8:7-8 [7] Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand. [8] And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.
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1. When the men of Ai depart out of the city, the men lying wait will seize upon the city (Joshua 8:7Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.
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2. When the soldiers take the city, they are to set it on fire (Joshua 8:8And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.
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2. THE AMBUSH IS LAID FOR AI (Joshua 8:9-13 [9] Joshua therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people. [10] And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. [11] And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai. [12] And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. [13] And when they had set the people, even all the host that was on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.
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1. Men Position Themselves to the West (Joshua 8:9Joshua therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people.
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1. The thirty thousand are sent away to locate outside of Ai on the west side.
2. Joshua stays behind and lodges among the people.
2. Men Position Themselves to the North (Joshua 8:10-11 [10] And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. [11] And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.
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1. Joshua and the remaining soldiers draw near to Ai (Joshua 8:10-11 [10] And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. [11] And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.
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2. Joshua and his soldiers pitch on the north side of Ai (Joshua 8:11And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.
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3. Another Group Positions Themselves to the West (Joshua 8:12And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.
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1. Various opinions exist as to the identity of these men.
2. It appears that Joshua takes five thousand men out of his platoon and posts them closer to the city of Ai on the west side.
3. The first group of thirty thousand is not to get too close to the city and risk being seen; whereas the five thousand could be right against the city, remain hidden, and yet offer a fast attack from the west.
3. THE DEFEAT OF THE CITY OF AI (Joshua 8:14-22 [14] And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city. [15] And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness. [16] And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. [17] And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel. [18] And the LORD said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. [19] And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire. [20] And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. [21] And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai. [22] And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.
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1. The Battle Begins (Joshua 8:14And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city.
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1. The king of Ai spots Joshua and his men.
2. The king and his people go out to battle against Israel.
2. The Men of Ai Pursue the Men of Israel (Joshua 8:15-17 [15] And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness. [16] And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. [17] And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.
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1. Joshua and his men retreat as though defeated again (Joshua 8:15And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
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2. The people of Ai pursue after Joshua and his men (Joshua 8:16And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.
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3. No men are left in Ai because of the pursuit (Joshua 8:17And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.
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3. The Israelites Attack (Joshua 8:18-22 [18] And the LORD said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. [19] And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire. [20] And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. [21] And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai. [22] And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.
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1. The Lord gives Joshua instructions (Joshua 8:18And the LORD said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city.
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1. Joshua stretches out his spear toward the city of Ai (Joshua 8:18And the LORD said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city.
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2. Joshua does not lower the spear until the inhabitants of Ai are utterly destroyed (Joshua 8:26For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
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2. The ambush takes the city and sets it on fire (Joshua 8:19And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.
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3. The men of Ai turn to see the smoke of the city (Joshua 8:20And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.
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4. The men of Ai lose all courage (Joshua 8:20And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.
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5. The Israelites who had retreated turn to fight (Joshua 8:20-21 [20] And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. [21] And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai.
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6. Those who ambushed the city pursue from the rear (Joshua 8:22And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.
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4. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CITY OF AI (Joshua 8:23-29 [23] And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua. [24] And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. [25] And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai. [26] For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. [27] Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua. [28] And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day. [29] And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.
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1. The Israelites Capture the King (Joshua 8:23And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.
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1. The king of Ai is taken alive.
2. The king is brought to Joshua.
2. The Inhabitants of the Land Are Slain (Joshua 8:24-26 [24] And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. [25] And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai. [26] For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
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1. The inhabitants who had pursued are slain in the wilderness (Joshua 8:24And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.
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2. The Israelites return to clean up in Ai (Joshua 8:24And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.
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3. The number of deaths in Ai amounts to twelve thousand (Joshua 8:25And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.
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4. Joshua lowers his spear at the completion of the task (Joshua 8:26For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
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3. The Mission Is Completed (Joshua 8:27-29 [27] Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua. [28] And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day. [29] And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.
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1. The cattle and the spoil are kept for Israel (Joshua 8:27Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua.
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2. The city is burnt (Joshua 8:28And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.
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1. Joshua burns Ai.
2. The city is made into a heap.
3. The king of Ai is executed (Joshua 8:29And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.
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1. He is hung from a tree until eventide.
2. His body is removed and cast at the entering of the gate of the city.
3. A great heap of stones is raised over his dead body.
5. THE WORSHIP OF THE PEOPLE (Joshua 8:30-35 [30] Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, [31] As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings. [32] And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. [33] And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. [34] And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. [35] There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.
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1. Joshua Builds an Altar in Mount Ebal (Joshua 8:30-31 [30] Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, [31] As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
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1. Joshua builds an altar unto the Lord (Joshua 8:30-31 [30] Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, [31] As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
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1. In mount Ebal (Joshua 8:30Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,
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2. According to the law of Moses (Joshua 8:31As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
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1. An altar of whole stones
2. Without the use of iron
2. The people offer sacrifices (Joshua 8:31As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
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1. They offer burnt offerings.
2. They sacrifice peace offerings.
2. Joshua Writes upon the Altar (Joshua 8:32And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.
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1. He writes a copy of the law of Moses on the stones (Deuteronomy 27:1-26 [1] And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day. [2] And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister: [3] And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee. [4] Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister. [5] And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them. [6] Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God: [7] And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God. [8] And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly. [9] And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God. [10] Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day. [11] And Moses charged the people the same day, saying, [12] These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin: [13] And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. [14] And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice, [15] Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen. [16] Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen. [17] Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen. [18] Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen. [19] Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen. [20] Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen. [21] Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen. [22] Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen. [23] Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen. [24] Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen. [25] Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. [26] Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
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2. He writes it in the presence of the children of Israel.
3. Joshua Reads to the People (Joshua 8:33-35 [33] And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. [34] And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. [35] There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.
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1. The people take their places against mount Ebal and mount Gerizim (Joshua 8:33And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.
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2. Joshua reads the words of Moses pertaining to the blessings and cursings (Joshua 8:34-35 [34] And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. [35] There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.
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CONCLUSION: The children of Israel attempted to take Ai in their own strength and failed miserably. This time, they take Ai by the command and power of God. What a difference the presence and help of the Lord makes in a battle!