Not A Man Left in Ai or Bethel - Joshua 8:17

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua led the people of Israel into battle against the city of Ai again, “and Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness. 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”, and in chapter eight and verse seventeen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel” where we read, 

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.

The verse reads, “And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and there was not a man left” which means “and there did not exist a single person whether male or female” “in Ai” or “within Ai whose name means heap of ruins” “or Bethel” which means “or Bethel whose name means house of God”, “that went not out” or “who did not leave, depart and go forth” “after Israel” which means “pursuing and following Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer shared how not one person remained within “Ai or Bethel” who did not pursue “Israel”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and they left the city open” which means “and they, the people of Ai, caused the dwelling place or town to be neglected, departed from and let loose and free”, “and pursued after Israel” or “and followed, attended closely upon and ran after Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of “Ai and Bethel” let loose and free the dwelling place of “Ai” to run after “Israel”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we continue to see how God’s plan to give “Ai” to the people of “Israel” was working just as previously described. The people in “Ai and Bethel” were so confident within themselves that they could defeat “Israel” that they left their cities behind just to pursue them. This was just what “Israel” desired, and soon, the city of “Ai” would fall. God is omniscient, and there is nothing that He does not know. He knows we are in need of a “Savior” because we have sin in our lives, and those sins lead to death. (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) When we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide His Holy Spirit to us to guide us into all truth and to help us to follow His ways rather than pursuits that will lead to our demise. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time we learn how, “the LORD said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".