Thursday, May 2 – Joshua 7, 8 – Additional reading, “Patriarchs and Prophets” chapter 45, “The Fall of Jericho.”

1. Since Ai was smaller than Jericho, what advice did the spies Joshua sent to investigate give him? Joshua 7:2, 3

2. What was the outcome when the Israelites attacked Ai? How many Israelites died in the attempt? Joshua 7:5

3. Distressed by the news, Joshua fell on his face before the Lord, but what did the Lord tell him? Joshua 7:10, 11

4. When the lot fell on Achan, what was his response? Joshua 7:19, 20

5. Do you believe Achan’s response reveals deep and sincere repentance? If not, why?

6. Upon returning to the assault on Ai, what extraordinary military strategy did Joshua use to confuse the city’s inhabitants and finally take it? Joshua 8:1-22

7. After taking Ai, where did Joshua go, and what did he do there? Joshua 8:30-35

Victory was assured under one condition: Israel would obey ALL God commanded. While they often plundered defeated cities and distributed spoils among the fighters, this time, the order was clear: nothing would be taken because it was considered an offering to God in Canaan’s first city. Unfortunately, Achan secretly took forbidden items and hid them in a hole in the middle of his tent.