A Tale of Two Battles

Joshua 2:1 – Joshua 7:26

INTRODUCTION: All things considered, the battle at Jericho should have provided the bigger threat of defeat. However, the battle at Jericho resulted in victory and the battle at Ai in defeat. The difference maker in these battles may very well prove to be the difference maker in your battles.

I. THE BATTLE AT JERICHO (Joshua 2:1 – Joshua 6:27)

A. Preparation for Battle (Joshua 2:1 – Joshua 3:6)

1. The physical preparation (Joshua 2:1-24)
a. Two men sent to spy the land secretly (Joshua 2:1-21)
b. The confidence in God’s deliverance (Joshua 2:22-24)
c. The fear of the inhabitants of the land (Joshua 2:24, 8-11)
2. The spiritual preparation (Joshua 3:1-6)
a. The call to follow the ark (Joshua 3:1-4)
b. The call for personal sanctification (Joshua 3:5)
c. The call for leadership and obedience (Joshua 3:6)

B. Obstacles for Battle (Joshua 3:7 – Joshua 6:1)

1. The overflowing river (Joshua 3:7 – Joshua 4:24)
a. The faith to enter in (Joshua 3:7-13)
b. The power of God to roll back the waters (Joshua 3:14-17)
c. The call to remembrance (Joshua 4:1-24)
2. Unfinished business (Joshua 5:1-9)
a. The need for circumcision (Joshua 5:1-7)
b. The time of healing (Joshua 5:8-9)
3. Time for worship (Joshua 5:10-15)
a. The keeping of the Passover (Joshua 5:10)
b. The presence of the captain of the LORD’S host (Joshua 5:13-15)
4. Insurmountable walls (Joshua 6:1)

C. The Details of Battle (Joshua 6:1-27)

1. The plan for battle (Joshua 6:1-5)
a. Compassing the city for six days (Joshua 6:1-3)
b. The strategy of the seventh day (Joshua 6:4-5)
2. The fulfillment of the plan (Joshua 6:6-16)
3. The details of victory (Joshua 6:17-27)
a. The warnings of the spoil (Joshua 6:17-19)
b. The realization of the battle won (Joshua 6:20-25)
c. The warning of replication (Joshua 6:26)
d. The magnification of God’s man (Joshua 6:27)

II. THE BATTLE AT AI (Joshua 7:1-26)

A. Preparation for Battle (Joshua 7:1-3)

1. The spiritual preparation (Joshua 7:1)
2. The physical preparation (Joshua 7:2-3)
a. Men sent in to spy the country (Joshua 7:2)
b. The determination is made to send a smaller military (Joshua 7:3)

B. The Details of Battle (Joshua 7:4)

1. They sent in about 3,000 men.
2. Those men fled before the men of Ai.

C. The Fallout of Battle (Joshua 7:5-26)

1. The immediate loss of lives (Joshua 7:5)
2. The discouragement of the people (Joshua 7:6-9)
3. The identification and consequences of sin (Joshua 7:10-26)

III. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO

A. The Difficulties

1. The obstacles ahead of Jericho
a. The Jordan river
b. Various responsibilities
c. An insurmountable wall
2. The obstacles ahead of Ai – N/A

B. The Enemy

1. The greatness of Jericho
2. The weakness of Ai

C. The Celebration

1. At the end of Jericho, the enemy lay slain beneath the rubbish
2. At the end of Ai, our loved ones lay buried beneath the stones

D. The Spiritual Preparation

1. The preparation against Jericho
2. The preparation against Ai – taking of the accursed thing (Joshua 7:1)

CONCLUSION: Is your walk with the Lord victorious or are you suffering defeat? Self-examination may provide insight as to why.