In this battle against Ai, Joshua had an important role. We read about it here:
Joshua 8:18-19 (NIV) Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand, for into your hand I will deliver the city.” So Joshua held out toward the city the javelin that was in his hand. 19 As soon as he did this, the men in the ambush rose quickly from their position and rushed forward. They entered the city and captured it and quickly set it on fire.
This is similar to the battle the Israelites fought against the Amalekites where Moses took two other men and went to the top of a hill; there he raised his arms in intercession as Joshua fought with his army in the valley below.
In the battle with Ai, Joshua no doubt wanted to go and fight! Yet he surrendered to God’s Word which instructed him to simply hold out the javelin, and in surrendering Himself to God He won the victory for God’s people.
Likewise Jesus, our Joshua, surrendered Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane (“not my will, but Yours be done”), went to the cross stretching out His arms in intercession for His people, and He died to purchase our victory.
“We see that what Joshua did in this strategy is applicable to our Lord Jesus, of whom he was a type. Joshua conquered by surrendering, as if he had himself been conquered. In the same way, when our Lord Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit, it seemed as if death had triumphed over him, and as if he and all he stood for had been completely destroyed, but in his resurrection, he came back and totally defeated the powers of darkness. He broke the serpent’s head by allowing him to strike his heel. What a glorious strategy!”--Matthew Henry Commentary on Joshua 8.
Question 2. As you contemplate what Jesus went through to purchase your victory, what does that thought do for your own heart just now?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Carol writes, "It strengthens it as it shows how strong Jesus was. That when He appeared defeated He was actually very much in control. Pulling the devil and all those who were against Him into His plan."
Amanda writes, "Jesus surrendered Himself so that I could be rescued. If I will surrender myself to Him, He can bring about the victory already promised over my battles. If Joshua had tried to go about it any other way, like the example of Moses hitting the rock instead of speaking to it, the results would not have been the same. Lord, help me to fully surrender to You as You did for me on the cross. Who for the joy that was set before You endured the cross, despising the shame and You are set down at the right hand of the Father!"
Karen writes, "I still get pleasantly overwhelmed with Jesus and His love for me, that He was willing to take on all sin to be obedient to His Father and to defeat darkness. It warms my heart and I pray that I am submitted and surrendered in obedience to Him, that I may testify of His love!"