After a supernatural victory at Jericho, Israel faces a crushing defeat at Ai—and it all starts with one thing: they didn’t ask God. In today’s reading, we see the fallout of prayerlessness, the deceptive treaty with the Gibeonites, and the unforgettable moment Joshua commands the sun to stand still. This section of Joshua isn’t just about war—it’s about the cost of ignoring God and the power of returning to Him.

✈️ Overview:

• Achan’s hidden sin leads to Israel’s defeat—showing how personal disobedience brings corporate consequences

• Joshua fails to pray before key decisions, leading to two massive blunders

• The Gibeonites deceive Israel into a covenant that creates long-term implications

• In a moment of bold faith, Joshua prays—and the sun stands still in response

🔎 Context Clues:

• Joshua 7–10 sits at the center of the conquest narrative—highlighting victories, setbacks, and divine partnership

• These chapters contrast human strategy vs. divine instruction

• God’s covenant holiness remains central: “devoted things” must not be taken lightly

• The book critiques Joshua’s leadership lapses—especially in prayer—in contrast to Moses and David

🤓 Nerdy Nuggets:

• Joshua 7:1 frames Achan’s sin as a national failure, not just an individual one

• “They did not inquire of the Lord” (Josh. 9:14) is a recurring indictment

• Gibeon’s deception parallels Eden: appearance over truth, and a failure to consult God

• Joshua 10:14’s phrasing (“the Lord obeyed a human voice”) reveals the extraordinary weight of prayer

✅ Timeless Truths:

• When you stop asking God, you start making costly mistakes

• God honors bold prayer—even from people who haven’t prayed well in the past

• You don’t need a perfect track record to pray powerful prayers—you just need to start today

• Prayerlessness can break things, but prayer can still turn things around

Whether you’ve been slacking on your prayer life or just need a fresh reminder: it’s not too late. Joshua’s greatest moment didn’t come from perfect leadership—it came from choosing to seek God again. So can you.

🚀 START HERE!

Want to join us on the journey? Check out the Start Page! You can start from Episode 001 on January 1st or jump in to follow along with us, your choice.

📖 DOWNLOAD THE PLAN:

Whether you’re new to the Bible or ready for a fresh start in 2025, this plan is for YOU. And the best part? The plan is FREE! Download it now and start your journey today.

🤓 WANT MORE BIBLE NERD RESOURCES?

Check out armacourses.com for biblical literacy resources, courses, and a community to grow with! Learn the Bible for yourself with 60+ courses and counting for only $13 / Month. Also, your first 30 days are on us. Join ARMA for FREE!

🐉 DR.MANNY'S NEW BOOK

Crushing Chaos is available NOW wherever books are sold. Learn more & buy now at https://crushingchaos.com.

🍬 CHURCH CANDY MARKETING

Get NEW church guests, EVERY Sunday without you having to stress over ads, algorithms, or figuring out Facebook or Instagram. Head over to https://churchcandy.com/manny to book a discovery call today!

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

• The Bible Dept. | YouTube
• The Bible Dept. | Spotify
• The Bible Dept. | Apple Podcasts

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

• The Bible Dept. | Instagram
• The Bible Dept. | Facebook
• Dr. Manny Arango | Instagram
• ARMA | Instagram

📨 EMAIL US!

Got questions or want to share your thoughts? Email us at [email protected].

💥 MORE RESOURCES:

• Amazon Store | Shop The Bible Dept. Essentials
• Dr. Manny Arango’s Book | Brainwashed
• Book Dr. Manny to Speak

🌱 WE’RE PLANTING A CHURCH!

• The Garden | Houston, TX
• The Garden | Instagram
• The Garden | Facebook

SUBSPLASH:

The Subsplash Platform is the complete solution for connecting with your community on Sunday and beyond. There’s no better way for your church or ministry to engage your audience, grow your giving, or host and stream your media. Learn more at https://subsplash.com/bible-department

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands