Weeks earlier, Joshua completed one of the greatest military miracles in history with the conquering of Jericho. Soon after that, he had his greatest setback, as he failed to take the small town of Ai because God wasn’t with Israel. But after removing Achan, who had broken God’s covenant by taking restricted goods from Jericho, God renewed His relationship with Israel and Joshua (Josh. 7:11, 15). Repentance brings restoration. Knowing Joshua is gun-shy about moving forward, God encourages him to reengage His calling to be courageous and not fearful or dismayed (Heb. khaw-thath', ‘to fall down, give up’).When depressed, remember Whoseyou are and whatyou are called to do. When at the bottom of the pit, look up!

After Israel miraculously captured a fortified Jericho, the next city to be confronted was the relatively small Ai (Josh. 6:20). Joshua was confident 3000 men could easily take it but as the army approached, a small amount of men from Ai came out and killed 36 Israelites, sending the army retreating. While the Bible doesn’t say that Joshua’s strategy was wrong, if he would have sought God first, he might have been told the issue and not sacrificed men. Leaning on past victories can lead to laziness which leads to loss. Self-assurance precedes self-destruction (Prov. 16:18). Seek the One who knows what you don’t know before you find out what you didn’t know!

After Israel miraculously captured a fortified Jericho, the next city to be confronted was the relatively small Ai (Josh. 6:20). Joshua was confident 3000 men could easily take it but as the army approached, a small amount of men from Ai came out and killed 36 Israelites, sending the army retreating. While the Bible doesn’t say that Joshua’s strategy was wrong, if he would have sought God first, he might have been told the issue and not sacrificed men. Leaning on past victories can lead to laziness which leads to loss. Self-assurance precedes self-destruction (Prov. 16:18). Seek the One who knows what you don’t know before you find out what you didn’t know!

Jericho is arguably the oldest inhabited city in history. It was built on a steep 30-degree inclined hill with rugged desert on one side, the Jordan River on the other, and two nearly impenetrable walls encircling it. It had one large gate surrounded by six-foot-thick, thirty-foot-high mud brick walls that were difficult to destroy or burn. Taking the city required either charging the gate or trying to tear down the walls which would incur severe casualties. Or put the city under siege to starve it out, but because of storerooms of grain and a spring of water inside, it could take months or years. What man has made nearly impossible, God has made surely completed!

Jericho is arguably the oldest inhabited city in history. It was built on a steep 30-degree inclined hill with rugged desert on one side, the Jordan River on the other, and two nearly impenetrable walls encircling it. It had one large gate surrounded by six-foot-thick, thirty-foot-high mud brick walls that were difficult to destroy or burn. Taking the city required either charging the gate or trying to tear down the walls which would incur severe casualties. Or put the city under siege to starve it out, but because of storerooms of grain and a spring of water inside, it could take months or years. What man has made nearly impossible, God has made surely completed!

Once Israel crossed the Jordan River, they were now ‘home’ in Canaan. Through spies, the reputation of Israel’s God went ahead of them, so the kings of Canaan lived in fear. No one dwells in safety when they dwell apart from God. Though they may hate it, even a believer’s enemies can’t dispute the presence of God in their life! The first step of Israel’s new journey was to clean up past leadership failure by circumcising the males. As the male was responsible to build up and lead his home in godliness, circumcising his sexual organ was a physical representation of his spiritual covenant with God (Gen. 17:10-14). Human disobedience doesn’t delete divine directions! This act, which should’ve been done at birth over the last 40 years, now has to be done on grown men—many in their 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s—with no pain-killers and sharp rocks! So many males were circumcised, they called the place Gibeath Haaraloth (‘hill of foreskins’!). It’s always more painful to obey God later!

Once Israel crossed the Jordan River, they were now ‘home’ in Canaan. Through spies, the reputation of Israel’s God went ahead of them, so the kings of Canaan lived in fear. No one dwells in safety when they dwell apart from God. Though they may hate it, even a believer’s enemies can’t dispute the presence of God in their life! The first step of Israel’s new journey was to clean up past leadership failure by circumcising the males. As the male was responsible to build up and lead his home in godliness, circumcising his sexual organ was a physical representation of his spiritual covenant with God (Gen. 17:10-14). Human disobedience doesn’t delete divine directions! This act, which should’ve been done at birth over the last 40 years, now has to be done on grown men—many in their 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s—with no pain-killers and sharp rocks! So many males were circumcised, they called the place Gibeath Haaraloth (‘hill of foreskins’!). It’s always more painful to obey God later!

Throughout history, producing children, especially sons, was paramount. Because of infant mortality and that most of the world was agrarian, a large family could be vital to survival. If a wife couldn’t conceive after some time, and if a man was wealthy enough, he might take another wife. Not everything recorded in the Bible is encouraged by God! It’s possible that Elkanah married Peninnah upon discovering Hannah couldn’t bear children. Elkanah loved Hannah and tried to make up for her lack of children with other things, but Hannah knew having his children was the greatest privilege. It was often thought in antiquity it was a curse from God to be barren. But God knows the unique struggle of women wanting children and provides comfort to the hurting heart.

Throughout history, producing children, especially sons, was paramount. Because of infant mortality and that most of the world was agrarian, a large family could be vital to survival. If a wife couldn’t conceive after some time, and if a man was wealthy enough, he might take another wife. Not everything recorded in the Bible is encouraged by God! It’s possible that Elkanah married Peninnah upon discovering Hannah couldn’t bear children. Elkanah loved Hannah and tried to make up for her lack of children with other things, but Hannah knew having his children was the greatest privilege. It was often thought in antiquity it was a curse from God to be barren. But God knows the unique struggle of women wanting children and provides comfort to the hurting heart.

When Israel arrived at the Jordan river, it was at flood stage, possibly ½ mile wide, with 15-20 feet deep rushing water. Normally, it may have taken 3 months for the water level to drop so they could walk, swim, or barge across. But when God is ready, He waits for no man and stalls for no nature. When the priests with the ark touched the water and it stopped flowing, they stood in the middle of the river. Israel then focused on the ark so they would know the way to go. Your focus dictates your future! As a nomadic people, Israel shouldn’t have escaped Egypt, survived 40 years in the desert, and crossed the Jordan river. Yet like all drama stories, God will often lead to the impossible, so He can do the incredible. Pursuing the Author guarantees you’re in the right story!