What words of comfort did the Lord’s message to Joshua start with?

How many of the people of war did the Lord ask Joshua to take with him to Ai? What had He given to Joshua from Ai?

What city did the Lord compare Ai to, in the experience of its destruction by Joshua’s forces? What was the difference between the two?

How many “mighty men of valor” did Joshua give specific instructions to as he sent them out?

What were their instructions?

When the people of Ai came out against the Israelites, what tactic were they going to use?

What were the soldiers lying in ambush supposed to do to the city?

Where did the soldiers who were ambushing station themselves? Where did Joshua stay that night?

What did Joshua do early the next morning?

Where did the people of war move to then?

Where did the 5,000 in ambush move to?

When the king of Ai saw the Israelite army, what did he do? What didn’t he know? 

What did Joshua and his section of the army act as though they were doing?

How many men were left in Ai and Bethel to defend it, after they chased the Israelite army?

What symbol did the Lord give to Joshua to do, to show that they would win the battle?

What did the soldiers do when Joshua raised his spear?

What did the army of Ai turn to see? What was their reaction? What did the Israelite army do in response?

What did the Israelite army do with the king of Ai?

What did the Israelite army do after they had slain the soldiers in the battlefields?

How many people from Ai were killed?

What was Joshua doing during the whole time?

What did the Israelites take as spoil?

What happened to the king of Ai? The city?

Thought Questions

Does this story strike you as vicious and violent? Or a display of God’s judgment? Glory? 

Who is judgment bad for? Who is judgment good for? Do you think the the destruction of Ai was deserved?

Why did God give the Israelites success in battle this time? Do you think you could have better success in any areas of your life if you were willing to give up a cherished sin or desire?

What do you think was the cause of the Israelite victory? The valiant fighting of the army? The weakness of Ai?  A well-planned ingenious battle tactic? Joshua’s raised spear? Or something else?

What did Joshua’s raised spear mean? 

Can you think of any instances in your life when you have been sure that God has won your battles? Or when you could have used more faith to “raise your spear” during that time?

How does the “raising the spear” concept help you to remember Who is actually responsible for the victory? (See also Exodus 17:11-13.)

Why do you think God allowed the Israelites to take the spoils this time?

My prayer is:

That I would understand the character of God; sometimes difficult when violence toward people is involved, but understanding an even greater picture in the battle between good and evil;

That I would be willing to give up personal selfishness and greed in order to promote that larger victory over evil;

And that I would “raise my spear” in the battles in which God has given me victory, remembering that it is His victory alone.