“And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.”
In this verse, we find ourselves in the midst of an account from the book of Joshua, which details the conquest of the city of Ai by the Israelites. To better understand the significance of this verse, let’s explore the context leading up to it.
After the Israelites’ miraculous crossing of the Jordan River and the subsequent fall of Jericho, Joshua:sent spies to scout the city of Ai. The spies reported that Ai was relatively small and that a small force of soldiers would be sufficient to conquer it. Based on this information, Joshua decided to send about three thousand men to attack Ai. However, they suffered a surprising defeat, with thirty-six Israelites being killed.
Joshua, distraught by the loss, sought the Lord’s counsel. The Lord revealed that the defeat occurred because there was sin in the camp of Israel, as one person, Achan, had taken some of the forbidden spoils from Jericho and hidden them in his tent. This act of disobedience had violated God’s command, and His favour was withdrawn from the Israelites.
Consequently, Joshua took immediate action to address the sin. Achan and his family were stoned to death, and the stolen items were publicly burned. With the sin purged from their midst, the Lord spoke to Joshua, instructing him to take the entire army to conquer Ai once again. This time, God promised victory.
Returning to Joshua 8:20, the verse describes the turning point of the battle. The men of Ai, who had initially driven back the Israelites, suddenly saw smoke rising from their city, indicating that it had been set ablaze by Joshua’s forces. Overwhelmed by the sight of their burning city, the men of Ai found themselves trapped between the pursuing Israelites and the city engulfed in flames. They had no means of escape and were ultimately defeated by the Israelites.
This verse highlights the faithfulness of God in keeping His promise to Joshua. After the sin was dealt with and the people’s hearts were turned toward obedience, God’s favour returned to the Israelites. The burning of Ai served as a visible manifestation of God’s presence and assistance in their battle. The smoke rising to heaven signified both the destruction of the city and the acknowledgment of God’s power and sovereignty.
From a broader perspective, this account reminds us of the importance of obedience and the consequences of sin. Achan’s disobedience brought defeat and loss to the Israelites, but once the sin was addressed and removed, God’s favour and victory were restored. It serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences and that God desires our obedience and faithfulness.
In summary, Joshua 8:20 depicts a crucial moment in the conquest of Ai, where the men of Ai witnessed the destruction of their city through fire and smoke. It underscores the significance of obedience and the consequences of sin, emphasizing God’s faithfulness when His people repent and turn back to Him.
