I noticed this earlier today, just reading Joshua chapters 7 and 8.
Israel had just been defeated in battle, a rarity indeed!
Thirty-six soldiers, Jews, had died in the attack on a little city named Ai. (We later learned such a tragedy was due to “sin” in the camp. A man named Achan had stolen some cursed objects and kept them for himself!)
But now to the logistics of the Battle … and the point of today’s Lesson.
In the first skirmish against Ai (a heathen, sinful city for sure) Israel only fielded 3,000 soldiers, based on previous recon reports, reconnaissance. “And they (the spies) returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. So there went up thither of the people about THREE THOUSAND men.” Joshua 7:3-4
And she (Israel) lost … as I’ve just said, due to sin, thirty-six military funerals, needlessly held!
Once that sin had been (thoroughly) confessed and judgment executed … Israel would live to fight another day! (The sad story of Achan and his death by stoning.)
Then the Lord commanded Joshua to attack Ai yet a second time! So, Joshua obeyed, one of the chief characteristics of that great leader’s life, “instant obedience” to His Commander-in-Chief!
But instead of just three thousand men … Joshua involved the whole army this time! Several hundreds of thousands of soldiers! (Just slightly more than 600,000 to be a little more precise!)
Wow!
And they (with the Lord’s Hand upon them) won the victory … this time!
Again, what’s the point today?
If on a certain occasion you do not achieve a (spiritual) victory, if the enemy (devil) overcomes you in a battle … REGROUP AND HIT HIM AGAIN … WITH (FAR) MORE POWER AND STRENGTH AND (SPIRITUAL) WEAPONRY!
Go from 3,000 soldiers (I speak metaphorically, symbolically) to 600,000 soldiers!
In other words …
Pray more!
Read God’s Word more!
Memorize verses, more than ever!
Live right, more godly than in all your Christian days!
And the Lord just might give you the victory, as he did Joshua and all Israel!
In a line … TRY HARDER!
Be more and more filled with the Holy Spirit!
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Surely, enough has been said.