Joshua 7:2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east of Bethel, and spoke unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.
After God gave Joshua the victory, and he became famous, we observe that he didn’t think it necessary to pray and ask God’s advice on the capture of Ai. In this instance, he turned to the wisdom of man, by leaving God out of the picture, and so said so done, because as history shows, pride goes before a fall…. Joshua 7:3 And they 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 labor thither; for they are but few.
Joshua 7:4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. 7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!
Apparently, the pride problem does not only affect men, because women also suffer from the same issue. When one gets promoted, or when one might reach the stratosphere in their experience, it’s often the case that persons get an attitude as can be seen in the following example.
Joshua 7:8 O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turns their backs before their enemies!
May the Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!