When Jericho was taken, Joshua called the two spies and gave them specific orders, saying, "Bring Rahab and all who are with her in the house." This was because of the promise made to her, which had saved their lives. The entire population, from the greatest to the least, was to be destroyed, and this command had to be carried out. No one was to be spared, not even the animals. And so, they obeyed.

         Joshua spoke of the curse — what God had forbidden the spies to take for themselves. The silver, gold, bronze, and iron vessels were consecrated to the Lord and were to go into Israel's treasury. The warning was stern, indicating that they should not be tempted by the greed that would stir some. However, despite the warning, one of them took a portion of the silver, gold, and a Babylonian garment, which caused them to lose the next battle (see Joshua 7).

         The territory to be conquered was a small town called Ai. Following the advice of the spies sent to determine how they would conquer it, Joshua sent about three thousand men into battle. Note that he did not ask the Lord how many men he should send. The situation became dire, and they immediately tried to flee from the enemy. However, the men of that small town struck down 36 of them. How tragic!

         Upon hearing this, the people’s hearts melted. Not understanding the reason for their defeat, Joshua fell before God: "Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the ground on his face, before the ark of the Lord until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads" (Joshua 7:6). The commander did not know what to say to the Most High, nor did he ask why they had failed. Without a cause, a curse does not come to rest (Proverbs 26:2).

         For Joshua, there was nothing wrong with the people, so he prayed: "Alas, Lord God, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all, to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content to dwell on the other side of the Jordan!" (Joshua 7:7). There is always a cause for everything that happens to us, but people often assume that failure comes from heaven. The Lord is never wrong!

         The Almighty is patient in His actions. He knows our nature and understands that we do not accept defeat, but blame others for it. "O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and surround us, cutting off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?" (Joshua 7:8-9).

         The answer came shortly after, and Joshua sought out the culprit: "Get up, sanctify the people, and say, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, for thus says the Lord God of Israel: "There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you"'" (v. 13). They removed the curse!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares