7:3
The spies were confident of victory. They reckoned that only two or three thousand men were needed to take the city. They did not have the fear that the spies in Numbers had, but their perspective was based on a purely human view. Thus can happen to all of us, whether as individuals or as churches. After experiencing some success under God’s guidance and empowerment we start to think that we can manage on our own. For instance if a church has evangelistic success they start to think that the method used was the key to success, rather than the grace and anointing of God. Sometimes, there will even be a movement that arises, based on the method, rather than the presence of God. We all need to be careful.
7:4,5
So three thousand men went up, giving the other Israelites a rest. However, rather than the easy victory that was anticipated, the army was routed by the men of Ai. One of the messages of this and the previous chapter is that when we follow God’s plans, trusting in Him, we win, when we disobey Him and rely on our own strength and wisdom we lose. However, only thirty six Israleites were killed. But the army was defeated, and Israel was now filled with fear.
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