the only number that matters

Joshua 7:1-3 (JDV)

Joshua 7:1 The Israelites, however, were unfaithful regarding the things set apart for destruction. Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart, and Yahveh’s anger burned against the Israelites.
Joshua 7:2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and scout the land.” So the men went up and scouted Ai.
Joshua 7:3 After returning to Joshua they reported to him, “Don’t send all the people, but send about two thousand or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, don’t wear out all our people there.”

the only number that matters

The scouts were not thinking straight. They somehow got the idea that it was their large numbers which defeated Jericho. But it was God who had empowered them to defeat Jericho. But now God would not release that power, because one man among them had proven unfaithful. It would not matter how many people were dispatched to defeat Ai. Even all the people would not be enough.

When it comes to faithfulness, the only number that matters is one.

Lord, without your help, it does not matter how large our numbers are. Give us the wisdom to be faithful, one at a time.