night with the troops

Joshua 8:9-13 (JDV)

Joshua 8:9 So Joshua sent them out, and they went to the ambush site and waited between Bethel and Ai, to the west of Ai. But he spent that night with the troops.
Joshua 8:10 Joshua started early the next morning and mobilized them. Then he and the elders of Israel led the troops up to Ai.
Joshua 8:11 All those who were with him went up and approached the city, arriving opposite Ai, and camped to the north of it, with a valley between them and the city.
Joshua 8:12 Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.
Joshua 8:13 The troops were positioned like this: the main camp to the north of the city and its rear guard to the west of the city. And that night Joshua went into the valley.

night with the troops

Joshua’s night with the troops is significant because he knew that they needed his presence. They needed his assurance that God had not abandoned them — that they would not suffer a humiliating defeat at the hands of this small city again. He wanted to be with them, to pray for them, interceding and seeking God’s wisdom for the next day’s battle.

Thank you, Lord, for leaders who encourage us, take time for us, and seek your wisdom for the battles we will face.