what the king didn’t know

Joshua 8:14-17 (JDV)

Joshua 8:14 When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, the men of the city hurried and went out early in the morning so that he and all his people could engage Israel in battle at a suitable place facing the Arabah. But he did not know there was an ambush waiting for him behind the city.
Joshua 8:15 Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten back by them and ran toward the wilderness.
Joshua 8:16 Then all the troops of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they pursued Joshua and were drawn away from the city.
Joshua 8:17 Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city exposed while they pursued Israel.

what the king didn’t know

Why did the king of Ai send all his troops to fight the Israelite soldiers? Why leave the city exposed by sending out all your fighting soldiers? I imagine he felt it would be a strong encouragement for all the soldiers to experience a victory like they had experienced before. He was acting a coach, who puts his second and third string players in the game after the score indicates that the opponent is weak.

But “he did not know” (verse 14). He did not know about the ambush. He also did not know that this was a different Israelite army. It was an army of a nation reconciled with God.

If you have come to Christ, and become born again, expect people to misjudge you. They are basing their expectations on the old you. But you are not the same person, with the same weaknesses.

Lord, thank you for the joy of regeneration.