"Joshua 7," tells us about how God has control over the Israelites when they went out to fight the people of Ai. The chapter starts with saying that a treacherous sin had been committed amongst the Israelites, and that Achan the son of Carmi had committed this trespass. In verse 2 of this chapter, Joshua sends out some spies to go and spy out the land of Ai. The spies went out, and when they came back, they came back with good news. They told Joshua that the people in Ai were few, and that the Israelites could easily conquer them. For this reason, Joshua only sent out 3,000 men to fight. This way, he wouldn't have to tire out all his troops. Joshua didn't even submit his plans to the Lord, because he didn't think it was necessary. He and all the people thought it would be very easy to conquer the people of Ai, especially after they had just conquered Jericho. They hadn't yet realized that there was a sinner amongst them. .
The 3000 men set out for Ai, and there was little fear in the camp while they were gone. There was little fear until messengers rushed into the camp, telling the people there that the Israelites had just fled from the people of Ai, and that 36 people had been killed. The people from Ai had prevailed against the Israelites. .
This defeat was a big shock to the Israelites. This was their first defeat since they had reached the land. They had just defeated the people of Jericho, who were many, and now they had been defeated by the people of Ai, who were few. .
The defeat was also a very big shock to Joshua. He and all his elders fell with their faces to the earth in front of the ark of God. They covered their heads with dust and tore their clothes. They remained in front of the ark until evening. Joshua prayed to God, imploring of Him why this defeat had occurred. Joshua told God that his name would be reviled because the Canaanites would hear of the defeat and surround the Israelites and overtake them.
