Ai

 

    Like the people, places are mentioned in the Bible for a purpose.  Ai is one of those places.  In Hebrew it is hāʿAy (הָעַי).  Ai is also spelled as Hai.  It means a heap of ruins.  Ai was a city in Canaan.  It was located in the central part of the nation near Jericho.  Israel destroyed the city as they progressed into their promised land.  It is believed that they ruins were discovered in modern Et-tell.  

    God appeared to Abram to show him the promised land for his descendants.  Abram saw and was thankful.  He built God an altar right there.  Then he got up and continued his travels south.  He set up camp with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east.  There he built another altar dedicated to God.  Then he continued on with his travels.  

    This is the first mention of Ai in the Bible.  It basically meant that it was included in the promised land for Israel.  It was included in the covenant of redemption between God and Abraham.  God's promises always happen, but when He includes people it becomes a covenant or promise between man and God.

    Israel did get that land eventually, but did not fully appreciate what God had given them.  They violated God's law of setting things and themselves apart from the rest of the world.  Joshua sent some of his men to Jericho to spy out the town of Ai.  They returned to tell Joshua that it would be an easy defeat.  With the guidance of the intel, Joshua sent 3,000 warriors expecting an easy win.  

    Instead Israel was soundly defeated by the men of Ai chasing them out of town.  Many Israelites were killed in their attempt to escape.  Their courage melted to fear.  This was confusing to Joshua, but he was not privy to all the information.  Some of his people had kept sacred pagan objects that God had ordered to be destroyed.  This was the whole nation being punished for a handful of people.

    Joshua discovered the truth and took care of the ugly mess.  When it was time to attack Ai again, the people were rattled and scared, so God reminded Joshua to not be afraid because this time they would win.  Once the sin had been removed, the nation had God's strength again.

    This time Joshua sent 30,000 men at night.  This time he had a strategy instead of a brutal battle.  This would show the people of the land that the Israelites were to be feared.  All the men of Ai and Bethel were killed.  Joshua's men quickly captured and burned Ai.  Anyone who fled was pursued.  Only the king survived to face Joshua.  The city became a permanent mound of ruins and desolation.  Then the king was impaled.  That evening he was thrown down at the town gate to be covered by the ruins.

    The point is if God is with you, no one can stop you.  If you try to deceive God, then nothing can save you.  

Genesis 12:7-9 & Joshua 7:1-5, 8:1-29