But, at the next Canaanite stronghold to conquer, something had gone terribly wrong: the Israelites were defeated! The Lord informed Joshua that there was sin in the camp. When this was corrected, the covenant relationship with God was restored. The current archaeological dig at Khirbet el-Maqatir is also like a new battle for the correct location of Ai. Other locations identified as Ai, did not correspond with the Bible. Thus, many seculars and liberals question the reliability of the book of Joshua. To them, the Bible is just myths and legends. However, locating Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir agrees on all accounts with God's word. God gave a new plan to finally conquer ancient Ai; and so, the Israelites had a complete victory. For an excellent application series on the Book of Joshua, google calvaryftl sermon archives and plug in book of Joshua and 2012.
I thought the loss at Ai was due to an Israelite's keeping of 'the accursed thing' (some gold/silver/lapis idol), an Israelite whom they stoned before they buried the accursed thing.
mythmanjay 10 months ago