“Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand, for into your hand I will deliver the city.’ So Joshua held out toward the city the javelin that was in his hand. As soon as he did this, the men in the ambush rose quickly from their position and rushed forward. They entered the city and captured it and quickly set it on fire.”
- Joshua 8:18-19 -

We learn Joshua's spiritual leadership. After the defeat from the battle against Ai, he tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord and prayed, seeking God's help (7:6-8). He especially concerned God's great name might be disgraced (7:9). He then received God's instruction of purifying the people of God (7:13) and to find out the cause of defeat (Achan's sin) and the execution of Achan was carried out (7:14-26). He then led the troops into battle, using the ambush (8:2-4). When all came out of Ai to pursue the Israelites (fake defeat), Joshua held out javelin (18) toward Ai. Then the soldiers in ambush rose quickly and captured the city (19). It reminds us of Moses' battle against the Amalekites (Exod 17:9–16); Moses raised his hands up holding his staff all day long that brought victory. It shows that Joshua became a leader like Moses. We see that spiritual leadership comes from humble prayer and careful obedience to the words of God.

Prayer: Lord, raise spiritual leaders like Moses and Joshua in our time to lead your people with humble prayer and obedience to your will.