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General Colin Powell believes that when we fight a war, we should overwhelm the enemy with military power. We should not merely match the enemy but overwhelm it with planes, tanks, technology, soldiers, and will power. Ancient Israel did not use this strategy when they set out to defeat the little town of Ai. They thought that since the town was so small, they could defeat it with a handful of soldiers. They lost that battle because of one man. Achan had violated the clear instructions Joshua gave the people as they drew near to Jericho. Joshua had said, “You must destroy everything in the city as an offering to the LORD. Do not take any of the things set part for destruction, or you yourselves will be completely destroyed, and you will bring trouble on the camp of Israel. Everything made from silver, gold, bronze, or iron is sacred to the LORD and must be brought into his treasury. Achan violated that order and stole some of the booty. God was angry, and as a result, they lost the next battle at the little town of Ai. When Joshua sought the LORD to find out why they lost, God said to him, “It is because the nation has sinned and broken my covenant. They have stolen some of the things I commanded must be set apart for me.” We learn that victory requires more than military might. It challenges us to operate on Christ-centered principles–with integrity and justice.
