Joshua 8

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.” And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand toward the city.  So those in ambush arose quickly out of their place; they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand, and they entered the city and took it, and hurried to set the city on fire. vv.18-19

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Man is the Lord an amazing army commander!  This is an ambush plan God gave Joshua and the Israelite army to carry out to destroy Ai.  Of 30,000 soldiers of Israel, 5,000 lay in wait to ambush the city once all the men of Ai go after the rest of Israel into the desert pursuing to fight them.  Definitely goes to show you the importance of guarding your home basis that it's not only about the front lines in battle.  When have you seen or experience ambush of a base or part of your life attacked that you didn't give any guard to till it was too late?
Well just like Moses at the battle over the Amalekites in Exodus 17 when he held up his hands and rod the Israelites were winning, so Joshua kept his javelin raised and pointed at Ai till the battle was over with Israel winning.  Just because the Israelites won the battle didn't mean it wasn't hard, exhausting, draining - even for Joshua to hold a heavy metal pole up for so long is no easy task.  Who have been supporters in your life to help you in the battles no matter the length or size of the battle?  And how has that strengthened both of you?