How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
Then Joshua son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." So they went, and entered the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and spent the night there. (NRSV 2:1)
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. (KJV 2:1)
Ah, reconnaissance—the bread and butter of strategy building. To successfully navigate the unknown lands of Canaan, Joshua sends in two spies to scout the land. What do they do first? Go to a brothel. Nice job guys. We wonder if any other Israelites would have gone this route...
Quote #2
When all the kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted, and there was no longer any spirit in them, because of the Israelites. (NRSV 5:1)
And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them anymore, because of the children of Israel. (KJV 5:1)
God = intense fear. That's probably not the most accurate statement today, but to the Canaanites, the God of Israel was definitely a force to be reckoned with. And when it comes to warfare, a boatload of fear usually works against you.
Quote #3
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, "Go up and spy out the land." And the men went up and spied out Ai. Then they returned to Joshua and said to him, "Not all the people need go up; about two or three thousand men should go up and attack Ai. Since they are so few, do not make the whole people toil up there." So about three thousand of the people went up there; and they fled before the men of Ai. The men of Ai killed about thirty-six of them, chasing them from outside the gate as far as Shebarim and killing them on the slope. The hearts of the people melted and turned to water. (NRSV 7:2-5)
And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. (KJV 7:2-5)
The most dreaded part of battle—losing. Because of their massive victory over Jericho, the Israelite army has become arrogant. And as Han Solo tells us, we're not supposed to get cocky. Oh, and let's not forget Achan, the reason why God falls out of favor with the Israelites. Maybe if he wasn't arrogant enough to disobey God then everyone would be happy. And, in Achan's case, alive.