Joshua 8 · Grade 4
Starting Again With God
Read and Think
After Achan's sin was dealt with, Yahweh spoke words of comfort: Don't be afraid, and don't be dismayed. This time Israel followed God's plan. Joshua set an ambush behind Ai. Then he led the main army toward the city and drew its men out.
Yahweh told Joshua to stretch out his javelin toward Ai. The ambush rose and entered the city. Joshua kept the javelin stretched out until the battle was over, much as Moses had held up his hands. Ai was defeated as God's judgment, and this time Israel was allowed to keep the livestock and the plunder.
Then Joshua obeyed what Moses had commanded long before. He built an altar of uncut stones on Mount Ebal. He wrote a copy of Moses' law on the stones. Then he read every word of it, the blessing and the curse. There was not a word which Joshua didn't read before all the assembly, with the women, the little ones, and the foreigners among them.
Show What You Know
What words of comfort did Yahweh speak after Achan's sin?
How long did Joshua keep the javelin stretched out?
What was Israel allowed to keep this time?
Who heard the law read besides the men?
Think About It
God gave Israel a fresh start after failure. How does God give you fresh starts?
Who heard Joshua read the law?
Memory Verse
“There was not a word of all that Moses commanded which Joshua didn’t read before all the assembly of Israel, with the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who were among them.”
Joshua 8:35 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for Your word for every person. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How was this battle different from the first try at Ai?
- What did Joshua build on Mount Ebal?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.