Israel’s first (and most important) battles are told in comparison to demonstrate
one thing clearly: this was God’s war. He was not fighting for them, nor was he fighting
against Canaan; he was establishing his glory on the earth through a people set apart for his name. In Jericho, it is clear who the real winner is. Although the walls of the city lie in ruins, Israel can scarcely take credit. All they did was walk around it in silence, and then not in silence. It was God who delivered them. Ai was a different story; something happened in Jericho that would change the battle in Ai and cause Israel to learn a valuable lesson the hard way; they were to be obedient to YHWH. This was, after all, His battle. A man named Achan had disobeyed the law that YHWH had very clearly spelled out for them; he had stolen some of the items that were to be dedicated to YHWH. Achan’s dishonesty taught Israel two things: God is not going to abide disobedience, and the sins of one will impact the lives of the many. Israel must trust in God and renew the covenant.