The story of Joshua and the Israelites, afflicted by and fleeing the city of Ai, then winning on their second attempt, has multiple lessons to be learned. Each lesson is designed for a specific time and purpose. Nothing God does is without meaning. Let’s explore a simple breakdown of one verse from Joshua 7:1 and draw upon a couple of stories about a fishing net from Luke and John to tie it all together. We must not become complacent, lose our saltiness, or disregard what the Lord is saying in this hour. The net is here, and A.I. is the vehicle by which many will be deceived into believing and relying on a soulless machine world, rather than moving into it with the power of God, through agape love, and on to our final destination as victors over this age of A.I., just like Joshua at the second battle of Ai.
Bible Study Reading: Joshua 6 – 7; Luke 5; John 21
The beginning of Joshua chapter seven tells the story of the first battle of Ai, a place of consequence for the Israelites, who had committed a trespass into the “accursed thing” during their victory over Jericho. We need to understand God’s message from these experiences so that we do not repeat them, but rather, be victorious as humanity enters the Ai of this season.
“But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.” Joshua 6:1 (KJV)
For context, we need to do a brief review of Joshua chapter six. Joshua saved Rahab and her father’s household before the Israelites destroyed the city of Jericho. The town was burnt entirely; however, the silver, gold, and the vessels of brass and iron were to be put into the Lord’s treasury. God banned them from taking any of it for themselves. After the victory, Joshua cursed any man who would rise up and build “this city, Jericho.”
Jericho can mean its moon, its month, and fragrance. The moon is used to tell time, mark the seasons, and represent cycles. It is also suggested that Jericho was named after the Ugarit (modern-day Syria) moon god Yarikh. Upon further study, Jericho was used as a noun to refer to a place of retirement or concealment (see 2 Samuel 10:5, where King David had his servants “tarry at Jericho”). With this expansion on the word ‘Jericho,’ this rephrasing of the curse Joshua spoke would be one possibility: “Cursed is the man who builds this city of retirement.” Interestingly, there is not a single Hebrew word that conveys the same concept as the English word ‘retirement,’ which means no more work due to one’s age. Jewish culture does not embrace the thought of ceasing to grow, learn, and contribute during one’s lifetime. Is that what Jericho had become? A man-made or artificial rest and retirement city with many riches, where its inhabitants ceased from learning, growing, and seeking truth, and God wanted to destroy it and take back His possession?
Another question to ponder is this: If the Israelites destroyed the ‘artificial city of retirement,’ and were commanded to put all the riches in the Lord’s treasury, where was their rest and their riches now located?
Let’s take a journey into what happened the first time the Israelites went to Ai after this revelation about Jericho. The following explains each section of the verse. Joshua 7:1 begins, “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing.”
• However, the children, the builders of the family name of Israel (he will rule as God; the symbolic name of Jacob after he wrestled the angel at Peniel), through one man’s disobedience and covert actions against God, did not believe He would be their rest and supply in all things.
• The “accursed thing” is the Hebrew word cherem. What Achan did is not only something God prohibited them from accessing or having devotion to, but cherem also means a net, a thing perforated. It can represent something that is doomed, cursed, and appointed for utter destruction.
“For Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing.”
• There is only one Achan in the Bible. The Bible defines Achan’s name to mean troubler, however, the actual meaning is not definitive. It has also been linked to the Chaldean name ‘achana which means serpent.
• Achan was given the distinction as the one who violated God’s ban on obtaining loot from Jericho, and was found out when the Israelites went to destroy Ai and were defeated.
• He was the son of Carmi (my vineyard, garden), the son of Zabdi (endowment, gift), the son of Zerah (rising, dawning), of the tribe (branch of the vine) of Judah (praise, worship). He took (married, took possession from out of) the accursed thing (a net, a thing devoted, dedicated to God, and banned from the Israelites. See word cherem above).
• For his disobedience, the whole nation of Israel lost the first battle at Ai.
• Achan, along with his sons and daughters, was not only stoned to death, but burned in the valley of Achor (trouble) for his folly.
“And the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.”
• And the anger of the Lord (Jehovah, the existing One) was kindled (burned with anger, displeasure) against the children, the builders of the family name of Israel.
Jericho was closed off because of the children of Israel. Still, God gave it into the hand of Joshua, the son of Nun (meaning fish, posterity, or perpetuity). Joshua did as he was commanded, and the city fell. Joshua swore an oath saying, “Cursed be the man before the Lord, that rises up and builds this city, Jericho.” Anyone who would build back Jericho or disobey God would therefore be under it. Achan accessed the curse in that very battle at Jericho, the man-made city of retirement, by deciding not to follow the commands of God given by Joshua to overthrow Jericho and take no silver, gold, nor vessels of brass and iron.
The consequences of the curse were implemented during the first battle of Ai, a city situated on a mound over an ancient settlement, known as a heap of ruins. It was also known as a place of iniquity. Achan not only partook of the forbidden loot physically at the exact location where it was available, a place of iniquity, but had first done so spiritually. We can deduce that he thought to himself, in secret, that taking what God had declared His own would not be found out, then put his thoughts to action and grabbed what he could, thus bringing defeat upon the nation of Israel at the first battle of Ai. Once he was eliminated from the nation, the second battle of Ai was won.
Which Net Will You Choose?
Now, let’s examine the difference between the net breaking in Luke 5:6 and not breaking in John 21:11. What was the difference?
Luke chapter five begins with the story of Christ teaching by the Lake of Gennesaret, which means a harp. Two ships were moored by the lake, and the fishermen were on the shore, washing their nets. Net is the Greek word dicktuon meaning to cast a fishing net. In English, a net is a mesh of string or rope, knotted and twisted, used for trapping something.
Christ entered into Simon’s ship and asked if he would put out a little from land. He then sat down and taught from the boat. Then He asked Simon (the one who hears) to launch out deeper and, “Put down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered that they had been fishing all night and hadn’t caught even one fish. However, “at thy word I will let down the net.” (Side note: They were cleaning multiple nets yet, after the request, Simon only let down ‘the net,’ singular. Some would say he was showing his unbelief and disobedience to the word spoken, but what if it was a test from Jesus to see if Simon would, instead of taking the broad path with the most opportunity to catch something, choose the narrow path, where it was much more difficult to catch fish with one net? I believe he passed the test.) When Simon let it down, they caught a plethora of fish. So many that their net broke, and his fishing partners on the other ship came to help. They filled both ships so full that they began to sink.
Now, let’s fast forward to an event in John 21:1-12. Christ has already died and appeared resurrected, doing many other signs in the presence of His disciples. Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together on the Sea of Tiberius, near Galilee, on the Lake of Gennesaret. Simon Peter says to them, “I’m going fishing.” But this time, it’s different. They all get on the boat, fish all night, and catch nothing. As they were coming in, Jesus, the risen Christ, stood on the shore. He asked, “Children, have ye any meat?” They, not knowing it was Him, answer, “No.”
Jesus says, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” (Notice it says net, singular.) They do, but it quickly fills with fish, and they can’t draw it in because it’s so heavy. Draw here is the Greek word helkuo, which not only means to draw or drag, but metaphorically means to draw by inward power. It wasn’t until “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” considered to be the Apostle John, told Peter (the rock, a type of reed or cane) that it was the Lord, then they realized who was on the shore. It continues with Simon (the one who hears, the inward man) Peter, and the other disciples drawing in the net, filled with a massive amount of fish, to the land, yet it did not break.
So, why did the net break in the first story and not the second? In Luke 5:6, Simon was not yet aware of what was happening. Christ was revealing a portion of His glory (riches, abundance, and provision) in a manner they could understand. Fish were a means of currency in those days. If a fisherman didn’t bring in a catch, his household would be in lack. Christ’s action in displaying His glory to Simon not only convicted him, but convinced him of his sinful nature, falling to his knees, and then committing to follow and obey the only One who could provide for his family. However, even after walking with Jesus, learning and watching Christ operate, the concept was not fully comprehended. That is evident in the fishing story from John chapter twenty-one after Christ had risen. At the shore, Simon, now named Simon Peter, remembers this only after he is reminded of the truth by John. That’s when Simon Peter knew he was laid bare, like a piece of grain, not the plant itself. He knew, Jesus, the Christ, not only supplies our needs physically through Jesus’ Word, but also inwardly through Christ and the Holy Spirit. The narrow path is one that no man can do alone and must draw on the inward power of the Spirit to fulfill His will.
There are consequences for disobeying God. At Ai, the Israelites lost the first battle because Achan fell into a spiritual trap of disobedience. He stole from what had been devoted to God in Jericho. The city represented an artificial place of rest and retirement that was associated with great wealth and abandonment from growth. Joshua cursed anyone who would rebuild it. It was an explicit spiritual warning to everyone against complacency and misplaced trust. A message not only meant for that era, but for all time.
In Luke 5, Simon chooses to cast ‘the net’ at the Word of the Lord, even after having no success on his own. Under the weight of the haul, the net breaks, revealing the glory and provision returning through Jesus, the embodiment of God’s Glory, alone, but manifested through Simon’s obedience. This act brings Simon’s repentance and commitment to follow Him.
In John 21, after Jesus’ resurrection, Simon Peter and those with him have another request made of them, cast ‘the net,’ again after no success. They still did not understand until John, the one whom Jesus loved, told Peter it was the Lord. Now, Simon Peter figures it out. The net does not break this time symbolizing the inward power of the Spirit and brings with it a greater knowledge and understanding of Christ’s provision. It also shows that they were connected to His Love, in the person of the spiritual, risen Christ.
The New Age of A.I.
As we enter the age of the new Ai in the form of A.I. (Artificial Intelligence), we must choose the right net, the right path, and refuse to be ensnared by the “accursed thing” as Achan was. We must learn the lesson of Simon Peter and the disciples, that ALL increase is only made possible by Christ. The narrow path requires our action and reliance on the inward Spirit’s power rather than human effort alone. This principle is critical for human existence to continue to learn, grow, and experience His rest and provision. It is also a lesson that should be applied to everything a person does. All does mean all…
The inter‘net’ has been cast by the systems of the fallen world, and our version of A.I. resides in it. Access the Lord’s treasury, be safely set in His Net, make Him your rest and provision. The consequence of choosing Him leads to no weapon being able to destroy you!
Feature Image: Connected robot GENAI Text to Image; Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION of the Bible.
