Strategies for Battle

The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a classic treatise on strategy and leadership, emphasizing the importance of preparation, adaptability, and understanding of yourself and your opponent. It explores winning conflicts through intelligence and strategy rather than brute force, advocating for flexibility and avoiding prolonged warfare. Sun Tzu stresses the importance of exploiting weaknesses, maintaining discipline, and using deception to gain the upper hand. The principles are applicable not only to warfare but also to business, politics, and even spiritual battles.

After Israel defeated Jericho in Joshua 6 they sent a small force to battle the smaller city of Ai. The result was a humiliating defeat of Israel. They had unguarded strengths and hidden weaknesses they had not considered and the enemy of their souls exploited both. Fortunately, this was not the end of the story. 

"The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand." - Psalm 37:23–24

No matter our mistakes, the worst mistake of all is not to try again; for “the victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings” (Alexander Whyte). In Joshua 8:1-29, we can find some important lessons about the areas in our lives where we are the most vulnerable to attack. Crafty enemies can exploit our weaknesses and strengths.