👉 (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.
Explanation: Okay, letâs break down this passage from Joshua 8:6. Itâs a really significant and dramatic verse in the story of the Israelitesâ conquest of Canaan. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a strategic pause during the battle after the Israelites have already defeated their enemies. Theyâre pausing to prepare for a larger, more dangerous confrontation. Letâs unpack it piece by piece: âFor they will come out after usâŚâ â This means the Israelites are preparing to move forward . They've been fighting and winning, but now they need to take another step. ââŚtill we have drawn them from the cityâŚâ - "Drawing them" refers to a specific group of people â the Canaanites (the people they were conquering). Theyâre essentially leading or moving these people away from their fortified position. âFor they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.â - This is the key part! The Canaanites are warning about the impending attack. They're saying, "They will run away; weâll run to safety." The Israelites are anticipating this and preparing to do the same. What does it mean practically? It's a tactical move designed to give them time to regroup and prepare for a larger battle. It acknowledges that they've won a victory, but there's still a significant threat coming. Overall Significance: This verse is a powerful example of the Israelitesâ faith and preparedness. They werenât just focused on defeating their enemies; they were also thinking ahead about what would happen after the battle was over. It speaks to a deeper understanding that victory isn't enough â you need to be ready for what comes next. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage in more detail? Give you a little background on the story of Joshua and the conquest of Canaan?