Definition: And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 7:7. It's a really important and emotionally charged passage in the Bible. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Situation: Israel is trapped: Israel was in a terrible situation – they were facing an invasion by the Amorites (a nomadic people) who were moving into their land. They wanted to go elsewhere: The Israelites were desperate and pleaded with God for a different solution. They wanted to move away from the Amorites, rather than face them directly. God’s Plan: God, in his wisdom (or perhaps as a way of testing Israel), decided to bring them over Jordan River – a massive body of water – to be conquered by the Amorites. This was seen as a punishment for their disobedience. The Plea and Anger: Joshua's Lament: Joshua is expressing profound sadness and anger. He’s saying, "Lord God, why are you bringing us here? We’re being forced into this situation! It’s unfair!" He feels like they're being treated as a victim. The Core Meaning - A Shift in Perspective The verse essentially says: “We’ve been tricked by the Lord! We wanted to avoid the Amorites, but now we’re stuck with them. We’re not happy with this situation and we are angry that God is forcing us into it.” It's about a Test of Faith: This verse also highlights a key part of the story: It was a test of Israel’s faith in God. They were facing a difficult situation, but they weren’t passively accepting it. They were pleading for something different, showing that they trusted in God’s plan even when things didn't seem fair. In short, this verse is about a moment of intense frustration and a shift in perspective – from wanting to avoid a problem to acknowledging that the Lord has chosen a path we don't like. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Joshua 7? Discuss the significance of this passage within the larger story of the Exodus? Offer some context about why God might have made this situation happen?