Fear falls on Israel after the defeat at Ai but the Lord appears to comfort and empower. The book of Joshua unfolds from crossing the Jordan (chapters 1-5), to conquering (6-12), to allotment (13-21), and finally to worship (22-24). Right here in the midst of conquest, Israel suffers a setback. Now they must regroup and move forward. The Christian life and the advance of the gospel follow this same pattern: victory in Christ, setbacks and suffering, and encouraging advance.