Definition: And all the people that [were] in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 8:16. It’s a really important story about God’s plan! Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, God decided to punish the people of Ai because they were being disrespectful and causing trouble. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And all the people that [were] in Ai…” – This refers to the people of Ai. It's a general statement about everyone who was in Ai. “…were called together to pursue after them:” - God sent a massive army to attack Ai. He wanted to make sure they were brought to their knees. “Called together” means he instructed them to gather and come together. “And they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.” – This is the key part! The people of Ai, because of God’s command, started running towards Joshua, the leader of the army. But, because they were being led by Joshua, they started to lose interest in their own affairs and moved toward him. They were pulled away from their homes, their lives, and their normal routines – all because of his presence. In short, God used a coordinated effort to bring the people of Ai into his control. It was a strategic move to punish them for their disobedience. Why is this important? This story shows that even when people are rebellious or misbehave, God can still use them to achieve His purpose. It’s a reminder that God often works in mysterious and unexpected ways! --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage (when did it happen, why was Ai important)?