The army of Ai defeated the Israelites easily, and Joshua could not figure out why, assuming the Lord had forsaken them,

And Joshua said,

“Alas, Lord God, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?” (Joshua 7:7–9).

Joshua was even willing to dwell on the East side of the Jordan, instead of facing great humiliation from their enemies. However, notice that the last thing Joshua said connected the name of Israel with the name of God, and if Israel suffered defeat, that would dishonor the name of God.

God then revealed to Joshua the problem, and he fixed it immediately, then Israel went back to winning their battles.