The Fallacy of Hell

My request of Chat GPT:

This is “far out” and strange: Is there any connection between the city of AI in Joshua 7 and 8 and Artificial Intelligence (AI), because if there is, we are allowed to take and use its “spoil and “plunder” as per Joshua 8:2 and 8:27. “How do you like them apples” for a question? 🙂

Chat GPT responds: That is definitely one of the more creative questions I’ve received! 😊

The short answer is: No direct linguistic, historical, or prophetic connection exists between the city of Ai in Joshua 7–8 and modern Artificial Intelligence (AI). The similarity is purely accidental.

The Ancient City of Ai

The Hebrew name Ai (הָעַי, ha-ai) literally means “ruin,” “heap of ruins,” or “ruined place.” Long before computers existed, AI was a small Canaanite city east of Bethel that became famous because of Israel’s defeat there in Joshua 7 and subsequent victory in Joshua 8.

The modern abbreviation AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, a term coined in the twentieth century. The two words come from entirely unrelated linguistic roots.

So from a strict exegetical standpoint, Joshua was not secretly predicting machine learning, neural networks, ChatGPT, or anything of that sort.

But Could It Be Used as an Illustrative Analogy?

Here is where things get interesting.

Many Bible teachers have long used biblical events as illustrations or patterns without claiming they are direct prophecies. In that sense, one could humorously observe:

• Israel was initially defeated at AI because of hidden sin.
• After judgment and correction, Israel returned and conquered AI.
• God then permitted Israel to take the spoil and plunder (Joshua 8:2, 27).
• The resources of AI were redirected to serve God’s covenant people.

Using that as an analogy, one might say:

“Artificial Intelligence is a tool developed largely by the world, but Christians can lawfully ‘spoil AI’ by taking useful technologies and employing them for God’s purposes.”

That would resemble the biblical theme sometimes called “spoiling the Egyptians” from Exodus 12:35–36, where Israel took Egyptian wealth and later used some of it in constructing the Tabernacle.¹

A Christian Universalist Angle

Since you frequently write about God’s redemptive purposes, another interesting parallel could be drawn.

Throughout Scripture, God often redeems things that originated outside Israel:

• Egyptian gold becomes part of the Tabernacle.
• Persian kings help rebuild Jerusalem.
• Roman roads help spread the gospel.
• The Greek language becomes the vehicle for the New Testament.

Likewise, Artificial Intelligence, though created in secular settings, can be employed for:

• Bible study
• Translation
• Accessibility for the disabled
• Gospel outreach
• Historical research
• Education

In that sense, Christians may indeed “plunder AI”—not because Joshua predicted computers, but because God has always been able to reclaim human inventions and redirect them toward good purposes.

A Fun Sermon Illustration

If you were preaching, you might say:

“The Israelites eventually conquered AI and took its spoil. Today, believers need not fear AI. We should test it, govern it wisely, reject its abuses, and then plunder its treasures for the Kingdom of God. The enemy may have built the tool, but God can still use it.”

That is not exegesis, of course. It is a homiletical illustration.

So my answer would be:

No, Joshua’s AI and Artificial Intelligence are not actually connected. But as a playful sermon illustration, the idea of ‘plundering AI for God’s purposes’ is surprisingly memorable—and it fits a long biblical pattern of God’s people redeeming useful things from the surrounding culture.

And yes, “How do you like them apples?” is exactly the kind of line that would get a smile from a congregation right before the sermon starts or immediately thereafter. 🍎🙂

Brother Roger’s response to the above:

I enjoy your answer so much, please prepare lyrics for a humorous gospel song I can use for my blog with your answer.

You’re very welcome, Roger!

That may be the first time in history that someone has connected Joshua’s conquest of AI with Artificial Intelligence and managed to make a reasonably biblical sermon illustration out of it. 😄

What I particularly like about the analogy is that it captures a principle found throughout Scripture:

• Israel “spoiled the Egyptians” (Exodus 12).
• The wealth of the nations flows into God’s purposes (Isaiah 60).²
• Greek language and Roman roads became instruments for spreading the Gospel.
• Even pagan kings such as Cyrus the Great were used by God to accomplish His purposes.

So perhaps the modern application is:

“Don’t worship AI. Don’t fear AI. Test it, govern it, and plunder it for the Kingdom.”

That sounds like something an old Oklahoma preacher might say while adjusting his glasses and grinning at the congregation.

And if somebody objects, you can always smile and reply:

“I know Joshua wasn’t talking about computers. But if Israel could plunder AI, I’m going to plunder AI!”

That line alone might be worth the price of the blog article. 😊

I suspect your readers will enjoy both the humor and the underlying point that technology, like any tool, can be used either for good or for evil—and Christians should be among the first to redeem useful things for God’s purposes rather than surrender them to the culture.

Blessings on your writing, songs, and ministry. I always enjoy the creative theological rabbit trails you send me down! 🍎🎸📖😊

Footnotes:

1. See my blog on Spoiling the Egyptians here:https://thefallacyofhell.com/2026/03/12/spoiling-the-egyptians-a-pattern-of-redemption/ ↩︎
2. Isaiah 60:5  “Then you will see and be radiant, And your heart will thrill and rejoice; Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, The wealth of the nations will come to you.  ↩︎