Joshua spoke to God: “Alas, Sovereign Lord Jehovah, why did you bring this people all the way across the Jordan, just to give us into the hand of the Amorites for them to destroy us? And if only we had taken it upon ourselves and continued dwelling on the other side of the Jordan! Excuse me, O Jehovah, but what can I say after Israel has turned his back before his enemies? And the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and they will certainly surround us and cut our name off from the earth; and what will you do for your great name?”​—Josh. 7:7-9.

We see here that Joshua poured out his heart and feelings without reservation, as should be done in prayer. (Compare Hebrews 10:19-22.) Then, feeling that what he was about to say might sound like a reproaching of Jehovah​—as though God had forgotten His own honor, Joshua asked God how He himself could now uphold His “great name” before the world. The name of Jehovah was tied up with the Israelite nation, and, to Joshua, the reproach that the news of Israel’s defeat would bring upon Jehovah’s name was the most grievous part of the entire matter.​—Compare Moses’ words in interceding for Israel after they had sinned seriously.​—Ex. 32:11-14.