Great Battles of the Bible

The Fall of Jericho

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

In Joshua 6 we are given the well-known record of how God gave Jericho into the hands of Israel by collapsing the walls that surrounded the city. Possibly if we examine this account once more we can learn something of how God works through those dedicated to His Kingdom to bring about His will.

 

In Joshua 6:1 we are told, “Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.” Here we see that the king of Jericho had found out that spies had left the city and would therefore educate his enemies of any possible weaknesses in the city’s defense. To prevent any further security risks he locked up the city and prevented anyone from entering or leaving. We find Israel outside the city contemplating how to attack and overcome a well-fortified city.

 

Joshua 6:2 gives us a most amazing statement, “Then the LORD said to Joshua, ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and it’s fighting men.’” This statement from the Lord at first glance appears to be tempting Joshua and his men to laughter. I mean think about it. Here Joshua is outside a city with huge thick walls that cannot be scaled or destroyed by any means fathomable and God says, “I have delivered the city into your hands.” I know what stopped these godly men from laughing. They had faith in their God. They had not been told the plan yet, but they knew that if God said it was a battle that could be won, it would be won. God was on their side and that was all that mattered. We Christians today could take lessons from such men of war or should I say, men of faith!

 

In Joshua 6:3-5 God gives His instructions for how the city is to be conquered. He states, “March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in.” Again the instructions from the Lord as to how to defeat the defenses of Jericho seem comical. If you are honest with yourself you have to admit, if you didn’t know the end of the story you might be tempted to laugh at these instructions. You might especially be tempted to question such plans if you were a soldier that was used to fighting your enemy on the battlefield with swords, shields and arrows. Once again, these men of faith immediately respond, not with scoffing laughter, but with faithful obedience.

 

Joshua 6:6-11 states, “So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, ‘Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.’ And he ordered the people, ‘Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD.’ When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD’s covenant followed them. The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. But Joshua had commanded the people, ‘Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!’ So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. Then the people returned to camp and spent the night there.”

 

This faithful obedience to God’s war plans continued for all of the six days just as God had instructed. I’m sure if we were commanded to do this we might oblige God the first or second day. I wonder if we would be so enthusiastic in our obedience the third, fourth, fifth and sixth days? Think about it. You would have to get up early each morning, assemble in formation and march around the entire perimeter of this large city in the hot sun. Fighting in battle is one thing, but to feeble human understanding such marching in a circle is senseless. But despite probable temptations to complain and bicker, these people of God had faith that God’s instructions were to be obeyed to the letter. They did not doubt their Lord God. Each morning they consistently and methodically marched exactly as they were instructed. I wonder what kind of world we would be living in today if every Christian followed the instructions in scripture so faithfully. Would we see our culture and society impacted by such holy living? I think so. Sin would very likely not be so rampant and non-believers would be attracted to such role models of servanthood and ministry. Our country has seen the impact of righteous behavior during the revivals of the Great Awakenings in America. Not only were Christians revived in their faith and numerous people saved from their sins, but also whole towns and cities shifted in their perceptions of what was important in life. Worldliness gave way to morality. Bars and brothels were closed down not because of persecution and picketing from Christians but because their customers for these sins were non-existent. There was no profit in sin during the years of faithful obedience of servants of Christ.

 

 

In Joshua 6:15-20 we see God grant His reward for obedience and the fulfillment of His promise to Israel. The passage reads, “Then on the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, ‘Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury.’ When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.” What a joy it must have been for these servants of God to see what can happen when tested faith is held in place. What amazement there must have been in the power of God to work through humble servants. It must have been a sight that overwhelmed the senses to hear the huge thunderous crash of the walls of Jericho fall down, to feel the ground shake beneath your feet, to brush the dust of pulverized stone from your eyes and clothes that had once been impenetrable walls. I believe that the shout the people gave was not a loud grunt or senseless noise. I believe it was a shout of praise and worship to the God of Israel. Such should be our praise and worship when we are faithful and see God provide. We should let our lungs fill with air and our voices trumpet the mighty works of God when he heals an illness, provides financially, protects those in danger and gives safe passage to a destination.

 

The rest of Joshua 6 tells of the continued dedication of Israel to the Lord God. They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed every living thing within it. Rahab and her family were rescued for their help in the battle and the city was burned to the ground. The precious metals were put in the Lord’s house and Joshua pronounced a curse on anyone who sought to rebuild the city.

 

Verse 27 ends the chapter with a summary of what happens to those who decide to obey the Lord. The blessing is twofold. You experience the presence of the Lord close to your soul and those around you sense His presence and respect your reputation. These blessings are given to both reward the faithful and bring glory to God and His Kingdom. If more Christians today lived as Joshua and Israel did during the siege of Jericho Christians would have a much richer reputation in the world and a much greater impact on the society in which we live.

 

In what way can you be a Joshua? Are there corrections that you can make in your life as you seek to live according to the prompting of the Holy Spirit? I would challenge you to listen for direction from God’s word, from the Holy Spirit and from the wise counsel of those faithful ones you fellowship with and live for God as you are called to by Jesus Christ.