34. JERICHO

"The wall fell down flat"

Aim

To show that Israel was able to capture Jericho because they believed what God said and obeyed His commands

Synopsis

The people of Canaan heard how Israel's God had made a dry path for them to cross over the River Jordan, and "their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel" (Josh. 5:1). It was as Rahab had told the spies - "all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you" - so the Israelites only had to wait for God's direction and faithfully obey His commands in order to gain the victory.

Joshua 5:12-15; 6

THE CAPTAIN OF YAHWEH'S HOST INSTRUCTS JOSHUA: Joshua 5:12-15; 6:1-6

For some weeks the children of Israel encamped at Gilgal, not far from Jericho. The manna which God had sent each day for them to eat in the wilderness ceased. Now they were to eat of the good things that grew in the land of Canaan (Josh. 5:12). They could see the strong walls of the city rising above the palm trees. Here was a test of faith and courage, because they had no heavy weapons such as battering rams, to make a hole in the high walls; but Joshua was quite certain of victory and had every confidence that God was with him.

However, he decided to have a closer look at Jericho, no doubt wondering by what means God would deliver the city into his hands. As he came near he suddenly saw a powerful-looking warrior with a sword in his hand. Fearlessly, Joshua approached him and asked, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries (ie enemies)?" "I am the captain of Yahweh's Host", was the reply. This was no ordinary soldier, but an angel of God sent to strengthen Joshua. In the presence of God's messenger, Joshua bowed himself to the ground and asked what God wanted him to do. He was told to remove his shoes € "for the place whereon thou standest is holy" (v15).

The angel began his message with these thrilling words: "See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour" (v2). Then he went on to tell Joshua how the city would be taken. It was to be a victory gained by faith not with weapons of war (vv3-5).

Inside the city, the people waited fearfully for the expected attack by Israel. The gate was kept shut day and night, instead of only at night time. No one went out or came in. They could do nothing but wait and rely on the strength of Jericho's high walls for protection. Anxiously they watched for any movement from the camp of Israel, and must have been very puzzled by what they saw.

Once each day for the next six days the Israelites left their camp and marched around the city. First came the armed men, then seven priests blowing on trumpets of rams' horns, and next came the Ark carried by the priests, followed by more men of war. The whole company then returned to the camp.

On the seventh day the march began as usual, but continued until the city had been encircled seven times.

JERICHO'S WALLS FALL FLAT - THE CITY TAKEN: Joshua 6:1

God's instructions, given by the angel to Joshua, were faithfully followed and every day went according to plan. For the first six days the people marched around in silence, broken only by the note of the priests' trumpets. The Israelites were told they must not make any noise until Joshua gave the command. When the time came, Joshua would give the signal and the priests would blow a blast on the trumpets. Then all the people must give a great shout. The success of the whole operation depended on their absolute obedience in carrying out God's commands.

At dawn on the seventh day the people commenced their march and continued until they had gone around the city seven times. Then the priests blew a long blast on the trumpets and Joshua gave the command: "Shout, for Yahweh hath given you the city" (v16). The people gave a great shout and God caused the walls of Jericho to topple and fall, leaving the way open for the soldiers to go straight in and take the city and carry out God's judgments on the wicked people (Deut. 7:2-4; 9-5).

RAHAB SAVED: Joshua 6:21-27

God had told Joshua that everything in the city was to be destroyed. Only Rahab and all in her house would be saved because she hid the spies and showed faith in the God of Israel. Rahab had gathered her family inside and had tied the line of scarlet thread in the window. So she and all in the house were saved, as the spies had promised. All the other people and the animals were slain by the sword.

The Israelites were warned not to take anything out of Jericho for themselves, in case they brought a curse upon the camp of Israel. The city was 'devoted' to God, who had given them the victory, so that all that was in it was His. This meant that the silver, gold, brass and iron were to be placed in the treasury and everything else was to be utterly destroyed by fire. Jericho was the first city in Canaan to be taken and the victory was Yahweh's. So Israel had to learn that they must not take for themselves what belonged to God.

LESSON FOR US

The great lesson of Jericho's destruction is one of faith and obedience. Israel had to trust in God's Word and His power to give them the victory and they had to do exactly as He commanded. Rahab also, who had heard about Israel's God, believed and acted upon her faith. So God saved her. We, too, must believe God's Word and do exactly as He has commanded us.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

In Heb. 11:6 we read that "without faith it is impossible to please God". This story teaches us that lesson very clearly. Both Joshua and all the Israelites had to have faith that God could destroy Jericho. "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven days" (Heb. 11:30). It was God's work. He caused the walls to fall down. But they had to believe and obey first. "By faith Rahab perished not with them that believed not" (Heb. 11:31). It was God who saved her house from destruction when the rest of the wall fell down flat.

How can we have such great faith? Paul tells us that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom.10:17). So reading and believing the Word of God is the first thing we must do to please Him. This is how we learn to love Him. Rahab learned to love God and we know that she became an adopted Israelite, and the ancestor of King David (Matt.1:5). If we have faith like Rahab's we can be adopted into the Hope of Israel too € by baptism into the Lord Jesus Christ. In this way we become adopted children of Abraham and "heirs according to the promise" which God made to him (Gal. 3:29).

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

1. Where did Israel make camp after they crossed the Jordan?

2. What did Joshua say to the warrior who met him?

3. Who did the warrior say he was?

4. How many times did the people march around the city each day for six days?

5. How many times did the people march around the city on the seventh day?

6. What happened to the walls of Jericho?

7. What were the Israelites to do to the city of Jericho?

8. Were any of the people saved when Jericho was taken?

9. To whom did the treasure of the city of Jericho belong?

10. What was to be done with the treasure from Jericho?

Detailed Answers

1. Tell the story of how Jericho was destroyed. (Begin by telling what Israel did each day).

2. What important lesson do we learn from Jericho's destruction?

Additional Questions

3. Tell of Joshua's meeting with the angel near Jericho.

4. (a) How can we have faith like Rahab and Joshua?

(b) How can be become adopted into the Hope of Israel?