Joshua 6
Today's Passage: Joshua 6
Hebrews 11:30–31—The Hall of Faith
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
The second generation from Egypt has crossed the Jordan on dry land, entering the Land of Promise. They laid the stones of remembrance as a generational reminder for the 12-tibes. The followed the command of the Lord in circumcision for all the males—in obedience to the Abrahamic Covenant. After an appropriate time of healing, Israel celebrated Passover from the produce of the Land, then the manna stopped.
After decades of nomadic wanderings, in Joshua 6, the conquest began. Jericho was a stronghold for the region. It was not only strategically necessary, but also a witness to Israel of the Lord’s power.
Israel’s battle-plan meant that recently circumcised men had to march around the city seven times. Then, on the seventh time, the soldiers were to shout as the rams horns blasted a long note. That’s not exactly the advice from Sun Tzu’s Art of War. Israel had to march, but it was clear who won the victory.
Matthew Henry said, “Nothing can more raise a man’s reputation, nor make him appear more truly great, than to have the evidences of God’s presence with him.” As the walls of Jericho crumbled, God’s presence with Israel and with Joshua was evidenced. We can imagine that their shouts and the sounds of the horns rang out in the region such that other cities and inhabitants heard the Lord’s victory striking fear into Israel’s enemies.
The battle of Jericho is one of, if not the, greatest moment in Israel’s history. It represents the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s Promise to Abraham centuries earlier. It was a complete victory for the Lord and His People. It’s one of the only examples of complete and total obedience—albeit short-lived as we’ll see tomorrow. We even see Rahab and her family integrated into Israel for her faith in Yahweh. She’s not only explicitly mentioned in the Hall of Faith, but she’s also in Matthew 1 in the lineage of Jesus.
So, what should we take away from this chapter. I think there are several things, but I’d like to highlight just a few. First, Jericho wasn’t destroyed because God needed to make room for people he liked more. No, Jericho was destroyed because they were worthy of God’s fierce and terrible judgment. They were homicidal, infanticidal, rapists who acted wickedly in every sense of the word. It’s good and right to fear God’s divine judgment—especially when we consider that those we love who die outside of a relationship with Christ will face it.
Secondly, alongside God’s judgment, we see his grace and mercy. Israel didn’t deserve the victory. God knew Israel’s unfaithfulness and what lay ahead regarding their disobedience. Yet, he fought on their behalf anyway. Additionally, we see Rahab saved by grace through faith.
Finally, let us consider God’s timing in his victory. God promised this Land to Abraham, so this victory was centuries in the making. Israel had to endure many trials, including slavery in Egypt. Sometimes we find ourselves asking, “Where is God in this?” That’s fair. Just because victory may come, it’s up to God’s timing, not ours. Maybe we’re the generation that gets to witness a great victory (Acts 1:11)—or maybe we’re one of the many generations that God called to endure while we await the promise.
Written By: Tyler Short
Hebrews 11:30–31—The Hall of Faith
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
The second generation from Egypt has crossed the Jordan on dry land, entering the Land of Promise. They laid the stones of remembrance as a generational reminder for the 12-tibes. The followed the command of the Lord in circumcision for all the males—in obedience to the Abrahamic Covenant. After an appropriate time of healing, Israel celebrated Passover from the produce of the Land, then the manna stopped.
After decades of nomadic wanderings, in Joshua 6, the conquest began. Jericho was a stronghold for the region. It was not only strategically necessary, but also a witness to Israel of the Lord’s power.
Israel’s battle-plan meant that recently circumcised men had to march around the city seven times. Then, on the seventh time, the soldiers were to shout as the rams horns blasted a long note. That’s not exactly the advice from Sun Tzu’s Art of War. Israel had to march, but it was clear who won the victory.
Matthew Henry said, “Nothing can more raise a man’s reputation, nor make him appear more truly great, than to have the evidences of God’s presence with him.” As the walls of Jericho crumbled, God’s presence with Israel and with Joshua was evidenced. We can imagine that their shouts and the sounds of the horns rang out in the region such that other cities and inhabitants heard the Lord’s victory striking fear into Israel’s enemies.
The battle of Jericho is one of, if not the, greatest moment in Israel’s history. It represents the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s Promise to Abraham centuries earlier. It was a complete victory for the Lord and His People. It’s one of the only examples of complete and total obedience—albeit short-lived as we’ll see tomorrow. We even see Rahab and her family integrated into Israel for her faith in Yahweh. She’s not only explicitly mentioned in the Hall of Faith, but she’s also in Matthew 1 in the lineage of Jesus.
So, what should we take away from this chapter. I think there are several things, but I’d like to highlight just a few. First, Jericho wasn’t destroyed because God needed to make room for people he liked more. No, Jericho was destroyed because they were worthy of God’s fierce and terrible judgment. They were homicidal, infanticidal, rapists who acted wickedly in every sense of the word. It’s good and right to fear God’s divine judgment—especially when we consider that those we love who die outside of a relationship with Christ will face it.
Secondly, alongside God’s judgment, we see his grace and mercy. Israel didn’t deserve the victory. God knew Israel’s unfaithfulness and what lay ahead regarding their disobedience. Yet, he fought on their behalf anyway. Additionally, we see Rahab saved by grace through faith.
Finally, let us consider God’s timing in his victory. God promised this Land to Abraham, so this victory was centuries in the making. Israel had to endure many trials, including slavery in Egypt. Sometimes we find ourselves asking, “Where is God in this?” That’s fair. Just because victory may come, it’s up to God’s timing, not ours. Maybe we’re the generation that gets to witness a great victory (Acts 1:11)—or maybe we’re one of the many generations that God called to endure while we await the promise.
For a very good documentary of the battle of Jericho, check out this video:
Written By: Tyler Short
1 Comment
Thanks for the deeper dive into Joshua 6. The links you include always really help bring further insight to the Jumpstart passage! 😆