MEMORY VERSE: “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city” (Joshua 6:20).   

TEXT: Joshua 6:1-27

New of Israel’s miraculous passage across flooded Jordan spread far and wide and sent shivers down the spines of the inhabitants of Jericho and beyond. Their fear was reinforced by earlier reports of the manifestation of God’s power in drying up the Red Sea and the defeat of the Amorites (Joshua 2:9-11; 5:1). Three unique events preceded the conquest of Jericho: the circumcision of the children of Israel at Gilgal; the observance of the passover at the plains of Jericho; and the appearance of the “captain of the host of the LORD”. These events, which took place in the previous chapter, were indeed, necessary spiritual preparations for the challenging task of conquering Jericho and eventual possession of Canaan. This study examines the divine strategy for the conquest of Jericho, the commitment, patience and the consequent fall and destruction of Jericho as well perseverance of Israel in following God’s command and as Rahab’s deliverance with her family.

DIRECTIVE FOR THE CONQUEST OF JERICHO (Joshua 6:1-11; Zechariah 4:6,7; Matthew 23:13; 1 John 5:4,5; 2 Chronicles 20:15-17)

Jericho was surrounded with a high, wide, well- fortified and formidable wall so that it appeared impregnable by the enemy. The fortification must have given a sense of false security to the dwellers of the city. The thickness of the wall can be better imagined when we remember that Rahab’s house was built on it (Joshua 2:15). As impregnable as Jericho wall appeared, “…the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour” (Joshua 6:2). The gate of the city was barred, access to the city denied and any form of commercial activity outside the wall was suspended because of the children of Israel. As they advanced towards the city, God planted the dread of Israel in the minds of the inhabitants, including their warriors, according to Rahab’s earlier confession (Joshua 2:9). In contrast, God expects His people to demonstrate faith and confidence in Him in times of battles and challenges of life (Isaiah 43:1,2; 2 Timothy 1:7). All the precautions the inhabitants of Jericho took only represented man’s futile efforts at averting divine judgment and consequences of persistent sinning. But we must commend their vigilance and measures taken to secure the city. It is an example of how true believers are to be sober and vigilant and keep their hearts with all diligence (1 Peter 5:8; Proverbs 4:23). We are to be security conscious despite divine promises to keep and preserve us because the days are evil. The strategy for the destruction of Jericho was God- ordained. He gave Joshua details of how to conquer the city. “And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him” Joshua 6:3-5). The victory was to be won God’s way and in obedience to His command. This uncommon military strategy was to teach Israel to trust and depend on God, and to learn to expect success, not from their fighting skills but by divine providence (Zechariah 4:6,7; 1 John 5:4). Two, they were to learn to appreciate divine instructions and act on them implicitly by faith. Three, it was to make them ascribe all glory to God. They later testified: “For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them” (Psalm 44:3). It would amount to robbing God of the glory due to Him to think about themselves or any other person as the source of their victory. God’s instruction that the children of Israel should maintain absolute silence until the seventh day when they were to give a uniform shout was not without its purposes. Whatever they were, it was commendable that they disciplined themselves and responded with prompt obedience to Joshua’s instruction. “And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout” (Joshua 6:10). Their compliance with Joshua’s instruction to march round the city in deep solemnity without a shout is praise- worthy. How often are people tempted to ignore or forget the place of God-ordained leadership in times of crises! Obedience brings blessings. Careful attention to divine precepts and patient perseverance in following them are the surest pathways to success. It needs be underscored here that believers’ battles against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against are spiritual-“…against principalities, against powers, spiritual wickedness in high places” (2 Corinthians 10:3; Ephesians 6:12).

DESTRUCTION AND FALL OF JERICHO (Joshua 6:12- 24; Exodus 23:27; 15:16; 2 Corinthians 10:4,5; Hebrews 11:30; Luke 17:26-29; Psalm 9:17; Isaiah 55:7)

The children of Israel observed religiously the instructions given to them by Joshua. The ark of God was to be carried by the priests round the city once a day for six days, attended by the men of war in silence. But on the seventh day, they were to compass the wall seven times after which the priests would blow the trumpet seven times. At the seventh sound, the people were to shout. “And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times” (Joshua 6:15). At last, the shout of the host of Israel resonated in obedience to divine command. It was a triumphant shout; a shout of faith! “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city” (Joshua 6:20). The Israelites’ implicit trust and faith in God’s promises was pivotal to the fall of Jericho. The sudden fall of the wall of Jericho, no doubt, threw the inhabitants of Jericho into sudden consternation that they could not resist the sword of Israel. The men of war descended on the entire city, razed and destroyed it to its foundation. The wall collapsed by the direct act of God and the city was taken because of Israel’s obedience to His word and their faith in His miraculous power. The New Testament re-affirms the fact that, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days” (Hebrews 11:30). Through faith in God’s word, we can be victorious in the battles of life, defeat our enemies and possess our inheritance in Christ (1 John 5:4). Whatever represents Jericho walls strongholds, mountains, barriers – in life can be overcome by faith if they hold on to God’s between believers and their divinely ordained purpose promises. The utter destruction of the city of Jericho reminds who ignore or reject God’s gracious offer of salvation in us of the impending judgment on all impenitent sinners Christ (Proverbs 11:21). Jericho’s organised defence, her impregnable walls, aggressive officers, and security system could not save them on the day of divine visitation. They had spurned God’s warning for a very long time and failed to repent until judgment finally came (Hebrews 2:3). God delights in mercy and not judgment. However, when people take His mercy for granted and continue in sin, He will surely judge all sinners (Micah 7:18; 2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, believers should passionately and regularly preach the gospel to rescue unconverted people from the judgment to come (2 Corinthians 5:11).

DELIVERANCE OF RAHAB FROM ACCURSED JERICHO (Joshua 6:25-27, 22, 23; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25; Galatians 3:10; 1 Kings 16:34)

“And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho” (Joshua 6:25). The preservation of Rahab and her household from the destruction unleashed upon Jericho was in fulfilment of the agreement made with the two spies and on account of her faith in God. “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11:31). The will of God for believers is that they and their household will be saved. We need to pray continually for the conversion of members of our families and claim God’s promise that He will save them (Acts 16:31,32). Rahab believed and identified with the God of Israel. The woman caught in the act of adultery and brought to Christ also received forgiveness (John 8:1-11). No matter how morally weak a sinner may be, God will receive and save him or her the same way He saved these women (Isaiah 55:7). God honours faith anywhere it is manifested. He has promised that Whosoever believes in Christ shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:15,16). Joshua’s saving of Rahab, the harlot, and admitting her into the camp of Israel pointed to the future admission of the Gentiles into Christ’s Kingdom (Matthew 21:31). After the conquest of Jericho, Joshua placed a curse on anyone who attempted to rebuild it. “…Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his first born, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it” (Joshua 6:26). Only the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron were consecrated unto the Lord. Outside of these, every other thing or person in Jericho was accursed. And the Lord specifically warned: “…the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein”. The full weight of the curse was brought upon those who attempted to rebuild the city later (1 Kings 16:34). However, the outworking of a curse upon an individual, a nation or tribe can be revoked through repentance, prayer and faith in the atoning blood of Christ because, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13,14). Jericho did not perpetually remain an accursed city as it was later graced with the presence of not only the two great prophets Elijah and Elisha – in the Old Testament, but also by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Himself (2 Kings 2:4-22; Luke 18:35; Matthew 20:29). The fall of Jericho is a timely warning to all prosperous cities of the world and their Inhabitants who reject God. The assurance we have as believers is that we can bring down spiritual and legal bulwarks inhibiting the penetration of the gospel into the unreached places through co-ordinated warfare prayers and gospel outreaches. God’s unfailing promise in this regard is: “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psalm 2:8). As the Lord was with Joshua, He has promised to be with us even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:20).

Questions for review:

1. What do we learn from the uncommon military strategies given to Joshua by God?

2. Explain the role of faith in the defeat of Jericho.

3. What can saints and sinners learn from the destruction of Jericho?

4. What can believers learn from Israel’s obedience not to shout until the seventh day?

5. Why did Rahab escape being destroyed with the inhabitants of Jericho?

6. How can believers pull down their strongholds?

7. Explain how the death of Christ delivered believers from the curse of the law.       

Thank You Jesus,

Salvation Prayers

If you don’t Know Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour and would like to accept him into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, Please say this prayer:

Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from You. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward You. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your Will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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