Bringing Down Jericho’s Walls (February 27, 2023)

 ^“And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.” (Joshua 6:2)

The battle of Jericho, the first city conquered by Israel after crossing the Jordan River and occupying the land of Canaan that God had promised the Jewish people as an everlasting inheritance, is one of the strangest military conquests in human history. The resounding victory at Jericho was achieved supernaturally because the Israelites, under the command of Joshua, trustingly obeyed God’s uncanny instructions. Joshua exercised his faith and followed to the letter the LORD’s radically unconventional, but highly effective military strategy.

The fledgling young nation chosen by God to reveal Himself and His Word to the world marched around the city once a day for six days and seven times on the seventh day. Then, with the piercing blast of the trumpet and the great shout of the people, the walls of Jericho, believed to be one of the oldest cities in the world, crumbled and fell flat. Joshua may have been ridiculed for adopting such a tactical plan, but he wisely trusted that God would keep His promise to deliver the city into Israel’s hand.

Jericho can be viewed as symbolic of the battles that we all must fight in a fallen world ruled by a deceitful arch enemy, Satan. What is your “Jericho”? These hardships, trials, and storms of life come indiscriminately in many forms -- addictions, broken relationships, financial struggles, health issues, loneliness, and other troubles. Like Joshua, we must have faith and prayerfully entrust our battles to a sovereign God who wants to topple the “Jericho” walls of believers who obediently yield to His inexhaustible power, even if we don’t understand His methods!

As God commanded Joshua, so He instructs His faithful today: “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)