Joshua 6:1-2
The book of Joshua is the historical record of Israel claiming the inheritance that had been promised to them. By the power of God, uncrossable rivers are crossed, unscalable heights are scaled, and impossible victories are won. The first battle Israel faced was at the fortified city of Jericho. The first verse of chapter 6 says that the city was securely shut up behind its thick walls. No weapon could penetrate the city, so a victory seemed far fetched. But with God all things are possible!
In verse 2, the Bible says, “And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘See! I have given Jericho into your hand.” Victory was a done deal as far as God was concerned. It is a reminder that believers stand in a position of guaranteed victory because the Lord Jesus has already defeated every spiritual foe. Joshua would have to step out in faith and obey God even though the circumstances seemed impossible. The Lord told him to march around the city once for six days in a row, and then march around it seven times on the seventh day. After the seventh time, the people were to shout. When they did, the walls came tumbling down.
God’s plan for the conquest of Jericho seemed foolish and contrary to conventional wisdom. From a human perspective, it didn’t make sense. Yet His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are much higher than ours. The victory at Jericho could not be attributed to human wisdom and engineering. God delights in using weak and foolish means to defeat His enemies and glorify His name. Many centuries later, God’s own Son would give a shout of victory upon the cross and declare, “It is finished!” In doing so, the wall of separation between God and man would fall. The veil of the temple would be torn in two. We can now come boldly before the throne of grace. It was all made possible by Christ’s finished work of redemption.
The fall of Jericho is an encouragement to God’s people to trust the Lord’s promises and obey His Word no matter how impossible the situation appears to be. What do you need to trust Him for today?
For more, read Joshua 6:1-27; Hebrews 4:14-16
