Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
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.
And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.
And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the Lord.
And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the Lord, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them.
And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
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.
So the ark of the Lord compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.
And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the Lord, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.
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.
And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.
And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.
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.
And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.
But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.
And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.
And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord.
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.
And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.
So the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.
Joshua 6 tells the dramatic story of the fall of Jericho, a pivotal moment in Israel's conquest of Canaan. This chapter showcases God's power, Israel's obedience, and the crucial role of faith in achieving victory. It's a narrative filled with both military strategy and profound spiritual lessons, offering insights into God's character and His dealings with humanity.
Jericho's Defenses and God's Assurance (Joshua 6:1-2)
The chapter opens by emphasizing the seemingly impenetrable nature of Jericho. "Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in" (Joshua 6:1). The city was heavily fortified, its gates barred, and its inhabitants filled with fear, as Rahab had previously revealed to the spies (Joshua 2:9-11). This fear stemmed from the Israelites' reputation and the perceived power of their God.
However, God immediately reassures Joshua: "See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor" (Joshua 6:2). This declaration is crucial. Before any battle commences, God declares victory. This highlights a key principle: God's promises precede our experiences. The victory was already secured in the divine realm, even before the Israelites took a single step. This assurance was vital for Joshua, as the battle plan God was about to reveal would defy all conventional military logic.
The Unconventional Battle Plan (Joshua 6:3-5)
God's instructions to Joshua are strikingly unusual. He commanded the Israelite army to march around the city once a day for six days, accompanied by seven priests carrying seven trumpets made of rams' horns (shofars). On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times. After the final circuit, the priests were to blow the trumpets, and all the people were to shout. At that moment, God promised, the walls of Jericho would collapse, allowing the Israelites to enter and conquer the city (Joshua 6:3-5).
The repetition of the number "seven" is significant. In Scripture, seven often symbolizes completeness and perfection. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. The seven churches in Revelation represent the universal church. The seven seals, trumpets, and bowls in Revelation signify the completion of God's judgment. In the context of Joshua 6, the repeated use of "seven" underscores the completeness of God's plan and the necessity of following His instructions precisely.
This seemingly absurd battle plan was a test of Israel's faith and obedience. It required them to trust in God's power rather than their own military might. It was an act of worship, demonstrating their dependence on God for victory.
Obedience and the Shout of Faith (Joshua 6:6-20)
Joshua and the people of Israel meticulously followed God's instructions (Joshua 6:6-15). Imagine the scene: day after day, the army silently marched around the city, the priests blowing their trumpets, a spectacle that must have bewildered and perhaps even amused the inhabitants of Jericho. Yet, Israel remained faithful, trusting in God's promise.
On the seventh day, after the seventh circuit, the priests blew the trumpets, and Joshua commanded the people, "Shout, for the Lord has given you the city" (Joshua 6:16). This shout was not merely a war cry; it was an expression of faith, a declaration of God's victory. At that moment, "the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight forward, and they captured the city" (Joshua 6:20).
The author of Hebrews highlights the significance of this event, stating, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days" (Hebrews 11:30). This emphasizes that the victory was not achieved through military prowess but through faith in God's promise and obedience to His commands. Faith is not passive; it involves action, trusting that what God says, He will do.
Rahab's Salvation and Jericho's Destruction (Joshua 6:17-25)
Consistent with the earlier promise, Rahab and her family were spared because of her faith and her act of protecting the Israelite spies (Joshua 6:17, 22-23, 25). Hebrews 11:31 commends her faith. Rahab's inclusion in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5) further underscores God's grace and His willingness to use unlikely individuals for His purposes.
However, the rest of Jericho faced destruction. The Israelites were commanded to devote everything in the city to the Lord (Joshua 6:17-19). This meant that all living beings were to be killed (Joshua 6:21), and valuable items were to be either destroyed or placed in the Lord's treasury. This was an act of judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 12:29-31; 20:16-18) and a demonstration of God's holiness. The prohibition against taking any of the devoted things was a test of Israel's obedience and a safeguard against greed and idolatry, a lesson that will be crucial in the following chapter.
Joshua's Curse and its Fulfillment (Joshua 6:26-27)
Joshua pronounced a curse on anyone who would attempt to rebuild Jericho: "Cursed before the Lord be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho. At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates" (Joshua 6:26). This curse was fulfilled centuries later during the reign of King Ahab when Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho, losing his sons Abiram and Segub in the process (1 Kings 16:34). This event serves as a reminder of the power of prophetic words and the consequences of defying God's commands.
The chapter concludes with the affirmation that "the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land" (Joshua 6:27). This victory at Jericho established Joshua's leadership and demonstrated God's faithfulness to His promises.
Joshua 6 is a powerful reminder that victory comes through faith and obedience. It challenges us to trust in God's promises, even when His plans seem illogical or impossible. It also reminds us of the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. Just as God was with Joshua and the Israelites, He promises to be with us as we face our own challenges, leading us to victory through faith and obedience. This chapter offers encouragement to those who seek to live a life of faith and obedience, trusting that God will fulfill His promises and lead them to victory. Joshua 6 serves as a testament to the power of God and the importance of faith and obedience in achieving His purposes.
Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
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.
And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.
And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the Lord.
And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the Lord, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them.
And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
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.
So the ark of the Lord compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.
And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the Lord, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.
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.
And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.
And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.
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.
And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.
But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.
And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.
And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord.
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.
And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.
So the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.
Joshua 6 tells the dramatic story of the fall of Jericho, a pivotal moment in Israel's conquest of Canaan. This chapter showcases God's power, Israel's obedience, and the crucial role of faith in achieving victory. It's a narrative filled with both military strategy and profound spiritual lessons, offering insights into God's character and His dealings with humanity.
Jericho's Defenses and God's Assurance (Joshua 6:1-2)
The chapter opens by emphasizing the seemingly impenetrable nature of Jericho. "Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in" (Joshua 6:1). The city was heavily fortified, its gates barred, and its inhabitants filled with fear, as Rahab had previously revealed to the spies (Joshua 2:9-11). This fear stemmed from the Israelites' reputation and the perceived power of their God.
However, God immediately reassures Joshua: "See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor" (Joshua 6:2). This declaration is crucial. Before any battle commences, God declares victory. This highlights a key principle: God's promises precede our experiences. The victory was already secured in the divine realm, even before the Israelites took a single step. This assurance was vital for Joshua, as the battle plan God was about to reveal would defy all conventional military logic.
The Unconventional Battle Plan (Joshua 6:3-5)
God's instructions to Joshua are strikingly unusual. He commanded the Israelite army to march around the city once a day for six days, accompanied by seven priests carrying seven trumpets made of rams' horns (shofars). On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times. After the final circuit, the priests were to blow the trumpets, and all the people were to shout. At that moment, God promised, the walls of Jericho would collapse, allowing the Israelites to enter and conquer the city (Joshua 6:3-5).
The repetition of the number "seven" is significant. In Scripture, seven often symbolizes completeness and perfection. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. The seven churches in Revelation represent the universal church. The seven seals, trumpets, and bowls in Revelation signify the completion of God's judgment. In the context of Joshua 6, the repeated use of "seven" underscores the completeness of God's plan and the necessity of following His instructions precisely.
This seemingly absurd battle plan was a test of Israel's faith and obedience. It required them to trust in God's power rather than their own military might. It was an act of worship, demonstrating their dependence on God for victory.
Obedience and the Shout of Faith (Joshua 6:6-20)
Joshua and the people of Israel meticulously followed God's instructions (Joshua 6:6-15). Imagine the scene: day after day, the army silently marched around the city, the priests blowing their trumpets, a spectacle that must have bewildered and perhaps even amused the inhabitants of Jericho. Yet, Israel remained faithful, trusting in God's promise.
On the seventh day, after the seventh circuit, the priests blew the trumpets, and Joshua commanded the people, "Shout, for the Lord has given you the city" (Joshua 6:16). This shout was not merely a war cry; it was an expression of faith, a declaration of God's victory. At that moment, "the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight forward, and they captured the city" (Joshua 6:20).
The author of Hebrews highlights the significance of this event, stating, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days" (Hebrews 11:30). This emphasizes that the victory was not achieved through military prowess but through faith in God's promise and obedience to His commands. Faith is not passive; it involves action, trusting that what God says, He will do.
Rahab's Salvation and Jericho's Destruction (Joshua 6:17-25)
Consistent with the earlier promise, Rahab and her family were spared because of her faith and her act of protecting the Israelite spies (Joshua 6:17, 22-23, 25). Hebrews 11:31 commends her faith. Rahab's inclusion in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5) further underscores God's grace and His willingness to use unlikely individuals for His purposes.
However, the rest of Jericho faced destruction. The Israelites were commanded to devote everything in the city to the Lord (Joshua 6:17-19). This meant that all living beings were to be killed (Joshua 6:21), and valuable items were to be either destroyed or placed in the Lord's treasury. This was an act of judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 12:29-31; 20:16-18) and a demonstration of God's holiness. The prohibition against taking any of the devoted things was a test of Israel's obedience and a safeguard against greed and idolatry, a lesson that will be crucial in the following chapter.
Joshua's Curse and its Fulfillment (Joshua 6:26-27)
Joshua pronounced a curse on anyone who would attempt to rebuild Jericho: "Cursed before the Lord be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho. At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates" (Joshua 6:26). This curse was fulfilled centuries later during the reign of King Ahab when Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho, losing his sons Abiram and Segub in the process (1 Kings 16:34). This event serves as a reminder of the power of prophetic words and the consequences of defying God's commands.
The chapter concludes with the affirmation that "the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land" (Joshua 6:27). This victory at Jericho established Joshua's leadership and demonstrated God's faithfulness to His promises.
Joshua 6 is a powerful reminder that victory comes through faith and obedience. It challenges us to trust in God's promises, even when His plans seem illogical or impossible. It also reminds us of the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. Just as God was with Joshua and the Israelites, He promises to be with us as we face our own challenges, leading us to victory through faith and obedience. This chapter offers encouragement to those who seek to live a life of faith and obedience, trusting that God will fulfill His promises and lead them to victory. Joshua 6 serves as a testament to the power of God and the importance of faith and obedience in achieving His purposes.