GETTING STARTED
Growing up in children’s church we would sing, “Joshua fought the battle at Jericho, Jericho, Jericho… and the walls came tumbling down.” I understand this story much better as an adult and personally would rewrite the lyrics to read, “Joshua won the battle at Jericho because the walls came tumbling down.” The message is not the fact that Joshua was there, or that his leadership and the might of the Israelite army destroyed the people and the walls of Jericho. The message is that God conquered Jericho because Joshua and Israel worshipped God in obedience, and the people of Jericho did not.
- What unruly, ungodly behavior in your life does God want destroyed in order for you to have victory?
READ THE WORD: JOSHUA 6:15-21 (ESV)
15 On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. 16 And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city. 17 And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. 18 But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. 19 But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.” 20 So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. 21 Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword.
English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
DIGGING DEEPER
- How was the seventh day different from the other six days that the men marched around the city (vss. 15-16)?
- Why were Rahab and her family spared? What does the fact that Rahab hid the Israelite messengers tell you about her relationship with God?
- What would happen to Israel if they did not obey God’s command (vss. 17-18)?
- How did Israel respond to God’s command? What were the results?
- What has happened in your own life when you did not follow the command or voice of God?
RESPOND TO GOD
The fall of Jericho is significant in that it represents a preview of things to come when Christ returns to take us to our promised land in heaven. God is returning to this world to save those who believe in him, and those who do not will suffer total destruction. Just as salvation came to Rahab and Israel through their faith, and victory came through their obedience, God needs only our faith to save us from our sins, and our obedience gives us victory in the presence of God.
- Worship God today through your faith and obedience of his Word.
- Pray that God protects and keeps you from spiritual and physical influences that are “devoted to destruction” and separate you from him.