Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and he was unable due to the crowd, because he was short in stature. - Luke 19:1-3
Jericho is believed by many to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Located in the Jordan River Valley, it sits at 800 feet below sea level making it the lowest city in the world. Jericho is lush with palm trees, fed by several natural springs, and is an oasis in the surrounding region. The modern city of Jericho has a population of about 14,000 people, but in Joshua’s time it is estimated that around 2,500-3,000 people lived there. It was one of the first cities in history to build a wall around itself for defense.
Jericho appears many times in the Bible, throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Many significant events took place there. Of all of them, perhaps the most well known is the Battle of Jericho. If you grew up in church, you’ve probably heard this story many times going back to your childhood days in Sunday School. But don’t be fooled - this isn’t just a tale for kids. The amazing story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho provides several powerful truths and insights for Christians of all ages.
I. THE BATTLE PLAN (Joshua 6:1-5)
The citizens of Jericho were aware that the Israelites were camped close by, so they closed the city gates and took security measures in preparation for the coming assault. The Lord spoke to Joshua and assured him of victory over Jericho. The Lord gave Joshua a peculiar battle plan. All the men of war, along with priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant and 7 trumpets of ram’s horns, were to march around the city once each day for 6 successive days. Then, on the seventh day, they were to march around Jericho 7 times as the priests blew the trumpets. When they completed their final lap around the city, the priests were to sound a long trumpet blast and the people were to shout. At this point, the Lord declared that the walls of Jericho would fall down flat allowing the army of Israel to invade the city.
The opening verses of chapter 6 are considered to be a continuation of the episode that began near the end of chapter 5. As you may recall from last Sunday’s message, the Captain of the Army of LORD appeared to Joshua and spoke to him. Joshua took off his sandals and bowed down before the heavenly warrior. Now this same person, thought to be either an angel or perhaps a preincarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, laid out instructions for Joshua and his army to follow. By obeying these commands, Israel’s victory was certain.
II. DAYS 1 THROUGH 6 (Joshua 6:6-14)
After receiving the LORD’s commands, Joshua summoned the people and priests together. He carefully relayed all of God’s instructions to them. They formed a procession with armed men leading the way in the front, followed by the 7 priests blowing the 7 trumpets, followed by those carrying the Ark of the Covenant, and finally another armed guard following in the rear. The people were told to be absolutely quiet as they marched around the city so that the only sound would be that of the blaring trumpets. In this manner, the people approached the city of Jericho and marched around it once each day for 6 consecutive days. After circling the city each day, they would return to their camp at Gilgal to spend the night.
This tactic must have seemed odd and perhaps even foolish to the defenders of Jericho. They were expecting Israel to lay siege upon the city - to surround it and seek to overrun its defenses. Yet, for 6 days in a row the Israelites came, marched peacefully around the city’s outer wall, and quietly returned to camp. As the people of Jericho watched from atop their mighty wall, surely some thought to themselves, “What are they doing? Is this some type of psychological warfare? Do they really think this will work?” The Bible teaches that the wisdom of God is foolishness to the world (1 Corinthians 1:25, 2:14). They don’t, nor can they, understand it. This story serves as a tangible example of this principle.
III. DAY 7 (Joshua 6:15-21)
On the 7th day, the children of Israel arrived at Jericho early in the morning and proceeded to march around the city 7 times. When they completed their final lap, Joshua commanded them to shout. He said that the LORD had given them the city, but warned them not to take any of its spoils. The entire city, all of its possessions, and all of its people were designated by God for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and those in her house were to be spared, as promised by the spies she’d hidden there a few weeks earlier. All gold, silver, and other precious articles would be placed in the treasury of the LORD.
And so, in obedience to these instructions, the Israelites shouted and the walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed. God caused the walls to crumble and fall, except for the limited area around Rahab’s house (she lived in the wall). Immediately the Hebrew army rushed into the city and killed all of its inhabitants - men, women, young, old, donkey, ox, sheep, and every living thing. Apart from Rahab and those sheltered with her, it was a complete and total destruction. This was the beginning of God’s judgment upon Canaan.
Some nonbelievers see the slaughter of Jericho’s citizens as an indication of God’s cruelty and ruthlessness. They perceive this event and others like it as reasons to despise God and to keep themselves far from Him. They fail to recognize that, like Rahab, salvation was available to all the people of Jericho. Had they submitted themselves to God, the story would likely be a lot different - like in the case of Nineveh during the days of Jonah. But they did not repent, and thus the LORD’s justice was poured out upon them.
IV. AFTER THE BATTLE (Joshua 6:22-27)
After the onslaught was complete the spies went to Rahab’s house and escorted her and her family to safety outside of the city. Then the Israelites went through the houses, buildings, and so forth to collect all of the gold, silver, and other precious articles that were there. Once these were removed to be placed in the LORD’s treasury, they set Jericho afire and burned it to the ground. Joshua made the people take an oath saying, “Cursed is the man who rebuilds Jericho. Whoever raises this city up again will suffer the loss of both his oldest and youngest son.” With this, the battle and subsequent destruction of Jericho was finished.
Rahab and her descendants continued to live among the Israelites, even after the conquest of Canaan was complete. In the centuries that followed, the once formidable Jericho remained an uninhabited, ruinous heap of rubble. It served as a chilling reminder to both Israel and her enemies of God’s incredible strength and power. Over 500 years later, during the reign of King Ahab, a man named Hiel decided to rebuild the city of Jericho. During the construction, Hiel’s firstborn son and youngest son died just as the LORD’s curse had declared (1 Kings 16:34).
CONCLUSION
As is the case with many other Biblical stories, modern excavations at the site of ancient Jericho support the truthfulness of this account. It is not a made-up myth or legend. Archaeologists have discovered in the layers of the city’s ruins that there was in fact a wall around Jericho during this time period. It appears to have been made of mud and stone and it rested upon a smaller retaining wall at ground level. The findings indicate that this wall collapsed outward, forming a sloping siege ramp upon which the Hebrews could invade. Though the Bible was not written primarily to be a history book, the events described in it did actually happen.
One final observation… The Battle of Jericho vividly demonstrates the relationship between faith and works. Scripture teaches us that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-16). When God tells us what to do, we are to do it - even when it may seem odd or unconventional. Faith is belief in action. Belief alone is not enough, nor are works alone. Faith combines both of these, thereby proving our beliefs by and through our deeds. God caused the walls of Jericho to tumble because of Israel’s faithful obedience to His commands (Hebrews 11:30). May we exhibit this same level of saving faith in our lives today.
Jericho is believed by many to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Located in the Jordan River Valley, it sits at 800 feet below sea level making it the lowest city in the world. Jericho is lush with palm trees, fed by several natural springs, and is an oasis in the surrounding region. The modern city of Jericho has a population of about 14,000 people, but in Joshua’s time it is estimated that around 2,500-3,000 people lived there. It was one of the first cities in history to build a wall around itself for defense.
Jericho appears many times in the Bible, throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Many significant events took place there. Of all of them, perhaps the most well known is the Battle of Jericho. If you grew up in church, you’ve probably heard this story many times going back to your childhood days in Sunday School. But don’t be fooled - this isn’t just a tale for kids. The amazing story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho provides several powerful truths and insights for Christians of all ages.
I. THE BATTLE PLAN (Joshua 6:1-5)
The citizens of Jericho were aware that the Israelites were camped close by, so they closed the city gates and took security measures in preparation for the coming assault. The Lord spoke to Joshua and assured him of victory over Jericho. The Lord gave Joshua a peculiar battle plan. All the men of war, along with priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant and 7 trumpets of ram’s horns, were to march around the city once each day for 6 successive days. Then, on the seventh day, they were to march around Jericho 7 times as the priests blew the trumpets. When they completed their final lap around the city, the priests were to sound a long trumpet blast and the people were to shout. At this point, the Lord declared that the walls of Jericho would fall down flat allowing the army of Israel to invade the city.
The opening verses of chapter 6 are considered to be a continuation of the episode that began near the end of chapter 5. As you may recall from last Sunday’s message, the Captain of the Army of LORD appeared to Joshua and spoke to him. Joshua took off his sandals and bowed down before the heavenly warrior. Now this same person, thought to be either an angel or perhaps a preincarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, laid out instructions for Joshua and his army to follow. By obeying these commands, Israel’s victory was certain.
II. DAYS 1 THROUGH 6 (Joshua 6:6-14)
After receiving the LORD’s commands, Joshua summoned the people and priests together. He carefully relayed all of God’s instructions to them. They formed a procession with armed men leading the way in the front, followed by the 7 priests blowing the 7 trumpets, followed by those carrying the Ark of the Covenant, and finally another armed guard following in the rear. The people were told to be absolutely quiet as they marched around the city so that the only sound would be that of the blaring trumpets. In this manner, the people approached the city of Jericho and marched around it once each day for 6 consecutive days. After circling the city each day, they would return to their camp at Gilgal to spend the night.
This tactic must have seemed odd and perhaps even foolish to the defenders of Jericho. They were expecting Israel to lay siege upon the city - to surround it and seek to overrun its defenses. Yet, for 6 days in a row the Israelites came, marched peacefully around the city’s outer wall, and quietly returned to camp. As the people of Jericho watched from atop their mighty wall, surely some thought to themselves, “What are they doing? Is this some type of psychological warfare? Do they really think this will work?” The Bible teaches that the wisdom of God is foolishness to the world (1 Corinthians 1:25, 2:14). They don’t, nor can they, understand it. This story serves as a tangible example of this principle.
III. DAY 7 (Joshua 6:15-21)
On the 7th day, the children of Israel arrived at Jericho early in the morning and proceeded to march around the city 7 times. When they completed their final lap, Joshua commanded them to shout. He said that the LORD had given them the city, but warned them not to take any of its spoils. The entire city, all of its possessions, and all of its people were designated by God for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and those in her house were to be spared, as promised by the spies she’d hidden there a few weeks earlier. All gold, silver, and other precious articles would be placed in the treasury of the LORD.
And so, in obedience to these instructions, the Israelites shouted and the walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed. God caused the walls to crumble and fall, except for the limited area around Rahab’s house (she lived in the wall). Immediately the Hebrew army rushed into the city and killed all of its inhabitants - men, women, young, old, donkey, ox, sheep, and every living thing. Apart from Rahab and those sheltered with her, it was a complete and total destruction. This was the beginning of God’s judgment upon Canaan.
Some nonbelievers see the slaughter of Jericho’s citizens as an indication of God’s cruelty and ruthlessness. They perceive this event and others like it as reasons to despise God and to keep themselves far from Him. They fail to recognize that, like Rahab, salvation was available to all the people of Jericho. Had they submitted themselves to God, the story would likely be a lot different - like in the case of Nineveh during the days of Jonah. But they did not repent, and thus the LORD’s justice was poured out upon them.
IV. AFTER THE BATTLE (Joshua 6:22-27)
After the onslaught was complete the spies went to Rahab’s house and escorted her and her family to safety outside of the city. Then the Israelites went through the houses, buildings, and so forth to collect all of the gold, silver, and other precious articles that were there. Once these were removed to be placed in the LORD’s treasury, they set Jericho afire and burned it to the ground. Joshua made the people take an oath saying, “Cursed is the man who rebuilds Jericho. Whoever raises this city up again will suffer the loss of both his oldest and youngest son.” With this, the battle and subsequent destruction of Jericho was finished.
Rahab and her descendants continued to live among the Israelites, even after the conquest of Canaan was complete. In the centuries that followed, the once formidable Jericho remained an uninhabited, ruinous heap of rubble. It served as a chilling reminder to both Israel and her enemies of God’s incredible strength and power. Over 500 years later, during the reign of King Ahab, a man named Hiel decided to rebuild the city of Jericho. During the construction, Hiel’s firstborn son and youngest son died just as the LORD’s curse had declared (1 Kings 16:34).
CONCLUSION
As is the case with many other Biblical stories, modern excavations at the site of ancient Jericho support the truthfulness of this account. It is not a made-up myth or legend. Archaeologists have discovered in the layers of the city’s ruins that there was in fact a wall around Jericho during this time period. It appears to have been made of mud and stone and it rested upon a smaller retaining wall at ground level. The findings indicate that this wall collapsed outward, forming a sloping siege ramp upon which the Hebrews could invade. Though the Bible was not written primarily to be a history book, the events described in it did actually happen.
One final observation… The Battle of Jericho vividly demonstrates the relationship between faith and works. Scripture teaches us that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-16). When God tells us what to do, we are to do it - even when it may seem odd or unconventional. Faith is belief in action. Belief alone is not enough, nor are works alone. Faith combines both of these, thereby proving our beliefs by and through our deeds. God caused the walls of Jericho to tumble because of Israel’s faithful obedience to His commands (Hebrews 11:30). May we exhibit this same level of saving faith in our lives today.