When we get to Joshua 6, our attention is turned again to Jericho. Remember, in Joshua 2, Joshua sent two spies to Jericho to spy the land out.
Once they got there, they entered the house of Rahab the harlot. While they were in her house, she admitted to the spies that the people of Jericho had heard how the God of Israel had taken care of them, and had given them victory after victory, and they were afraid they might be next.
Once Israel had crossed over Jordan, Jericho’s worst nightmare was about to take place. God was preparing to give Jericho to Joshua and the Israelites.
The miraculous nature of the conquest of Jericho is so outstanding that it has caused some scholars to dismiss the story as folklore. But this is no folklore, this is something that actually occurred. There is a lot of proof to support the falling of Jericho.
Illus: Over the past century, four prominent archaeologists have excavated the site:
1. Carl Watzinger from 1907-1909.
2. John Garstang in the 1930's.
3. Kathleen Kenyon from 1952-1958.
4. Bryant Wood (current)
The results of their work have been remarkable.
• First, they discovered that Jericho had an impressive system of fortifications. Surrounding the city was a retaining wall fifteen feet high.
• At its top was an eight-foot brick wall strengthened from behind by an earthen rampart.
• Domestic structures were found behind this first wall. Another brick wall enclosed the rest of the city. The domestic structures found between the two walls are consistent with Joshua's description of Rahab's quarters (Josh. 2:15).
• Archeologists also found that in one part of the city, large piles of bricks were found at the base of both the inner and outer walls, indicating a sudden collapse of the fortifications.
• The collapsed bricks formed a ramp by which an invader might easily enter the city (Josh. 6:20). Of this amazing discovery, Garstang states, "As to the main fact, then, there remains no doubt: the walls fell outwards so completely, the attackers would be able to climb up and over the ruins of the city." This is remarkable because when attacked, city walls fall inward, not outward.
• A thick layer of soot indicates that the city was destroyed by fire as described in Joshua 6:24. Kenyon describes it this way. "The destruction was complete. Walls and floors were blackened or reddened by fire and every room was filled with fallen bricks”.
• Archaeologists also discovered large amounts of grain at the site. This is again consistent with the biblical account that the city was captured quickly. If it had fallen as a result of a siege, the grain would have been used up. According to Joshua 6:17, the Israelites were forbidden to plunder the city, but had to destroy it totally.
Thus, current archeological evidence supports the Bible's account of when and how Jericho fell.
Before we can appreciate the magnitude of what the Lord did, we have to appreciate the magnificent walls that surrounded this city. The walls of a city determined it’s strength. You might say Jericho would be considered to be a SUPER POWER in their day, because of these walls.
Even though this was not a small task for the army of Israel, it would be a piece of cake for the God they served. Let’s look at what preceded the fall of Jericho. Look at -
I. THE FEAR
In chapter 2 we learned about some of the fears they had of Israel from Rahab the harlot, when the two spies invaded their city.
Look at Joshua 2:8-11, we read, “And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”
They had been living in fear, knowing that one day, Israel would be knocking on their door.
Look at Joshua 6:1, we read, “Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.”
This was a frightened city because of the things they heard that God had done for Israel..
• They heard how God had dried up the Red Sea for them to escape from Egypt
• They heard how they utterly destroyed the two Kings, Sihon and Og, on the other side of Jordan
• They heard how God had dried up the River Jordan for them to cross on dry ground. Look at Joshua 5:1, we read, “And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.”
And now they knew that the only thing that stood between them and Israel’s army were Jericho’s walls that surrounded the city. The town was shut up tight because of fear.
Fear will make you do some strange things.
Illus: It is said that the Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin, so feared for his safety that his residence in Moscow contained eight bedrooms. Each night Stalin chose a bedroom at random, to ensure that no one knew exactly where he was sleeping.
The Bible says in verse 1, “Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.”
We have looked at THE FEAR, now look at -
II. THE FOLLOWING
Look at Joshua 6:2-16, we read, “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.”
We already noticed that the people of Jericho were behind closed walls, frightened, not knowing when they were going to be attacked.
Then one day, the watchman on the wall saw them coming. And I am sure he screamed out, “HERE THEY COME!” But once they got there, they were utterly amazed. Why?
• Notice, they did not attack the walls, instead they marched around the walls
• They came in silence, look at verse 10, we read, “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.”
For six days they marched around the walls. Most likely, the second day the watchman said, “Here they come again!”
They were given specific instructions to march around the walls of that great city Jericho for six days. But on the seventh day they were to march around the city of Jericho seven times.
Look what happened in verse 16, “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.”
This must have been a horrifying moment for the people of Jericho. Behind closed walls, all they could hear was noise, and about all they could see was a cloud of dust.
Notice, this was no small group of people, but it is believed to be millions of people, screaming and shouting.
Illus: Have you ever been on the outside of a football stadium when 70 or 80 thousand people on the inside of that stadium are shouting? It is a roaring sound!
Can you imagine what it was like for the people of Jericho to hear millions of voices screaming, because the Lord had given them the city?
When they walked around the walls, they walked in silence, but now all of a sudden they are screaming.
Then the walls began to tremble, crack and fall apart. The very thing that they had put their confidence in was falling apart before their very eyes. This was probably worse than they imagined it could be.
We have looked at THE FEAR, and THE FOLLOWING, now look at -
III. THE FOLKS
Look at verse 17, we read, “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.”
Joshua gave clear instructions that all were to die except some very special FOLKS inside. Rahab the harlot and her family were to be spared because she hid the two spies.
It is important that we keep our promises. These two spies had made her a promise that she would be saved due to her kindness toward them.
Look at 17-21, we read, “And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear. And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.”
It is important that we keep our promises. When we break our promises, it reflects on our character.
Illus: Mark Moring tells the story of a father and son. It went like this. It was late, and my young sons, Peter and Paul, had been in bed for at least an hour. My wife and I had just returned from our Bible study group, and I snuck into the boys' room to say good night.
• "Dad, can I have some ice cream?"
• "No, Peter, it's late, way past bedtime."
• "But Dad, you promised."
He was right. Peter had asked for ice cream earlier in the day, but we didn't have any. And I had said, "I'll get some for you later, I promise."
Dinner came and went. We cleaned up the kitchen; the boys picked up their toys. The sitter arrived. And my wife and I left for Bible study.
I'd forgotten all about the ice cream. But Peter hadn't.
So, even though it was after 10 o'clock, I hopped into the car, drove to the convenience store, got a half gallon, and hurried home.
Peter and I enjoyed that chocolate-vanilla swirl together. After all, I had a promise to keep. (Mark Moring, editor of Men of Integrity. Men of Integrity, Vol. 1, no. 1.)
The two spies had made a promise to Rahab. Look at Joshua 2:12-14, we read, “Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.”
Now that promise must be kept. Look at Joshua 2:17, “…only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.” It was a promise made and a promise kept.
We have looked at THE FEAR, THE FOLLOWING, and THE FOLKS, now look at -
IV. THE FALLING
We see the FALL of Jericho as Israel obeys God.
Joshua 6:20-27, “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.”
Here is another promise that is made and kept. God told Joshua that He would make him a great leader.
• Look at Joshua 1:5, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
• Look at Joshua 3:7, “And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.”
God promised Joshua he would be “Magnified,” and now by the time we get to chapter 6 verse 27, we read, “So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.”
Conclusion:
Aren’t you glad that the Lord keeps His promises? Look at a promise the Lord made to us in Acts 2:21, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
That is a promise the Lord has made, and a promise the Lord will keep. But it is a conditional promise; you must CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD.
I. THE FEAR
II. THE FOLLOWING
III. THE FOLKS
IV. THE FALLING
