In chapter 1, we see God's charge to Joshua and how he prepares the people to enter the Promised Land. In chapter 2, we learn how Rahab protects the spies. In chapter 3, the children of Israel cross the Jordan River. In chapter 4, the people build a monument to God. In chapter 5, the nation of Israel reaffirms its commitment to God and Joshua meets an angel. Now in chapter 6, the story of the walls of Jericho falling.
The city of Jericho was probably the oldest city on the planet. In certain spots, it had walls 25 feet high and 20 feet wide. Soldiers could see for miles while standing guard on top of them. Jericho was an image of military might and power, which the Canaanites thought was invincible.
Israel would assault this city first, its obliteration would place the dread of Israel into the hearts of the Canaanites. The Canaanites considered Israel's God to be a nature god for separating the Jordan river and as a war god for vanquishing Sihon and Og. They did not feel that Israel's God could beat a walled city. Jericho's annihilation indicated that the God of Israel was better than the Canaanite divine beings and that He was invincible.
Joshua 5:1, 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.
God revealed to Joshua that Jericho was already defeated and surrendered to his hand. How confident Joshua more likely had been as he went into the fight. All Christians battle against a vanquished adversary, Satan, which Christ defeated (Romans 8:37-39; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8).
Despite the fact that we face conflicts each day and sin is out of control on the planet, we have the affirmation that the war has just been won. Try not to be incapacitated by the intensity of a vanquished foe, we can overcome the adversary through the power of Christ.
Deuteronomy 7:24, And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them.
Joshua 10:8, And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.
For what reason did God give Joshua all these intricate guidelines for the battle? A few answers are conceivable:
God was making it unquestionably certain that the fight would rely on Him, and not Israel's weapons and skill. This is the reason the priests conveyed the Ark, not military men, drove the Israelites into the battle.
God's techniques for taking the city highlighted the dread previously felt in Jericho (Joshua 2:9).
This weird military move was a trial of the Israelites' confidence and their ability to follow God totally. (Leviticus 25:9, Joshua 1:10, Joshua 3:2)
It probably appeared to be odd to the Israelites that, rather than facing the enemy in battle, they were going to walk around the city for seven days. This was God's arrangement, and the Israelites had an ensured triumph if they would follow it (Joshua 6:2). As abnormal as the arrangement sounded, it worked. God's directions may expect us to do things that do not bode well from the start. Indeed, even as we follow Him, we may think about how things can work out. Like the Israelites, take each day in turn and follow bit by bit. We may not see the rationale of God's arrangement until after we have obeyed Him. (Joshua 2:15, Deuteronomy 20:17, Numbers 31:32-33, Hebrews 11:30, Deuteronomy 20:16)
When Preparing for Battle, We Should:
Plan:
Study the enemy’s weaknesses, strengths
Study the battlefield – mines, the contour of the land, front lines
Look at past battles
1 Corinthians 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Prepare:
Gather supplies – tools, equipment, water, food, clothes, soldiers, leaders, instructors
Ephesians 6:10-18, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…
1 Corinthians 15:31, I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (Die to self and sin)
Practice:
Train - teaching, instructing, small & large battles
Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Increase in Power:
Psalm 27:1, The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Always Pray:
1 Thessalonians 5:17, Pray without ceasing.
Ephesians 6:18, Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Stand:
Ephesians 6:11, Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Fight:
1 Timothy 6:12, Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2 Timothy 4:7, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Run:
1 Corinthians 9:24-26, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
Hebrews 12:1, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Seek Cover When Needed:
Psalm 27:5, For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
Psalm 32:7, Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Psalm 119:114, Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
