Sermons

Summary: Jericho stood directly in the way, between Israel and the Promised Land. Its walls were built well and believed to be able to withstand, anything that an enemy could throw against them, or so they thought!

You Could Have Heard A Pin Drop!

I want you to think back for just a moment, to what the earliest memory you had as a child, when a world event was taking place.

For me, probably the first national event I ever remember, was the rocket that took off and was headed to the moon.

Almost anyone you ask, all down throughout history, when an event such as 911 or Kennedy’s assignation,

or Elvis and John Lennon’s deaths, can usually tell you in detail, what they were doing that day.

Tragedy, although there’s always a chance something could happen, seldom ever has its arrival announced before it happens.

Unless it were announced and given the correct time it would occur and it happened like clock work,

No one would believe it to be so, after the first failed prediction.

I mean think about it for a minute, when alarms were first put on cars, everyone would kind of freak out when they went off, horns honking and lights a flashing.

But now, when an alarm goes off and it really doesn’t matter where it happens, in a store or a parking lot.

People are undeterred from their routine and the only thing that bothers them about the whole situation, is the noise!

The bible talks about such a people that became bothered by some noise!

Joshua 6:1-5 MSG.

1. Jericho was shut up tight as a drum because of the People of Israel: no one going in, no one coming out.

2-5. God spoke to Joshua, "Look sharp now. I’ve already given Jericho to you, along with its king and its crack troops. Here’s what you are to do: March around the city, all your soldiers. Circle the city once. Repeat this for six days. Have seven priests carry seven ram’s horn trumpets in front of the Chest. On the seventh day march around the city seven times, the priests blowing away on the trumpets. And then, a long blast on the ram’s horn when you hear that, all the people are to shout at the top of their lungs. The city wall will collapse at once. All the people are to enter, every man straight on in."

Jericho stood directly in the way, between Israel and the Promised Land.

Its walls were built well and believed to be able to withstand, anything that an enemy could throw against them.

It actually had 2 walls that fortified it, the outer wall measured from 32 to 41 feet in height.

Then, there was a second wall which was far greater, believed to be more than 6 feet thick and more than 46 feet tall, it was thought to be impenetrable.

Those who lived in Jericho were steeped in idolatry; living in constant fear of attack,

but for many years had felt safe and invincible behind their great walls.

They were well prepared for an attack, but in spite of all their protection,

the people of Jericho were fearful, shut up inside their own city, afraid to leave it.

You see, they had no doubt heard of the awesome power of the God of Israel.

Joshua 5:1 MSG.

1. When all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and the Canaanite kings along the seacoast heard how God had stopped the Jordan River before the People of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts sank; the courage drained out of them just thinking about the People of Israel.

Word had spread far and wide about the God of Israel that dried up the waters of the Red Sea;

annihilated the entire Egyptian Empire!

led the Jews through the wilderness by a cloud and pillar of fire;

caused thunder and lightning upon the mountains to signify his presence.

Now came the news that these Israelites had crossed over Jordan on dry land and were now bearing down on the city of Jericho.

No matter how many men they had , who were willing to fight, or how thick their walls, the people of Jericho were afraid.

Who can fight against God? Who can defeat the God who rains down fire from Heaven,

feeds several million people daily, for over 40 years in the wilderness, destroys the power of Pharaoh and then sets his sights on your city?

This was a dark time in Jericho. There simply was no way out!

Defeat, death and destruction of their great city was imminent, defeat was inevitable.

It was also a time of literal darkness for the gates were shut up so that none could get in or out of the city.

It doesn’t take a whole lot of insight to see that all of mankind is facing similar circumstances each and everyday,

The whole world is trying to find a place of peace and safety from the events that take place on a daily basis.

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