The Fall of Jericho: Victory Through Faith

Opening Prayer:

Lord, be with each one of us today. We have come seeking your guidance and direction for our lives. Help us  recognize the gifts you have given to us, and enable us to put these gifts to good use in your world. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Call to Worship:

L: If it had not been for the Lord, who reached out to us P: We would have perished in our own selfishness. L: If it had not been for the Lord, who healed our wounds P: We would have succumbed to pain and sorrow. L: Praise be to God who reaches out to us, healing and restoring our lives. P: All thanks be to God for the many ways in which our lives have been blessed. AMEN.

Scripture:

Joshua 6:1-5

Jericho Taken and Destroyed

6 Now Jericho was shut up inside and out because of the Israelites; no one came out, and no one went in. 2 The Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have handed Jericho over to you, along with its king and soldiers. 3 You shall march around the city, all the warriors circling the city once. Thus you shall do for six days, 4 with seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, as soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and all the people shall charge straight ahead.”

Message:

Introduction: sharp, intelligent, well-thought-out strategy is an absolute essential in warfare. No significant victory can be won without a well-planned military strategy. Strategy in military conflicts is so important that most nations have established military academies to train their officers how to lay strategic plans and carry out orders during military campaigns. The strategy to conquer the city of Jericho was unique. It was unique in two ways: the strategy was laid out by God Himself, and the strategy was a seemingly foolish plan. The expositor John Huffman quotes one of the comedy routines that Bill Cosby, the comedian, follows in discussing the battle of Jericho. The routine is worth quoting to show the seemingly foolish strategy: Okay, Joshua, let me be sure that I’ve got this straight. You say that for six days we’ll walk around the city of Jericho carrying the ark of the covenant, saying absolutely nothing, with seven of our priests blowing the ram’s horn trumpets? Then on the seventh day we walk around seven times silently? Then all at once, when the trumpets start blowing, we all start shouting, and those double walls are going to fall down? Come on, Joshua, that doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense.

The military strategy laid out by the LORD actually did not make much sense. Nevertheless, Joshua believed God. He believed that God would perform a miracle and give victory over the great city of Jericho, give victory if he did one simple thing: obeyed God.

Jericho was a large, and thriving city centuries, even millennia, before the Bible first mentions it in connection with the exodus from Egypt. In fact, Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world.

Jericho is on the west side of the Jordan River about 5 miles from the southernmost fords and about 10 miles northwest of the Dead Sea. Being in the broad part of the plain of the Jordan, it lies nearly 1000 feet below sea level and about 3500 feet below Jerusalem, which is a mere 14 miles away. This simple topographical fact explains the incidental words in Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan, “down from Jerusalem to Jericho.”

Victory over Jericho was to demonstrate one great truth for all of history: faith in God is the most powerful force in all the world. A person conquers and is victorious over all the enemies of life only if he believes and trusts God. Victory is achieved through faith. The walls of Jericho came tumbling down, collapsed because the Israelites believed God and trusted His Word. The enemies of this world are constantly out to overthrow us, to defeat and destroy us, enemies such as: ⇒ the carnal and flesh ⇒ the lustful and immoral ⇒ the worldly and sinful ⇒ the evil and wicked ⇒ the greedy and covetous ⇒ the selfish and egotistical ⇒ the blinded and deceived ⇒ the lawless and violent ⇒ the abusive and hostile ⇒ the oppressive and vengeful The list of enemies that stand opposed to believers and to the peace-loving people of this earth are innumerable. The world is in constant warfare—between nations, between neighbors, and even between family members. There are enemies within this world—spiritual forces, principalities, and powers in the high places of the spiritual world—that oppose mankind, that are attempting to defeat and destroy us. But there is hope! Hope in God! And that hope comes by faith in God. God will give the power to conquer all the enemies of this life if we will believe and trust Him. Faith in God is the victory that overcomes this world. Faith is the victory that conquers all the enemies that assault us. Faith in God is the strong lesson of this great passage of Scripture: The Fall of Jericho: Victory through Faith 1. A faith that believes God’s Word, His instructions a. The city of Jericho seemed impossible to conquer Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. b. The encouragement & instructions of the LORD to Joshua 1) To know that victory was guaranteed by the LORD Himself 2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. 2) To have all the soldiers march around the city once a day for six days 3 And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. 3) To have seven priests march in front of the Ark, each carrying a trumpet made of rams’ horns 4) To march seven times on the 7th day, with the trumpets blowing 4 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. 5) To have all the people give a loud shout when they hear a long blast from the trumpets: The walls of the city will then collapse 6) To have the soldiers charge straight into the city 5 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. a. The city of Jericho seemed impregnable, impossible to conquer. The gates of the city had been tightly shut; no one went out and no one came in. This was the first fortified city encountered by the Israelites within enemy territory. Remember, they had been a desert people wandering about in the wilderness for over forty years. They were simply not equipped to attack a walled city, not in the eyes of the world. In fact, it had been the fortified cities that had discouraged the first generation of Israelites from entering the Promised Land (Nu. 13:28) tells us

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition Numbers 13

Yet the people who live in the land are strong, and the towns are fortified and very large, and besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there.

. Jericho was a fortified city with either double walls or else walls that were about twenty feet thick and twenty-five feet high. Standing on top of the walls, soldiers could see for miles around. Jericho was strategically located as a fortress to guard against invading armies coming across the Jordan River into the hill country of the Canaanites. The city was considered a mighty fortress, impenetrable, invincible, impossible to conquer. Jericho stood as a picture of power, the enormous strength of the enemy that God’s people confronted as they sought to conquer the promised land of God. There were at least five ways to conquer a walled city in that day and time: ⇒ by scaling the wall using ladders or ramps ⇒ by digging tunnels underneath the walls ⇒ by using battering rams to break open the city gates or else to smash a hole in the walls of the city ⇒ by laying siege to the city until the people were starved into surrender ⇒ by using some means of deception such as a truce or ambush From the human perspective, the situation for Israel seemed hopeless. They were not skilled in modern warfare: they had never used ladders to scale the walls of the enemy nor battering rams to break open the city gates. They had never built ramps nor moved ramps up to the city walls under the fire of arrows and other weapons. The conquest of the enemy just seemed impossible. But note: there is no indication in Scripture whatsoever that the Israelites were gripped by doubt or fear. Confidence—trust in God—was reigning supreme in their hearts. They had complete confidence that God was going to give them victory over the enemy who was trying to keep them out of the promised land. b. The commander of the LORD’s army, the LORD Himself, encouraged and gave clear instructions to Joshua (vv.2–5). Remember, the commander of the LORD’s army had just appeared to Joshua (5:13–15). Joshua needed encouragement, and he needed to know how to attack the city. Therefore, the LORD had appeared to him and identified Himself as the commander of the LORD’s army. Note the instructions: 1) Joshua was to know that victory was guaranteed by the LORD Himself (v.2). No matter how impregnable or invincible the enemy seemed to be, victory was assured. In fact, God had already delivered Jericho into the hands of His people. The enemy would be conquered by God’s people. 2) Joshua was to have all the soldiers march around the city once a day for six days. 3) He was to have seven priests march in front of the Ark, each carrying a trumpet made of rams’ horns (v.4). 4) On the seventh day, the army was to march seven times around the city with the trumpets blowing (v.4). 5) After marching around the city seven times on the seventh day, all the people were to give a loud shout when they heard a long blast from the trumpets (v.5).

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 6

The design of this whole proceeding was obviously to impress the Canaanites with a sense of the divine omnipotence, to teach the Israelites a memorable lesson of faith and confidence in God’s promises, and to inspire sentiments of respect and reverence for the ark as the symbol of His presence. The length of time during which those circuits were made tended the more intensely to arrest the attention, and to deepen the impressions, both of the Israelites and the enemy. The number seven was among the Israelites the symbolic seal of the covenant between God and their nation [KEIL, HENGSTENBERG].

The walls of the city would then collapse. 6) When the walls of the city collapsed, the soldiers were to charge straight into the city and conquer the enemy (v.5).

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 6

the wall of the city will fall flat The text does not specify that every wall in every place would fall. Archaeological excavation indicates that the walls fell flat in various places (see vv. 15–21).

Thought 1. Militarily, this would seem to be a foolish strategy in the eyes of the world. Nevertheless, it was the strategy laid out by God for His people. If the Israelites believed God’s Word, they would conquer the enemy; however, if they rejected God’s Word or refused to act upon it, they would lose the battle and be defeated by the enemy. Jericho is a picture of the seemingly impregnable, invincible enemies that often confront us as we walk throughout life. As believers, we are seeking to lay hold of the promised land, the great inheritance God has promised us. But as we seek our inheritance, strong, powerful enemies confront us, enemies such as the world, the flesh, and the devil himself. Remember that the victory has already been won by Jesus Christ. The world, the flesh, and the devil have already been conquered by Him. Note what Scripture says: ⇒ There is only one way to conquer the world: by believing God’s Word. When God tells us how to conquer the world, we must listen to what He says. ⇒ There is only one way to conquer the flesh: by believing God’s Word. When God tells us how to conquer the flesh, we must listen to what God says. ⇒ There is only one way to conquer the devil: by believing God’s Word. When God tells us how to conquer the devil, we must listen to what God says.

Thought 2. The victorious life—conquering the enemies that try to keep us out of the promised land—comes through faith, a faith that believes God’s Word. Always remember this fact: the believer who conquers throughout life is the person who reads and studies God’s Holy Word. It is that person who knows the promises of God. The promises of God live in his heart and life. And because the promises are living within him, he is able to cling to them, conquering all the enemies that attempt to destroy him.

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition Romans 10

17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition 2 Timothy 3

16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that the person of God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition Psalm 119

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet 33 I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!”

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition Psalm 119

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

(1) Christ has conquered the world for the believer. Our task is now to claim the victory of Christ through faith.

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition John 16

33 I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!”

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition 1 John 5

4 for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. 5 Who is it who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

(2) Jesus Christ has conquered the flesh with all its lusts. This He did on our behalf.

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition Romans 8

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition Romans 13

14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition 1 Peter 2

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.,*

(3) Jesus Christ has conquered Satan, the devil.

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition Hebrews 2

14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.

Conclusion:

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 1, Part 2: Joshua–Esther 1. Divine Instructions to Joshua (6:1–7)

Explicit instructions were given concerning the procession around Jericho. Seven priests with trumpets were to be followed by the ark. These were in the middle of the procession, for Joshua placed the armed warriors in the vanguard and the rearguard. A great shout from the army was to climax the seventh time around the city on the seventh day. The divine promise was that this would be the signal that would bring about the collapse of the walls. Then each one of the Israelites was to advance upon the city. This meant a forward charge directly into the dust and rubble of debris where defenceless dead were lying. Extraordinary loyalty on the part of each individual was demanded. However, the Lord had spoken to Joshua, See, I have given into thy hand Jericho (v. 2).

The New Bible Commentary 6:1–27 Battle of Jericho

The Lord’s instructions to Joshua display the character of the covenant. God graciously gave Israel the land, but they must make it theirs by obeying faithfully

The Tony Evans Bible Commentary A. Victory at Jericho (5:13–6:27)

6:1–2 The next chapter opens with the reminder that Jericho was strongly fortified (6:1). As Rahab had told the spies (2:9–11), the people of Jericho were terrified of the Israelites and their God. So as the invaders drew near, the city’s occupants weren’t letting anyone get in or out of their defensive wall of protection. But the Lord told Joshua, I have handed Jericho, its king, and its best soldiers over to you (6:2). This meant that though the battle hadn’t even occurred yet, Jericho had already lost according to God. Though it had not yet happened in history, the victory had been declared in eternity. God wanted Joshua to be assured of this because he was about to give him a battle plan that wouldn’t make sense.

6:3–5 God commanded Joshua to have seven priests carry seven rams’-horn trumpets. They and all the men were to march around the city … one time every day for six days. Then on the seventh day, they were to march seven times (6:3–4). After the final lap around the city, the priests were to blow the trumpets and the men were to shout. Then the wall would collapse in such a way that the invaders could go straight in and take care of business (6:4–5).

You’d have to be asleep not to notice the repetition of the number “seven” in these verses. In Scripture, seven is the number of completion. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. The seven churches of Revelation represent all churches. As Revelation continues, the seven seals are opened, the seven trumpets sound, and the seven bowls are poured out—all indicating the completion of God’s work.

So in these instructions God was emphasizing to Joshua that he must follow the instructions completely if he wanted God to bring down his problem supernaturally. Don’t miss that truth.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, Help us to learn from Joshua to listen to what you tell us. May we always trust in You and Your promises. May your directions be as music to our ears. Amen.

Benediction:

Go into the world with peace and joy, delighting in the diversity and blessings that God has lavished upon each one. Celebrate the good news of the love of God with all people and offer peace and blessing to each one. Go in peace. AMEN.

Children’s Sermon:

Are there any items in your house that you are not allowed to touch or use? I have a few items here that I brought from my house. I use these now, but I’m always very careful about how I use them and how I put them away. When I was younger, I wasn’t even allowed to touch these things. (Take out whatever items you have, and describe them one by one.) So here I have a lighter. Now, this is a helpful tool if I want to light a fire in the fireplace, or if I have candles to light or something. However, if I used it for the wrong purpose, I might start a fire that could do damage, or I could burn myself. That’s why it’s never good to play with matches or lighters…now, I also have a very sharp knife right here. If I want to cut a watermelon or a loaf of bread or a turkey (side note: obviously the same knife would not be used for all of those foods…just describe whatever knife you have) this knife would be great. On the other hand, if I don’t use this carefully, I could cut myself or someone else, which might even lead to a hospital visit. Over here, I have a razor. You might see these in your parents’ bathroom, for when they need to shave. But it’s not something that a kid should play with, because there are sharp blades on here that could hurt you! So you can see through just a few examples that there are a lot of things we have that can be used either as helpful tools or potentially dangerous weapons. Did you know that you have something you carry around all the time that works the same way?? There is a part of YOU which can be used to help or to hurt. Do you have any idea what it might be? (Stick out your tongue.) It’s THIS! Your tongue! The Bible talks about how powerful and even dangerous the tongue can be. The book of James says that the tongue is like a fire, and can be full of poison! Now, you might be wondering how our tongues can have such potential. After all, what do we use tongues for besides tasting and eating food? Well, our tongues are essential for something else: talking! Speech is a remarkable and unique gift that God gives us, but He wants us to use that gift carefully. The things we say can actually have a huge impact on people. For instance, when we say things that are not true, or that are not kind, it can hurt someone’s feelings. There’s a saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”…It’s not entirely true. Words can definitely hurt deeply. We can also misuse speech when we speak disrespectfully. Maybe you talk back to a parent or a teacher, or fight with someone and say something rude on purpose. You might even use inappropriate language or say a bad word. Or you might gossip and say something about someone else…there are a lot of ways that we might worry, anger, or hurt someone with our words. On the other hand, there are a lot of positive things we can do with our words, as well! Can you think of any? (Allow responses.) We can say things that are kind and encouraging to compliment others. We can use speech to teach people things. We can cheer someone on or support them. And we can use our words to praise and glorify God! We worship Him with music, and also through prayer. God always wants us to come to Him in prayer and will always grant us grace when we make mistakes. It’s important to stop and think before we speak. We need to think about the words we use and consider whether they will be helpful or harmful. If we don’t have kind words to use, it might be best to not say anything. Think about the way you want others to speak to you, and address them in the same way. Avoid speaking out in anger towards someone. Sometimes we mess up. We might say something we shouldn’t, and we usually can’t just “take it back”. However, we can also use our words to confess, apologize, and ask for forgiveness. We can do this with people we hurt, and we can do it with God, who will always forgive us and have mercy on us. How wonderful to know that we can ask God for wisdom and guidance as we use our words! Why don’t we say a prayer to God right now?

Children’s Prayer Moment: (Have kids repeat each line) Dear God, Thank you for the gift of speech Help us to use our words well and wisely. May we glorify you with our mouths And encourage and help others Thank you for your love We love you, God! In Jesus name, Amen.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. -James 3:1-12