Joshua 6

Strongholds of the enemy

What is a stronghold? What is a spiritual stronghold?

There are all kinds of spiritual strongholds. Some are unique to you some run in families. The point is that it is a spiritual battle and we cannot expect to win or make progress utilizing the flesh.

Paul wrote in 2 cor: 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

So in our picture of the spirit filled life God give Joshua a “spiritual” battle plan, a very unusual one at that.

Read: 6:1 - 17

Just like Joshua we must remind ourselves that God’s ways are not our ways. And so it is here. Let’s pick apart the plan and we will learn some interesting things.

I have given - in God’s mind this was a done deal.

March around the city once each day for 6 days.

On the 7th day, which is what? Sabbath, march around 7 times.

Priests are to blow Rams horns “shofars” each day but on the 7th day after a long blast of the shofar the people are to shout and the walls will fall down flat.

rns “shofars” each day but on the 7th day after a long blast of the shofar the people are to shout and the walls will fall down flat.

Other priests are to carry the Ark in the procession.

No one is to speak a word until the order to shout on the 7th day.

A couple of problems to consider.

Priests were prohibited from war,

Shofars were not used for war, the silver trumpets were

Movement is restricted on the Sabbath, and here they are to circle 7 times

The Ark was not to be taken into battle.

It all makes sense when we remember who was giving the orders. Jesus! read

So lets not get caught up in Religion and rituals. Jesus wants to lead us on journey of Faith. He is the Captain of our salvation!

See  So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

The spirit led life is an adventure.

Walls of Jericho

Do you wonder why God would have them march around the city in total silence for a week?

First God wants to show them and us just how impossible this mission was, in the flesh.

The main wall about 20 feet tall surrounded Jericho on top of a hill. This was where Rahab’s house was.

A second wall also about 20 feet high at the bottom of the hill and served as a retaining wall and encircled the city above.

How big is your stronghold? The point is it is too for you but no problem for God.

See ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.

The second reason for the plan was to teach Patience. Patience and Faith go together. Have you discovered like I have that God works a lot slower than we would like. The simple obedience of circling the city each day for a week. Or for us maybe a month or years teaches us patience. See .

Thirdly, by circling we learn discipline. We continue in Prayer, Bible Study, Fellowship, and Service.

an Fourthly, by circling we serve as a witness. Do you think God would have saved anyone who went to Rahab’s home? Oh course. The quiet orderly march served as a witness to those in the city. Our quiet, disciplined, and orderly life serves as a witness as well. Your Joy, your faithful marriage, your Godly Children speak volumes.

- 27

Note that in Vs 17 the spies are called messengers. That was Gods purpose all along to save persons of Faith.

Vs 18 speaks of the accursed things and God forbids them from from taking any. Joshua had to command the people of Israel to stay away from the accursed things.  By this he means the idols and things associated with the demonic and depraved worship of the people of Canaan. If you know the story one mans disobedience causes lots of trouble but that’s chapter 7.

The silver and gold were the first fruits of Canaan and belonged to God.

Vs 20 fell flat literally means fell below them selves. Which literally happened as the fell down hill and note the men were then commanded to go up into the city.

Vs 21 utter destruction. God had given them 400 years and one week to repent.

Rahab is mentioned again in verse 25. She ended up being in the line of King David and of course Jesus Christ.

A final warning, Don’t rebuild the walls that God has torn down.

The curse in Vs 26 was literally fulfilled in , which says In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation with Abiram his firstborn, and with his youngest son Segub he set up its gates, according to the word of the LORD, which He had spoken through Joshua the son of Nun.

The message for you and me is let’s not rebuild old walls that God has torn down. Whether it is old hurts, or family issues, or what ever. Because there is a price to pay often in your children’s life. And the problem is their is always someone willing to hand you a “brick” or some “morter”.