Walls Do Fall

Joshua 6:20

Walls Do Fall

Introduction

#1 Obstacles are Inevitable

(v. 1)

#2 Opposition is Inherent

(v. 2)

Dr. Howard John Wesley of the Alfred Street Baptist Church says, “Opposition is the PRICE of God’s favor.”

#3 Obedience is Essential

His Plan (3-7)

Obey His Plan (8-27) - (even when it doesn’t make sense) - JUST SHOW UP!!!

HIs Presence (the Ark of the Covenant) - If walls are going to fall, God must be in the midst!

Horn(s) -

“Musical instrument frequently made from a ram’s horn.”

Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. “Horn.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 999. Print.

“It was used as a receptacle for oil for ceremonial anointing...”

Taylor, J. B. “Horn.” Ed. D. R. W. Wood et al. New Bible dictionary 1996 : 481. Print.

“Figuratively, a symbol of power (1 Kgs 22:11) expressing dominance over the weak (Ez 34:21), forces of destruction (Zec 1:18–21), and deliverance from oppression (1 Kgs 22:11; 2 Chr 18:10). Thus the horn has two aspects, to succour and to denote force (2 Sm 22:3; Ps 18:2).

The symbolic imagery in Daniel and Revelation reinforces the use of the horn to represent power and authority (Dn 7; 8; Rv 13; 17).

The ram’s horn, goat’s horn, and horn of a wild ox were used as containers for liquid. They were also ceremonial receptacles for oil (1 Sm 16:1, 13; 1 Kgs 1:39).

Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. “Horn.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 999–1000. Print.

“This activity is punctuated by the frequently repeated phrase, blew the trumpets. All the activity begins and ends with the sounding of the trumpets. It and the daily marching around Jericho describe a spectacle of sight and sound.”

Hess, Richard S. Joshua: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 6. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996. Print. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries.

His Praise

His Redemption (Rahab & her Family)

His Destruction of...

“[on this 7th day] He introduces the concept of the ‘ban’ (Heb. ḥērem). The ‘ban’ involves the devotion of something to the Lord God of Israel for his exclusive use.

It appears in Deuteronomy 20:16–18 in the instructions to destroy completely all the population centres that are found in the land that God has given to Israel.

The reason given there is so that the inhabitants of the land will not teach Israel their ‘detestable practices’, those associated with the worship of their gods.

Joshua placed all of Jericho under the ban: for the living creatures, this meant their death; for the valuable possessions, it meant their dedication to the house of God; for the rest, it meant destruction through fire. Nothing escaped that had been so dedicated.

Hess, Richard S. Joshua: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 6. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996. Print. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries.

— Mankind was faced with the walls of death, hell, and the grave! But, Jesus conquered them all when He broke loose from the...

chain of death

confines of hell, and the

clutches of the grave