Battle #6 | The Fall of Jericho

A. Obedience Before the Victory

I. Instructions for the battle… V.1-5

Jericho was on full alert

They were ready for Israel’s army…so they thought

Remember, God is preparing Israel for the battle against the Canaanites

Jericho was not a large city

It was an important city

This city was like a fortress

God told them to fight by marching around the city.

To an army, this made no sense

To God, this caused Israel to fully depend on God

Joshua had to have great faith because he had to explain the battle plan to the nation.

The leaders had to have great faith to follow Joshua in this plan.

The wall will fall down flat

Obviously God would have to defeat Jericho

God wanted Israel to be a part of the victory

Today, God wants us to be a part of His work on earth.

II. Joshua tells everyone the battle plan… V. 6-7

Joshua had to tell the priests. Why?

The ark of the covenant did not normally go with Israel to battle.

Ark of the Covenant: A chest containing the Ten Commandments

The priests did not normally go with Israel to battle.

Joshua had to tell the people. Why?

This was not normal in fighting a walled, fortified city.

III. Marching for Six Days… V.8-14

Joshua obeyed God right away

He didn't hesitate to do what God told him to do

When we hesitate to listen to God, it shows that we don’t really believe Him.

Circling the City

Jericho was a small city

They easily marched around it in one day

Jericho must have been confused

This took courage

Jericho could’ve attacked them from the top of the walls

This took endurance

They had to do this for six days

They had to do this when it didn’t make sense

They were helpless

For six days they silently marched observing the walls

For six days, they silently realized they were no match for Jericho

For six days, they were reminded how much they needed God

IV. The March of Day Seven… V. 15-16

The Seventh Day

This is the only example in the Bible of Israel missing the Sabbath.

War is the only time a Christian should ever miss church.

It was shouting time

Joshua commands them to shout

This was to recognize God fulfilling His promise

To conquer Jericho and take the city