The Battle of Jericho

Jericho

Joshua 6:1 NET

Now Jericho was shut tightly because of the Israelites. No one was allowed to leave or enter.

The oldest city in the World. The old past that comes into our present

City of palm trees. Promising good times

First conquest of Israel. We must deal with it before taking any other promises of God

Big walls. It looks impossible from our perspective

Israel faces her first enemy. The city of palms and great walls. What kind of great walls are in between you and God’s promise?

If failed the Promise Land cannot be taken. We need to understand that overcoming our Jericho is essencial if we want to experience the promises of God

Warfare

Israel must move on into the Promise Land to continue its purpose and existence. We need to move on into the promises of God. If we don’t move on and fight we will die in the wilderness of our flesh

Characters

Joshua: Under God’s authority. Shows complete obedience.

Joshua 6:2–5 NET

The Lord told Joshua, “See, I am about to defeat Jericho for you, along with its king and its warriors. Have all the warriors march around the city one time; do this for six days. Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. When you hear the signal from the ram’s horn, have the whole army give a loud battle cry. Then the city wall will collapse and the warriors should charge straight ahead.”

Obedience is good when the one commanding has the best intentions for you

Joshua 6:8–11 NET

When Joshua gave the army its orders, the seven priests carrying the seven rams’ horns before the Lord moved ahead and blew the horns as the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed behind. Armed troops marched ahead of the priests blowing the horns, while the rear guard followed along behind the ark blowing rams’ horns. Now Joshua had instructed the army, “Do not give a battle cry or raise your voices; say nothing until the day I tell you, ‘Give the battle cry.’ Then give the battle cry!” So Joshua made sure they marched the ark of the Lord around the city one time. Then they went back to the camp and spent the night there.

Israelites: Obedient to God by following Joshua. People under God’s authority are a blessing for the community if they follow the leader

God: Present with the people in the ark. Fulfilled his promised.

Joshua 6:20 NET

The rams’ horns sounded and when the army heard the signal, they gave a loud battle cry. The wall collapsed and the warriors charged straight ahead into the city and captured it.

The ark was the covenant in between God and Israel, today our covenant is Christ in the gospel. That’s how he is present with us.

Rahab: Feared God and took action. Saved from destruction with those in her household.

Joshua 6:23 NET

So the young spies went and brought out Rahab, her father, mother, brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and took them to a place outside the Israelite camp.

Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom and will lead you to salvation

Jerichoans: Destroyed with the city.

Joshua 6:21 NET

They annihilated with the sword everything that breathed in the city, including men and women, young and old, as well as cattle, sheep, and donkeys.

Some people prefer to fight God instead of surrendering to him, their end will be destruction.

Conflict of the soul

Can God do something for us if we live inside the walls of our sin? Learn from Rahab

Can you actually change even though you have been weak in the past? People from the desert overcame a mighty city. How?

Resolution

It’s time to listen to the Commander in Chief. Like Joshua

Joshua 5:13–15 NET

When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him holding a drawn sword. Joshua approached him and asked him, “Are you on our side or allied with our enemies?”He answered, “Truly I am the commander of the Lord’s army. Now I have arrived!” Joshua bowed down with his face to the ground and asked, “What does my master want to say to his servant?” The commander of the Lord’s army answered Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, because the place where you stand is holy.” Joshua did so.

The Israelites obeyed God to the letter and the impossible became possible. Many times we complain but we don’t obey

The only reason why people get destroyed is because they don’t repent. Rahab and her household are saved. Proving others that there is a way to reconcile with God.

To experience the power of God in your life obedience to him needs to happen. The promises of God are beginning to materialize thru the obedience of the people.