We like to think that we are intelligent, rational, and logical people. If we have a goal, job, or project that we need to accomplish, we will think out the most rational and logical way to complete that goal. So if someone comes along and suggests something really bizarre, really outlandish as a way to achieve this job or project of ours, we are not likely to set aside our logical way to follow their crazy ideas. In our Scripture today, though, we read of a skilled military leader who set aside all normal battle plans for something that anyone, military or not, would consider rather peculiar to say the least. Let’s take a look at this account in the Old Testament.
The forty years of wandering in the wilderness after the Israelites dramatic exodus from Egypt was ending, and the people were now prepared to enter and take possession of the land the Lord had promised them. In the earlier chapters of the Book of Joshua, the people had crossed the Jordan River, and they were now camping near the first city that the Lord had told them to take possession of, the city of Jericho. God had chosen Joshua to follow Moses as the leader of the people after Moses’ death. Joshua was also a skilled military man, and was the leader of their armies.
Shortly before our Scripture passage, Joshua had sent two spies into the city of Jericho to find out about the city and its people. There they met Rahab, and learned that the people of Jericho feared them (Joshua 2:8-11). Now, as they were preparing to enter the land, this walled city was “securely shut up”, meaning that it was locked down in fear (vs. 1). Fortified cities at this time often had walls that were a dozen or more feet thick, were several stories high, and had massive wooden doors leading in and out of the walled city. The people of Israel would have been afraid, too, as this was their first battle in the Promised Land, their first city of conquest. Would they succeed or be soundly beaten? They were dependent upon God.
Joshua came to the Lord in prayer before they set out to do battle, and this was when He gave Joshua the orders of how they were to go about conquering Jericho (vs. 2-5). These orders must have sounded so bizarre to this military leader that he must have wondered if he heard correctly! They were to march around the city once per day for six days. There were to be seven priests carrying seven trumpets of rams’ horns. On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times. Then the priests would blow the trumpets, the people shout, and the walls would fall. Why such a strange method? Why not just batter down the gate, enter, and start fighting the people, like every other battle was done? This strange way was given to show both the Israelites and all the Canaanites of the land that this victory was totally from God, not the people. This was to show everyone that Yahweh was Israel’s God, and He was giving them the land.
Notice here in verse 2 that God speaks of the victory as if it is an already accomplished fact. In God’s eyes, the victory was already won, and they were to think that way, too. However, they were to obey even when the command seemed irrational. God’s commands are not suggestions. Obedience is required even when His ways defy human logic. When the Lord calls us to a task that seems unreasonable, we have two options. We can obey Him, even though we don’t understand what will happen, or we can become fearful and attempt to find a way out. Joshua trusted the Lord, disregarding all of his military experience, and adopted God’s bizarre battle plan.
Joshua relayed God’s instructions, and Israel obeyed without complaint (vs. 6-14). The people of Jericho were probably laughing at what these seemingly silly people were doing. But God was making something dramatically clear - both to the Canaanites and to Israel. These were His people, and He alone was giving the land to them. On the seventh day, Israel marched seven times, and when the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua commanded the people to shout (vs. 15-20). Instead of shouting in jubilation after God gave them their victory, the Israelites shouted in faith before the walls fell. This is not a myth or a metaphor. It is a literal, historical miracle, demonstrating God’s power.
Why was there such severe judgment? (vs. 17-21). The wickedness of the Canaanite people was extreme (Leviticus 18; Deuteronomy 12:29-31). God is holy and He judges nations. Israel was not acting out of cruelty, but in obedience to God. Sin is serious, and God’s holiness demands judgment. Rahab and her family were spared because she believed God’s Word and also she had sheltered the spies (vs. 22-25). God saves those who believe, regardless of their background. Rahab became part of Israel, and she was in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). Even in judgment, God extends mercy to those who believe. Salvation is always by faith.
The world will say that we are crazy for following what God tells us in His Word, the Bible. However when we do, He will ensure that we get the victory. Jericho fell exactly as God said it would. Like Joshua, we need to be listening to what God is telling us to do. Read and study His Word, and pray. Then do as instructed. Obey the Lord. He always honors obedience.
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