The Battle of Jericho

Joshua 6:1-27

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

Here we see an excellent example of faith!  Trusting God to bring down the walls of Jericho seemed foolish.  However, God often works through foolish ways and means—1 Cor. 18:27

 

Israel faced an impossible task.  But they served a God who does the impossible.

 

  1. THE OPTION OF ISRAEL  (vv. 1-5)

Israel didn’t have to follow God’s commands.  They were free moral agents.

    1. The problem (v. 1) A large wall encircled the city.  How could they destroy this?
    2. The promise (v. 2)  God promised victory and God keeps His promises—Numbers
    3. The plan (vv. 3-5)  God told them to march around Jericho once a day for 6 days.  On the 7th day, they would march 7 times around the walls, shout and sound their trumpets, and the walls would come down. 

 

Strange? Yes!  Never question God!  Titus 1:2

 

  1. THE OBEDIENCE OF ISRAEL (vv. 6-15)
    1. The plan (vv. 6,7)  - The Ark of the Covenant was a picture of the presence of God.  God’s presence would go with the people (Ex. 33:14, 15).
    2. The pleasing (vv. 8,9)  - The people obeyed God.  The Ark goes before the people.  God blesses them.  Disobedience is sin! (1 Sam. 15:23)
    3. The patience (v. 10) – No noise until Joshua told them.  God’s time is different than man’s time.  God ways are not man’s ways (Isa. 55:8,9)
    4. The people (vv. 11-13) – Each person had his place.  This is God’s plan for success.
    5. The persistence (vv. 14,15) – Persistence pays (Gal. 6:7,8)

 

  1. THE OVERTHROW BY ISRAEL (vv. 16-27)
    1. The success (v. 16) – After 7 days of marching and 7 times around the walls, they shout and sound the horns and the walls come down!  Obedience always brings success.
    2. The sin  (vv. 17-21) – God must destroy sin.  The nation and people who sin must suffer for it (Ps. 9:17)
    3. The security (vv. 22,23) – Rahab is spared because she helped the spies.
    4. The sorrow (vv. 24-27) – Joshua commanded that Jericho never be rebuilt.  Hiel tried and God punished him for it (1 Kings 16:34)

 

CONCLUSION:

 

Obedience is the key to receiving from God.  You need not understand all the details—just trust God!  Those disobeying will be punished.  Most all man’s problems can be traced directly or indirectly to disobedience.  Trust God for the impossible.  Lean to obey Him regardless of how foolish it may seem.