The first battle in the conquering of Canaan was one with incredible odds. Having learned with the lives of the previous generation the high price of faithlessness, the present Israelite army would stop at nothing to do what their fathers had not done. This initial test was formidable because of the wall around the city and the way they were told to take the city. But, take it they did and the onslaught of the native inhabitants was underway. Several lessons can be learned from Joshua and the rest of the Israelites' victory at Jericho. Please consider them.
The taking of Jericho was because of God (Josh. 6:2). The Lord tells Joshua, "I have given Jericho into your hand." It was the Lord's will that they conquer this city and its wicked citizens. When one reads how incredibly the city was taken, he or she can see the hand of God in it. Even today, our victories are only possible through the Lord (cf. Phil. 4:13). He is the only One unbound by limitations and weakness. Our victories are through Him.
The taking of Jericho was conditional (Josh. 6:2). God told Joshua that He had already given them Jericho. It was as if it was past tense. However, Joshua and his cohorts had to do what God said or the city would have remained in Canaanite hands. In this regard, God has not changed. He has promised all spiritual blessings in Christ (Eph. 1:3). He has promised salvation through His Son (John 3:16). These are real and blessed promises, but they are conditional, too. Repentance and baptism are a condition for forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Walking in the light and confessing our sins as Christians are conditions to maintaining fellowship with Christ (1 John 1:7-10).
The taking of Jericho was an incredible feat (Josh. 6:3). When you read God's plan for taking the city, you have to wonder how much hesitation or concern the plan caused for His people. From human eyes, the plan looked impossible. Today, God's plan for reaching a lost world is through mostly average, ordinary Christians taking the Word to them. His plan for accomplishing His purposes is dependent upon the freewill offering of members. God's plans are still incredible, as we view things. But, He consistently, repeatedly does the incredible through our weak and feeble resources.
The taking of Jericho was according to a pattern (Josh. 6:3-7). Go back and read through God's instructions for taking Jericho. The commands were specific and precise, down to a certain number of times marched around the city and certain implements and actions. Who thinks Israel would have taken Jericho by deviating from this objective pattern? God still governs His people by means of an objective pattern. It directs us in how worship is to be done, what is to be taught by way of obtaining salvation, our purpose as Christians on this earth, etc. Do we expect God to bless us when we deviate from His model?
The taking of Jericho was characterized by justice and grace (Josh. 6:22-25). The wicked city's inhabitants were largely judged for their long-standing iniquity with an utter demonstration of justice. The city was burned with fire (24). "And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword" (21). But, there was Rahab the harlot. She had prevented the people of Jericho from killing the two Israelite spies, and for her faith and works (cf. Js. 2:23-24) God showed grace and mercy to her and "all that she" had (22). Even among the wicked people of Jericho, God was willing to show grace to those who put their trust in Him. God remains a God of both justice and grace, each tempered and balanced by the other. His justice demands a price paid for our sins, and His grace paid the price. His justice demands a universal judgment and condemnation of the disobedient, but His grace provides eternal life for those who respond in obedient faith.
How much we learn from this great event from Old Testament history (cf. Rom. 15:4)!
The taking of Jericho was because of God (Josh. 6:2). The Lord tells Joshua, "I have given Jericho into your hand." It was the Lord's will that they conquer this city and its wicked citizens. When one reads how incredibly the city was taken, he or she can see the hand of God in it. Even today, our victories are only possible through the Lord (cf. Phil. 4:13). He is the only One unbound by limitations and weakness. Our victories are through Him.
The taking of Jericho was conditional (Josh. 6:2). God told Joshua that He had already given them Jericho. It was as if it was past tense. However, Joshua and his cohorts had to do what God said or the city would have remained in Canaanite hands. In this regard, God has not changed. He has promised all spiritual blessings in Christ (Eph. 1:3). He has promised salvation through His Son (John 3:16). These are real and blessed promises, but they are conditional, too. Repentance and baptism are a condition for forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Walking in the light and confessing our sins as Christians are conditions to maintaining fellowship with Christ (1 John 1:7-10).
The taking of Jericho was an incredible feat (Josh. 6:3). When you read God's plan for taking the city, you have to wonder how much hesitation or concern the plan caused for His people. From human eyes, the plan looked impossible. Today, God's plan for reaching a lost world is through mostly average, ordinary Christians taking the Word to them. His plan for accomplishing His purposes is dependent upon the freewill offering of members. God's plans are still incredible, as we view things. But, He consistently, repeatedly does the incredible through our weak and feeble resources.
The taking of Jericho was according to a pattern (Josh. 6:3-7). Go back and read through God's instructions for taking Jericho. The commands were specific and precise, down to a certain number of times marched around the city and certain implements and actions. Who thinks Israel would have taken Jericho by deviating from this objective pattern? God still governs His people by means of an objective pattern. It directs us in how worship is to be done, what is to be taught by way of obtaining salvation, our purpose as Christians on this earth, etc. Do we expect God to bless us when we deviate from His model?
The taking of Jericho was characterized by justice and grace (Josh. 6:22-25). The wicked city's inhabitants were largely judged for their long-standing iniquity with an utter demonstration of justice. The city was burned with fire (24). "And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword" (21). But, there was Rahab the harlot. She had prevented the people of Jericho from killing the two Israelite spies, and for her faith and works (cf. Js. 2:23-24) God showed grace and mercy to her and "all that she" had (22). Even among the wicked people of Jericho, God was willing to show grace to those who put their trust in Him. God remains a God of both justice and grace, each tempered and balanced by the other. His justice demands a price paid for our sins, and His grace paid the price. His justice demands a universal judgment and condemnation of the disobedient, but His grace provides eternal life for those who respond in obedient faith.
How much we learn from this great event from Old Testament history (cf. Rom. 15:4)!
--Neal Pollard
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