Scripture: And the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.” Joshua 6:2-5 ESV
Observation: Over the next two days, we will review Israel’s war against the kingdom of Jericho. Today, we will focus on the sacred battle strategy and victory; tomorrow, on the rescue of Rahab’s family and the curse against Jericho.
Our story begins with the news that Jericho has closed its city gates to all traffic in anticipation of Israel’s attack. The scene then changes to Israel’s camp, where Yahweh speaks to Joshua in a past-perfect tense to indicate the outcome is inevitable and fulfilled in his speaking. Still, there remains the enactment of a sacred ritual that will not only intimidate Jericho’s citizens but remind Israel that the battle belongs to the Lord (see yesterday’s Daily Focus). Below is an overview of the war plan:
- The men of war march around the city once for the first six days.
- Seven priests bearing ram’s-horn trumpets follow the armed men and lead a procession of the ark in the march.
- A rear guard follows the ark.
- The priests continually blow their trumpets, but everyone remains silent.
- They follow the same procedure on the seventh day but circle Jericho seven times.
- The priests expel a long blast, and everyone shouts a battle cry of victory in the Lord on Joshua’s signal.
- Israel’s warriors “devote to destruction” all of the city except for Rahab and her family and the precious metals for the tabernacle treasury.
Resultantly, the walls collapse, except apparently the section where Rahab and her family dwell. Israel’s soldiers rushed on Jericho from all sides and raze the city to the ground, leaving no survivors.
Takeaway: Theologians debate whether the Lord issued an earthquake with the shouts of the people or whether their voices sufficed. Either scenario is miraculous and merely portrays the outcome the Lord had already pronounced. As for the protocol, the number seven (priests, horns, days, and seven times on the seventh day) communicate divine perfection or completeness in ancient Israel and remind them that their soon acquisition of Jericho’s land is a gift from God. And the procession of the ark reminds the nation that Yahweh is present with them each step of the way.
Regarding “devoting to destruction” all of Jericho (except for Rahab’s family), as mentioned in previous Daily Focus devotions, Israel understood this seeming act of brutality as a sacred offering to the Lord. Indeed, this ruthless age of the Ancient Near East warranted a leave-no-survivors mentality. But the heart of the issue was to eradicate all godless influences that would otherwise corrupt Israel and turn them away from God.
So what can we take away from this war story? As signified by the procession of the ark in Israel’s march around Jericho, our Lord is also present with us in our battles against our enemies, whether the circumstances are external (attacks from those hostile to our Christian faith) or internal (our struggles with habitual sins). And, drawing on the significance of the number “seven,” he has already “perfected” his Son’s righteousness in us, and he will “complete” the excellent work of our sanctification through his Holy Spirit as we pass from this life to our eternal home.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for perfecting your Son’s righteousness in us through his life, death, and resurrection. And thank you for your Holy Spirit, who will complete the sanctification of our souls when we pass from this life to your heavenly kingdom. Meanwhile, would you please help us to stay focused on your presence amid our struggles and conflicts? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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