7. THE BOOK OF JOSHUA

THE DEFEAT OF JERICHO… FROM THE ENEMY’S PERSPECTIVE.

The discovery of Israel’s spies, who had come and gone from Jericho, caused much fear to come upon the people and their King.

What would happen next? No one knew!

So the king of Jericho ordered the gates to be shut and barred with timber.
Citizens, farmers, and soldiers were all safely inside. Sheep, goats, cattle and fresh barley were plenteous. All types of weapons were at their disposal.
Jericho was ready for either war or a long siege.
Yes, Jericho was ready—and would endure!

The King was restless, and he paced the wall all night. He constantly lifted up his voice to Asherah, the mother of seventy gods and Baal, consort of El.
He wondered in his heart, “Would Asherah protect them from the fury of the desert breed, the Israelites who had come from Egypt and had conquered every enemy she met?”

At dawn, the sky slowly turned into brilliant daylight, with colours of red, orange, and yellow, and the sun appeared upon the horizon in all its glory.

The citizens of Jericho rose to wash, eat and make ready for what may happen.
On the wall, the King and his soldiers, who were keeping watch, heard a soft, rhythmic beating —a pulsing of the earth. He could feel it in his bones.

Then, on the horizon, he could see a cloud billowing from the distant earth.
He shouted, “IS THIS ISRAEL ?”
“YES, GET READY!” Warriors rushed to their allotted posts.
Here they come,” one man sounded the alarm. So Jericho made herself ready.

Israel came toward them in perfect order, but they did not come too close. Then they suddenly turned parallel to the city wall. Not “one” soldier looked at the city as they were commanded to gaze straight ahead and …
NOT “ONE” PERSON OF ISRAEL SPOKE “A “WORD!!

( I think that this was the first time that Israel completely obeyed God!)

Israel marched around the city in a file. They were calm, confident and controlled. The only sound Jericho heard was the marching feet and the shrill of trumpets that tore the air apart.

Jericho shivered in fear!

They could see the Ark of God carried by their priests, two before and two after. It was a box of brilliant gold that represented Israel’s God.

“The True and Living God “, The God who was “Mighty in Battle.”

Once the circumference was completed, Israel turned back to Gilgal. This happened for six days. On the seventh day, Israel circled the city, not just once but seven times, from dawn to dusk.

Then SUDDENLY!

There was the sound of Ram’s horns again. But this time, it rose to the shrieking of eagles.
Then Israel sounded their battle cry and began to rush toward the city.

Then the walls of Jericho began to shudder, and when Israel was about an arrow shot away, they cracked at every joint, even at the fortified areas and collapsed, killing many people below.

Every fighting soldier of Israel ran straight before him, and TOOK THE CITY!

They utterly destroyed the city and all that was in it. Men, women, young and old, all with the edge of the sword. Every living animal was slaughtered, and Jericho was burnt with fire.

Except!! One family, the family of Rahab, her house unscathed, stood firm and tall amongst the rubble. She and her family were rescued as promised by Israel.

Christian, we are also commanded to fight the good fight with all our might. We are to fight the fight of FAITH,

1 Tim 6:12.

We war against principalities of evil, against the deadly enemy of our souls, satan!

Through Jesus, we have the Power and the authority over Satan and his hordes.

Put on the whole ARMOUR of God. Eph 6:10-18.
Then, having done all, STAND !!

Now see the SALVATION OF THE LORD…

WATCH YOUR JERICHO WALLS COME TUMBLING DOWN!!

The walls of worry, fear and depression.

The walls of anger, bitterness and resentment.

The walls of shame, guilt and blame.

Every wall in your life is reduced to rubble.

Now allow the WIND OF THE SPIRIT to blow the dust away!!

THEN YOU CAN WALK IN VICTORY.

Amen.