Joshua_6

Scripture

 

Joshua‬ ‭6:1-2‬ ‭NLT

 

“Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

Joshua and the Israelites are on the outskirts of Jericho. In order for them to continue on to enter the land that God has promised them, they must enter and take over the city of Jericho. In their way was a huge wall that fortified the city. No worries though. God keeps His promises. And God promises Joshua that Jericho, its king, and it’s strong warriors are theirs for the taking. All they have to do is follow God’s instructions.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

It may be unconventional at times, but God’s grace and power is alive to this day!

 

Now I’m sure when God told Joshua that the city of Jericho is theirs for the taking, he had no doubt in his mind that God would follow through on His promise. He probably just imagined it going down a different way. I’m guessing he thought God would hail down fire and brimstone

to terrorize the town, kill its people, and break down the walls so the Israelites can enter and invade it. Or maybe he thought would send His army of angels to destroy Jericho and clear a path for them. But instead God instructs Joshua to take up the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, and have the people to march around the walls for seven days. Then on that seventh day, when they hear the priests sound a long loud blast from a rams horn, all the people were to shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the city would collapse and the Israelites would be able to take hold of the town. It may seem to be a pretty unorthodox way of doing it. But I believe God does things these ways to absolutely show that these miracles are no coincidence. It happens because of God, and Him alone. How else can you explain a small army like the ones the Israelites had, being “out-manned and out-gunned”, going up against a fortified city with mighty warriors within the walls, and being able to tear down the wall and take the city over?! How else can you explain a shepherd boy beating a giant with a rock and a slingshot? How else can you explain a man who once persecuted Christians to the fullest, and later became an apostle for Jesus Christ? How else can you explain a sinful man like me, repenting from my sins to, to follow Jesus? The answer to all those questions...it’s through the grace of God.

 

Life Application

 

Trust in God’s plan no matter how strange it may sound, and see amazing things happen.

 

As strange as God’s plan to overthrow Jericho may have sounded to Joshua, his obedience to God allowed the people of Israel and Joshua to witness something amazing.

 

Father God, allow me to hear your Holy Spirit speak and direct me. I believe You want to do amazing things through me today. Give me the strength to be obedient and follow through on Your direction no matter how strange it may sound, or how uncomfortable it may leave me. Because I know in the end, if I’m obedient to Your ways, You can do amazing things. Let me and those around me be witnesses to them. May Your name get all the praise and glory because of it. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

 

-Moses Gaddi