Jos 6:1 | KingComments | STEP | The first city for Israel to conquer is Jericho. Before describing how the people should proceed, we read that God has already given them victory ( ). Then they have to march around the city one time every day for six days and seven times on the seventh day. By doing so they discover how superbly strong Jericho is and that they will never be able to conquer it in their own power. But the ark – the well-known picture of the Lord Jesus – is in their midst. After they have been marching around Jericho for the seventh time on the seventh day, the trumpets are blown and the people shout. Then the walls of Jericho collapse. “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down” ( ). That also applies to us. The Lord Jesus has overcome the world for us: “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” ( ). The world is far too strong for us. But through faith we overcome the world: “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” ( ). Jericho is an impressive fortress, seemingly impregnable. The city is hermetically closed to the Israelites. Jericho is a picture of the world as the system used by satan to prevent us from taking possession of the land with the result that we will go our way as earthly minded Christians. Jericho means ‘fragrant’. It is a city where it is pleasant to stay. She is attractive because of her palms. But Jericho is near the wilderness and the Dead Sea. The attractiveness is deceptive. What is my Jericho? That could be my position, or my wife or husband, parents, career, hobby. It can be the human institutions that regulate the faith community in a human way. These may all be things that prevent us from taking possession of our heavenly blessings. This Jericho must be overcome.

‏ Joshua 6:1

Introduction

The first city for Israel to conquer is Jericho. Before describing how the people should proceed, we read that God has already given them victory (Jos 6:2). Then they have to march around the city one time every day for six days and seven times on the seventh day. By doing so they discover how superbly strong Jericho is and that they will never be able to conquer it in their own power.

But the ark – the well-known picture of the Lord Jesus – is in their midst. After they have been marching around Jericho for the seventh time on the seventh day, the trumpets are blown and the people shout. Then the walls of Jericho collapse. “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down” (Heb 11:30). That also applies to us.

The Lord Jesus has overcome the world for us: “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33b). The world is far too strong for us. But through faith we overcome the world: “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1Jn 5:4-5).

Jericho Is Tightly Shut

Jericho is an impressive fortress, seemingly impregnable. The city is hermetically closed to the Israelites. Jericho is a picture of the world as the system used by satan to prevent us from taking possession of the land with the result that we will go our way as earthly minded Christians. Jericho means ‘fragrant’. It is a city where it is pleasant to stay. She is attractive because of her palms. But Jericho is near the wilderness and the Dead Sea. The attractiveness is deceptive.

What is my Jericho? That could be my position, or my wife or husband, parents, career, hobby. It can be the human institutions that regulate the faith community in a human way. These may all be things that prevent us from taking possession of our heavenly blessings. This Jericho must be overcome.