Joshua 6
Joshua 6:1 – The Siege of Jericho This passage introduces the conflict between the people of Jericho and the God of Israel. Jericho, with its strong walls and determined people, tried everything to keep Israel out. But God had a different plan and promised that Israel would win. The story shows that God’s word and power are always stronger than human strength or plans.v. 1: The people of Jericho completely shut their city because of the Israelites ( a). The city was tightly locked and no one was allowed to go in or out. The people chose to resist Israel with all their strength and refused to surrender or even talk about peace. Their stubbornness and hard hearts led them to their own destruction, just as it happens to anyone who tries to fight against God ( b). v. 2: God spoke to Joshua and assured him of victory, saying, “I have given into your hand Jericho.” The promise was so certain that God spoke as if it was already done ( c). Even though Jericho would be destroyed and no one would get rich from the victory, God counted it as a gift to Israel, because it was an opportunity to honor Him. v. 3-4: God gave special instructions for the siege. Instead of attacking the city with weapons, the priests were to carry the ark around the city once a day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day. The priests would blow trumpets, but the soldiers would remain silent ( d). This showed that God’s power, not military strength, would win the battle. v. 4-5, 9, 13: Seven priests with trumpets marched right in front of the ark, blowing their horns all the time ( e). The priests announced God’s judgment against the Canaanites and encouraged Israel by showing God was with them. The trumpet sound was a reminder that God remembered His people in battle (; f; g). It also symbolizes preaching the gospel, which brings spiritual victory ( h). v. 5: On the seventh day, after marching around the city seven times, everyone was to shout, and the walls would fall down by God’s power ( i). This miracle would prove God’s strength, honor the ark as a sign of His presence, and show the importance of obeying His word, even when it seems strange. The priests were given a special role to show their importance to the people. The people’s faith and patience were tested, as they had to trust and wait for God to act. This event also proved that no city, no matter how strong, could stand against God (; j; k). Joshua 6:6 – The People Obey God’s Strange Command This section tells how Joshua passed on God’s instructions for marching around Jericho and how the people did exactly what they were told. Joshua did not tell the people all of God’s promises right away; instead, he tested if they would obey just by trusting God’s word. The Israelites followed Joshua’s orders carefully, showing their respect for both God and their leader. v. 7, 14, 15, 16: The Israelites continued their marching, even when nothing seemed to happen. They believed that God would keep His promise in the end ( l). The people in Jericho probably mocked Israel at first, but later felt safe, not realizing judgment was coming ( m). Many people think God is joking when He warns of judgment, but the truth comes suddenly. – v. 9: Wherever the ark went, the people followed ( n). Armed men marched in front to protect it, even though they were soldiers, showing it was an honor to serve God in any way. Another group marched at the rear, which may have included non-soldiers who also wanted to honor and witness what God was doing. v. 10: Joshua commanded all the people to be silent as they marched ( o). This helped them focus on the sacred trumpets and showed their respect for God. Silence also showed they were waiting for God’s action, just as Exodus 14:14 and Zechariah 2:13 teach us to be silent when God is at work.One of these days was probably the Sabbath, but if God told them to march, it was not a sin to do so. Doing God’s special work is always right, even on the Sabbath ( p). The use of the number seven in days, priests, and trumpets reminds us of creation and God’s order. – – – v. 14-15: The Israelites marched around the city once each day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day ( q). God could have knocked down the walls right away, but He wanted them to wait patiently and trust Him. Sometimes, we must wait for God’s deliverance and trust His timing ( r). – v. 16: At last, on the seventh day, the people gave a loud shout after the priests blew the trumpets. The walls of Jericho fell down immediately ( s). This was a shout of victory and faith, trusting that God would give them the city ( t). It is also a picture of the final victory over evil at the end of time, when Christ returns with a shout and trumpet sound. Joshua 6:17 – Jericho Destroyed; Preservation of Rahab In this passage, we see the results of Israel’s obedience to God’s commands during the conquest of Jericho. The city is set apart for destruction as an offering to God, with all people and animals in it put to death, except for Rahab and her family. God’s instructions also include what to do with the city’s wealth and a warning not to take anything for themselves. Jericho’s fall demonstrates God’s power, His justice, and His mercy to those who trust in Him, like Rahab. The story ends with a curse on anyone who tries to rebuild Jericho and with Joshua’s reputation greatly increased because God was with him.v. 17-18: God told the Israelites that Jericho and everything in it must be completely destroyed and offered up to Him ( u). No person or animal was to be spared, except for Rahab and her family, because she had helped the Israelite spies. All valuable things, such as silver and gold, were to be given to God’s tabernacle. The people were warned not to take anything for themselves or they would bring trouble and a curse upon Israel ( v). – – v. 20: When the people shouted and the walls fell flat, they were able to enter the city easily ( w). The sudden fall of the walls likely killed many and left the rest so shocked that they could not defend themselves. This showed that what people trust in for safety can fail if God is against them (; x; ; y). v. 21: The Israelites carried out God’s command and destroyed everyone in Jericho—men, women, children, and old people, as well as animals ( z). They did this because God, the righteous judge, had given them a special command. In the New Testament, Jesus shows a different spirit, coming to save lives, not destroy them ( aa). v. 22-23: Rahab and her family were saved, just as the spies had promised her ( ab). Because of her faith and kindness, she and her loved ones were kept safe. She later became part of Israel and was even an ancestor of Jesus (; ac; ; ad; ae). – v. 24: The city of Jericho was burned, and all the valuable metals were put into the treasury of the Lord’s house ( af). God did not need these riches, but He was honored by Israel’s obedience in giving them to Him ( ag). – v. 26: Joshua pronounced a curse on anyone who would try to rebuild Jericho in the future ( ah). God wanted the ruins to always remind people of His judgment and mercy. The curse warned that anyone who rebuilt the city would lose his children as punishment (; ai; aj). v. 27: The destruction of Jericho made Joshua famous and respected. All Israel and their enemies saw that God was truly with him ( ak). God’s presence with Joshua was the real reason for his success and honor.
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