A shout that shattered the walls
June 18, 2019
Commentary
Joshua followed God’s instructions (vv. 2-5). On the seventh day their day began early about the dawning of the day (vv. 15-16). They marched around the city just as they had the previous six days. However, this time instead of going back to their camp, they went on marching six more times. As they came around the seventh time, Joshua said unto the people, “Shout: for the Lord hath given you the city.” So, the priests blew the trumpets, and the people shouted with a great shout. As they did this, the strong wall fell in its place. They had trusted God and He did the impossible. Who would have ever thought of taking a city with shouts and trumpets?
The Israelites destroyed the city of Jericho (v. 21), except Rahab and her family were safe (vv. 22-23) because she had faith in the living God. In return for information, Joshua’s spies had promised to protect Rahab and her family from the battle (vv. 2:14-15). Rahab had kept her part of the promise, and now Joshua took time from the battle to tell the spies to keep their part. The loot of the city was to be “devoted to God,” the animals and citizens were to be slain. Here we find the Jews obeyed in every detail and God gave them a total victory over Jericho. God’s purpose in all this was to keep the people’s faith and worship uncontaminated. He did not want the booty to remind Israel of Canaanite practices.
Application
In the destruction of Jericho and its population God is telling us that He will not tolerate compromise with sin in the lives of His people. God’s instructions may require me to do things that don’t make sense. I may not see the logic of God’s plan until after I have obeyed and experienced the victory.
Joshua 6:15– 27 (NET)
15 On the seventh day they were up at the crack of dawn and marched around the city as before—only this time they marched around it seven times. 16 The seventh time around, the priests blew the rams’ horns, and Joshua told the army, “Give the battle cry, for the Lord is handing the city over to you! 17 The city and all that is in it must be set apart for the Lord; only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent. 18 But be careful when you are setting apart the riches for God. If you take any of it, then you will make the Israelite camp subject to annihilation and cause a disaster. 19 All the silver and gold, as well as bronze and iron items, belong to the Lord. They must go into the Lord’s treasury.”
20 The rams’ horns sounded, and when the army heard the signal, they gave a loud battle cry. The wall collapsed, and the warriors charged straight ahead into the city and captured it. 21 They annihilated with the sword everything that breathed in the city, including men and women, young and old, as well as cattle, sheep, and donkeys. 22 Joshua told the two men who had spied on the land, “Enter the prostitute’s house and bring out the woman and all who belong to her as you promised her.” 23 So the young spies went and brought out Rahab, her father, mother, brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and took them to a place outside the Israelite camp. 24 But they burned the city and all that was in it, except for the silver, gold, and bronze and iron items they put in the treasury of the Lord’s house. 25 Yet Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, her father’s family, and all who belonged to her. She lives in Israel to this very day because she hid the messengers Joshua sent to spy on Jericho. 26 At that time Joshua made this solemn declaration: “The man who attempts to rebuild this city of Jericho will stand condemned before the Lord. He will lose his firstborn son when he lays its foundations and his youngest son when he erects its gates!” 27 The Lord was with Joshua and he became famous throughout the land.
Illustration: The thistle that saved the country
Every schoolchild in Scotland knows the story of how the thistle saved the country. In the year 1263 when the Scots and Danes were at war, the Danes managed to land unobserved on the coast of Scotland. Under cover of darkness the Danish invaders removed their boots and crept on bare feet toward the unsuspecting Scottish army. Victory seemed certain for the invaders when suddenly a sharp cry of pain shattered the stillness. A Danish soldier had stepped on a thistle and ruined the surprise. The alerted Scots sprang into action and drove the invaders from the country’s shores in victory. (Elizabeth Silverthorne, Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations – 14121).