Joshua 6.
WE may consider this chapter in two ways. First we shall look at it as a picture of God’s dealings with the world, now in grace, but soon in judgment.
“Jericho was straitly shut up . . . . none went out and none came in.” There was one within its walls who had laid claim to the mercy of God, —Rahab the former harlot,—but the inhabitants generally were shut up in unbelief, awaiting the just judgment of God. Such is this world! And there is no escape, except through joining Rahab in the house of faith. What the most of them saw and heard, they ridiculed or ignored, just like the world today.
Looking down from the strong and high walls of Jericho, its citizens may have said to themselves, as they saw the daily passage of the ark preceded by the priests carrying trumpets, “How absurd; how useless!” And such, doubtless, is the thought of many today.
Dear reader, “Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets: Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.” Acts 13:40,4140Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; 41Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. (Acts 13:40‑41).
But the passing days bore witness to eyes and ears (if they would but attend to what God was doing) that mercy was still offered. Rahab hears the trumpets sounding, —sweet notes in her ears; yet warnings of judgment for the rejecters of God’s mercy, —and gathers within her walls, her father, her mother, her brethren, and all whom, she had persuaded to join her in trusting in the word of the living God. Day succeeds day, and the fall of Jericho has not yet occurred.
See how on the last day—the last opportunity for any to be saved—the mercy of God is announced from the very dawn of day (verse 15), and seven times the circuit of the city is made. At last there is to be no more mercy, —no more delay the time has come; a long blast of the trumpet, a great shout, and the mighty wall falls down flat. All within the city perish; none escape, —except those in Rahab’s house. As to them, they are welcomed into the camp of Israel on account of their trust in God. None who put their trust in Him perished. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:1010But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)).
Reader, have you claimed the shelter of the precious blood of Jesus? “How shall you escape, if you neglect so great salvation?”
ML 06/21/1925