Chapter 6:8-14
Jericho was the seat of the enemy’s power, a sample of the strength of the foe with which Israel had to do. The taking of the mighty city was the principle on which the whole land, with its cities walled up to heaven, was to be conquered.
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down.” Alas, Israel did not continue in this; but the Lord shows us in this tremendous victory, how easily things could be done — by His might, in simple faith and obedience. Surely it was altogether of the Lord.
What if Jericho be walled up to heaven! God sits above the heavens. What if it be “straitly shut up"! He who opened a pathway through the Red Sea and the Jordan could bring down its walls. It is He that casts down “imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:55Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:5).
But what strange warriors and weapons!-priests with rams’ horns! Surely this is “the foolishness of God, which is wiser than men, and the weakness of God stronger than men” (1 Cor. 1:2525Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:25)). No doubt the sight of a huge army, marching around so strong a city, and giving out such trumpet sounds, was to the ears and eyes of the men of Jericho the height of folly. But it was God’s way, and everything was built upon Him and His Word.
“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are, That no flesh should glory in His presence.” See 1 Cor. 1:27-2927But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:27‑29). A Saviour crucified on a cross is foolishness to man. Nevertheless, God could say to Joshua, “I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor”-and all through these means despised of men.
The ram of consecration is a beautiful type of the Lord Jesus in His devotedness unto death, and no doubt in the rams’ horns here we have a reference to the death of our blessed Lord. For it has pleased God by the foolishness of preaching Christ crucified on the cross—to save them that believe.
Furthermore, the priests were those who were separated unto God as worshippers, and so the sound of the trumpet comes from worshiping souls. Now every believer is a priest, and as such, being in His presence, we are “more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”
Joshua gave the orders for the day only: “Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the Lord.” The work of faith is a day at a time, step by step, and this is the only true and happy way of living for the Lord. When Israel returned to their camp at the end of the first day, they had the happy satisfaction of knowing that they obeyed God. This can be our comfort too, let the men of the world think as they please.
And should the surges rise,
Should sore afflictions come,
Blest is the sorrow, kind the storm,
That drives us nearer home.
ML-06/19/1977