TAKING JERICHO

"Joshua called the priests and told them, 'Take the Covenant Box [the ark] and seven of you go in front of it, carrying trumpets.' Then he ordered his men to start marching around the city, with an advance guard going on ahead of the Lord's Covenant Box.SRme 1.769

"So, just as Joshua had ordered, an advance guard started out ahead of the priests who were blowing trumpets; behind these came the priests who were carrying the Covenant Box, followed by a rear guard. All this time the trumpets were sounding [blowing]. But Joshua had ordered his men not to shout, not to say a word until he gave the order. So he had this group of men take theSRme 1.770

Lord's Covenant Box around the city one time. Then they came back to camp and spent the night there" (Joshua 6:6-11).SRme 1.771

The Israelite army marched in perfect order. A special group of armed men went first, clothed in war dress. They did not march this way to show their skill with weapons. They marched only to show that they believed and would obey the directions given them.SRme 1.772

Next followed seven priests with trumpets. Then came the ark of God. A gold light of glory was shining over the ark. The ark was carried by priests wearing special clothing that was a sign of their sacred [holy] office. The large army of Israel followed in perfect order. Each tribe marched under its own flag. The people circled the city carrying the ark of God. Not a word was spoken. The only the sounds heard were the sounds of that mighty army marching and the solemn music of the trumpets. The hills reflected these sounds so that they could be heard throughout the city of Jericho.SRme 1.773

The watchmen of Jericho noticed every move with wonder and terror. They reported what they saw to the people in authority. The people of Jericho did not know what all this marching meant. Some people laughed at the idea that their city might be captured this way. Some people were filled with fear as they saw the glory of the ark. What was the meaning of the solemn-appearing priests being followed by the great army of Israel with Joshua leading?SRme 1.774

The people of Jericho remembered that forty years ago the Red Sea had parted before the Israelites. Just a short while before, a way was prepared for the Israelites to cross the Jordan River on dry ground. So most of the people of Jericho were too frightened to laugh. Mighty soldiers were placed to guard each city gate. The gates were kept tightly shut.SRme 1.775

For six days the armies of Israel marched around the city. On the seventh day they walked around Jericho seven times. The Israelites were commanded, as usual, to be silent. Only the sound of the trumpets was to be heard. The people were to listen and be ready. When the sound of the trumpets lasted longer than usual, everyone was to shout with a loud voice. The sound of the trumpets was to be the sign that God had given them the city.SRme 1.776

"On the seventh day they got up at daybreak and marched seven times around the city in the same way--this was the only day that they marched around [Jericho] seven times.SRme 1.777

"The seventh time around, when the priests were about to sound the trumpets, Joshua ordered his men to shout, and he said, 'The Lord has given you the city!'. . .SRme 1.778

"So the priests blew the trumpets. As soon as the men heard it [the trumpets], they gave a loud shout, and the walls collapsed [fell]. Then all the army went straight up the hill into the city and captured. . .[Jericho]" (Joshua 6:15, 16, 20).SRme 1.779

God wanted the Israelites to know that the credit for conquering Canaan was not to be given to them. Christ is the Captain of the Lord's army. Christ overcame Jericho. Christ and His angelsSRme 1.780

worked together when He [Christ] commanded the armies of heaven to throw down the walls of Jericho. They prepared the way for Joshua and the armies of Israel to enter the city.SRme 1.781

This wonderful miracle strengthened the faith of God's people. The Israelites now knew that God had the power to conquer their enemies. This miracle also helped Israel understand they were foolish when they did not believe in God's power.SRme 1.782

Jericho had boldly resisted the armies of Israel and the God of heaven. At first the people of Jericho were afraid when they saw the army of Israel marching around their city once each day. Then they looked at their strong city with its firm, high walls, and they felt they could resist any attack.SRme 1.783

But when the people of Jericho saw the walls of their city rocking back and forth, everything changed. The walls fell with a terrible crash. The sound of the falling walls was the same as the loudest, sharpest noise of thunder. The people of Jericho were so frightened they did not try to protect themselves.SRme 1.784