FAMILY BIBLE STUDY:
Obedience, not trumpets, brought down the walls
___ Joshua 6:1-27
___By Christine Hockin-Boyd
___Texas WMU, Dallas
___Let's make sure of one thing before we get started--You're human, right? With an obvious answer of "yes," then you can relate with every other human being the challenge and struggle of complete obedience to God.
___There's no question about it, as humans, our selves get in the way of everything. It is our natural instinct to be curious, to explore and ask every news-type question--who, what, where, when and why. Self wants to investigate every nook and cranny before giving in to som
ething. Just ask my mama; she'll tell you I asked "why" to everything growing up as a child. Hmmm. Come to think of it, I still do.
___How does the Christian accomplish complete obedience to God? This is the question to ponder and meditate as we study this week's passage.
___As a quick review, the Israelites have crossed the Jordan (Joshua 3) and erected a memorial of 12 stones (Joshua 4). In chapter 5, we find Joshua and the people preparing themselves spiritually for the conquest of the Promised Land. Joshua has just come face-to-face with the commander of the Lord's army, an angel.
___It is important to understand Jericho was no small city. It was one of the oldest cities in the world and was established long before Joshua was born. Jericho was a major roadblock and would have to be dealt with before going any further. In other words, the Israelites needed to take hold of Jericho.
___However, the city was big and strongly fortified. It encompassed six to nine acres in area and had walls up to 25 feet high and 20 feet thick. Yes, Jericho was most definitely a symbol of military power and strength. You might even say that the Canaanites considered it invincible.
___Then the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men" (Joshua 6:2). OK, put yourself in Joshua's sandals. You have just seen with your eyes the mighty walls that surrounded the city. You look around your people and discover you left the tanks and bulldozers at home. No, no, no. Joshua heard the Lord. He heard the message, the instructions and the plan for victory. There was no hesitation, doubt or questioning.
___Why? Wouldn't it be safe to claim his faith, obedience and patience were being tested? No! Joshua had already tasted, felt and experienced God's direction in his life. Joshua had already discovered what true obedience was like through many rewards and blessings. Remember crossing the Jordan? Wouldn't that be enough for you for starters? Joshua had seen and experienced over the years God's mighty power, protection and provision. Why should he doubt the Lord now?
___Notice that God tells Joshua first about winning the battle before giving instructions. The city was already his before one finger was lifted in war. What did that do for Joshua's confidence level? What would it do for yours? The true victory would be Joshua's total obedience and unquestionable faith in God, not the actual battle. God had already given the city to Joshua for the taking.
___Joshua receives the battle plan of instructions and immediately enforces them. He calls together the priests and gives instruction. The battle plan is simple. Seven priests are to take seven trumpets and march ahead of the Ark of the Covenant. The Israelites are to follow behind. An armed guard proceeds ahead and behind. The simple task now of marching around the city wall in complete silence is the strategic move.
___Can you imagine what jeers and shouts came from behind and on top of the city wall as the Israelites marched in silence around the city of Jericho? What kind of psychological warfare was taking place? Maybe a shock of disbelief that the Israelites didn't use weapons. The annoyance of the trumpet blast for approximately 30 minutes a day. The calmness of the people as they marched in total silence and not afraid. What kind of mind game was this?
___There was more. Joshua was to march around the city wall once a day for six days. You know the story and what happened next. Maybe you've heard and told this story for years. But read it again and absorb God's great power through Joshua's obedience. On the seventh day, the Israelites were to march around the city wall seven times. On the seventh lap, the priests were to let out one long blast on their trumpets. This was to be the signal for everyone to shout and watch God at work. The city wall would collapse and the Israelites would merely walk inside. The story goes on and has other points for us to learn and understand. I want to camp here and reflect.
___Would you be willing to do something as simple as marching around a city wall if God asked you to? Do you have what it takes to be totally patient, absolutely faithful and fully obedient to the Father? Christ followers, listen, the battle has been won; Satan has been defeated, and our God reigns.
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