Joshua 6
Pastor David Groendyk

The people of Israel have passed over the Jordan River and been prepared for battle by the Lord, and now begins a large section of Israel taking the land through war. The city of Jericho is the first whiff of fulfillment when it comes to inheriting the land. If you’re anything like me, you have to try hard to get the Veggie Tales image of this battle out of your head. In the Veggie Tales version, the inhabitants of Jericho are mocking Joshua and the Israelites as they approach the city. Read verse 1 though. Jericho knew a war was coming, and they were terrified. Their hearts had melted, and their spirits had left them (Josh. 2:11). This was surely a tense week of battle.

Of course, ‘battle’ is not exactly the right word to use, because this was hardly a fight. The Lord was pretty clear up front that he was doing the heavy lifting. He appears to Joshua and tells him, “I have given…” (v. 2). The ark of the covenant marched along right in the middle of the people (v. 6). And verse 27 concludes with the most important lesson—the Lord was with Joshua. The whole chapter is infused with God’s presence among his people. Don’t forget the absolute absurdity of how this battle was won as well! Hopefully the familiarity of the story hasn’t caused you to lose the wonder. A group of people shouted at a 4.5-foot thick stone wall, and it crumbled like a cookie. Nothing stands in the way of God’s promises and God’s power. This is first and foremost a God-centered story aimed at stirring up our faith and trust in him.

Notice also a couple of ominous notes in this chapter along with the victory. Verse 18 warns the people not to take any possessions for themselves, because everything in Jericho must be destroyed. Verse 26 warns the people to never rebuild the city again. Jericho is forever considered a cursed city, and no one ought to rebuild what the Lord has judged and torn down. Both of these severe warnings are ignored by Israel. In the next chapter, it’s revealed that a man named Achan steals from Jericho. Then in 1 Kings 16, we learn that a man named Hiel rebuilt Jericho at the cost of his two sons. It underscores again how faithlessly we often respond to God’s salvation. Temptation is always lurking, never taking an off day. Be on guard not to let pride, greed, and self-centeredness creep into your heart which lead to sin that God has expressly forbidden. The Lord demands faithfulness and obedience in the wake of his salvation. May he grant that to his people.