Joshua
57
them, and that a passage had just been prepared for them through the
river Jordan. They are too much terrified to sport. They are strict to
keep the gates of the city closely shut, and mighty warriors to guard
each gate. For six days the armies of Israel perform their circuit around
the city. On the seventh day they compassed Jericho seven times. The
people were commanded, as usual, to be silent. The trumpets’ voice
alone was to be heard. The people were to observe, and when the
trumpeters should make a longer blast than usual, then all were to
shout with a loud voice, for God had given them the city. “And it came
to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early, about the dawning of
the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times;
only on that day they compassed the city seven times. And it came
to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets,
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Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the
city. So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets.
And it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet,
and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat,
so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him,
and they took the city.”
God intended to show the Israelites that the conquest of Canaan was
not to be ascribed to them. The Captain of the Lord’s host overcame
Jericho. He and his angels were engaged in the conquest. Christ
commanded the armies of Heaven to throw down the walls of Jericho,
and prepare an entrance for Joshua and the armies of Israel. God, in
this wonderful miracle, not only strengthened the faith of his people in
his power to subdue their enemies, but rebuked their former unbelief.
Jericho had defied the armies of Israel, and the God of Heaven.
And as they beheld the host of Israel marching around their city once
each day, they were alarmed; but they looked at their strong defenses,
their firm and high walls, and felt sure, that they could resist any attack.
But when of a sudden their firm walls tottered and fell, with a stunning
crash, like peals of loudest thunder, they were paralyzed with terror,
and could offer no resistance.
No stain rested upon the holy character of Joshua. He was a
wise leader. His life was wholly devoted to God. Before he died he
assembled the Hebrew host, and, following the example of Moses,
he recapitulated their travels in the wilderness, and also the merciful
dealings of God with them. He then eloquently addressed them. He