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Patriarchs and Prophets
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down.”
Hebrews 11:30
. The
Captain of the Lord’s host communicated only with Joshua; He did not
reveal Himself to all the congregation, and it rested with them to believe
or doubt the words of Joshua, to obey the commands given by him in
the name of the Lord, or to deny his authority. They could not see the
host of angels who attended them under the leadership of the Son of
God. They might have reasoned: “What unmeaning movements are
these, and how ridiculous the performance of marching daily around
the walls of the city, blowing trumpets of rams’ horns. This can have
no effect upon those towering fortifications.” But the very plan of
continuing this ceremony through so long a time prior to the final
overthrow of the walls afforded opportunity for the development of
faith among the Israelites. It was to be impressed upon their minds that
their strength was not in the wisdom of man, nor in his might, but only
in the God of their salvation. They were thus to become accustomed
to relying wholly upon their divine Leader.
God will do great things for those who trust in Him. The reason
why His professed people have no greater strength is that they trust so
much to their own wisdom, and do not give the Lord an opportunity to
reveal His power in their behalf. He will help His believing children
in every emergency if they will place their entire confidence in Him
and faithfully obey Him.
Soon after the fall of Jericho, Joshua determined to attack Ai, a
small town among the ravines a few miles to the west of the Jordan
Valley. Spies sent to this place brought back the report that the inhab-
itants were but few, and that only a small force would be needed to
overthrow it.
The great victory that God had gained for them had made the
Israelites self-confident. Because He had promised them the land of
Canaan they felt secure, and failed to realize that divine help alone
could give them success. Even Joshua laid his plans for the conquest
of Ai without seeking counsel from God.
The Israelites had begun to exalt their own strength and to look
with contempt upon their foes. An easy victory was expected, and
three thousand men were thought sufficient to take the place. These
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rushed to the attack without the assurance that God would be with
them. They advanced nearly to the gate of the city, only to encounter
the most determined resistance. Panic-stricken at the numbers and