Fall of Jericho
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thorough preparation of their enemies, they fled in confusion down
the steep descent. The Canaanites were in hot pursuit; “they chased
them from before the gate, ... and smote them in the going down.”
Though the loss was small as to numbers—but thirty-six men being
slain—the defeat was disheartening to the whole congregation. “The
hearts of the people melted, and became as water.” This was the first
time they had met the Canaanites in actual battle, and if put to flight
before the defenders of this little town, what would be the result in the
greater conflicts before them? Joshua looked upon their ill success as
an expression of God’s displeasure, and in distress and apprehension
he “rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark
of the Lord until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust
upon their heads.”
“Alas, O Lord God,” he cried, “wherefore hast Thou at all brought
this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites,
to destroy us? ... O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their
backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants
of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our
name from the earth: and what wilt Thou do unto Thy great name?”
The answer from Jehovah was, “Get thee up; wherefore liest thou
thus upon thy face? Israel hath ... transgressed My covenant which I
commanded them.” It was a time for prompt and decided action, and
not for despair and lamentation. There was secret sin in the camp, and
it must be searched out and put away before the presence and blessing
of the Lord could be with His people. “Neither will I be with you any
more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.”
God’s command had been disregarded by one of those appointed
to execute His judgments. And the nation was held accountable for the
guilt of the transgressor: “They have even taken of the accursed thing,
and have also stolen, and dissembled also.” Instruction was given to
Joshua for the discovery and punishment of the criminal. The lot was
to be employed for the detection of the guilty. The sinner was not
directly pointed out, the matter being left in doubt for a time, that the
people might feel their responsibility for the sins existing among them,
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and thus be led to searching of heart and humiliation before God.
Early in the morning, Joshua gathered the people together by their
tribes, and the solemn and impressive ceremony began. Step by step
the investigation went on. Closer and still closer came the fearful test.