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The Story of Redemption
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 performed their circuit around
the city. On the seventh day they compassed Jericho seven times.
The people were commanded, as usual, to be silent. The voice of
the trumpets 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, 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,
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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 their firm walls suddenly tottered and
fell with a stunning crash, like peals of loudest thunder, they were
paralyzed with terror and could offer no resistance.