◄ Joshua 6:2 ►
And the LORD said to Joshua, "Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor.
Study Bible
And the LORD said to Joshua
This phrase emphasizes the direct communication between God and Joshua, highlighting the divine authority and guidance that Joshua receives. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, which signifies His eternal presence and faithfulness. This direct address underscores the personal relationship and covenantal promise God has with His people, reminding us of His unwavering commitment to lead and guide those who trust in Him.

Behold
The word "behold" is a call to attention, urging Joshua to focus on the divine revelation being given. In Hebrew, "hinneh" is often used to draw attention to something significant or surprising. It serves as a reminder for believers to be attentive to God's words and actions, recognizing that His plans and promises are unfolding before their eyes.

I have delivered
This phrase is pivotal, as it indicates a completed action from God's perspective. The Hebrew verb "nathan" is used here, meaning "to give" or "to deliver." It reflects the certainty and assurance of God's promise, even before the physical manifestation of the victory. This teaches us about the nature of faith, trusting in God's promises as though they are already fulfilled, because His word is sure and steadfast.

Jericho into your hand
Jericho, a fortified city, represents a significant obstacle to the Israelites. The phrase "into your hand" signifies total control and victory. The historical context of Jericho as a stronghold emphasizes the miraculous nature of this promise. It serves as a reminder that no obstacle is too great for God to overcome, and He can deliver victories in seemingly impossible situations.

along with its king
The inclusion of the king in this promise highlights the complete overthrow of Jericho's authority and leadership. In ancient times, the king was the symbol of a city's power and governance. God's promise to deliver the king into Joshua's hand signifies the total dismantling of Jericho's power structure, illustrating God's supremacy over earthly rulers and authorities.

and its mighty men of valor
The "mighty men of valor" refers to the warriors and defenders of Jericho, known for their strength and bravery. The Hebrew term "gibbor" denotes a mighty or strong man, often used to describe warriors. God's promise to deliver these formidable opponents into Joshua's hand underscores His power to overcome human strength and military might. It reassures believers that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness, and He can conquer any force that stands against His purposes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks directly to Joshua, affirming His promise and power.

2. Joshua
The leader of Israel, successor to Moses, tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.

3. Jericho
A fortified city in Canaan, representing the first major obstacle in Israel's conquest of the land.

4. The King of Jericho
The ruler of the city, symbolizing the political and military resistance against Israel.

5. Mighty Men of Valor
The warriors of Jericho, representing the strength and defense of the city.
Teaching Points
Divine Assurance
God assures Joshua of victory before the battle begins, teaching us to trust in God's promises even when circumstances seem daunting.

Faith in Action
Joshua's obedience to God's unconventional battle plan demonstrates the importance of faith and obedience in achieving victory.

God's Sovereignty
The fall of Jericho illustrates God's control over nations and His ability to fulfill His purposes through His chosen people.

Spiritual Warfare
Just as Jericho was a physical stronghold, believers face spiritual strongholds that require reliance on God's power for victory.

Leadership and Responsibility
Joshua's role as a leader highlights the responsibility of leaders to seek God's guidance and lead with courage and faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does God's assurance to Joshua in Joshua 6:2 encourage you in facing your own "Jerichos" or challenges?

2. In what ways can you apply the principle of faith and obedience seen in Joshua's actions to your daily life?

3. How does the account of Jericho's fall demonstrate God's sovereignty and faithfulness in your personal experiences?

4. What are some "mighty men of valor" or strongholds in your life that you need to surrender to God's power?

5. How can the leadership qualities of Joshua inspire you to lead others in faith and courage in your community or church?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 23:27-28
God's promise to send terror ahead of Israel to drive out their enemies, showing His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.

Deuteronomy 31:7-8
Moses' charge to Joshua to be strong and courageous, as God will go before him, paralleling the assurance given in Joshua 6:2.

Hebrews 11:30
The faith of the Israelites in the fall of Jericho, highlighting the role of faith in God's deliverance.

Psalm 44:3
Acknowledges that victory comes not by human strength but by God's favor and power, reinforcing the message of divine intervention.
Sermons
A Justifiable Sabbath WorkW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 6:1-5
Religious Work Often Seems ImpracticableJ. -Parker, D. D.Joshua 6:1-5
Shut UpCharles Leach.Joshua 6:1-5
The Blast of the TrumpetA. Maclaren, D. D.Joshua 6:1-5
The Compassing of JerichoC. Ness.Joshua 6:1-5
Work Which Seems AimlessJoshua 6:1-5
People
Israelites, Joshua, Nun, Rahab
Places
Jericho
Topics
Along, Behold, Delivered, Fighting, Hands, Jericho, Joshua, Mighty, Ones, Thereof, Valiant, Valor, Valour, War, Warriors
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 6:2

     1305   God, activity of
     5214   attack
     5607   warfare, examples

Joshua 6:1-21

     8131   guidance, results

Joshua 6:2-5

     5597   victory, act of God
     8021   faith, nature of
     8025   faith, origins of

Joshua 6:2-20

     5595   trumpet

Library
Rahab
'And Joanna paved Rahab the harlot alive... and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day.'--JOSHUA vi. 25. This story comes in like an oasis in these terrible narratives of Canaanite extermination. There is much about it that is beautiful and striking, but the main thing is that it teaches the universality of God's mercy, and the great truth that trust in Him unites to Him and brings deliverance, how black soever may have been the previous life. I need not tell over again the story, told with such …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Siege of Jericho
'And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, ... until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout. 11. So the ark of the Lord compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.'-- JOSHUA vi.10, 11. The cheerful uniform obedience of Israel to Joshua stands in very remarkable contrast with their perpetual murmurings and rebellions under Moses. Many reasons probably concurred in bringing about this …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Shout of Faith
"And when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up, every man straight before him." The shout of a steadfast faith is an experience that is in direct contrast to the moans of a wavering faith, and to the wails of discouraged hearts, both of which we have been considering in our last two chapters. In the history of the children of Israel there were many occasions when they indulged …
Hannah Whitall Smith—The God of All Comfort

Jericho Itself.
We read, that this city was not only wasted by Joshua with fire and sword, but cursed also. "Cursed be he before the Lord, who shall rise up and build that city Jericho," Joshua 6:26. "Nor was another city to be built (says the Talmudists), which was to be called by the name of Jericho: nor was Jericho itself to be built, although to be called by another name." And yet I know not by what chance this city crept out of dust and rubbish, lived again, and flourished, and became the second city to Jerusalem. …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Whether it is Lawful for Clerics and Bishops to Fight?
Objection 1: It would seem lawful for clerics and bishops to fight. For, as stated above [2661](A[1]), wars are lawful and just in so far as they protect the poor and the entire common weal from suffering at the hands of the foe. Now this seems to be above all the duty of prelates, for Gregory says (Hom. in Ev. xiv): "The wolf comes upon the sheep, when any unjust and rapacious man oppresses those who are faithful and humble. But he who was thought to be the shepherd, and was not, leaveth the sheep, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Memoir of John Bunyan
THE FIRST PERIOD. THIS GREAT MAN DESCENDED FROM IGNOBLE PARENTS--BORN IN POVERTY--HIS EDUCATION AND EVIL HABITS--FOLLOWS HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS AS A BRAZIER--ENLISTS FOR A SOLDIER--RETURNS FROM THE WARS AND OBTAINS AN AMIABLE, RELIGIOUS WIFE--HER DOWER. 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.'--2 Cor 4:7 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.'--Isaiah 55:8. 'Though ye have lien among the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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