March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. March around the cityThe command to march around the city of Jericho is a strategic and symbolic act of faith. Jericho was a fortified city, and marching around it demonstrated Israel's obedience to God's unconventional military strategy. This act of marching can be seen as a form of spiritual warfare, emphasizing reliance on God's power rather than human strength. The march also served as a psychological tactic, instilling fear in the inhabitants of Jericho. with all the men of war
The inclusion of all the men of war highlights the total commitment and unity required for the task. It underscores the importance of collective obedience and faith among the Israelites. The men of war were likely seasoned soldiers, yet they were called to follow a plan that defied conventional military wisdom, emphasizing trust in God's plan over human expertise. circling the city one time
Circling the city once each day for six days was a test of patience and perseverance. This repetitive action required discipline and faith, as the Israelites had to trust in God's timing for victory. The act of circling can be seen as a form of claiming the land through faith, similar to how believers are called to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Do this for six days
The six-day period of marching is significant, as it mirrors the six days of creation, with the seventh day being a day of completion and rest. This pattern foreshadows the ultimate victory and rest that comes through faith in God's promises. The number six often represents human effort, and the completion on the seventh day signifies divine intervention and fulfillment. This period of waiting and obedience is a test of faith, similar to other biblical instances where God's people are called to wait on His timing (e.g., the Israelites wandering for 40 years, Jesus' resurrection on the third day). Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in the conquest of Canaan. 2. JerichoA fortified city in Canaan, known for its strong walls. It is the first city the Israelites encounter in their conquest of the Promised Land. 3. Israelite Men of WarThe soldiers of Israel who are commanded to march around Jericho. They represent the obedience and faith of the people in God's plan. 4. The Ark of the CovenantAlthough not mentioned in this specific verse, it plays a crucial role in the events of Jericho, symbolizing God's presence among His people. 5. The Six-Day MarchThe specific command given by God to Joshua, which involves a seemingly unusual military strategy that requires faith and obedience. Teaching Points Obedience to God's InstructionsThe Israelites' march around Jericho teaches us the importance of following God's commands, even when they seem unconventional or illogical. Faith in God's PromisesThe account of Jericho is a testament to the power of faith. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them. God's Sovereignty in BattleThe fall of Jericho illustrates that victory comes not by human might but by God's power. This encourages believers to rely on God in their personal battles. The Role of Patience and PerseveranceThe six-day march signifies the need for patience and perseverance in God's timing, teaching us to wait on the Lord. Community and Unity in FaithThe collective action of the Israelites highlights the strength found in community and unity when pursuing God's purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the command to march around Jericho challenge our understanding of obedience and faith in our daily lives? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of relying on God's power rather than our own strength in our personal battles? 3. How does the account of Jericho encourage us to be patient and persevere in waiting for God's timing? 4. What are some modern-day "walls" or obstacles that require us to trust in God's unconventional methods for victory? 5. How can we foster a sense of community and unity in our faith journey, similar to the Israelites' collective obedience at Jericho? Connections to Other Scriptures Hebrews 11:30This verse in the New Testament highlights the faith of the Israelites in the fall of Jericho, connecting their actions to the broader theme of faith in God's promises. Exodus 14:14This verse reminds us of God's promise to fight for Israel, as He did at the Red Sea, emphasizing reliance on divine intervention rather than human strength. 2 Corinthians 10:4This verse speaks to the spiritual nature of our battles, reminding believers that our weapons are not of the flesh but have divine power to demolish strongholds. People Israelites, Joshua, Nun, RahabPlaces JerichoTopics Armed, Battle, Circle, Circling, Compass, Compassed, Encompassing, Fighting-men, March, Round, Six, Thus, Town, WarDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 6:1-21 8131 guidance, results Joshua 6:2-5 5597 victory, act of God
8021 faith, nature of Joshua 6:2-20 5595 trumpet Joshua 6:3-14 1653 numbers, 6-10 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 ScriptureThe 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 Links Joshua 6:3 NIVJoshua 6:3 NLTJoshua 6:3 ESVJoshua 6:3 NASBJoshua 6:3 KJV
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