By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. (Hebrews 11:30)

Jericho Was Delivered By Obedient Faith

Jericho was a strong, fortified city in the land of Palestine. It was situated in the Jordan Valley about five miles from the north end of the Dead Sea, fourteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. Jericho was called the City of Palm Trees for the abundance of palm trees. It is one of the oldest cities in the world. As communities developed, they began to build fortified cities with imposing walls. Jericho seems to have had a solid wall of stone. Most cities would build walls at least thirty feet high and fifteen feet thick. Many of the walls would be fortified with very large stones, with the sheer weight of the stones keeping the enemies from tearing the walls down. Jericho was a city built to repel any enemy.

When the Hebrews crossed the Red Sea, the news of the event spread throughout the land, including the inhabitants of Jericho. For forty years, the people of Jericho heard about the Israelites moving through the wilderness. Concerns were raised when it was learned the nation of Israel was encamped in the land of Moab. Then came the news Israel had crossed the Jordan River and camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. Immediately, Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in.

Joshua was the leader of Israel after the death of Moses. The Lord tasked the son of Nun to continue the mission of Moses to bring the people into the promised land. Jericho would be the first test of the faithfulness of Israel. After leaving Egypt, Israel fought in six major battles, with the only defeat at the hands of the Amalekites and Canaanites when the people refused to enter Canaan. The battle for Jericho would be a very different kind of battle. This victory would be solely through the power of God.

God told Joshua to march around Jericho one time for six days. On the seventh day, Israel will march around the city seven times, and the priests will blow the trumpets. At the sound of the trumpets and the shouts of the people, God will make the mighty walls of Jericho fall down flat. Then, the people would go into the city and kill all the inhabitants, save the household of Rahab. There would be no siege against the city. No ladders would be employed to attack the walls. The army of Israel would march around the city one time and return to camp. This would repeat for six days. When the army marched around the city on the seventh day and blew the trumpets, the walls would fall down.

Faith is believing in the improbable and the impossible. No secure city in the history of the world was ever taken by marching. Joshua did not question the will of the Lord; even if it did not make any military sense. Israel had never won a victory in battle by marching around a city. They would do this for six days. When the people of Jericho watched the Israelites march around the city and return to camp, did they think they were cowards? How is it possible for secure walls, thirty feet high and fifteen feet thick, to fall down? Faith was the answer.

The walls of Jericho fell because of the word of the Lord. They also fell because of the obedience of the people. If Israel had refused to follow the instructions of God, Jericho would have never fallen. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down because the faith of the second generation of Hebrews trusted in the power of God more than their parents who died in the wilderness. A great victory was achieved because of the faith of the people who believed in the promises of God.

There are times in life when the city of Jericho comes up as a battle against our faith. Trusting in the word of the Lord and knowing His will is above human understanding, we march around the city for six days. On the seventh, we shout and blow the trumpets. The barrier is removed through the power of God. We give Him glory for all the times He has defeated our battles with Jericho in His amazing way. Jericho fell to show the glory of God. Our victories extol the virtues of how glorious God is in our lives. There are no walls God cannot tear down. Trust in Him and let His power win the day against the battles that overwhelm us. Blow the trumpet of the Lord loud. Let Him hear it and watch the walls fall.