Bible Commentaries

THE TAKING OF JERICHO

‘I have given into thine hand Jericho.’

Joshua 6:2

The city of Jericho lay over against the point where Jordan had been forded by the Israelites. It was a great city, as cities went then, finely situated on the edge of fertile plains, and with walls so strong and thick that houses were built on them. How wealthy it was we gather from the spoil that Achan took. No other city in Israel had stores of gold and silver like those of Jericho. Perhaps, too, that Babylonian garment that is named among the ill-gotten gains of Achan, speaks of some commerce between the city and the East. Jericho would have been a great city for all time, if the curse of an angry heaven had not ruined it.

I. Note that this victory was a clear necessity.—Unless that town were captured, it would be a constant menace to the invaders. They could never march another mile in safety, if such a garrison lay in their rear. Jericho blocked the way. It was filled with soldiers; it was the key to the passes; it was quite near to Gilgal, where the wives and children of Israel were encamped. Whatever the hazard, and whatever the cost, Jericho must fall. And are there no victories like that that are clear necessities to me? Is there no Jericho blocking my land of promise that must be razed whenever I cross the river? It may be a habit, it may be a friendship. But if I leave it standing I shall go trembling all my days in Canaan. At once, at every cost, it must be razed.

II. This victory began in a vision.—Joshua was a true leader. He must see Jericho with his own eyes. He steals away to reconnoitre under the shelter of the groves of palm. He spies a form there—it is a man with a drawn sword. ‘Art thou friend or foe?’ cries Joshua. And then he learns that he is face to face with the Friend of friends, the Captain of all captains. He sees, he speaks with God, before he conquers. Moses had a like experience. Do you recall that the words that Moses heard in Horeb—‘Put off thy shoes’—are the words uttered to Joshua now? Yet mark the difference of these two visions. To Moses God was mirrored in the burning bush; it spoke of an Israel suffering as by fire; purified, not consumed in the scorching heats. To Joshua God was mirrored in the warrior whose sword was in his hand ready for action. And it spoke to him of fighting and of triumph. It told him that back of Israel were the hosts of heaven. How true to our need are God’s appearances! How suited are his revelations to our times! Before my desert, I have my burning bush. Before my Jericho, my armed man.

III. This victory was delayed in mercy.—In these seven days of trumpet-blast and silence there was the long-suffering of Jehovah. Seven is the perfect number, and seven figures largely in this story. There were seven priests blowing on seven horns; there were seven days of compassing the walls; there were seven circuits on the seventh day. There was no sudden assault or swift surprise. The walls of Jericho did not fall before an unlooked-for flash of heaven’s anger. The perfect cycle of the days had run before the moment of the awful doom. The circle of God’s forbearance was complete. And we may be sure that a God of infinite mercy will take no man or city at unawares. Unwarned hearts are never castaway. God waits. He gives a sevenfold summons to repentance. We hear the trumpet-call. The ark is at the door. For He ‘willeth not that any man should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth.’

IV. This victory was won by loyal faith.—Remember what Jesus once said about faith. ‘If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,’ He said, ‘ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove.’ The city of Jericho was not a mountain, though it seemed to Israel to be walled to heaven, yet I sometimes think that Christ had Jericho in mind when He spoke that word about the power of faith. There have been besiegers who relied on stratagem, as when Troy was entered by the wooden horse. Others have found their ally in the starvation of the garrison, as in the awful story of Jerusalem. But the power of Israel lay in trusting God, and it was trust in God that gave them victory. Where were their military engines? They had none. Were the hosts of Israel experienced besiegers? They had never stormed a walled city yet. God was their strength. They triumphed because they trusted. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down.

V. This victory was marked by promise-keeping.—In the hour of success we are apt to forget our word. The song of victory has often a selfish ring. In the tide of enthusiasm we grow absorbed in self, and the pledges of the day of trial are unremembered. But when the shout went up and the walls of Jericho fell, the word of the spies to Rahab stood unbroken. Joshua made certain that none should violate the covenant. There stood her house. The scarlet line was bound upon the window. The spies pointed it out. Rahab was safe. She and her household were taken from the ruins, and brought on their road towards the camp of Israel. And just as Joshua in the hour of victory kept his word with this woman who was a sinner, so Jesus, the greater Joshua, in His hour of triumph, keeps his word with sinful men. In His days of trial and suffering He promised far greater things to us than were ever promised to Rahab. He promised joy and peace and power and life. Now He has conquered. He has led captivity captive. And countless men can tell how the triumphing Lord has kept His word.

Illustrations

(1) ‘Israel was taught that God can do without man’s agency, though, as a rule, He graciously condescends to use it. Man is never necessary to God. “It was not by their own power, but by a higher, that the Israelites were to effect their first entrance into the promised land. Whatever might be their own part in what followed—whatever might be their own even in this—the sagacity of Joshua, the venturesomeness of the spies, the fidelity of Rahab, the seven days’ march, the well-known and terrible war cry; yet the river is crossed, and the city falls, by other means.” God’s “own arm brought salvation.”’

(2) ‘The salvation of one woman’s soul. It seems a small harvest from so splendid a capture. Rahab delivered from death, Rahab who had lived in shameful sin—that was all. But God was satisfied. There was joy in the presence of His angels over a sinner who had repented. And thus I learn the priceless worth of one human life to God. I am of greater value to Him than a universe of material things. For me He has provided forgiveness through the death of His Son. To me He offers His Holy Spirit.’