Joshua 6

Joshua 6 describes the famous battle of Jericho, where God’s instructions lead Israel to an unconventional victory. The chapter highlights the power of obedience and faith in God’s promises. The Israelites were commanded to march around the city for seven days, and on the seventh day, with a loud shout, the walls of Jericho would fall.

Joshua 6:1 (NKJV)
Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in.

Jericho was on high alert, with its gates closed, anticipating an attack from Israel. The city's fortified walls and locked gates made it seem impenetrable, but this was also a sign of fear among its inhabitants due to Israel's growing reputation after crossing the Jordan.

Joshua 6:2 (NKJV)
And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.”

God reassures Joshua that victory is already guaranteed. Even before any military action, God declares that Jericho, its king, and its warriors will be delivered into Israel’s hands. This demonstrates that God’s plan and power are the true sources of success.

Joshua 6:3-5 (NKJV)
3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days.
4 And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.
5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”

God gives Joshua detailed instructions for defeating Jericho, which seem unusual for a battle plan. The Israelites are to march around the city for six days with the ark of the covenant and seven priests. On the seventh day, they will march around the city seven times, blow the trumpets, and shout. This highlights faith and obedience as the key to victory, as it defies conventional military tactics.

Joshua 6:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.”
7 And he said to the people, “Proceed, and march around the city, and let him who is armed advance before the ark of the Lord.”

Joshua immediately acts on God’s instructions, organizing the priests and people for the march. The emphasis on the ark of the covenant leading the procession signifies God's presence among them, and the armed men ahead of the ark symbolize preparation for both spiritual and physical engagement.

Joshua 6:8-11 (NKJV)
8 So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them.
9 The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets.
10 Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.”
11 So he had the ark of the Lord circle the city, going around it once. Then they came into the camp and lodged in the camp.

Joshua leads the people in the march according to God’s command. The silence of the people, except for the sound of trumpets, builds anticipation and shows discipline and faith. The ark's presence underscores God’s leadership, while the repeated march demonstrates patience and trust in the unusual strategy.

Joshua 6:12-14 (NKJV)
12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.
13 Then seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually and blew with the trumpets. And the armed men went before them, but the rear guard came after the ark of the Lord, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets.
14 And the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. So they did six days.

The Israelites faithfully follow the daily routine for six days, showing obedience to God's instructions. The repetition of the march, led by the ark and the priests blowing trumpets, serves as a reminder of God’s presence and the growing anticipation of His deliverance.

Joshua 6:15-16 (NKJV)
15 But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the city seven times.
16 And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!”

On the seventh day, the pattern changes as they march around Jericho seven times. At the end of the seventh march, Joshua gives the command to shout, declaring that the Lord has given them the city. This marks the culmination of their faith and obedience, as victory is now imminent.

Joshua 6:17-19 (NKJV)
17 Now the city shall be doomed by the Lord to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
18 And you, by all means, abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
19 But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the Lord; they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.”

Joshua instructs the people to destroy everything in Jericho, except for Rahab and her household, because of her faithfulness. He also warns them not to take any of the accursed things, as this would bring a curse on Israel. The valuable items are to be dedicated to the Lord, emphasizing the city’s destruction as an act of divine judgment, not plunder.

Joshua 6:20-21 (NKJV)
20 So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

At the sound of the trumpets and the people’s shout, the walls of Jericho collapse, just as God had promised. The Israelites then enter the city and destroy everything, carrying out God’s judgment. This victory demonstrates God's power and the consequences of defying Him.

Joshua 6:22-25 (NKJV)
22 But Joshua had said to the two men who had spied out the country, “Go into the harlot’s house, and from there bring out the woman and all that she has, as you swore to her.”
23 And the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and all that she had. So they brought out all her relatives and left them outside the camp of Israel.
24 But they burned the city and all that was in it with fire. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord.
25 And Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father’s household, and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

Rahab and her family are saved, fulfilling the promise made by the spies. This act of mercy shows that faith in God can bring salvation, even for a foreigner like Rahab. The city is then completely destroyed, except for the items dedicated to the Lord’s treasury.

Joshua 6:26-27 (NKJV)
26 Then Joshua charged them at that time, saying, “Cursed be the man before the Lord who rises up and builds this city Jericho; he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest he shall set up its gates.”
27 So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout all the country.

Joshua places a curse on anyone who attempts to rebuild Jericho, foretelling that such a person would suffer great loss. This curse serves as a reminder of Jericho’s divine destruction and the consequences of opposing God. The chapter concludes by affirming that Joshua’s leadership is blessed by God, and his reputation grows throughout the land.