F O O T H O L D
READING
74 THE DAY THE WALLS FELL
DOWN
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PRAY There are parts of
today's reading that we all find difficult.
Ask God to help you to
understand the relationship between his
love, power and judgement.
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READ Joshua 6:1-25.
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THINK What does this account
teach us about faith in God?
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FOCUS A RELIGIOUS PROCESSION.
The conquest of Canaan began with the
fall of Jericho. There were
plenty of warriors available to fight
for it (see 4:13), but this
was not the moment for them to act.
It had to be seen that God
was with them and that he was the real
power. So the Israelites
marched around the walls with the ark
(which was not normally
taken into battle). The trumpets were not
war-trumpets. They were
religious instruments used as part of the
worship in the tabernacle.
So the solemn, religious nature of the
ceremony was stressed.
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A CONQUERED CITY. It was not
the normal pattern of the conquest
for cities to be destroyed,
though a few were (for example, Ai).
Usually the people of the
cities were driven out and their
property taken over by the
Israelites. But Jericho was different.
It was not a military
offensive but a religious procession. It
was the first city to be
captured and was seen by Israel's
historians as an offering to
God. The special nature of this
event can be seen by
checking Genesis 15:6 and Deuteronomy 20:10-
18.
A PROTECTED FAMILY. In the
midst of total ruin, Rahab and her
family were kept safe. Some
Israelites might have said that she
had served her purpose and
could be forgotten. But people are not
to be used. God doesn't work
that way. Nor should we.
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PRAY One day another trumpet
will announce another judgement of God (1
Corinthians 15:51-54).
Resolve that you will always trust in
Jesus alone for your future
and pray for help to warn and
encourage others.
