Study Content

Joshua 6 presents the first major confrontation as Israel begins to take possession of the land. Jericho stands before them as a fortified city, shut up and secured against any attack. From a natural perspective, it represents a strong and impenetrable obstacle. However, the chapter begins with a declaration from the Lord that shifts the perspective entirely. God tells Joshua that He has already given Jericho into his hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. This statement establishes that the outcome is determined before the action takes place.

The instructions that follow are not what would be expected in a military strategy. The people are told to march around the city once each day for six days, with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant and blowing trumpets made of rams’ horns. On the seventh day, they are to march around the city seven times, and at the end, the priests are to blow the trumpets and the people are to shout. This approach does not align with conventional warfare. It requires obedience without relying on visible logic.

This method reveals that God’s instructions are not always designed to make sense to human reasoning. They are designed to produce a result that can only be attributed to Him. The people must follow precisely what has been spoken, without altering it or trying to improve upon it. Their role is not to strategize, but to obey.

Joshua relays these instructions to the people, and they begin to carry them out exactly as commanded. Each day they march in silence, with the sound of the trumpets marking their movement. The silence is significant. It prevents distraction, speculation, and unnecessary speech. It keeps the focus on the act of obedience rather than on commentary about what is happening.

For six days, there is no visible change in the city. The walls remain standing, and nothing appears to be happening. This period requires patience and consistency. The people must continue doing what they have been told, even without immediate evidence of progress. This demonstrates that obedience is not dependent on instant results.

On the seventh day, the pattern changes. They rise early and march around the city seven times. At the final moment, the priests blow the trumpets, and Joshua commands the people to shout, declaring that the Lord has given them the city. This shout is not based on what they see, but on what has been spoken. It is an expression of faith in the word that has already been given.

When the people shout, the walls of Jericho fall down flat. The barrier that seemed immovable is removed instantly. The people go straight into the city and take it. This moment reveals that the victory was not produced by their effort, but by their obedience to God’s instruction. What they could not accomplish through strength or strategy is accomplished through alignment with His word.

The city is then devoted to destruction, as instructed. Everything is set apart according to what the Lord has commanded, except for Rahab and her household, who are spared because of the agreement made earlier. This reinforces that God honors covenant and remembers those who align with Him.

Joshua also gives a warning that the people are to keep themselves from the accursed things, so that they do not bring trouble upon themselves. This shows that obedience must continue even after victory. What God has instructed is not to be disregarded once the immediate objective is achieved.

The chapter concludes with Joshua pronouncing a curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho, establishing that what God has brought down is not to be restored by human effort. This final statement reinforces the seriousness of what has taken place and the authority of God’s actions.

From a deeper perspective, Joshua 6 reveals that God’s promises are established before they are seen, that His instructions may not align with human reasoning, and that obedience is the pathway to victory. The chapter shows clearly that consistency, patience, and faith are required when following what God has spoken.

This chapter reads the reader by asking whether there is a willingness to follow God’s instruction even when it does not make sense, whether there is persistence in obedience without immediate results, and whether trust is placed in what God has said rather than in what can be seen. It brings into focus that true victory comes not from effort alone, but from alignment with God’s direction.

Reflection

Am I willing to follow God’s instructions even when they do not make sense to me. Do I remain consistent in obedience when I do not immediately see results.