When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. Joshua 6:20 (Chapters 5-6)
Four days after crossing into Canaan the Israelites celebrated passover, their first home cooked meal in 40 years. The manna ceased and God sent His invisible army to encourage and direct Joshua. The covenant was renewed among a new generation by means of circumcision.
The first threat to Israel’s inhabitance was Jericho, a fortified city. They must be removed and God alone took this victory. Israel’s part in the battle was obedience and worship, God’s Heavenly Army did the rest. Can you imagine being a resident of Jericho while the Israelites marched to victory? Encircling troops, blasting trumpets and a silent infantry seemed an unusual maneuver, but a believer’s battle is won in ways that are not designed by man’s calculations. The only survivors were Rahab and her family.
Archaeological revelations indicate that about 1400 B.C. Jericho was leveled and peculiarities and evidence was found that coincide with the Biblical narrative. (I’m not surprised, just wanted to share.) Dr. John Garstang, director of the British School of Achealology in Jerusalem, 1929-36, found stored food stuffs beneath the double walled fortress. It is odd that these precious commodities were not pillaged by survivors, except there were none and Israel had no need of non-kosher food.
When God moves it is unique to His love, justice and power. Wrapped in His faithfulness we find our peace and security. It’s okay to expect a miracle, it is the essence of God’s presence in our life.
Happy Friday!
Gretchen