Timeless Spiritual Lessons from the Story of Jericho's Wall

Last year, while having quiet time with the book of Joshua, I found many valuable lessons, especially from the story of the collapse of Jericho's wall. From there, I learned four important things that can be applied in any season, and in any circumstance, throughout our lives.

Lessons from God for the Nation of Israel

After Moses died, Joshua led the people of Israel into Canaan, the land God had promised to Abraham to give to his descendants. Most often, they occupied this territory, which was already inhabited by other nations, through warfare. However, there is also a record of a unique method, namely bringing down a city's wall by circling it for seven days.

“You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days, and seven priests shall bear seven rams’ horns before the ark. 

“But on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the trumpets. And when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, and you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, every man straight before him.”

– Joshua 6:3-5

Jericho's wall was 1.5-2 meters thick and 3.7-5.2 meters high. It took about an hour to go around the wall that fortified this 40,000 m2 city. God asked the people of Israel to circle this wall for seven days, and He promised that He would give them victory on the last day.

Their struggle over those seven days teaches us about:

Lesson 1: Faith

Jericho was the first territory conquered by the people of Israel after crossing the Jordan River. Though not very large, this city was an important and formidable fortress. If so, why did Jericho have to be taken by circling the wall?

God's command sounded like a strange war strategy and may have stirred doubt. “Could a wall that thick really collapse just by being circled for days?”

But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. – Joshua 6:2 (NLT)

In the English version, it says that God had already given Jericho to the people of Israel, even before they began circling the wall. This means that what God asked of them was faith to believe that He could do it in a way that seemed insignificant. This is how God taught the people of Israel about faith. Through the victory over Jericho, they gained confidence that they would be able to defeat other nations as well.

Sometimes, God simply wants to know how great our faith is. He does not ask us to do impossible things. However, He wants us to have faith, in small things and great ones alike. God can do anything, bring down walls, part the sea, even move mountains. The question is, do you also believe that He can change you or help you out of your problems?

“I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” – Luke 18:8

Lesson 2: Obedience

But Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or let your voice be heard, nor shall a word go out of your mouth until the day I tell you, ‘Shout!’ then you shall shout.” – Joshua 6:10

It took faith to circle the wall of Jericho for seven days. But it took obedience to do it without uttering a single word.

Through this event, we learn about the importance of being obedient people. Even if God's command feels hard, unreasonable, or out of step with our desires, do your best to obey it. Through obedience, we can grow and achieve victories in life.

3. Courage

They destroyed with the sword everything in the city, both men and women, young and old, as well as cattle, sheep, and donkeys. – Joshua 6:21

To claim the victory God had given, the people of Israel had to have the courage to step out of their comfort zone. While circling Jericho's wall, they may have been mocked, attacked, or killed by other nations or by the people of Jericho. It was courage that enabled them to go forward into battle, to obey, and to do things they had never done before.

That generation of Israel was not a people trained for war. Previously, they had been slaves in Egypt for hundreds of years, and afterward wandered in the wilderness for four decades. Those who entered the land of Canaan were the next generation, who had to build up the courage to wipe out the formidable people of Jericho.

Bethany Hamilton, an American surfer who lost an arm in a shark attack and returned to surfing a month later, said, “Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.” Courage does not mean that we cannot feel afraid. Courage means not letting fear stop us.

Whether to follow God, start a new job, build relationships, or to claim His promises, all of it takes courage. God never said life would be easy when following Him. However, He promises to be with us.

4. Perseverance

Just as the people of Israel persevered in circling Jericho's wall for seven days, we too need perseverance to do almost everything in life. We are not only to persevere in having quiet time and daily prayer, until the end of our lives, but also in other things. For example, helping others come to know God, exercising, reading books, working, loving others, being patient, and so on.

We may wonder, “Will these small things I do routinely really make an impact?” Of course they will. Do not expect instant results in life. After all, even to cook instant noodles you need a few minutes, don't you?

For you have need of perseverance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. – Hebrews 10:36 

Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching. This is one of the quotes that motivates me to keep learning through various media, including from the Word of God. So, drawing lessons from the story of Jericho's wall, let us continue to have faith, do our part with obedience, courage, and perseverance. Amen!

Related Articles:

• Often Caught in Drama? Recognize the Causes and the Solutions
• Growing in Balance as an Introvert
• Perseverance That Saves: Study the Bible the Ezra Way
• Adapting to New Habits, Making Peace with a New Lifestyle
• 3 Important Benefits of Reading God's Word Every Day

-