As the Praises Go Up, The Walls Come Down!
God had prepared Joshua, over the years he had spent assisting Israel’s former leader Moses. Now he was to lead Israel in their conquest for the promised land named Canaan. Joshua (aka Yehoshua) means “Yahweh is salvation.” Quite appropriate considering the job the LORD had given him to do.
Joshua was present and saw the LORD in action, when Moses was leading, and the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. (Exodus 9:8 -16) Moses gave Joshua instructions (verse 9)all of which Joshua obeyed and carried out. Exodus 9:13 tells us that “Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”
As we look at our topic, we are told of another totally different method that the LORD chose to implement, in order for Israel to conquer Jericho and have their first victory in the promised land. The Lord was not going to just hand over Canaan to the Israelites.
They had to fight for it, with the LORD’S help. So, the battle of Jericho was very different.
The Lord chose to use an instrument and the peoples voices for this battle. His weapon of choice were Joshua and his men of war, seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord, the Ark of the Covenant, total silence, the voices of the Israelites.
The LORD proceeded to tell Joshua what he was to do, how, when, and where he was to do things. At no time were spies sent out; or any of the Israelites entered Jericho city.
(Joshua 6 :1-5) Joshua did not try to put his own twist on the battle procedures. He obediently cascaded his instructions to the people. (verse 6-7) Joshua then led the people, to carry out the instructions to the full, in total silence; over the next six days.
The seventh day was to be the day, that the LORD gave them different instructions that would cause the wall of the city to fall flat. Only then do we read that an actual weapon was allowed to be used.
We may not be in physical battles such as these (unless you are a member of the armed forces) but we do have battles in our daily lives. These battles are not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and powers and rulers of darkness of this world; and spiritual wickedness in high places.(Ephesians 6:12) We need the Holy Bible, prayer, and most of all the help of the Holy Spirit, to help us to be victorious as disciples of Jesus.
There are times when the LORD requires us to be still; or be silent; or for us to fight the good fight of faith. The are times when we need to shout and praise the LORD, in order to bring down the demonic walls that have been or are trying to be erected in our lives.
During your time of prayer and fasting, ask the LORD to instruct you on how to overcome and be victorious, in your situation. Take the time to listen carefully and follow His instructions. If it is not a time for you to be silent, the open your mouth and praise the LORD!; then see the salvation of the LORD as you overcome.
Bible Reading: Joshua 6.
Bible verse: “So, the peopled 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. The people went up into the
city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.” (Joshua 6: 20)