“‘And I will shake all nations and the desire of all nations shall come; and I will fill this house with glory,’ saith the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2:7
When Israel had crossed the Jordan River, at the beginning of her conquest of Canaan, there stood before her the city of Jericho, with its walls of defiance refusing to give ground to the Israelites. These walls were not just made of stone, mortar, and natural material. Indeed, they were not just a primary display of godlessness, and people’s refusal to believe in the God of the Israelites. It must be remembered that when Israel stood before Jericho, there was the quiet accomplishment of a prophecy which the Lord had given to Abraham, about four hundred years prior. The Lord told Abraham that in the fourth generation after Israel had been led to Egypt, and suffered at the hand of the Egyptians, He would bring them out of that land. He specifically used a phrase, in speaking to Abraham, “…for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” (15:16) Thus, as Israel stood on the plains before Jericho, she was looking at, not only a physical fortress, but a spiritual bastion of godlessness and sin, that defied, and denied the entrance of Israel, and in essence the reign of the Lord Jesus. This is always the issue…who is going to reign, either Satan or God? The problem is that right in the middle is the nation of Israel, and later, the church. How important it becomes that both Israel, and the church of God, the body of Christ, claim their rights and heritage from the Lord Jesus, and by Him overcome all opposition to His reign. It must be noted that the severe judgement that would fall upon the inhabitants of Cannan, and specifically upon Jericho first, was the result of the “fullness of their sin.” This we see also in the example of Sodom and Gomorrah in the book of Genesis. When there was no “righteous” person left, i.e. no more receptivity to the light of Christ, judgement came. Lot seems to be the only one left, along with his daughters and wife, where there was a little opening to the light and the truth. This was true of Rahab, who saved her entire household because she was willing to believe in God, saving the spies sent by Joshua. Judgment fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah because their iniquity was full, and there was no more room for the light. The Lord, when he visited Abraham before the destruction of the two cities, revealed why their judgement was so severe: “Because of the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah, is great, and because their sin is very grievous.” (Gen. 18:20) That “cry” was almost certainly the blood of the saints who had perished in the godlessness of Sodom. The patience of God, in deferring judgment till there is no more room to receive light, is extraordinary. However, His justice is just as far reaching, and certain. The people of Jericho on those walls of stone and mortar, were themselves “walls and fortresses” in mind and heart. They were hardened by the fullness of their sin, and were dead though existing, revolting and rebelling against God. They refused to be receptive to Joshua, and the people, even in the face of hearing how the people had crossed the red sea, and conquered several kings that had resisted them. They deliberately denied and defied God. What then of the power of these spiritual barriers? Is there more to the walls of Jericho, and the people? What about the powers of darkness behind them, manipulating them?
The Apostle Paul writes of “principalities and powers” which the Lord Jesus conquered. He also speaks of the fight, the wrestling that we are engaged in, against the principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12) There are times when the Lord will “shake all the nations,” loosen the “loins of kings,” and destroy the words of the devil, in answer to faith and prayer. Is it not that time?
Dear Father, Strengthen us by The power of Thy overcoming might. In Jesus’ name, Amen.