“Now Jericho was straightly (securely) shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out and none came in.” Joshua 6:1
The beginning of the conquest of Canaan began at a specific point, a designated place, at a designated time, and a desginated way. The promise to Israel of the successful conquest of Canaan, and its subsequent possession, goes back to the days of Abraham, over four hundred years before the people of Israel stood on the banks of Jordan, waiting to cross over, and begin the conquest. The Lord spoke to Abraham concerning an heir. Through this heir a nation would eventually be born, consisting of twelve tribes, consisting of a multitude of people. The Lord told Abraham, “I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.” (Genesis 15:7) The Lord then proceeded to tell Abraham that he would pass away, and not see his descendants possess the land. In fact, He would tell Abraham that four generations would pass before “the iniquity of the Amorites,” would become full. There would be no more room in the hearts of the Canaanites for the revelation of the true and living God, thus incurring His wrath and their destruction. Not only would this come about, but an additional forty years, was added to the length of time before they were permitted, to begin their conquest. This was because of their unbelief, and rebellion, the refusal to follow the Lord wholly.
Though a great deal of time passed, God would so work in the people, that they were brought in mind and heart to be fully consecrated to God, even saying to Joshua: “All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go.” (Joshua 1:16) The children of Israel miraculously crossed the Jordan River, and camped at a place call Gilgal. There the people would be circumcised a second time to affirm their consecration to God, because many of the men had been born in the wilderness, and had not been circumcised.
It was after the circumcision was accomplished, and the people were healed, that they were brought face to face with their first, and major point of attack, and conquest. Their objective was Jericho, a city protected by impenetrable walls. The enemy within was “shut up,” not coming out, and none could go in. How would this point of attack be addressed in such a way that victory would not only be declared, but realized before the very eyes of the people? It would be first of all by the revelation, not only of the will of God, but also, by the coming of the Captain of the Lord’s Hosts. The walls of Jericho were material, but there were powers of darkness that were ammassed behind those walls, which were determined not to let Israel pass. Just as we see in the narrative of Elisha’s servant in the town of Dothan, saw that the town was surrounded by a Syrian army which had been sent to apprehend Elisha, so he needed to see what was in the invisible. So, Elisha prayed to the Lord that He would, “…open his eyes, that he may see.” (2 Kings 6:17) Elisha’s servant then saw that, “…the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (v.17) To the natural eye, only a physical enemy, and army, was present. For the prophet Elisha, and his servant, they now saw another army, a holy, victorious, spiritual army.
The point of resistance and defiance against the people of Israel was Jericho. Its walls could only be breached by the intervention of God, that which was invisible. What were God’s methods? They consisted first of all in the revelation of the word of God, or His will. Secondly, there was the appeal to obedient fatih according to those words of God. With compliace to His will, God’s power and authority would be manifested. Lastly, the multitude of Israel would go victoriously forth when the trumpets blew, and the people shouted together.
Dear Father, Teach us to conquer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.