What Should We Learn From The Walls Of Yeriycho (Jericho) Falling Down?
The story of the walls of Yeriycho (Jericho) falling down, recorded in Yahusha (Joshua) 6:1–27, is one that vividly demonstrates the miraculous power of Yahuah. But more than that, the utter destruction of Jericho teaches us several grand truths regarding Yahuah’s grace and our salvation.
The people of Yisrael had just crossed over the Jordan (Jordan) River into the land of Canaan (Joshua 3:14–17). This was the land of milk and honey Yahuah had promised to Abraham over 500 years earlier (Deuteronomy 6:3, 32:49). After spending forty difficult years wandering in the desert of Sinai, the people of Yisrael were now on the eastern banks of the Jordan. Their challenge: take the land of Canaan, the Promised Land. However, their first obstacle was the city of Jericho (Joshua 6:1), an unconquerable, walled city. Excavations there reveal that its fortifications featured a stone wall 11 feet high and 14 feet wide. At its top was a smooth stone slope, angling upward at 35 degrees for 35 feet, where it joined massive stone walls that towered even higher. It was virtually impregnable.
In ancient warfare such cities were either taken by assault or surrounded and the people starved into submission. Its invaders might try to weaken the stone walls with fire or by tunneling, or they might simply heap up a mountain of earth to serve as a ramp. Each of these methods of assault took weeks or months, and the attacking force usually suffered heavy losses. However, the strategy to conquer the city of Jericho was unique in two ways. First, the strategy was laid out by Yahuah Himself, and, second, the strategy was a seemingly foolish plan. Yahuah simply told Yahusha (Joshua) to have the people to march silently around Jericho for six days, and then, after seven circuits on the seventh day, to shout.
Though it seemed foolish, Yahusha (Joshua) followed Yahuah’s instructions to the letter. When the people did finally shout, the massive walls collapsed instantly, and Yisrael won an easy victory. In fact, Yahuah had given the city of Jericho to them before they even began to march around its walls (Joshua 6:2, 16). It was when the people of Yahuah, by faith, followed the commands of Yahuah that the walls of Jericho fell down (Joshua 6:20).
The apostle Paul assures us, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). The description of the complete obliteration of Jericho was recorded in Scripture in order to teach us several lessons. Most important is that obedience, even when Yahuah’s commands seem foolish, brings victory. When we are faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, we must learn that our Jericho victories are won only when our faithful obedience to Yahuah is complete (Hebrews 5:9; 1 John 2:3; 5:3).
There are other key lessons we should learn from this story. First, there is a vast difference between Yahuah’s way and the way of man (Isaiah 55:8–9). Though militarily it was irrational to assault Jericho in the manner it was done, we must never question Yahuah’s purpose or instructions. We must have faith that Yahuah is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do (Hebrews 10:23; 11:1).
Second, the power of Yahuah is supernatural, beyond our comprehension (Psalm 18:13–15; Daniel 4:35; Job 38:4–6). The walls of Jericho fell, and they fell instantly. The walls collapsed by the sheer power of Yahuah.
Third, there is an uncompromising relationship between the grace of Elohim and our faith and obedience to Him. Scripture says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30). Although their faith had frequently failed in the past, in this instance the children of Yisrael believed and trusted Yahuah and His promises. As they were saved by faith, so we are today saved by faith (Romans 5:1; John 3:16–18). Yet faith must be evidenced by obedience. The children of Yisrael had faith, they obeyed, and the walls of Jericho fell “by faith” after they were circled for seven straight days. Saving faith impels us to obey Yahuah (Matthew 7:24–29; Hebrews 5:8–9; 1 John 2:3–5).
In addition, the story tells us that Yahuah keeps His promises (Joshua 6:2, 20). The walls of Jericho fell because Yahuah said they would. Yahuah’s promises to us today are just as certain. They are just as unswerving. They are exceedingly great and wonderfully precious (Hebrews 6:11–18; 10:36; Colossians 3:24).
Finally, we should learn that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). It is not enough to say, “I believe Yahuah,” and then live in an unrighteous manner. If we truly believe Yahuah, our desire is to obey Yahuah. Our faith is put to work. We make every effort to do exactly what Yahuah says and keep His commandments. Yahusha (Joshua) and the Yisraelites carried out the commands of Elohim and conquered Jericho. Yahuah gave them victory over an enemy that was trying to keep them out of the Promised Land. So it is with us today: if we have true faith, we are compelled to obey Yahuah, and Yahuah gives us victory over the enemies that we face throughout life. Obedience is the clear evidence of faith. Our faith is the evidence to others that we truly believe in Him. We can conquer and be victorious through life by faith, a faith that obeys the Elohim who gives us that faith as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Source:
https://www.gotquestions.org/walls-of-Jericho.html
