The Fall of Jericho

INTRODUCTION: The conquest of the Promised Land begins with the battle of Jericho. Everything up to now has been preparation. Now real war begins. God begins by assuring Joshua that He is with him and that He has a plan for taking Jericho.

1. THE LORD APPEARS TO JOSHUA (Joshua 5:13-15)
1. As a Man with a Sword in His Hand (Joshua 5:13)
1. Joshuas confrontation with the man
1. Joshua sees Him.
2. Joshua questions Him.
2. Note: This reminds us of a situation where Moses saw a bush burning and drew closer to see what the great site was. It was at that point that Moses was told of his calling to return to Egypt to deliver the Israelites.
2. As the Captain of the Host of the Lord (Joshua 5:14-15)
1. The man identifies Himself (Joshua 5:14a); certainly, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ.
1. He receives worship from Joshua (compare Revelation 19:10).
2. He speaks to Joshua as the LORD (Joshua 6:2).
3. The LORD is a man of war (Exodus 15:3).
2. Joshua falls on his face (Joshua 5:14b).
1. He worships Him.
2. He submits to Him.
1. What saith my lord unto his servant?
2. Compare Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? (Acts 9:6).
3. The Lord commands Joshua to remove his shoes (Joshua 5:15).
1. Loose thy shoe.
1. The same command was given to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5).
2. God is demonstrating that He is with Joshua as He was with Moses (Joshua 1:5).
2. The place is holy.
1. It was holy because God was there (see Genesis 28:16-19).
2. It was holy because it was the promised land (Genesis 12:1; Genesis 13:14-17; Genesis 15:7, 18; Genesis 17:8;  Exodus 6:4; Exodus 13:5; Deuteronomy 1:8; Joshua 1:2-4).
2. THE LORD GIVES HIS PLAN OF ATTACK (Joshua 6:1-5)
1. Jericho Besieged by the Israelites (Joshua 6:1)
1. Jericho was shut up.
1. None went out.
2. None came in.
2. This was done because of the children of Israel.
2. Israel To Circle the City Six Days (Joshua 6:2-3)
1. The Lord has given Jericho into the hands of Joshua (Joshua 6:2).
1. The people of Jericho
2. The king of Jericho
3. The mighty men of valour
2. The Lord provides the first order of business (Joshua 6:3).
1. The men of war are to go round about the city once.
2. This is to be repeated for six days.
3. The City To Be Taken the Seventh Day (Joshua 6:4-5)
1. The inclusion of the priests (Joshua 6:4)
1. Some were to bear the ark.
2. Some were to go before the ark with seven trumpets of rams horns.
2. Instructions for the seventh day (Joshua 6:4-5)
1. The city is to be compassed seven times. This makes for a total of 13 times in seven days (Joshua 6:4).
2. The priests are to blow the seven trumpets (Joshua 6:4-5).
1. The priests were to make a long blast with the trumpet (Joshua 6:5).
2. Consider another time where the trumpet is specifically said to be blown with a long sound or blast (Exodus 19:13, 19).
3. The people are to shout a great shout (Joshua 6:5).
4. The walls of the city will fall flat (Joshua 6:5).
5. The people are to take the city (Joshua 6:5).
3. THE ISRAELITES CIRCLE THE CITY (Joshua 6:6-11)
1. Joshua Commands the Priests and the People (Joshua 6:6-7).
1. The priests (Joshua 6:6)
1. To bear the ark of the covenant
2. To bear seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark
2. The people (Joshua 6:7)
1. To go along with the ark
2. The armed men to go before the ark
2. The Company Circles the City Once (Joshua 6:8-11).
1. The march begins (Joshua 6:8-9).
1. The priests go before the ark blowing the trumpets (Joshua 6:8).
2. The armed men go before the priests with the trumpets (Joshua 6:9).
3. The rereward came after the ark (Joshua 6:9).
1. Rereward is another spelling for rearward and is related to rear guard. Ward is congruent to guard (Acts 12:10).
2. The word rereward is found six times in scripture: Numbers 10:25; Joshua 6:9, 13; 1 Samuel 29:2; Isaiah 52:12; Isaiah 58:8.
3. A rereward has many different functions.
1. It protects from attack in the rear (Deuteronomy 25: 17-19).
2. It enables an orderly retreat (2 Timothy 4:9-17).
3. It plugs up holes in the line (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).
4. It replaces weary frontline troops (Psalm 23:3; Isaiah 41:10; Galatians 6:9).
5. It gives a push in the heat of the battle (Romans 8:31; 2 Corinthians 2:14).
4. Note: According to Isaiah 52:12, the Lord is the Rereward of His people.
2. The people keeping silence (Joshua 6:10)
3. The ark circling the city (Joshua 6:11)
4. THEY CIRCLE THE CITY SEVEN DAYS (Joshua 6:12-15)
1. One Time Each for Six Days (Joshua 6:12-14)
1. Joshua would rise early in the morning (Joshua 6:12).
2. The priests took up the ark (Joshua 6:12).
3. The other priests went ahead with the trumpets (Joshua 6:13).
4. The men of war would go ahead of the trumpets (Joshua 6:13).
5. The rereward would fall in line behind the ark (Joshua 6:13).
6. This order was repeated for six days (Joshua 6:14).
2. Seven Times on the Seventh Day (Joshua 6:15)
1. They rose about the dawning of the day.
2. They went forth in the same order.
3. They compassed the city seven times.
5. THEY TAKE THE CITY OF JERICHO (Joshua 6:16-21)
1. The Shout of the People (Joshua 6:16)
1. At the long blast of the trumpet
2. At the word of Joshua
3. At the victory given by God
2. A Reminder To Save Rahab (Joshua 6:17)
1. The city is accursed.
2. Only save Rahab
3. A Warning of the Citys Curse (Joshua 6:18-19)
1. Take nothing for yourselves (Joshua 6:18).
2. Consecrate the precious metals unto God (Joshua 6:19).
4. The Complete Destruction of the City (Joshua 6:20-21)
1. The walls fell down flat (Joshua 6:20).
2. They destroyed every living thing (Joshua 6:21).
6. THEY SPARE RAHAB AND HER HOUSEHOLD (Joshua 6:22-25)
1. The Two Spies Deliver Rahab (Joshua 6:22-23).
1. The two spies go to the house of Rahab to ensure her safety (Joshua 6:22).
2. Several in Rahabs family were spared (Joshua 6:23).
2. The City Burnt with Fire (Joshua 6:24)
3. Rahabs Household Delivered from Destruction (Joshua 6:25)
7. JOSHUA CURSES THE MAN WHO REBUILDS JERICHO (Joshua 6:26-27)
1. The Curse on Rebuilding Jericho (Joshua 6:26; 1 Kings 16:34)
1. The man who rebuilds Jericho will be cursed.
2. He will lay the foundation at the expense of his firstborn.
3. He will set up the gates at the expense of his youngest.
2. The Lord was with Joshua (Joshua 6:27).

CONCLUSION: What battles are you facing? Do you know that the Lord is with you? Are you looking to Him for strength? Are you submitting to His will in your life? Are you fighting for the Promised Land?