How does Joshua 6:15 demonstrate the importance of obedience in our lives? Setting the Scene “On the seventh day they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner—this was the only day they marched around the city seven times.” (Joshua 6:15) What Obedience Looked Like • Israel’s army rose early—no delays, no negotiations. • They repeated God’s unusual instruction exactly: seven laps on the seventh day. • Nothing about the plan made military sense; everything about it required trust. • Their consistency over all seven days showed that obedience is sustained faith, not a one-time burst of zeal. Why Obedience Matters • Obedience aligns us with God’s power. Only after the seventh lap and the shouted trumpet blast did the walls fall (Joshua 6:20). • It verifies love for God. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) • It brings God’s favor. “To obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22) • It tests perseverance. Six silent days prepared Israel for the climax; perseverance proved their faith was genuine (Hebrews 10:36). Lessons for Our Lives • God’s commands often contradict human logic, yet blessing follows compliance. • Partial obedience is disobedience. Marching six days without the seventh would have left Jericho standing. • Obedience must be prompt—Israel rose at daybreak. Delay can be disobedience in disguise. • Community obedience matters. The entire nation acted in unity; our choices affect others (1 Corinthians 12:26). • Results are God’s responsibility; obedience is ours (James 1:22). Living It Out Today • Start each day like Israel—ready to act on God’s Word before your own agenda. • Embrace commands that feel illogical—generosity in tight finances, forgiveness after deep hurt, purity in a permissive culture. • Stay consistent. Victory may come after the seventh lap, not the first. • Measure success by faithfulness, not immediate outcomes. The walls fell on God’s timetable, not Israel’s. |
    |