How does Joshua 6:1 connect to God's promises in Deuteronomy 31:6? Setting the Scene at Jericho “Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.” (Joshua 6:1) The Promise Echoing from Moab’s Plains “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) How the Two Verses Interlock • Jericho’s locked gates reveal human fear; Israel’s enemies are on defense before a single sword is drawn. • Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 31:6 guaranteed the Lord’s constant presence and victory. Joshua 6:1 shows that promise already unsettling the Canaanites. • God’s pledge (“He will never leave you”) is the reason Israel can stand before an apparently impregnable fortress without panic. • The closed city is not an obstacle to God but a stage for Him to display His faithfulness. Promise in Action: From Assurance to Victory 1. Divine presence affirmed – Joshua 1:5 restates Deuteronomy 31:6 to Joshua personally: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 2. Enemy morale collapses – Rahab testified, “all who live in this land are melting in fear because of you” (Joshua 2:9–11). 3. God delivers – Joshua 6:2–20 recounts Jericho’s fall, proving Deuteronomy 31:6 in real time. Unchanging Faithfulness, Then and Now • Hebrews 13:5 quotes Deuteronomy 31:6, applying the same promise to every believer. • Psalm 118:6 echoes the theme: “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.” • 1 Corinthians 15:57 reminds us that victory comes “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Personal Application – Obstacles that look “tightly shut up” are already subject to God’s plan. – Courage is not self-generated; it flows from the Lord’s abiding presence. – Today’s Jerichos—addictions, anxieties, opposition—cannot withstand the God who never forsakes His people. God’s promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 is the unseen foundation under Joshua 6:1, turning a fortified city into evidence of His unfailing word. |
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