Why did Joshua command silence until the day he said, "Shout"? Setting the Scene outside Jericho Joshua 6 records Israel’s first engagement in the land. The city is shut tight, humanly impregnable. The Lord outlines a seven-day procession: • For six days: Israel’s warriors march once around Jericho behind the Ark. • On day seven: seven circuits, then a long trumpet blast, then the shout. Verse 10: “But Joshua had commanded the people, ‘Do not give a battle cry or raise your voices or say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then you are to shout!’ ” Why the Silence? • Dependence, not debate – Exodus 14:14: “The LORD will fight for you; you must be quiet.” – Silence placed the outcome squarely in God’s hands. No strategy sessions, no boasts, only trust. • Reverence before the Ark – Habakkuk 2:20: “The LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.” – The Ark, the throne of the Lord, led the procession. Silence acknowledged His holy presence. • Discipline and unity – Maintaining wordless ranks for seven days required self-control and corporate harmony. – Obedience in small things prepared them for the larger miracle. • Protection from unbelief – Numbers 14:2 shows how quickly grumbling spreads. Keeping mouths closed prevented a repeat of wilderness complaining that could have undermined faith. • A dramatic contrast – Six days of quiet heightened the impact of the seventh-day shout. The collapse of Jericho’s walls could only be credited to the Lord, not to sustained human noise. • A prophetic picture – Ecclesiastes 3:7: “a time to be silent and a time to speak.” – The march mirrored this rhythm: first silence, then proclamation; first waiting, then victory. • Psychological advantage – From Jericho’s ramparts, silent troops circling daily would unsettle defenders, draining morale without a word. The Moment of Release When the trumpets sounded and Joshua cried, “Shout!” the people released pent-up faith in one unified roar (Joshua 6:16). God answered instantly: “the wall collapsed” (v. 20). Takeaways for Today • Quiet trust precedes public triumph. • Guarding the tongue preserves faith (James 1:19). • God often requires stillness before He reveals His power (Psalm 46:10). • Discipline in the mundane sets the stage for participation in the miraculous. |
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