Topical Bible: Israel: Jericho Captured

◄ Israel: Jericho Captured ►

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The capture of Jericho is a pivotal event in the history of Israel, marking the beginning of the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. This event is recorded in the Book of Joshua, chapters 5 and 6, and is celebrated as a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of obedience to His commands.

Background

Following the death of Moses, Joshua son of Nun was appointed as the leader of the Israelites. God promised Joshua that He would be with him just as He was with Moses, assuring him of victory over the inhabitants of Canaan (Joshua 1:5-6). The Israelites crossed the Jordan River miraculously, as the waters were stopped, allowing them to pass on dry ground (Joshua 3:14-17). This event signified God's continued presence and support for His people.

The City of Jericho

Jericho was a fortified city, strategically located near the Jordan River. It was known for its strong walls and was considered a significant military challenge. The city was tightly shut up because of the Israelites, with no one going out or coming in (Joshua 6:1).

Divine Strategy

God provided Joshua with a unique strategy for capturing Jericho, emphasizing faith and obedience over conventional military tactics. The Lord instructed Joshua to have the armed men march around the city once a day for six days, accompanied by seven priests carrying trumpets of rams' horns before the Ark of the Covenant. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times, and the priests were to blow the trumpets. At the sound of a long blast, the people were to shout loudly, and the walls of the city would collapse (Joshua 6:2-5).

The Fall of Jericho

Joshua and the Israelites followed God's instructions precisely. On the seventh day, after marching around the city seven times, the priests blew the trumpets, and Joshua commanded the people to shout. "When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they raised a great shout, and the wall collapsed. So each man charged straight into the city, and they captured it" (Joshua 6:20). The Israelites devoted the city to destruction, sparing only Rahab the prostitute and her family, as she had hidden the spies sent by Joshua (Joshua 6:17, 25).

Significance

The capture of Jericho demonstrated the power of God and the importance of faith and obedience. It was a clear indication that the success of the Israelites depended not on their military might but on their reliance on God's guidance. The fall of Jericho also served as a warning to the other Canaanite cities of the impending judgment and the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.

Rahab's Faith

Rahab's account is a remarkable aspect of the Jericho narrative. Despite her background, Rahab recognized the God of Israel as the true God and acted in faith by protecting the Israelite spies. Her faith was rewarded, and she became part of the lineage of Jesus Christ, as noted in the genealogy in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:5). Rahab's inclusion in the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11:31 underscores the transformative power of faith and God's grace.

The capture of Jericho remains a powerful example of divine intervention and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faith, obedience, and the recognition of God's sovereignty in the lives of believers.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 6:1
Now Jericho was straightly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

How Jericho was Captured.
... HOW JERICHO WAS CAPTURED. ... So God commanded Joshua to lay siege to Jericho in a very
strange way. ... In front of them the armed men of Israel were to march; and ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/how jericho was captured.htm

Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
... us, leaving the pitiful last hour of the wretched troubler of Israel untouched. ... When
God is with us, Jericho is not too strong to be captured; when He is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/achans sin israels defeat.htm

The Capture of Jericho and Ai
... the messengers whom Joshua sent to explore Jericho; and they ... When you have captured
it, set it on fire ... went up, together with the rulers of Israel, before the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the capture of jericho and.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... of a much later From the plain of Jericho two or ... The other towns ultimately captured
by the southern tribes were Hebron ... It inaugurated Israel's pioneer period. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

The End
... foe with 'red pursuing spear.' Where Israel had first ... the last king of David's line
was captured and his ... scene of the first victory, when Jericho fell before ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the end.htm

The Captain of the Lord's Host.
... was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel." ... place on which
he stood was holy; and instructed him how Jericho was to be captured. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the captain of the lords.htm

The Last Agony
... they were Nebuchadnezzar's servants, and had captured for him ... that the place which
had seen Israel's first triumph ... when 'by faith the walls of Jericho fell down ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the last agony.htm

The King --Continued.
... was the enthronement in his recently-captured city of ... it had been carried round the
walls of Jericho. ... had invoked became their ruin, and Israel was shattered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xi the kingcontinued.htm

God's Sovereignty Defined
... The city of Jericho barred their progress-what happened? Israel did not draw a bow
nor strike a blow: the Lord ... Every other city had to be captured by the sword ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter one gods sovereignty defined.htm

The Egyptian, who is Mentioned Also in the Acts of the Apostles.
... walls as he had the walls of Jericho, and then he and his followers, as the true
Israel and the ... while most of his followers were either destroyed or captured. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxi the egyptian who is.htm