Topical Bible: Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Besieges and Captures Jericho

◄ Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Besieges and Captures Jericho ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction:
Joshua, also known as Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, and Oshea, is a central figure in the Hebrew Bible, renowned for his leadership of the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan. As Moses' successor, Joshua is celebrated for his unwavering faith and obedience to God. His most notable military achievement is the capture of Jericho, a pivotal event in the Israelites' journey to claim the Promised Land.

Background:
Joshua, originally named Hoshea, meaning "salvation," was the son of Nun from the tribe of Ephraim. Moses renamed him Joshua, which means "The LORD is salvation" (Numbers 13:16). He first appears in the biblical narrative as a military leader, commanding the Israelites in their victory over the Amalekites (Exodus 17:9-13). Joshua was also one of the twelve spies sent to scout the land of Canaan, and along with Caleb, he demonstrated faith in God's promise, urging the Israelites to trust in the LORD's ability to deliver the land into their hands (Numbers 14:6-9).

The Siege and Capture of Jericho:
The account of the siege and capture of Jericho is found in the Book of Joshua, chapters 5 and 6. After crossing the Jordan River, the Israelites camped at Gilgal, where Joshua encountered a divine messenger, the commander of the LORD's army, who assured him of God's presence and guidance (Joshua 5:13-15).

Divine Strategy:
God provided Joshua with a unique strategy for conquering Jericho, a fortified city with formidable walls. The LORD instructed Joshua to have the Israelites march around the city once a day for six days, with 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. Upon hearing a long blast, the people were to shout loudly, and the walls of Jericho would collapse (Joshua 6:2-5).

Execution of the Plan:
Joshua faithfully executed God's plan. The Israelites marched around Jericho as instructed, and on the seventh day, after the seventh circuit, 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).

Devotion to Destruction:
Following God's command, the Israelites devoted the city to destruction, sparing only Rahab the prostitute and her family, as she had hidden the Israelite spies sent by Joshua (Joshua 6:17, 22-25). The capture of Jericho demonstrated God's power and faithfulness, serving as a testament to the Israelites and their enemies that the LORD was with Joshua.

Significance:
The fall of Jericho marked the beginning of the Israelite conquest of Canaan and underscored the importance of obedience to God's commands. Joshua's leadership and the miraculous victory at Jericho reinforced the belief in divine intervention and the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs. The event is a powerful reminder of the necessity of faith and the assurance that God fights for His people when they trust and obey Him.