Topical Bible: Fortresses: Often: Destruction of, Threatened

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In the biblical narrative, fortresses often symbolize human strength, security, and pride. However, they are frequently depicted as vulnerable to destruction, especially when they stand in opposition to God's will or serve as symbols of human arrogance and idolatry.

Old Testament References

1. Jericho: One of the earliest and most notable examples of a fortress's destruction is the fall of Jericho. The city was heavily fortified, yet it fell to the Israelites through divine intervention. As recorded in Joshua 6:20 , "So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. And when they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it."

2. Babylon: The prophets frequently spoke of the impending destruction of Babylon, a city renowned for its mighty walls and fortifications. Isaiah 13:19 proclaims, "And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah."

3. Tyre: The city of Tyre, known for its strong defenses and wealth, was also prophesied to face destruction. Ezekiel 26:4 states, "They will destroy the walls of Tyre and demolish her towers. I will scrape away her rubble and make her a bare rock."

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not focus as heavily on physical fortresses, the concept of spiritual strongholds is addressed. The Apostle Paul speaks of the spiritual battle against such strongholds in 2 Corinthians 10:4 : "The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."

Symbolism and Themes

1. Divine Judgment: The destruction of fortresses often symbolizes divine judgment against nations or peoples who have turned away from God. These narratives serve as reminders of God's sovereignty and the futility of relying solely on human strength and fortifications.

2. Human Pride: Fortresses are frequently associated with human pride and self-reliance. The biblical accounts of their destruction underscore the theme that no human power can stand against the will of God.

3. Spiritual Warfare: In the New Testament, the concept of fortresses extends to spiritual strongholds, representing the barriers and obstacles that stand against the knowledge of God. Believers are called to rely on divine power to overcome these spiritual fortresses.

Throughout the Bible, the destruction of fortresses serves as a powerful metaphor for the ultimate triumph of God's purposes over human opposition. These accounts encourage believers to place their trust in God rather than in earthly defenses.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 17:3
The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, said the LORD of hosts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Rondelet, {7} the Huguenot Naturalist {8}
... of those old amphitheatres, which they turned into fortresses. ... A terror they were
often to the respectable ... all round the neighbourhood, destruction of the ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/rondelet 7 the huguenot naturalist.htm

Severinus in Germany.
... in the midst of the desolation and destruction which ensued ... that the inhabitants
of the Roman fortresses besought him ... Often did he enjoin silence on those who ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/severinus in germany.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... against thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be ... very commencement, a twofold
element of destruction"viz., the ... done in other things also, as often as it ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

The First Theban Empire
... watch over the lands subject to their authority: other fortresses were established ...
plan formed a parallelogram, whose enclosure wall was often divided into ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

In Jerusalem when Herod Reigned
... and brother), and Agrippeion; unconquerable fortresses, such as ... the city with slaughter
and destruction; again and ... i. 33, and often; but the precise situation ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i in jerusalem when.htm

Heresies
... of such rigour that their lives were often endangered, if ... of the race, at least in
the destruction of the ... was obliged to surrender his chief fortresses and to ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xii heresies.htm

Attitude of Men of the Present Day to War.
... or through the press, are often indirect causes ... by ordering the demolition of fortresses,
which constitute ... with the terrible engines of destruction invented by ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter vi attitude of men.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... had been impressed led to their destruction, and among ... not absorb all their resources,
and often left them ... one after another, razed their fortresses, smote the ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Contradiction Between Our Life and Our Christian Conscience.
... in their wisdom or justice, and often clearly perceives ... Fortresses, arsenals, and
ships are built, new weapons are ... assists in the work of destruction, and is ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter v contradiction between our.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... position of the islands and the fortresses; and they ... that Persia had decreed her
complete destruction; the Athenians ... to order, and, as was often customary in ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm