Topical Bible: Fortresses: Often: Levelled

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In the biblical narrative, fortresses are frequently depicted as symbols of human strength and security, yet they are often shown to be vulnerable and subject to destruction. The Bible presents numerous accounts where fortresses, despite their formidable structures, are leveled by divine intervention or human conquest, underscoring the theme that ultimate security is found in God alone.

Old Testament References

1. Jericho: One of the most famous examples of a fortress being leveled is the fall of Jericho. The city was heavily fortified, yet it fell not by conventional warfare but by the miraculous intervention of God. As the Israelites obeyed God's command to march around the city, the walls of Jericho collapsed. Joshua 6:20 states, "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 fall of Babylon is another significant event where a seemingly impregnable fortress was conquered. Despite its massive walls and strong defenses, Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians as prophesied by Isaiah and Jeremiah. Isaiah 13:19 declares, "And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah."

3. Samaria: The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria, was a fortified city that eventually fell to the Assyrians. This event was seen as a judgment from God due to the people's idolatry and disobedience. 2 Kings 17:5-6 records, "Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria."

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not focus on physical fortresses as much as the Old Testament, the concept of spiritual fortresses is addressed. The Apostle Paul speaks of spiritual 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." Here, the emphasis is on the power of God to overcome spiritual barriers and obstacles.

Theological Implications

The leveling of fortresses in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the limitations of human strength and the futility of relying solely on physical defenses. These narratives illustrate the sovereignty of God over nations and His ability to bring down the proud and the mighty. They also highlight the importance of faith and obedience to God, as seen in the account of Jericho, where the Israelites' victory was contingent upon their adherence to God's instructions.

In a broader spiritual sense, the concept of fortresses being leveled can be applied to the believer's life, where reliance on worldly security is replaced by trust in God's protection and provision. The biblical accounts encourage believers to seek refuge in God, who is described as a fortress and stronghold for those who trust in Him, as expressed in Psalm 18:2 , "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 25:12
And the fortress of the high fort of your walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory
... and in individuals; for obedience brings rest, often outward tranquillity ... for building
not only fortresses, but temples ... the ramparts may be levelled, and flowers ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture g/asas reformation and consequent peace.htm

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

Progress of Calvinism
... infuriated by the charges of unorthodoxy levelled against them ... the state, and four
of the strongest fortresses of the ... and not, as has been so often alleged, as ...
/.../chapter iii progress of calvinism.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... first section from Zalu to Gaza-The Canaanites: their fortresses, their agricultural ...
under their banner at the first call,** must have been often tempted to ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Memphite Empire
... These primitive fortresses were strong enough to overawe nomads ... The Pharaohs often
peopled their royal cities with ... the rest of the site was levelled to receive ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... the ground in front of them was then levelled and a ... rapidly made, so that in a few
days, often in a ... the cession of some few small towns or fortresses to the ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... of the earlier Theban period; it was rounded at the top and often furnished with
a ... with bent bow, the string drawn back to his ear, the arrow levelled ready to ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... and that their revolts must often have jeopardised the ... of the Nile, bristling with
fortresses, Khininsu, Oxyrhynchus ... set fire to Dur-Yakin, levelled its towers ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... In the case of fortresses built on a plain, where the plan was not modified by ... into
each line of ramparts; the gate of the outer wall was often surrounded by ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... canals and reeds," as it was often named"was ... sacred city of western Asia was levelled
with the ... Kyaxares of Karu-Kassi, attacked the fortresses which defended ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm