Commentary on Joshua 6

Joshua 6 recounts the miraculous fall of Jericho, a pivotal event in Israel's conquest of Canaan. Under divine instruction, the Israelites march around the city for seven days, culminating in a final march and a great shout that causes the city walls to collapse. This chapter highlights God's unique battle strategy, Israel's obedience, and the complete destruction of Jericho, save for Rahab and her family, demonstrating God's power, faithfulness to His promises, and judgment against wickedness.

Historical context

The book of Joshua picks up where Deuteronomy leaves off, detailing Israel's entry into and conquest of the land of Canaan. After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, a new generation, led by Joshua, stands poised to fulfill God's ancient promise to Abraham (Gen 12:7). Jericho, a heavily fortified city, represented the first major obstacle to Israel's advance into the central highlands of Canaan. Strategically located, it guarded the main route from the Jordan Valley to the interior.

The events of Joshua 6 occur shortly after Israel's miraculous crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3) and the renewal of their covenant with God at Gilgal (Joshua 5). The narrative emphasizes that this is not merely a military campaign but a holy war, or herem, commanded by God. The destruction of Jericho serves as a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and His active participation in Israel's battles, rather than relying solely on human military might. The command for complete destruction (devotion to the Lord) reflects God's judgment on the pervasive idolatry and wickedness of the Canaanite inhabitants.

Verse by verse

• 1:

  Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites, indicating its formidable defenses and the fear it instilled in its inhabitants. This verse sets the stage for the seemingly impossible task ahead, emphasizing the human impossibility of conquering the city by conventional means.

• 2:

  The Lord assures Joshua, “I have given you Jericho.” This declaration of past tense highlights God's sovereignty and the certainty of His plan, even before the battle begins. The victory is not earned by Israel but granted by God.

• 3:

  God's command for the army to march around the city once a day for six days, with armed men and priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant, reveals an unconventional military strategy. This was a test of faith and obedience, not a tactical maneuver.

• 4:

  Seven priests were to carry seven ram's horn trumpets (shofars) before the Ark. The number seven, prominent throughout this chapter, often symbolizes completeness or divine perfection in biblical numerology, underscoring the divine nature of the operation.

• 5:

  On the seventh day, after marching seven times, the priests were to blow a long blast on the trumpets, and all the people were to shout. This specific, detailed instruction required precise obedience, linking Israel's action directly to God's promised outcome: the collapse of the walls.

• 10:

  Joshua's strict command for silence until the appointed time emphasizes the sacred nature of the act and the need for disciplined obedience. The battle was God's, and human noise or premature action could interfere with His timing.

• 16:

  On the seventh day, after the seventh circuit, Joshua gives the command to shout, for “the Lord has given you the city!” This moment marks the culmination of their obedience and the immediate fulfillment of God's promise.

• 20:

  The walls of Jericho collapsed flat, a miraculous event that defies natural explanation. This supernatural intervention demonstrates God's power and validates His covenant with Israel, proving He fights for His people.

• 21:

  Israel carried out the herem, or

Key themes

• Divine Sovereignty
• Obedience and Faith
• God's Judgment
• Salvation of Rahab
• The Power of God's Word

Application

The story of Jericho in Joshua 6 reminds us that God's ways are often not our ways. When faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, our natural inclination is to strategize, to rely on our own strength or cleverness. Yet, God often calls us to simple, sometimes illogical, acts of obedience that demonstrate our trust in His power, not our own.

This chapter encourages us to cultivate a posture of expectant faith. Just as Israel marched around Jericho, we are called to faithfully follow God's commands, even when the outcome is unclear or the method seems absurd. The victory at Jericho was not a result of Israel's military prowess, but God's direct intervention. This should comfort and challenge us: comfort, because our battles are ultimately His; challenge, because our role is to obey, not to engineer the outcome. Our faithfulness, even in small acts, can unlock God's mighty power.

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