Bible Story · Joshua 6
The Walls of Jericho
The story of the walls of Jericho reveals how the Israelites, led by Joshua, trusted and obeyed God's unusual instructions to conquer a fortified city. This event highlights the importance of faith and obedience in experiencing God's power and provision.
Bible study resource from The Kingdom Built.
Main Takeaway
Obedient faith in God's guidance leads to victory, even when His ways seem unusual.
Story at a Glance
Study This Story Further
Chapter Studies
Related Stories
Where This Story Fits
What Happened?
God’s Instructions to Joshua
God commanded Joshua and the Israelites to march around the city of Jericho once a day for six days, with seven priests carrying trumpets of ram’s horns leading the procession.
The Seventh Day March
On the seventh day, the Israelites were to march around Jericho seven times, with the priests blowing trumpets. After the final circuit, the people were to shout loudly.
The Walls Collapse
When the Israelites obeyed exactly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, allowing them to enter the city and capture it as God had promised.
Rahab’s Role
Rahab, a woman living in Jericho, protected Israelite spies and was spared during the city’s destruction because of her faith in God.
The Complete Obedience
The Israelites destroyed everything in the city except for Rahab and her family, demonstrating obedience to God’s commands and His justice.
Historical and Biblical Background
After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites were ready to enter the Promised Land. Jericho was the first major city they encountered, known for its strong walls and strategic location. The city represented a significant obstacle to God's people as they sought to claim the land promised to their ancestors.
Joshua had succeeded Moses as the leader of Israel and was tasked with leading the people into the land God had given them. The conquest of Jericho was not just a military campaign but a test of Israel’s faith and obedience to God’s specific instructions.
This story is set during the early phase of the Israelite conquest of Canaan, a time when God demonstrated His power to fulfill His promises and establish His people in the land.
Key Bible Verses
“2. And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.”Study Joshua 6 →
Why This Verse Matters
This verse shows God's assurance to Joshua that victory was already secured by divine promise, emphasizing that success depends on trusting God's power, not human strength.
“5. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.”Study Joshua 6 →
Why This Verse Matters
God’s specific instructions highlight the importance of obedience and faith in His plan, even when it involves unusual actions.
“20. So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.”Study Joshua 6 →
Why This Verse Matters
This verse records the fulfillment of God’s promise, showing that obedience to His commands results in His miraculous intervention.
“30. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.”Study Hebrews 11 →
Why This Verse Matters
The New Testament affirms that faith was the key element in this victory, encouraging believers to trust God’s promises.
“27. So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.”Study Joshua 6 →
Why This Verse Matters
God’s presence with Joshua confirms that God honors those who obey Him and leads them to success.
What This Story Means
The story of Jericho’s walls falling teaches that God’s power is greater than human obstacles. The Israelites did not conquer the city by their own might but through faithful obedience to God’s instructions. This reminds believers that trusting God’s plan, even when it seems unusual or difficult, leads to victory.
Rahab’s inclusion in the story shows that faith in God can bring salvation, even to outsiders. Her protection and inclusion in Israel’s community highlight God’s grace and the importance of faith over heritage or background.
The destruction of Jericho also reflects God’s justice and holiness. The city was devoted to destruction because of its wickedness, showing that God’s promises come with calls to obedience and righteousness.
Overall, this story encourages believers to trust God’s guidance, obey His commands fully, and have faith in His power to overcome challenges.
What We Can Learn
Faith Requires Obedience
The Israelites followed God’s specific instructions exactly, showing that faith is demonstrated through obedience, even when God’s ways seem unusual.
God’s Power Overcomes Obstacles
The miraculous fall of Jericho’s walls reminds us that God can overcome any barrier when we trust Him.
God’s Promises Are Sure
God promised the land to Israel and fulfilled that promise, showing that God is faithful to His word.
Faith Includes Trusting God’s Timing
The Israelites had to patiently follow God’s plan for seven days, teaching us to trust God’s timing rather than our own.
God’s Grace Extends to All Who Believe
Rahab’s salvation shows that faith in God is what matters most, regardless of one’s background.
Common Misunderstandings
The Walls Fell by Natural Causes
Some suggest the walls collapsed due to natural events like earthquakes, but Scripture attributes the fall directly to God’s miraculous intervention in response to obedience and faith.
The Story Is Only About Military Conquest
While it involves a military event, the story primarily teaches about faith, obedience, and God’s power rather than just warfare tactics.
Rahab’s Role Is Minor
Rahab is often overlooked, but Scripture highlights her faith and obedience, making her a key example of God’s grace and inclusion.
The Israelites Were Violent Without Cause
The destruction of Jericho was part of God’s judgment on a wicked city, not random violence; it reflects God’s holiness and justice.
How This Story Points to Jesus
The story of Jericho points forward to Jesus in several ways. First, Rahab’s faith and salvation prefigure the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s kingdom through faith in Christ. Just as Rahab was spared because of her faith, all who trust in Jesus are saved regardless of their background.
Additionally, the victory through obedience and faith foreshadows the ultimate victory Jesus won over sin and death by perfectly obeying the Father. Believers are called to walk by faith and obedience, trusting in Jesus’ power to overcome spiritual obstacles.
Finally, the fall of Jericho’s walls symbolizes the breaking down of barriers between God and humanity, a barrier fully removed through Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.
Continue Learning
Related Stories
Chapter Studies
Reflection Questions
- How does this story challenge you to trust God’s instructions, even when they seem unusual?
- What obstacles in your life require faith and obedience to overcome?
- In what ways can Rahab’s example of faith encourage you today?
- How does God’s faithfulness in this story encourage your trust in His promises?
- What does this story teach about the relationship between faith and action?
- How can you be more patient in trusting God’s timing?
- What barriers has Jesus broken down for you personally?
- How can you apply the lessons of Jericho to challenges in your spiritual journey?
Prayer
Lord, help me to trust Your guidance and obey Your commands fully, even when I don’t understand Your ways. Strengthen my faith to believe in Your power to overcome every obstacle. Thank You for Your faithfulness and grace, shown through Your promises and the example of Rahab. Teach me to walk by faith and live in obedience to You, trusting that You are with me in every battle. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God tell the Israelites to march around Jericho instead of attacking directly?
God’s instructions were designed to demonstrate that victory comes from His power, not human strength. The unusual method required faith and obedience, showing that God fights for His people.
Who was Rahab and why was she spared?
Rahab was a woman in Jericho who protected Israelite spies. Because of her faith in God and her obedience, she and her family were spared during the city’s destruction.
Did the walls of Jericho really fall down miraculously?
According to Scripture, the walls fell as a direct result of God’s miraculous intervention when the Israelites obeyed His commands, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.
What does this story teach about faith?
It teaches that faith involves trusting and obeying God’s instructions, even when they seem unusual or difficult, and that such faith leads to God’s victory.
Is this story only about military conquest?
No, while it involves a military event, the main focus is on God’s power, faithfulness, and the importance of obedience and faith in His plans.
How does this story relate to Jesus?
Rahab’s faith points to the inclusion of all believers in God’s kingdom through Jesus, and the victory through obedience foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate victory over sin and death.
Why did God command the destruction of Jericho?
Jericho was devoted to destruction because of its wickedness, and this act was part of God’s judgment, showing His holiness and justice.
What can we learn about God’s timing from this story?
The Israelites had to patiently follow God’s plan for seven days, teaching us to trust God’s timing rather than our own impatience.
Personal Library
Save This Bible Story
Save this Bible story to your personal library so you can return to its people, setting, meaning, and lessons anytime.