Joshua - Chapter 6

Joshua 6.1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. Joshua 6.2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. Joshua 6.3 And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. Joshua 6.4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. Joshua 6.5 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. Joshua 6.6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD. Joshua 6.7 And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD. Joshua 6.8 And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them. Joshua 6.9 And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. Joshua 6.10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout. Joshua 6.11 So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp. Joshua 6.12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. Joshua 6.13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. Joshua 6.14 And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days. Joshua 6.15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. Joshua 6.16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city. Joshua 6.17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. Joshua 6.18 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. Joshua 6.19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD. Joshua 6.20 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. Joshua 6.21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword. Joshua 6.22 But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. Joshua 6.23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. Joshua 6.24 And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD. Joshua 6.25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. Joshua 6.26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it. Joshua 6.27 So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.

Joshua : Chapter 6

The Miraculous Fall of Jericho

Chapter 6 of the Book of Joshua tells us of the miraculous fall of Jericho, a city whose walls collapsed through divine power. This fascinating account invites us to reflect on how obedience to God can lead to victory. Through a unique siege and supernatural destruction, this chapter highlights the essential themes of faith, obedience, divine power, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Divine Mercy and the Rescue of Rahab

In this story, we also learn about the rescue of Rahab and her family, a powerful example of divine mercy. Rahab, through her faith and courage, was protected during the destruction of Jericho, illustrating how God honors those who trust in Him.

Five Correlated Bible Passages

To deepen our understanding of the powerful themes present in Joshua 6, let's examine five biblical passages that enrich our reflection:

Hebrews 11:30

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been surrounded for seven days."

This verse interprets the fall of Jericho in Joshua 6 as an act of faith, connecting this Old Testament event to New Testament theology.

James 2:25

"Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot justified by her works, when she received the spies and led them out another way?"

James refers to the story of Rahab, emphasizing the importance of faith demonstrated by works in the context of the narrative of Joshua 6.

Matthew 1:5

"Salmon begat Boaz by Rahab. Boaz begat Obed by Ruth. Obed begat Jesse."

This verse of Jesus' genealogy includes Rahab, emphasizing her crucial role in the messianic lineage, and testifying to its importance in the divine plan.

1 Kings 16:34

"During the reign of Ahab, Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. He laid the foundation at the expense of Abiram his eldest son, and set up the gates at the expense of Segub his younger son, according to the word of the Lord which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun."

This verse evokes the curse pronounced in Joshua 6:26 on whoever rebuilds Jericho, thus demonstrating the fulfillment of this prophecy divine.

Luke 19:10

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

This passage echoes the theme of Rahab's salvation in Joshua 6, illustrating how God is always there to save those who trust in Him, regardless of their past or mistakes.

By exploring these verses, we discover the depth and richness of the Christian faith, reminding us that obedience to God and trust in His mercy lead to true victory.