God’s Jericho Plan

Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” Joshua 6:1-5

The two spies provided nothing to Joshua as far as a strategy to take Jericho. That plan comes directly from God. But what a plan it is. Humanly speaking God’s plan would accomplish nothing to break down Jericho’s walls. But with God nothing is impossible. Joshua is truly challenged to be strong and courageous, to trust God and His plan to attack Jericho. What would be the worst if it failed? Has the thought of failure or the seemingly impossibility of something God has set before you ever caused you not to do it? Joshua is truly a man under authority. He knew who had the authority and his job was to carry out what was commanded of him. God spoke it, Joshua did it. The results were victory each time Israel followed all God commanded, but defeat when they did not follow all He commanded. Today, let us purpose in our hearts to follow God, to carry out His plans each day. Then, as Moses said at the Red Sea, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.”