After the children of Israel crossed the Jordan River and entered into the land of Canaan, the land that God had promised to give to the descendants of Abraham, the first city that they attacked and defeated was the city of Jericho. The history of their great victory at Jericho is recorded in Joshua chapters six and seven. Rahab, who lived in Jericho, confessed that she and other Canaanites knew that Jehovah is "God in heaven above, and in earth beneath" (Joshua 2:11). Yet, the Canaanites did not serve the Lord, and when their iniquity was "full" before Him (Genesis 15:16), He used the Israelites as His instrument to punish them. Since this is recorded in the Bible "for our learning" (Romans 15:4), let us consider some lessons that we can learn from Israel's victory at Jericho.

Jericho was a gift from Jehovah. After the death of Moses, the Lord told Joshua to lead the nation of Israel across Jordan and into the land of Canaan. The Lord described that land as "the land which I do give to them," saying also, "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses" (Joshua 1:2,3). So, according to the Lord's own words, He gave the Israelites the entire land of Canaan. He gave them vineyards, fields, and houses that did not belong to them. All of these were a gift from the Lord. Concerning Jericho, Jehovah said unto Joshua, "See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour" (Joshua 6:2). If God gave them this city, then it was a gift from Him. But, to say that it was a gift does not mean that there were no conditions by which the children of Israel received it. It was necessary for them to obey the Lord's commands, and then, and only then, He gave them the city of Jericho, then afterwards the whole land of promise. Today, we can say that the salvation which we receive through Jesus Christ is also a gift, just as Jericho was a gift to the Israelites. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). It is also written, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). Without doubt, we are saved by God's wonderful grace, and the salvation that we receive is a gift from the Almighty. However, this gift is conditional. We receive this gift only when do the Father's will, that is, we are saved by His grace only when we act according to the conditions that He has set forth in the Bible. In Hebrews 5:9 it is written, "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." This passage plainly shows that Jesus saves those who obey Him. Thus, obedience is necessary in order to receive God's gift of salvation.

God commanded Israel to use a "strange" method of attack. God commanded the Israelites to first march around the walls of the city of Jericho for six days, one time each day. He told them that on the seventh day they were to compass the city seven times, then the seven priests should blow with the trumpets. Following that, all the people should shout with a great shout (Joshua 6:3-5). That was God's plan of attack. Has such a plan been used often in man’s warfare throughout history? It has never been repeated after Jericho! It was unique, it was special, and to many it appears to be strange. But here is a lesson that we must never forget: "For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth" (Psalm 33:4). Yes, many times men consider God's instructions or actions as strange, but everything that God does and says is right, every time! Thus, we must never doubt or question His ways. Again we read, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8,9). In Egypt God spared only the firstborn sons that lived in houses where there was blood on the door post (Exodus 12), He used a brazen serpent to heal those who were bitten by snakes (Numbers 21), He cleansed a man of his leprosy only after he dipped in the Jordan River seven times (2 Kings 5), and He saves men through the preaching of the cross of Jesus the Christ (1 Corinthians 1:18-23). Many look at these truths, and because they are not able to find some logical or scientific connection between God's plans or instructions and the blessings that He gives to men, they reject God's way as foolishness. God does not need our advice, our philosophies, our wisdom, or our logic. As our Creator and Savior, He shows us the good way, the right way, and the only way that leads to heaven. It is up to us to decide if we will accept His way and live by it. Are you and I prepared to accept the will of Jehovah and act by faith, just like the Israelites did at the city of Jericho?

By faith the Israelites marched around Jericho. Joshua told the children of Israel how God wanted them to attack Jericho. To their credit, in this case they responded by doing exactly what God told them to do without murmuring (Joshua 6:8-16,20). They demonstrated a great faith, as it is written, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days" (Hebrews 11:30). Just why did the Israelites compass Jericho a total of thirteen times during those seven days? Simply because that is what Jehovah commanded them to do! What a strong faith. When did God cause the walls of Jericho to fall, just as He had promised? Only when the Israelites fully obeyed His commands. Again, we see that they received this gift (the city of Jericho) only when they believed and obeyed. What kind of faith must we have in order to please the Lord? A living, active, obedient faith that works by love (Galatians 5:6). Are we justified before God by faith? Yes (Romans 5:1), but "not by faith only" (James 2:24). Just as the children of Israel conquered Jericho, and later all of Canaan, we, too, can be conquerors today through faith. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4). Let each of us be prepared at each moment to show by his/her action the answer to the question that Jesus once asked His apostles, "Where is your faith?" (Luke 8:25).

Rahab was justified by faith and works. While all the other inhabitants of Jericho were destroyed when the Israelites attacked the city, Rahab and her family were spared. We may not understand everything about this woman and God's dealings with her, because there is not a lot of information given concerning her in the Scriptures. However, we must accept what God tells us about her. Here is what is recorded in the Old Testament: "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 6:25). In the New Testament the Holy Spirit declares, "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace" (Hebrews 11:31), and, "Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way" (James 2:25). Was Rahab a sinner? Most definitely. She was a harlot, and she lied (Joshua 2:4-6). But, in the end she was justified and received God's blessings. Does that mean that God approved of or overlooked the sins that she committed? Of course not. By what was she justified? By faith (Hebrews 11:31), but not by faith only. By works (James 2:24), but not by works only. She was justified by faith AND works. This example shows us that even those whom we might consider to be the "worst sinners" can be saved by God's grace if they will come to Him in humility, then believe and obey Him. The Lord's invitation is for all: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

The city of Jericho was destroyed a long time before any of us were born. Under Joshua’s leadership the Israelites attacked it over 3000 years ago. But do we not see that there are some valuable lessons that we need to learn from all of this history? May God help us not only to see those lessons, but also to really learn from them and apply them to our lives.

-- Roger D. Campbell