Josué 6

Josué 6

McGee - Jericho represents the world to the believer. It is strong and formidable and foreboding-- the conquest depends upon faith " For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith" (1John 5:4). Hebrews 11 reveals how faith worked in all age s in the lives of God's choice servants as they met the world head-on and overcame by faith. Don Anderson - Since Jericho symbolizes the world to us and our relationship to it, it would be good for us to consider the warning of John the Apostle in 1Jn 2:15-17+ "Do not love (present imperative with a negative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away (present tense - in the process of passing away), and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 6 18. In any wise keep yourselves. That is, by all means, most carefully, studiously, vigilantly. This city was as it were, the first fruits of Canaan, and as such wholly devoted to the Lord. The spoil of other cities, subsequently taken, was allowed to be divided among the captors, but this was to be an exception to the general rule. And make the camp of Israel a curse. Heb. ‘put, or place the camp a curse.’ The Heb. word for ‘put’ has often the signification of ‘make, constitute, render.’ The meaning is, that they would thereby render themselves obnoxious to the curse denounced upon the city. And trouble it. Bring distress upon it by provoking the Divine displeasure, and interrupting the prosperous course of your victories. Heb. עכרתם achartem, from עכר achar, to trouble. See note on Gen. 34:30, 31. This is spoken as if in foresight of the sin of Achan, to whom Joshua afterwards said, ch. 7:25, ‘Why hast thou troubled us? The Lord shall trouble thee this day.’ From hence he is called Achar, or trouble. 1 Chron. 2:7. Joshua 6:20 So the people shouted, and priests blew the trumpets; and when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight ahead, and they took the city. wall: Jos 6:5 2Co 10:4-5 Heb 11:30 Joshua 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (WE WALK BY FAITH). 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. One Schematic of Fortified Walls of Jericho (see note) THE SHOUT AND TRUMPET LEAVE THE WALL IN A SHAMBLES So - Therefore. A term of conclusion. Joshua's instructions are followed by action steps (literally 7 times around) and action shouts! Madvig points out that "“To emphasize the divine intervention, no secondary causes for the collapse of the wall are mentioned. It would be no less a miracle were we to find that God used an earthquake to bring the walls down.” (The Expositor's Bible Commentary) W E Vine on Israel's conquest of Jericho - The ordinary way would be by direct attack. God's ways are not man's ways. The people were taught their complete dependence upon the Lord. (The Collected Writings of W. E. Vine) This incredible event is recorded in the Hebrews "Hall of Faith" "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days." (Hebrews 11:30+) . Whose faith is being touted here? It has to be all the Israelites, Joshua, the leaders and the people. Why? Because faith is an "action" word and true faith calls for obedience, which Israel manifested. Faith in Jehovah's unusual command was manifest by obedience to His charge. Faith that pleases God is faith that obeys God and believes it will be rewarded by God as it was in this case with a total victory over this strong pagan enemy (cf Heb 11:6+). THOUGHT- Notice the little word "AFTER" in Hebrews 11:30+ - What is the point? What would have happened had they shouted after walking around one time? Six times? Absolutely nothing because PARTIAL OBEDIENCE is always DISOBEDIENCE! God is not playing games with us. He wants total, wholehearted commitment! Perhaps you are not experiencing the "abundant life" Jesus promised in John 10:10. Could it be that you've only walked around your impregnable "Jericho" only 6 times, that you have given partial obedience, but hesitated to root out that cherished pet sin that precludes complete obedience? Jesus wants ALL of our hearts, not 99%! Read Mark 12:30-31+ for a refresher! Cyril