Old Testament God of Love

Joshua and the Battle of Jericho

This week in the kid’s Sabbath school we studied about Joshua and the battle of Jericho. Isn’t that a great story? I’ll give you my version. Hope you don’t mind.

After God brought the Israelites out of Egypt thru great power and wonderful miracles, they approached the River Jordan approximately six months after they left Egypt. All the nations around were terrified because they had seen God’s might and power and knew He was with the Israelites. But, the Israelites forgot that God was the one who delivered them and so they refused to cross the Jordan and go into Canaan. Therefore, God said, “Okay, you don’t want to go in, so you can go back.” It always amazes me how good and patient God is with us stupid human beings. It’s no wonder He calls us sheep because we have no more sense than a sheep! God could have forced the Israelites to cross over, but, as is His way, He gave them plenty of evidences of His will; proved that He could do what He said He would do, but He left the choice up to them. And wouldn’t you know it, but turned back.

I love the stories of the Israelites because they show us God’s graciousness, His long-suffering and His mercy. He didn’t strike them down, He even continued to provide manna every day; the cloud covering by day to protect them from the sun and also as a guide; and the fire by night to give them light and heat as well as guidance. Isn’t it amazing that in the forty years that they wandered in the wilderness their shoes never wore out? Not only did God feed the people, but He also provided for all their animals. When you have 2-3 million people they had to have a lot of animals. So it always amazes me that God took care of not just the people but He fed their animals too! And, even though the Israelites disobeyed and distrusted God He still provided for them. What a great God we serve!

Anyway, forty years later, they returned to the Jordan and this time they crossed over. Once again, they had to rely on faith because God didn’t part the river for them until they had lined up, ready to go, and the priests put their feet in the water. I wonder how many opportunities I have missed because I didn’t put my feet in the water?

After they had crossed over, consecrated themselves to God and celebrated the Passover, then God gave Joshua some very strange instructions. They were to march around the city one time for six days, making no sound, then on the 7^th day, they were to march around seven times and shout the last time. What a strange way to fight a war. But they did what God told them. I can just imagine that the people in the city were totally bewildered, awestruck and amazed at the sight. Here are the warriors with their weapons, followed by seven priests with trumpets and carrying the ark with God’s presence shining out of it, then the rest of the army.

I believe that God had them march around the city for seven days because seven is a holy number to God, but also because He was giving the people in the city one last chance to repent and come out of their idolatry. We serve such a wonderful God who is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 2:9) He didn’t want any of the Canaanites to die, that’s why He sent Abraham 400 years earlier to witness to them and call them back to worship the true God, the creator of heaven and earth. But, except for Rahab and her family, no one else took a stand for God. I believe that, just as at the time of Noah, there were many who were tempted to join Israel. Probably many who were persuaded that the God of Israel was the true God, but they didn’t choose to serve Him. Probably fear of what others would think, fear of being wrong, fear of the unknown, fear of rejection, kept them where they were.

What a sad commentary on the human race. How sad to die because of fear, and yet most people, when presented with the choice to serve God all the way, will choose not to, because of fear. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). And yet God will give us all the love we need to trust Him and serve Him. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (1 Timothy 1:7).

After six days of marching, however, those who considered joining the Israelites, would have been congratulating themselves on having made the good decision to stay put, because obviously these people must be crazy to just keep marching around the city. But on the 7^th day, something different happened. Instead of going back to camp after the first circle, they kept going, and going. Seven times around. Total silence except for the marching feet and the occasional trumpet blasts. Nerves would have been stretched tight in that city. With good reason, because after the seventh circle, the priests let out long blasts on the trumpet and the walls fell down. Just like that! How many angels to you suppose it took to knock down those walls? How amazing the power of God. How often do we think that something can’t happen because we mistrust that awesome power that He is so willing to expend on our behalf?

Just like that, the battle was over and Jericho no longer existed. Except for Rahab and all who had taken refuge in her house, the city was no more. God doesn’t like to have anyone die, but if they reject His mercy and His invitation of love, He will, in love, put an end to their lives. He has a plan to restore us into His image, and never again to allow sin to enter this world. But if we choose not to serve Him, He can’t allow us to go on living forever because we would introduce sin into His new kingdom and the whole miserable cycle would continue. I, for one, am glad that God will not allow sin to continue, unchecked, for much longer. My ardent prayer, is, “even so, come Lord Jesus. Take me home with you. I’m tired of this old, wicked world.”

One last note. Archeologist, Bryant Wood, has discovered that the walls of the city of Jericho fell out, just as the Bible says, creating a ramp which the Israelites could climb up. They have discovered food in containers, enough so that the citizens of Jericho could have withstood a siege of several years. God had told the Israelites that were not to take anything except the gold, silver, and bronze from the city, and that these metals were all to be given to God. Another amazing discovery has been that against the outer north wall of the city, there are still houses standing. Houses that didn’t fall down like the rest of the houses on the city walls. Probably Rahab’s house. God can do anything! And I’m so grateful that He will save anyone who turns to Him and asks. It didn’t matter to Him that Rahab was a Canaanite woman if ill-repute. She asked for His salvation and He provided it. Even better, she married an Israelite and became an ancestress of Jesus. The great-grandmother of David. What a God we have that opens His arms to anyone and everyone who comes to Him.

Sorry for rambling on. I love the Bible stories and I love the God that I see portrayed in these stories. A God of grace who is willing to forgive and save all who come to me. Even though we don’t’ deserve it and can never, by our own deeds, live up to His holy standard, still He saves. It is awesome.

Please remember how much God the Father and Jesus, God the Son, love you and that He has a plan for your life and can work miracles for all who trust in Him.

Labels: God's grace, God's love, God's power, Jericho