Joshua 6 (2)

Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.” And he said to the people, “Proceed, and march around the city, and let him who is armed advance before the ark of the LORD.” Joshua 6.6, 7

Reflect.
1.  Why didn’t Joshua tell the people everything God had told him?

2.  We note that only some of the people were armed. Were those who were not armed excused from Joshua’s instruction? Why not?

Think about it.
Once again, Joshua only told the people as much as they needed to know to get started. If they could take up these first steps, then every next step would be easier. Just as our walk of faith proceeds in small steps, so the conquest of Canaan would begin with a once-around the walls of Jericho. Here again was an opportunity for the people to follow Joshua’s instructions and gain confidence in his leadership.

Joshua added the instruction that armed fighters should go before the ark. I don’t think he was going beyond what God had told him so much as he was extending previous revelation into this next step. We recall that God had instructed the armed forces of the two-and-a-half tribes to cross the Jordan first. It seemed to Joshua reasonable to conclude that they should go first in the processional as well.

Everyone in Israel was to be involved in this march, including those who had no weapons. The people would learn from this not to trust in weapons or men, but to lean entirely on the Lord and to obey His Word.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  God has given gifts for ministry to all the members of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 4.7-11; 1 Pet. 4.10, 11). Is anyone excused from the work of making disciples and building the church? Explain. 

2.  In Joshua’s instruction we see his understanding of God’s will, incorporating recent revelation with previous revelation (see paragraph two above). There is a principle here to guide us in seeking the will of God. How would you explain that principle?

3.  Why is it important that the people of God be able to trust their leaders? How is that trust developed?

“Though we appear unarmed in body, we nonetheless are bearing arms with which even in time of sunny peace we grapple in spirit against the unsubstantial foe. Now we need God to help us, and him only we must fear; without him our armor falls from us, but with him our armor gains strength. He will be your tower within the walls; he will be your wall where there are no walls.” Paulinus of Nola (355-431 AD)

Help me to trust only in You, Lord, as I go forth today to…

Pray Psalm 33.13-22.
Commit the details of your day to the Lord, looking to Him for steadfast love and deliverance, and renouncing all confidence in the flesh.

Psalm 33.13-22 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
God from His throne looks down on men; 
He knows our works and made our hearts.
Let not Your Church, let none depend 
on strength or skill or human arts.

God watches those who fear His Name, 
who hope upon His grace and love; 
He keeps their souls from death and shame
who trust in Him Who reigns above.

God is our Helper and our Shield; 
upon us let Your grace descend!
We hope in You; to You we yield; 
we trust in Jesus to the end.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).