Joshua 6 (4)

But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the city seven times. And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the LORD has given you the city! Now the city shall be doomed by the LORD to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the LORD; they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.” Joshua 6.15-19

Reflect.
1.  Marching ‘round and ‘round Jericho must have created a growing sense of anticipation in the people of Israel, like a child turning the handle on a Jack-in-the-Box. What does that anticipation feel like? Do you suppose this was part of the Lord’s strategy? 

2.  What differences can you identify between this seventh day’s march and the marching of the previous days. Why was this day different?

Think about it.
The NKJV translates the Hebrew verb in verse 16 as said, a simple past tense (וַיֹּ֨אמֶר). It should more accurately be had said, the perfect tense. Otherwise it looks as if Joshua gave all these instructions only as the priests blew the trumpets, rather than before the people began their march. He might have had difficulty getting the word out to all the people as to what they were to do now, given that they were completely encircling the city, and the blast of the trumpets was especially loud and long. The verse is better translated, “And it happened on the seventh time, that the priests sounded a long blast (cf. v. 5) of the trumpets. Now Joshua had said to the people…”

At any rate, on the seventh day of the march, the people were to go around the city seven times, rather than one. Seven times? Wouldn’t they have been especially tired after so much walking? Indeed, they would have, just as Jesus was worn out and hungry after 40 days fasting in the wilderness, then to be confronted by Satan. But as Jesus defeated the devil by the Word of God, so Israel would triumph at Jericho, not by their own strength, but by the strength of God’s Word.

Specific instructions are given concerning the city, its inhabitants, and all the plunder that will be taken. These instructions are clear, and we can be certain that Joshua made every Israelite understand what the Lord expected. They would have been given in advance, and not in the midst of thundering trumpets, collapsing walls, and shouting Israelites.

But wait a second: What were they supposed to shout? If we translate the Hebrewכִּֽי  as for or because, it’s not clear. If we translate it that (indicating an objective clause to follow), then what follows may outline what they were to shout: “The LORD has given [us] the city!” I think this makes the most sense. Imagine how hearing that shout would have encouraged every one of those dog-tired Israelites. Imagine how it would have terrified the people of Jericho (who certainly understood the language, cf. Josh. 2.8-14), to hear that thunderous battle cry!

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Let’s try to put ourselves into the shoes of those Israelites as they began their march on the seventh day. Knowing what Joshua had commanded them, and what he promised, how would they have been feeling? Should the commandments and promises of God have a similar effect on us? Explain.

2.  God commanded His people to wear themselves out in simple every-next-step obedience. After that, He would give them the victory. Is there a discipleship principle here?

3.  How would Israel acknowledge that the Lord had given them this great victory? How should we acknowledge the victory which is ours because of Jesus?

“For just as in the naming of a single city the condition of the whole world is symbolized, so also the course of seven days indicates the space of seven thousand years during which the trumpets of priestly preaching announce destruction to the world and threaten judgment…” Maximus of Turin (d. 423 AD)

Lord, teach me the way I should go today. Fill me with Your Spirit, so that I may have victory in…

Pray Psalm 84.
Seek the presence of the Lord. Offer yourself as a living sacrifice. Call upon Him for the strength you will need for this day’s Kingdom-seeking journey.

Psalm 84 (Holy Manna: Brethren, We Have Met to Worship)
Lord of hosts, how sweet Your dwelling; 
How my soul longs for Your courts! 
Let my soul with joy keep telling 
Of Your grace forever more. 
Like a bird upon the altar 
Let my life to You belong. 
Blessed are they who never falter 
As they praise Your grace with song! 

Blessed are they whose strength is founded 
In Your strength, O Lord above. 
All whose hearts in You are grounded 
Journey in Your strength and love. 
Though they weep with tears of sadness, 
Grace shall all their way sustain. 
In Your presence, filled with gladness, 
They shall conquer all their pain. 

Lord of hosts, my prayer receiving, 
Hear me, help me by Your grace! 
In Your courts I stand believing; 
Turn to me Your glorious face! 
Lord, our sun, our shield, our glory, 
No good thing will You deny 
To those who proclaim Your story, 
And who on Your grace rely.

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).