Saturday 04 September 2021

Psalm 61

Background

At the beginning of chapter six, the Lord says to Joshua “See, I have handed Jericho over to you” (6:2), but Joshua and the people still have to take for themselves what has already been given to them. This is a repeated pattern in the story of God’s people. We have to claim for ourselves what God has already done. As I pointed out on Tuesday, there is no such thing as 'armchair discipleship' where we are simply handed what we want on a platter. We have to get up and take action.

 For six days, the Israelites marched once around the city. The priests blew trumpets, but the people walked in silence. Joshua had told them not to “utter a word until the day I tell you to shout” (verse 10). On the seventh day, the people marched around the city seven times. On the seventh circuit, the trumpets were blown, the people shouted, and the walls came tumbling down.

Marching in silence was not the traditional way of capturing a city! Presumably these were the instructions which Joshua had been given during the vision recorded in verses 13-15. The people certainly seem to have accepted Joshua’s leadership and obey him without question. The crossing of the Jordan had given them huge confidence in him. (see Joshua 4:14)

 Joshua did not forget that Rahab and her household were to be saved from destruction (verse 17). Usually, the Israelites were allowed to take all the cattle and other property for themselves (see Deuteronomy 3:7) but, on this occasion, everything except the precious metals was destroyed. As Jericho was the first Canaanite city to be seized, this was seen as an offering of the first fruits to God.        

To Ponder:

• What has God already given you which you have not yet claimed?
• Are silence and shouting both part of your prayer life?

Prayer

We call to mind and pray for people living in places where there is war and conflict.