Joshua 6 "Now Jericho was tightly shut.. "   The promise was made and the victory was sure.. The Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have given Jericho into your hand."   What was unexpected was the way this victory would be manifested. 

An army of soldiers, seven priests blowing trumpets, the ark of the covenant, and all the people marched around the city of Jericho.  The people were silent, so only the sound of the trumpets could be heard.  Six days of this.. Israel marching around the city.. one time each day. Then on the 7th day... the group returned to the city and marched around 7 times.  Then the order was given.. the trumpets blew and the people shouted. Joshua yelled,  "Shout! For the Lord has given you the city."  And the walls of Jericho fell down flat. 

The Lord commanded the people to take the silver and gold, bronze and iron things and put them into the treasury of the Lord.  Nothing else was allowed. They were commanded to destroy "everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, sheep and donkey.. "  The only exception was Rahab and her family and belongings.  The city was burned down, the metal items given to the Lord, and Rahab's family led to the outside of Israel's camp. 

Joshua spoke a curse over this ruin, "Cursed before the Lord is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his first born he shall lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he shall set up its gates."  This prophecy was fulfilled in the days of Ahab. A man named Hiel build Jericho again.  He lost his first born son as he laid the foundation.  He lost his youngest son as he set up its gates. What a price to pay!  So sad that people do not heed the Word of the Lord.. 

All the land, we are told, now knew that the Lord was with Joshua and the people of Israel.  Victory was certain.. but.. there were still lessons to be learned and work to be done. 

Father in heaven, we have a great victor, Jesus Christ, who has brought us into Your Hands. We have only to  stay united with Him in the Spirit that You have given to us.  We are the branches of the Living True Vine and we want to be fruitful in our walk with Jesus.  Remove from us the things of this world that are keeping us from victorious lives.  Have Your way, Lord, in us today we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.