Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Last week we were introduced to a surprise character in the Battle of Jericho.

Joshua encountered a man, whom we discovered was an Old Testament appearance of Christ.

This man who describes Himself as the Czar of God and Leader of His armies tells Joshua that He is going to deliver victory to the Hebrews.

This plan starts in 5:13 and goes through 6:5, but 6:1 suddenly leaves the Commander/Joshua conversation and switched to the events in Jericho, before resuming the conversation already in progress.

Transition: Since most of us were here last week as we studied Joshua’s encounter, submission and worship, let’s start this week with the interruption of Joshua 6:1.

The Place - Jericho (v.1)

Explanation

This is not a myth or a fable.

It is a real place located between Jerusalem and the Northern tip of the Dead Sea, attested by archeological evidence.

People who dig up and study old things have concluded that this was a hotbed of seismic activity because frequent earthquakes yield evidence of 34 times the walls have be destroyed and rebuilt.

It was a fertile spot in the midst of arid desert on the West Bank of the Jordan.

The Israelites are camped at Gilgal (NE of the city).

Artists have rendered an image of what the Ancient city may have looked like based upon the actual ruins.

Although we may think of a city as covering several square miles, the ruins indicate it was about 360 yards by 180 yards—about the size of a modern football stadium.

This explains how the Hebrews were able to walk around it 7 times in 1 day.

Notice the produce fields are outside of the walls.

This gives some indication of how vulnerable they could have been if cutoff from food sources for a long period of time.

According to the positioning of this verse in the narrative, the city was “shut up” before the 7 days of marching ever began.

Illustration

1.

One commentator (Richard Hess) observes, “Jericho is tightly shut up.

This may symbolize the attitude of the citizens of Jericho, also ‘shut up’ in their refusal to hear the message of Israel[i]”

Application

1.

You and I have both encountered people who are “shut off” from the Gospel.

Not because the Gospel is unavailable to them, but because they refuse to hear it.

They offer their excuses of “I’m no worse than the next guy”; “I don’t believe a loving God would send anyone to Hell”; or “your religions works for you, but I don’t need it.”

2. A person who won’t admit his or her need for a Savior, will never accept the good news that Jesus offers a way out of our sin and its consequences.

Transition: Following this brief description of the spiritual and military condition of Jericho, the report continues with…t

The Plan (vv.2-5)

Explanation

1.

The Czar from the last chapter continues to layout the Battleplan.

One of the modern inventions that has greatly increased my quality of life is the DVR.

This modern device allows me to, with one button of the remote, skip several minutes of irritating commercials.

One great drawback of recording Chiefs’ games is that my friends on social media often reveal the outcome of a game before I have had an opportunity to watch it.

Watching a game when I already know the outcome keeps my blood pressure from rising and falling, but it also removes much of the excitement.

Since this is Joshua’s first battle in the Promised Land, I’m sure it still held great intrigue, even if the outcome is foretold by the Commander.

2. Verse 2 reports the final score, then vv.3-5 provides the playbook.

3. The military men were a security detail at the beginning and ending of the parade, but the main attraction was the ark of the Covenant, which represented the manifest presence of Yahweh himself announced by 7 priests with trumpets.

4. We read often of 12 men representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

In the NT we read that Jesus chose 12 disciples.

In the book of Revelation we read of 12 stars, 12 gates, and 12 angels.

We read of 24 elders representing the 12 tribes and the 12 apostles.

But this is the only place in all of the Bible where we read about 7 priests.

And it occurs 4 times, so it is unlikely to be a scribal error.

Illustration

These 7 priests are leading a 7-day religious ceremony.

a.

Notice the men are to be silent during the march.

It is not a time to taunt the enemy.

It is not a time to recall the victories and experiences in the wilderness.

It is not a time for commentary, it is a time for silent reflection upon Yahweh as represented in the ark in the center of the procession.

b.

The only noise to be heard was the sound of feet marching and trumpets blowing.

I don’t know what the Priests played on their Ram’s horns.

I know they did not have electric base guitars and there is no mention of percussion, but maybe it sounded something like this time when Phil Driscoll was invited to play at our White House for a former President.

Play Video

Now I doubt the Hebrews got the stanky-leg going like Phil, but whatever they played, it energized the Hebrews to contemplate the victory that God had promised to provide.

These 7 days happen to fall on the 7 Days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread that follow Passover.

It was during the first feast of unleavened bread that Yahweh delivered the Hebrews from the Egyptian army.

Now that they have just observed the first Passover in the New Land (5:10), the soldiers would silently reflect on Yahweh’s deliverance of their fathers 40 years earlier and His promise of this deliverance in the first Feast in Canaan.

Application

1. “Even though the people participate, it is God’s divine work that will bring down the defences of the enemy and allow no obstacle to withstand the onward movement of God’s people into their divine inheritance[ii]”

2. Likewise, we respond to God’s promise in faith and obedience, but He is the one who goes before us and fights our spiritual battles.

He is the one who makes possible our salvation from darkness and evil.

He is the one who provides victory over the flesh and temptation.

3. The Christian life if God’s divine work!

Transition: After God gives the battle plan to Joshua, he must faithfully pass it on to the priests in v.6 and the militia in v.7.

Then Verse 8 we see the Hebrews running the Plays they were given.

The Players & the Plays (vv.6-21)

Explanation

1. Vv.8-11 describes that the first day went just as God called it.

2. Vv.12-14 describes days 2-6 that wend just as God had called it.

I’m not skipping reading these verses because they are unimportant, but only to save time.

Please go back and read the whole chapter without interruption to get the flow of the whole story.

3. Vv 15-21 describe the peak of the seven-day celebration.

4. They were going to march 7 times this day.

At the end of 7 laps there would be a prolonged blast then they were to shout a “great shout”.

5.

In the first part of 17 and also in 18-20, Joshua reminds the men of charem.

“The best analogy for us to understand ḥerem is to think in terms of radiation.

A nuclear explosion would destroy many things and irradiate much more.

The abhorrence and caution with which we would respond to that which has been irradiated is similar to what is expected of the Israelites regarding things under the ban.[iii]”

6.

In 17b we find that in the middle of God’s judgment on the wickedness of Jericho He extends grace and salvation to an unlikely Gentile.

7. In vv.

21-22 the story concludes with the Hebrews doing just what they were told and God doing just what He had promised.

Transition: The walls are flat, the people & animals are destroyed.

But before the precious metals are collected for the temple and the city is leveled by fire, 4 verses tell a remarkable story.

The Provision--Salvation (vv.22-25)

Explanation

1.

The protection promised in 17b comes about just as predicted.

Illustration

1.

This is a picture for us of God’s grace and salvation.

A woman of low social standing places her trust in the promise of Yahweh and she is spared along with all those, but only those, in her home.

2. This is another example of God’s mercy when man does not deserve it.

a.

When Man’s wickedness was great, and Yahweh determined to destroy the world by flood—He preserved Noah and his Family.

b.

When a great famine threatened the descendants of Abraham—He preserved Jacob’s family in Egypt.

c.

When God’s just wrath is poured out on the Canannites—He preserves Rahab and her family.

d.