WAYS THROUGH WALLS

“The people shouted with a great shout, that the WALL FELL DOWN FLAT” – Joshua 6:20b

Our God makes WAYS THROUGH WALLS: “So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the WALL FELL DOWN FLAT. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city” (Jos.6:20). No wall is formidable or strong enough to stop God or barricade His people from advancing. The story of Jericho shows how God’s people, in spite of the arduous obstacle, continued the journey to the Promised Land, rather than retreat in fear.

God had plans for conquering the land of Canaan with its fortified cities and giants. He never leaves His people to their own strategies but reveals His divinely-provided plan. We are consistently warned in Scripture against leaning on our own understanding or plans (Pro.3: 5-6; Jer.9: 23-24; 17:5). God’s strategy for invading and conquering Canaan was however based on some geographical factors. From their camp at Gilgal near the Jordan River the Israelites could see steep hills to the west. Jericho controlled the way of ascent into these hills, and Ai, another fortress, stood at the head of the ascent. If they were to capture the hill country they must certainly take Jericho and Ai. This would put them on top, at vantage point, and in control of the central ridge, having driven a wedge between the northern and southern sections of Canaan.

For Israel to engage the armies of the south in battle followed by the more remote enemy in the north Jericho had to fall first – and it did as Joshua and the people followed the Lord’s plan of action! Jericho was a military fortress that must not be bypassed if their rear would be safe from large military forces. Our text describes: (1) the Plan or Strategy for Victory (vv. 1-7); and (2) the Path or Sequence to Victory (vv. 8-20).

God’s Plan for Victory shows how His Ways transcend human ways (Isa.55: 8-10). His plan of deliverance is not what man would design if he could or could if he would because of humanity’s proneness to depend on his own solutions (Pro.14:12). Man tends to introduce works into the equation of salvation, but God’s Way is by faith alone in Christ alone! The divine directions given to Joshua for the conquest of Jericho obviously seem strange when compared to any humanly-devised strategy, but these align with the life and walk of faith. Before outlining His Plan, the God of Faith graciously assured Joshua of victory: “See, I have given Jericho into your hand” (v.2). Joshua was called to see with eyes of faith and envision Jericho as conquered. Likewise, believers are assured of constant and total triumph over sin and Satan (2Cor.2:14).

God’s Path to Victory did not require battering rams, scaling ladders, or towers. All the people did was to march silently around the city each day with the priests carrying the trumpets of rams’ horns. On the seventh day they marched seven times around the city and the priests blew their trumpets for the wall to collapse. This unique strategy teaches God’s people that though we have responsibilities in tearing down strongholds contending against God’s knowledge, victory is dependent on two things: God’s power and faith and our faithfulness to His directions or plan. The soldiers were able to charge into Jericho from all around the city because there were not just one or two breaches in the wall. The whole wall collapsed with the exception of the portion where Rahab’s house was located. God made WAYS through Walls! He still does!

Israel’s Victory was preceded by: Preparation and consecration; the Power of Silence and quietly resting in God (Exo.14:14; Psa.46: 10-11); and explicit obedience through faith. Hebrews 11:30 says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down…” As we consecrate ourselves, operate in quiet rest, endurance, and obedience of faith, and shout the Victory in God’s Timing, He will make Ways through all obstructing walls standing against our destiny fulfilment, in Jesus name!