Against All Odds

Read Joshua 5:13–8:35

1. Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in.
2. But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.
3. You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days.
4. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns.
5. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.” Joshua 6:1-5

There’s something beautiful about a well-executed military strategy. Think of the Trojan Horse or Operation Desert Storm. The operation totally surprises the enemy and leaves hardly any casualties on your side. The victory is swift and sure. Generals who design these plans earn the reputation as geniuses because clean victories are so difficult to achieve.

It’s good that the Israelites had God as their general because this passage is one long string of military engagements. The people find out who the real genius is. Fortunately, Joshua goes along with God’s program too.

In this passage, we also learn about the possible negative effects of sin and about the responsibilities of family members.

Why did God give Joshua so many complicated instructions for the battle (Joshua 6:3-5)? First, God was making it clear that the battle would depend on him and not on Israel’s weapons and expertise. This is why priests, not soldiers, carrying the Ark led the Israelites into battle. Second, God’s method of taking the city accentuated the terror already felt in Jericho (Joshua 2:9). Finally, this strange military maneuver was a test of the Israelites’ faith and their willingness to follow God completely.

It must have seemed strange to the Israelites that, instead of going directly to battle, they would march around the city for a week (Joshua 6:3-20). But that was God’s plan, and the Israelites had a guaranteed victory if they would follow it (Joshua 6:2). As strange as the plan sounded, it worked.

God’s instructions may require you to take actions that don’t make sense at first. Even as you follow him, you may wonder how things can possibly work out. Like the Israelites, take one day at a time and follow step-by-step. You may not see the logic of God’s plan until after you have obeyed.