Study Questions:

1. How long did the people of Israel wander in the desert? Joshua 5:6

2. What happened to the generation that came out of Egypt? Joshua 5:6

3. When did the manna cease falling? Joshua 5:12

4. How many times was the procession of Israelites supposed to march around Jericho on the seventh day? Joshua 6:4

Commentary and Reflection:

The Israelites observed the Passover in the plain of Jericho, commemorating how the Lord had delivered them from Egyptian slavery with a mighty hand. Now, He would hand over the fortified and formidable city of Jericho to them with the same power.

Joshua surveyed the city, anticipating the daunting battle ahead. During prayer, he was startled by a figure standing before him, sword drawn. “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” Joshua inquired, surprised. This figure identified himself as the “Commander of the army of the Lord.” It was none other than Jesus Himself appearing to Joshua. Joshua worshipped Him. As Moses did in the desert, Jesus instructed him, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” Joshua and Israel were not alone. The army of the Lord, led by its Commander, was present to engage in battle.

The strategy to conquer the city was unorthodox, undoubtedly testing the faith of the people and soldiers. They were not to scale the walls, launch an attack, or wield their weapons. Instead, they circled the city once a day for six days in silence, with the priests’ trumpets sounding and the ark trailing behind. From atop the walls, the Jericho sentries observed, some trembling in fear, while others mocked. On the seventh day, at the conclusion of the seventh circuit around the city, the people shouted, and the stone walls collapsed. The people then entered the city to fulfill the Lord’s command. Only Rahab and those sheltered in her home were spared.

“They could not see the host of angels who attended them under the leadership of the Son of God. They might have reasoned: “What unmeaning movements are these, and how ridiculous the performance of marching daily around the walls of the city, blowing trumpets of rams’ horns. This can have no effect upon those towering fortifications.” But the very plan of continuing this ceremony through so long a time prior to the final overthrow of the walls afforded opportunity for the development of faith among the Israelites. It was to be impressed upon their minds that their strength was not in the wisdom of man, nor in his might, but only in the God of their salvation. They were thus to become accustomed to relying wholly upon their divine Leader.” Patriarchs and Prophets 493

“God will do great things for those who trust in him. The reason why his professed people have no greater strength is that they trust so much to their own wisdom, and do not give the Lord an opportunity to reveal his power in their behalf. He will help his believing children in every emergency if they will place their entire confidence in him and faithfully obey him” Patriarchs and Prophets 453

My prayer is that today you may place implicit trust in the “Commander of the army of the Lord” who accompanies you. May the walls impeding your progress be brought down by Him.