It was anything but a brilliant battle strategy. It was comparable to sending troops to Iraq and Afghanistan with nothing but trumpets and horns. But the amazing thing is, IT WORKED!
Joshua 6 records the famous story of the battle of Jericho. Anyone who has ever attended Sunday School as a child learned how "Joshua 'fit' the battle of Jericho; Jericho ...". But there is lots more here than just an interesting children's Sunday School lesson.
The evidence of the leading of God in the story is abundantly clear because of the repetitive use of the number "seven", a number of completion associated with God:
"seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets." (Joshua 6:4)
Imagine if Joshua had rejected this seemingly-absurd plan and resorted instead to "conventional" warfare? The results would have been disastrous! God's work was designed to be done according to God's plan. As Zechariah 4:6 says,
"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts."
The story of the battle of Jericho calls us to consider: What "battles" am I waging according to my own plan and design rather than through the plan and power of God? The most sophisticated and powerful weapons in a military arsenal are woefully inadequate for the battles designed to be waged with the Spirit of God.
Perhaps your battle is shrinking finances, or job loss. It may be a family crisis or need, or possibly health issues. For the believer each of these battles is the Lord's battle and must be waged according to His plan and power. His power will be manifested in our weakness and simple obedience.
Ultimately the battles of life are most effectively waged on our knees. It is there that we enter his presence boldly and remind Him of His word and promises to us. Armed with His word and Spirit, the victory is ours as we surrender our battles to the One to whom they ultimately belong to anyway.
May your day be gloriously victorious.
Steve
Joshua 6 records the famous story of the battle of Jericho. Anyone who has ever attended Sunday School as a child learned how "Joshua 'fit' the battle of Jericho; Jericho ...". But there is lots more here than just an interesting children's Sunday School lesson.
The evidence of the leading of God in the story is abundantly clear because of the repetitive use of the number "seven", a number of completion associated with God:
"seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets." (Joshua 6:4)
Imagine if Joshua had rejected this seemingly-absurd plan and resorted instead to "conventional" warfare? The results would have been disastrous! God's work was designed to be done according to God's plan. As Zechariah 4:6 says,
"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts."
The story of the battle of Jericho calls us to consider: What "battles" am I waging according to my own plan and design rather than through the plan and power of God? The most sophisticated and powerful weapons in a military arsenal are woefully inadequate for the battles designed to be waged with the Spirit of God.
Perhaps your battle is shrinking finances, or job loss. It may be a family crisis or need, or possibly health issues. For the believer each of these battles is the Lord's battle and must be waged according to His plan and power. His power will be manifested in our weakness and simple obedience.
Ultimately the battles of life are most effectively waged on our knees. It is there that we enter his presence boldly and remind Him of His word and promises to us. Armed with His word and Spirit, the victory is ours as we surrender our battles to the One to whom they ultimately belong to anyway.
May your day be gloriously victorious.
Steve
posted by steve @ 6:57 AM
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