Through Joshua 6, God shows us that the Israelis took Jericho not by force, but by their praises toward God. In the troop of the Israelis, a group of honor guard was in the front of the line, followed by seven priests carrying trumpets of rams’ horns, and the Ark of the Covenant was at the back. Priests were different from the Levites. Only people born in the household of Aaron can become priests. That is, priests had to be Levites, but Levites were not necessarily priests. Among so many priests, Joshua selected only 7 while the Israelis were marching around the Jericho. It is not recorded in the Bible how these 7 priests were chosen. However, it reveals a Truth, that is, we need to obey God’s order.
During the first 6 days, the Israelis had to circle Jericho once each day. So many people in the troop, only the 7 priests could blow the trumpets, and no one were allowed to talk. It must have been difficult for them to remain like this for 6 days. Therefore, we need persistence before we can see miracles. The same goes with the healing of Naaman’s leprosy. In fact, we all have leprosy, which is the dark side we hide deep inside us so that others cannot see. Nevertheless, God knows everything. God asked Naaman to wash in Jordan River in front of everyone. Naaman had to reveal his uncleanness to the public. When Naaman came up from the river the sixth time and his leprosy wasn’t healed, he could have lost his faith. In order to see the true miracle of God, we need to hold on to our faith till the end. Like Paul said, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” When Naaman came up from the river the seventh time, it is written in the Bible, “his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.” This is a miracle; “For He spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” In men’s mind, healing takes place gradually and slowly, but for God, totally healing can take place instantly. This is how God works.
After six days of marching around Jericho, the Israelis received a different order on the seventh day. On that day, they had to circle the city for seven times. So the Israelis marched around Jericho 13 times in total. In the first six time, only the 7 priests can blow the horn, and others had to be quiet. On the seventh time, the priests blew the horn for a longer time, and when they did, all the Israelis had to shout. Shouting is not the same as calling out. Shouting requires loud voices. Like it is written in Psalm 33, “Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”
After the Israelis shouted, the city wall collapsed. God said to them that “only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared,” and the rest must be destroyed. Rahab then went with the Israelis, and married Salmon. Rahab gave birth to Obed, Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of King David. This woman who was about to be destroyed, became the great great grandmother of King David. This is the grace of God! We are all sinners who are about to perish, but we become the decedents of Abraham and God’s children because of our faith. Our identity has changed, we once walked toward hell, but now we are blessed sinners. These are all through the grace of God!
