Title Winning Strategy / Number 6:1-7
Joshua 6:1-7 Strategies for Victory
Following the Jordan River crossing last week, today I would like to talk about the strategy for winning the battle of Jericho. After crossing the Jordan, the Israelites practiced circumcision and kept the Passover at Gilgal. The moment they ate food from the land, the manna stopped. Now they are marching towards the first city of Canaan, Jericho, which is the strongest and must be captured. In front of the city of Jericho, God speaks to Joshua. “I have delivered Jericho and its king and warriors into your hand” (verse 2). The fall of Jericho is a statement that shows that it was only the work of Jehovah God. Each of us has our own Jericho city in front of us. If so, please believe that the fall of Jericho also belongs to God. What does God command you to bring down that city? Let's find out the command we are giving today through the command given to Joshua.
I. Heed the Word!
The operational order in verses 3-5 may be too irrational and unscientific. God has dictated methods that are difficult for them to understand and apply. But what did Joshua and the people do? He obeyed the word of God and did it. This was the first secret of the capture of Jericho.
We are born again through the Word of God. Through the Word, I realized that I was a sinner and came to believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior. What is the secret to growing up like God's people, who are born again by the word of God? After all, we eat the word of God, which is spiritual milk and food. Jesus is the Word who became flesh and came to this earth. And God is still working in us through His Word. What is worship? It is to meet God through the word of God. All other factors are important, but unless there is a process of hearing God's voice through the preached word, obeying it, and making a decision, this worship is only a formality and a dead ceremony.
Even if it is difficult for me to understand on a rational or spiritual level, it is faith to accept, “It will be done for me according to your word. When we live with such faith, spiritual changes occur and we experience the work of blessing. Words have movement. It pierces our hearts and marrow to the point of breaking them and transforms them into repentance. It is believing and accepting the promises of the Word and living by that faith.
II. Blow the trumpet!
God tells the priests to blow the trumpets loud and long. The importance of blowing the trumpet is emphasized in several places in the Bible. In the book of Ezekiel, if the watchman did not blow the trumpet properly and the city was destroyed, he asks who is responsible? It is said that when our Lord comes again, He will come with the sound of the trumpet of the angels. In today's text, what does the commandment that the priest blow the long trumpet mean to us?
We must blow the long trumpets of the gospel. Since you have established us as watchmen in the kingdom of heaven, we must blow the trumpets of the gospel to rescue dying souls and those under the power of Satan. God has given us this operational command. Evangelism is a spiritual battle. It is to reclaim souls from the chains of the devil. In that sense, we are to embrace the Newborn in prayer, make up our minds, do our best to be good neighbors, preach the Gospel according to opportunities, and lead the souls to the Lord. It is burdensome, but this is what we must do, the command we must obey.
Furthermore, we must believe that the work of saving souls is not mine, but the work of the Lord. We are simply obedient to the Lord's commands. Evangelism seems like a very foolish method, but God is pleased to save people through this foolish method of evangelism. The Holy Spirit works in the process of our determination, dedication, and introduction of the Gospel. When all of us and the whole church do this work together, many souls will receive the Lord and enjoy the blessings of salvation. Let's blow the trumpets of the gospel long and vigorously!
Ⅲ. Shout out loud!
If there is any problem at home, please unite and cry out. Don't keep your hands high and still. When we cry together, God's work takes place, the power of the Holy Spirit is revealed, and we give us the strength we can bear. One of the important characteristics of a revival church is to pray fervently with unity. Pray wholeheartedly in your home, in your district, in your department or organization's meeting! God works. The fortress of Jericho in front of us is falling down.
Ⅲ. Fulfill your responsibilities!
With grace, God brought down the walls of Jericho. At this time, God commanded that all men and women, young and old, and all cattle and animals be killed and burned. The city was destroyed by God, but it was the responsibility of the people to annihilate the enemies. Why did God tell us to completely annihilate our enemies? At that time, Jericho was a city where sexual corruption and idolatry reached the extreme. He committed lewd and shameful things not only between heterosexuals but also with same-sex and even animals. God wanted to completely burn out all these sins and cut them off. Sin should not be acknowledged and should be dealt with horribly. Otherwise, the iniquity will devour you.