shout out the title
Contents
Israel crossed the Jordan River and arrived in the land of Canaan, cloudy with milk and honey. But what awaited them was Jericho, the first city the Israelites had to deal with. Unless we conquered this city, the gateway to the Canaan region, we could not take a single step forward.
At that time, Jericho had a double wall and was built on a high elevation. It is said to be 200m wide, 100m long, and about 30m from the ground to the top of the castle. At the time, it was a medium-sized city-state.
The place name ‘Jericho’ was called ‘the city of palms’ and ‘the city of incense’ in Deuteronomy. So, there were so many beautiful palm trees in Jericho, and it was a beautiful city.
If you look at the New English Bible, which is ‘closed firmly’ in verse 1, it is written as ‘fastened with bolts and fastened with bars’. Why did the door close so tightly? Because it was a wartime situation, the Canaanites watched all the Israelites crossing the Jordan River and coming in. There must have been fear, and there was enough food in the castle to survive for a long time. So if you hold on for a long time, you're just waiting for Israel to just give up
From Israel's point of view, there were no weapons to attack the city. Was there a ladder to climb the castle? Did you have any arrows? Israel did not know how to attack the city, and had no weapons or means to fight.
Perhaps, he was just standing there staring at the castle. At this time, God appeared and spoke (2)
Here ‘paste’ ; hand over, hand over? ‘Give it to the hand’: It occurs seven times in Joshua.
After all, this horse guarantees complete victory. Even before the war, Israel was guaranteed victory. God said that this city has already been given to you. However, the strong castle is still standing in front of me and it does not budge. this is our reality
It says that God has given us victory. He says that all heavenly authority has been given. But we can't do anything. I can't even get my job.
I feel that there is a gap between talk and reality. What should I do at that time?
If such a castle is standing in front of us, we will try to do it this way and that by every means and method every day. Today, we will gather an army and try to attack from the other side. If not, we will also try to cross the wall from this side.. We will struggle like this, and if there is a weak spot, we will gather our strength to attack that side.
What did Joshua hear from God in the face of this reality?
I heard the promise, ‘I have put it in your hand’, and I heard a certain answer. You must have the confidence that God gives you.
So are we. The Lord doesn't even think about it, but it's not that things of this world don't happen just because I try and struggle in my own way. Of course, there are times when the Lord has compassion on you and makes a way when you struggle. However, looking at the words of the text, we must first receive assurance and answers from the Lord.
Psalm 127:1 “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps watch in vain.”
Why did God tell us to go around the city only once a day for 6 days?
It is said that the circumference of the castle is about 600m. Then, even if you turn slowly, you can complete it in 20 minutes. Perhaps the first part of the procession returned before the last part of the procession had left.
Why did the Lord tell us to do this? What did the Lord want to see? It was to see Israel's obedience to God's instructions.
Matthew Hyeon-ri ‘How to Test the Faith, Patience and Obedience of the People of Israel’
Hebrews 11:30 It is said that Israel turned around this city by faith.
In summary, it is through the obedience and practice of faith that the castle collapses.
There was one caveat when we went around the city (verse 10).
During the march, Joshua was not allowed to say anything except the sound of the trumpet.
Why did you do this? Who were the Israelites with Joshua?
The generation that left Egypt, the next generation. All the previous generations disobeyed God and died. This generation is different from the previous generation.
What did they learn while living in the wilderness? I learned to be obedient.
Also, we must remember, why can't I hear the voice of God?
Is it because the Lord is silent only to me? I can't hear the Lord's voice because my voice is so loud. So, just as the Israelites stopped their voices and listened to the sound of the trumpet, we also need time to stay and be silent.
But there are times when you have to shout. When are you?
7 is a perfect number. When the 7 chandeliers are turned, when the 7 trumpets are sounded, the power of God is revealed. It's about screaming at that moment.
All we can see here is that there is a time. Shouting at any time or shouting that I'm stuffy doesn't mean it's going to happen. Likewise, there is a time for everything. What do we need to know the time? It requires discernment. Where does discernment come from? It comes from wisdom. Who gives wisdom? The Holy Spirit gives.
So, if we are not close with God, if we are not close with the Holy Spirit, we do not know when to do it because we do not have wisdom, so our entire life is in a mess.
When the trumpet is sounded at the last moment, we are telling the Israelites to “shout”.
What is the cry of Israel?
It is the voice of victory, the voice of faith, and the voice of prayer.
Today, in our words, it corresponds to a cry of prayer.
In other words, when the impregnable city of Jericho in front of my life is in the way, should I be humble? At that time, we have to shut our mouths and cry out to God about what the world is saying. At that time, that strong fortress will collapse.
As we live our life of faith, there are times when we are patient, obedient, and silent, and there are times when we make us cry. If you obey the Word and cry out and pray, God's miracles will happen. I wish you all the best in experiencing these abilities.