Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 6:6-27, Psalm 135, 136, Isaiah 66, Matthew 14
Doing Things God’s Way
As I was reading through Joshua 6, I had to wonder what kind of thoughts were running through the minds of the Israelites as Joshua gave them the instructions about how they were to take the city of Jericho. Up until now they had fought battles and conquered many kings in what could be considered conventional warfare. In fact their ability to conquer was known throughout the land. Remember, Rahab had told them that Jericho had heard of their exploits and the people were melting in fear because of what they had heard.
Now, instead of attacking the city, Joshua tells seven priests to blow on their trumpets while marching around the city with the priests carrying the ark following them, then all of Israel following them. I would imagine that the first day they did this that the inhabitants of Jericho were quaking in their boots. These were the dreaded Israelis. They knew what they could do. But after once around the city they returned to their camp. Whew!! They mopped their brows and returned to business as usual. The next day was a repeat of the first day; and the second day, the third day, the fourth day, the fifth day and the sixth day.
Of course I’m speculating, but by the time the seventh day came I imagine they didn’t feel any fear. Nothing had happened on the previous six days. These Israelites were a strange lot. If they wanted to march around their city blowing trumpets, they could. Of course the constant noise of those trumpets while they marched was a little annoying.
The Israelites themselves had to wonder too what kind of instructions these were Joshua had given them. He certainly wasn’t anything like Moses. Moses would never have told them to do something so stupid. When day after day passed and they just marched silently around the city it really took a lot of faith to continue. All he had told them was to keep silent as they marched, not saying a word. Keep quiet, just march until he told them to shout. What kind of warfare was this anyway?
On the seventh day they got up at daybreak to do their march, but on that day they marched seven times around the city, and on the seventh time when the priests sounded the trumpets Joshua told them to shout. What a shout that must have been as 3,00,000+ people shouted. Perhaps the residents of Jericho were on the walls watching these silly Israelites. What a shock they received as the walls under them began to crumble as the Israelites shouted.
There are times when the things God tells us to do don’t seem rational. But God always has a purpose in what He tells us to do. Isa. 55:8 says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, declares the Lord.” Our response should be obedience to what he says. It took a leap of faith on the part of Joshua to issue those instructions, but God honored him and gave Jericho into their hands.
Some day we will understand the whys and wherefores of God’s direction and leading, if not here, then in eternity. But one thing I know, it is always best to do things God’s way.
Tomorrows Bible Reading - Joshua 7, Psalm 137-138, Jeremiah 1, Matthew 15
God is good all the time,
Naomi Brinkman
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