Shout To The Lord

Hebrews 11:30, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were encircled for seven days.” It’s interesting to observe that Joshua himself was not mentioned in this verse even though he was the central figure in this event. Joshua was Moses’ successor. He and Caleb were the only two living souls of the ‘Passover generation’ who were permitted to enter the Promised Land - the land of Canaan. Of the others God said, “That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.' So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest'.” (Hebrews 3:10-11)

After Moses had died, God told Joshua to take the children of Israel over the Jordan river and into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:2). But note this was an entirely new generation, one that had not yet seen the mighty acts of God back in Egypt. It’s as if God had started all over again. This generation was ready, prepared and willing, and they carried no baggage from the past. They were also audacious enough to follow Joshua anywhere and their loyalty was without question. “Then they answered Joshua, ‘Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go’.” (Joshua 1:16)

Our opening scripture tells what happened shortly after they had crossed over into Canaan. Suggesting that all those who made the journey were truly obedient people. When one considers how eagerly this moment had been anticipated, it’s rather surprising that more is not made of it – the children of Israel finally arriving at the Promised Land! Remember it had been forecast that it would be a land of “rest.” But once they got there it was anything but rest. Joshua 4:13 informs us that, “About forty thousand armed for battle crossed over before the Lord to the plains of Jericho for war.” And for the next several hundred years this land would see enough blood shed to fill a thousand seas.

However, the writer of Hebrews seizes upon the first opportunity that this new generation had to demonstrate ‘raw’ faith. It happened shortly after they entered Canaan and is known as the siege of Jericho. Although the inheritance of Canaan is to be grasped ultimately at the level of the Spirit, we must not underestimate the fact that God was with Joshua and the children of Israel in the most powerful way. After all, God had promised the physical land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (and Joseph). So now, He ordered them to destroy Jericho. That was to be their first test. It was no use moving deeper into the land of Canaan with an unconquered foe behind them. Hence, it would be unwise to postpone this confrontation.

But Joshua and his new generation of people quickly ran into a serious problem - Jericho was shut up tighter than a drum. It was surrounded by high impregnable walls. You see, the reputation of God’s people had preceded them so their enemies had made provision by sealing themselves inside a walled city. Notice, there was no physical way to conquer this city. It could not be attacked using any of the weapons available at that time. So God commences by giving them what must have been considered the most ridiculous instructions… “March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in.” (Joshua 6:3-5)

To any sensible and intelligent person this advice must have sounded like sheer nonsense. And so it would be – unless it’s God that’s told you to do it. If God tells you to do anything (in any specific way), follow His instructions exactly and it will be regarded as the highest form of wisdom. But why should God give advice like this? Why bother to walk around a walled city? Why do it once a day for seven days? Why blow the trumpets? And why all this seven times on the seventh day? The answer – many times God will put you through unusual tests in order for you to see whether your faith will persevere. God also tests your obedience by such strange trials. 1 Peter 4:12 says, “Do not be surprised at the bitter and distressing trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” God sometimes puts you through irrational situations in order to test your love, but this isn’t strange.

There is noting magical in the number seven or in the blowing of trumpets. Had they moved to the next city and tried it again it would have failed them, and they would have been laughed out of existence. But that’s what God told them to do then, and nothing else would have worked. Yes, God could have done it differently. He could even have sent an angel to blow Jericho up. But this would not have required faith, and God would not have shown the enemy that He was with this new generation of people. And remember, God displays His power and glory only when there can be no natural explanation for it.

Joshua gave explicit orders, “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!” This command was given to ensure that there were no slip-ups. But it was also given in order that nothing could hinder their faith. If there were any other causes for the walls of Jericho to fall, faith would not have received the credit. Quietly and carefully the people walked around the city walls on the first day. The only sound was the blowing of trumpets. They probably returned to the camp and went to bed. They did the same on the second day then the third, the forth, the fifth, the sixth, and finally the seventh. Each time there was no sound other than the blowing of trumpets. Nothing else happened – because nothing was supposed to happen!

Six times they had walked around the city walls (on the seventh day), and in the same manner – being quiet until the trumpets were blown. And nothing happened! In the mean time, those inside Jericho probably thought that the Israelites were a company of fools. They may have laughed, as they heard nothing but the sound of trumpets. Gaining confidence that their city could not be shaken. But immediately after Joshua’s people had walked around the city for the seventh time (on the seventh day), the priests blew their trumpets and Joshua declared, “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city.” (Joshua 6:16)

Then everyone shouted, and it was a great and mighty ‘shout’. The consequence? The walls fell down and every man went up into the city and enforced the victory. What destroyed the city? Circling it seven times? Blowing the trumpets? Shouting? No – none of these! BY FAITH the walls of Jericho fell down. This new generation of believers followed the instructions of their leader perfectly. They did not question the apparent absurdity of his command. They simply did what they were told to do. Did it work? Yes, it did!

What’s most striking about this account is that their leader did not get a mention when it came to faith (even though Joshua’s faith did matter). It doesn’t say, “By Joshua’s faith the walls of Jericho fell down.” Therefore, it was the people’s faith that God must have honoured. Notice, it was when they all gave a mighty ‘shout’ that the walls came down. It takes more faith to obey your leader than to have God speak to you directly. Why? Because it’s obedience based on an understudying of authority. This is why Jesus said to the centurion, “Greater faith have I not found in all of Israel.”

Matthew 8:8-10, The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”

What had separated this second generation of believers from their forefathers? Obedience through faith! This is a powerful principle that God always honours. Unlike the stiff-necked people that Moses had to lead, Joshua had a company of faith-filled obedient followers. And nothing was impossible to them – because they believed.

Your miracle is just a movement away!

Chris Demetriou, 28/09/2008