Testimony for the Church — No. 27

The Taking of Jericho.

After the death of Moses, Joshua was appointed the leader of Israel, to conduct them to the promised land. He had been prime minister to Moses during the greater part of the time the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness. He had seen the wonderful works of God wrought by Moses, and well understood the disposition of the people. He was one of the twelve spies who were sent out to search for the promised land, and one of the two who gave a faithful account of its richness, and who encouraged the people to go up and possess it in the strength of God. He was well qualified for his important office. The Lord promised Joshua to be with him as he had been with Moses, and he would make Canaan an easy conquest to him, provided he would be faithful to observe all his commandments. T27 21.1

Joshua had been anxious concerning the execution of his commission to lead the people into the land of Canaan; but this assurance removed his fears. He commanded the children of Israel to make ready for a three-days’ journey, and all the men of war to prepare for battle. “And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee; only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death; only be strong and of a good courage.” T27 21.2

God willed that the passage of the Israelites over Jordan should be miraculous. Joshua commanded the people to sanctify themselves, for upon the morrow the Lord would do wonders among them. At the appointed time, he directed the priests to take up the ark containing the law of God, and bear it before the people. “And the Lord said unto Joshua, this day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” T27 22.1

The priests obeyed the commands of their leader and went before the people carrying the ark of the covenant. The Hebrew host took up the line of march and followed this symbol of the divine presence. T27 22.2

The wide column filed down the bank of Jordan, and, as the feet of the priests were dipped in the brim of the river, the water was cut off from above, the volume below rolled on, leaving the bed of the stream dry. The priests passed on bearing the ark of God, and Israel followed in the rear. Half way over Jordan the priests were commanded to stand still in the channel of the river, till all the Hebrew host had crossed over. This was to impress upon their minds more forcibly the fact that the power which stayed the waters of Jordan was the same that enabled their fathers to cross the Red Sea forty years before. T27 22.3

Many who passed through the Red Sea when they were children, now, by a similar miracle, crossed over Jordan, men of war equipped for battle. After the host of Israel had all passed over, Joshua commanded the priests to come up out of the river. When they, bearing the ark of the covenant, stood safe upon the farther shore, God removed his mighty hand, and the accumulated waters rushed down, a mighty cataract in the natural channel of the stream. Jordan rolled on, a resistless flood, overflowing all its banks. T27 23.1

But before the priests had come up out of the river, that this wonderful miracle might never be forgotten, the Lord bade Joshua select men of note from each tribe to take up stones from the spot in the river-bed where the priests had stood, and bear them upon their shoulders to Gilgal, and there erect a monument in remembrance of the fact that God had caused Israel to pass over Jordan upon dry land. This would be a continual reminder of the miracle the Lord had worked for them. As years passed on, their children would inquire concerning the monument, and they would recount to them this wonderful history again and again, till it would be indelibly impressed upon their minds to the latest generation. T27 23.2

When all the kings of the Amorites, and the kings of the Canaanites heard that the Lord had stayed the waters of Jordan before the children of Israel, their hearts melted with fear. The Israelites had slain two of the kings of Moab, and their miraculous passage over the swollen and impetuous Jordan filled them with great terror. Joshua then circumcised all the people which had been born in the wilderness. After this ceremony, they kept the passover in the plains of Jericho. “And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you.” T27 24.1

Heathen nations had reproached the Lord and his people because the Hebrews had failed to possess the land of Canaan, which they expected to inherit soon after leaving Egypt. Their enemies had triumphed because Israel had wandered so long in the wilderness, and they proudly lifted themselves up against God, declaring that he was not able to lead them into the land of Canaan. The Lord had now signally manifested his power and favor, in leading his people over Jordan on dry land, and their enemies could no longer reproach them. The manna, which had continued up to this time, now ceased as the Israelites were about to possess Canaan and eat of the fruits of that goodly land, so there was no more need of it. T27 24.2

As Joshua withdrew from the armies of Israel to meditate and pray for God's special presence to attend him, he saw a man of lofty stature, clad in war-like garments, with drawn sword in his hand. Joshua did not recognize him as one of the warriors of Israel, and yet he had no appearance of being an enemy. In his zeal he accosted him, saying, “Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant? And the Captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot, for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.” T27 25.1

The glory of God hallowed the sanctuary, and for this reason the priests never entered the place sanctified by God's presence with shoes upon their feet. Particles of dust might cleave to them, which would desecrate the holy place. Therefore the priests were required to leave their shoes in the court, before entering the sanctuary. In the court, beside the door of the tabernacle, stood a brazen laver, wherein the priests washed their hands and their feet before entering the tabernacle, that all impurity might be removed. All who officiated in the sanctuary were required of God to make special preparation before entering the place where his glory was revealed. T27 25.2

It was the Son of God who stood as an armed warrior before the leader of Israel. It was the One who had conducted the Hebrews through the wilderness, enshrouded in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. T27 26.1

In order to convey to the mind of Joshua that he was no less than Christ, the Exalted One, he says, “Put off thy shoe from off thy foot.” He then instructed Joshua what course to pursue in order to take Jericho. All the men of war should be commanded to compass the city once each day for six days, and on the seventh day they should march around Jericho seven times. T27 26.2

Accordingly Joshua gave orders to the priests and the people as the Lord directed him. He marshalled the hosts of Israel in perfect order. T27 26.3

First was a select body of armed men, clad in their war-like dress; not now to exercise their skill in arms, but only to believe and obey the directions given them. Next followed seven priests with trumpets. Then came the ark of God, glittering with gold, a halo of glory hovering over it, borne by priests in the rich and peculiar dress denoting their sacred office. The vast army of Israel followed in perfect order, each tribe under its respective standard. Thus they compass the city with the ark of God. No sound was heard but the tread of that mighty host and the solemn voice of the trumpets, echoing among the hills and resounding through the streets of Jericho. T27 26.4

With wonder and alarm the watchmen of the doomed city marked every move, and reported to those in authority. They could not imagine what all this display meant. Jericho had defied the armies of Israel and the God of heaven; but when they beheld that mighty host marching around their city once each day, in all the pomp and majesty of war, with the added grandeur of the sacred ark and the attendant priests, the impressive mystery of the scene struck terror to the hearts of princes and people. Then again they would inspect their strong defenses, feeling certain they could successfully resist the most powerful attack. Many ridiculed the idea that any harm could come to them through these singular demonstrations on the part of their enemies. But others were awed as they beheld the majesty and splendor of the procession that each day wound grandly about the city. They remembered that forty years before the Red Sea had parted before this people, that a passage had just been opened for them through the river Jordan. They knew not what farther wonders God might work for them. They kept their gates carefully closed, and guarded them with mighty warriors. T27 27.1

For six days the host of Israel performed their circuit around the city. The seventh day came, and with the first dawn of light, Joshua marshalled the armies of the Lord. Now they were directed to march seven times around Jericho, and at a mighty note of the trumpets to shout with a loud voice, for God had then given them the city. T27 27.2

The imposing army marched solemnly around the devoted walls. The resplendent ark of God lighting the early dusk of morning, the priests with their glittering breast-plates and jeweled badges, and the warriors with their flashing armor, presented a magnificent pageant. They were silent as the dead, save the measured tread of many feet, and the occasional blare of the trumpet, cutting the blank stillness of the early morning. The massive walls of solid stone frowned darkly down, defying the siege of men. T27 28.1

Suddenly the vast army halts. The trumpets break forth in a blast that shakes the very earth. The united voices of all Israel rend the air with a mighty shout. The walls of solid stone with their massive towers and battlements totter and heave from their foundations, and, with a crash like a thousand thunders, fall in shapeless ruin to the earth. The inhabitants and the army of the enemy, paralyzed with terror and amazement, offer no resistance, and Israel marches in and takes captive the mighty city of Jericho. T27 28.2

How easily the armies of Heaven brought down the walls that had seemed so formidable to the spies who brought the false report. The word of God was the only weapon used. The Mighty One of Israel had said, “I have given Jericho into thine hand.” If a single warrior had brought his strength to bear against the walls, the glory of God would have been lessened and his will frustrated. But the work was left to the Almighty; and had the foundation of the battlements been laid in the center of the earth and their summits reached the arch of heaven, the result would have been all the same, when the Captain of the Lord's host led his legions of angels to the attack. T27 28.3

Long had God designed to give the city of Jericho to his favored people, and magnify his name among the nations of the earth. Forty years before, when he led Israel out of bondage, he had proposed to give them the land of Canaan. But, by their wicked murmurings and jealousy, they had provoked his wrath, and he had caused them to wander for weary years in the wilderness till all those who had insulted him with their unbelief were no more. In the capture of Jericho God declared to the Hebrews that their fathers might have possessed the city forty years before, had they trusted in him as did their children. T27 29.1

The history of ancient Israel is written for our benefit. Paul says, “But with many of them God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted,” “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” T27 29.2

Many who profess to keep God's commandments, as did ancient Israel, have hearts of unbelief, while outwardly observing the statutes of God. Favored with great light and precious privileges, they will nevertheless lose the heavenly Canaan, even as the rebellious Israelites failed to enter the earthly Canaan that God had promised them as the reward of their obedience. T27 30.1

As a people we lack faith. Few would in these days follow the directions of God, through his chosen servant, as obediently as did the armies of Israel at the taking of Jericho. The Captain of the Lord's host did not reveal himself to all the congregation. He communicated only with Joshua, who related the story of this interview to the Hebrews. It rested with them to believe or doubt the words of Joshua, to follow the commands given by him in the name of the Captain of the Lord's host, or to rebel against his directions and deny his authority. T27 30.2

They could not see the host of angels, marshalled by the Son of God who led their van; and they might have reasoned: “What unmeaning movements are these, and how ridiculous the performance of marching daily around the walls of the city, blowing trumpets of rams’ horns meanwhile! This can have no effect upon those strong and towering fortifications.” T27 30.3

But the very plan of continuing this ceremony through so long a time prior to the final overthrow of the walls, afforded opportunity for the increase of faith among the Israelites. They were to become thoroughly impressed with the idea that their strength was not in the wisdom of man, nor in his might, but only in the God of their salvation. They were thus to become accustomed to putting themselves out of the question and relying wholly upon their divine Leader. T27 31.1

Would those who today profess to be God's people conduct themselves thus, under similar circumstances? Doubtless many would wish to follow out their own plans, would suggest ways and means of accomplishing the desired end. They would be loth to submit to so simple an arrangement, and one that reflected no glory upon themselves, save the merit of obedience. They would also question the possibility of a mighty city being conquered in that manner. But the law of duty is supreme. It should wield authority over human reason. Faith is the living power that presses through every barrier, overrides all obstacles, and plants its banner in the heart of the enemy's camp. T27 31.2

God will do marvelous things for those who trust in him. The reason that his professed people have no more strength, is because they trust so much to their own wisdom, and do not give the Lord an opportunity to reveal his power in their behalf. He will help his believing children in every emergency if they will place their entire confidence in him, and implicitly obey him. T27 31.3

There are deep mysteries in the Word of God, there are unexplainable mysteries in his providences, there are mysteries in the plan of salvation that man can not fathom. But the finite mind, strong in its desire to satisfy its curiosity, and solve the problems of infinity, neglects to follow the plain course indicated by the revealed will of God, and pries into the secrets hidden since the foundation of the world. Man builds his theories, loses the simplicity of true faith, becomes too self-important to believe the declarations of the Lord, and hedges himself in with his own conceits. T27 32.1

Many who profess our faith are in this position. They are weak and powerless because they trust in their own strength. God works mightily for a faithful people, who obey his word without questioning or doubt. The Majesty of Heaven, with his army of angels, leveled the walls of Jericho, with no human aid. All the armed warriors of Israel had no cause to glory in their achievements. All was done through the power of God. Let the people give up self, and the desire to work after their own plans, let them humbly submit to the divine will, and God will revive his strength and bring freedom and victory to his children. T27 32.2