The Jericho Standard

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The Jericho Standard

 Joshua 5:15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (NIV)

                Jehovah Nissi had promised to give the Children of Israel the land of Canaan. He loved His children and made a covenant with Abraham that was supposed to last throughout the generations. Jehovah Nissi always kept His word to them and as part of that promise; therefore, He told them that they would be given the city of Jericho. However, they had to follow His commands with regards to capturing the city. Exodus 19:5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant then out of the nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites. (NIV) Jehovah Nissi expected obedience from His children, so that other nations could see and understand that He was the Banner by which the Children of Israel was accountable to. The heathen nations would not understand Jehovah Nissi as their Banner if the Children of Israel did not uphold a holy standard.

               Jehovah Nissi gave specific instructions that were to be followed as part of them capturing the city. Joshua was to have the Children of Israel to march around the city once a day for six days. Seven of the priests were to carry trumpets with rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, they were to march around the walls of the city seven times as the priests blew the trumpets. The people were to give a war cry only on that day and then the walls would fall down.  Joshua 6:15-17 ⁽¹⁵⁾On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. ⁽¹⁶⁾The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! ⁽¹⁷⁾ The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. (NIV) Why was it necessary to obey the instructions given by the Lord?

               Jehovah Nissi did not want the Children of Israel to take credit for what only He could do. They had to learn to be obedient to the voice of God and through their obedience, He would bless them. This was also a sign to the other nations as they were able to see the mighty power of Jehovah Nissi. Those who would dare to come up against them would see that the Children of Israel had a powerful God in their corner. Therefore, no one could touch God’s children without Jehovah Nissi’s permission. As long as they held true to His standard of righteous living, they were blessed, but when they disobeyed and did not uphold His laws, Jehovah Nissi’s Banner of protection was taken away from them. As a result, they would suffer captivity at the hands of their enemies.

 

 

            The walls of Jericho came down and due to the Children of Israel’s obedience, they were given what was promised to them. Jehovah Nissi made Joshua’s name great all throughout the land. Jehovah Nissi upheld a Banner over His children, which was everlasting as long as they followed Him as the Lord of their lives. Joshua 6:26-27 At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: “Cursed before the Lord is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: “At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates.” So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land. (NIV)