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 which was
flowing with milk and honey. He loved them with an everlasting love and made a
covenant with their forefather Abraham that his descendants would outnumber the
stars. This covenant was to last throughout the generations, and they would be blessed
if they remained faithful to the Lord. Jehovah Nissi always kept His word to
them and as part of that promise, He told them that they would be given the
city of Jericho. They, nevertheless, had to follow His instructions regarding
the capture of the great 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 unto the God they served but acted as the pagans did.
Joshua
was to have the Children of Israel 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 of the Covenant as they led the procession. On the seventh day, they
were to march around the walls of the city seven times as they blew their
trumpets. The people were to give a war cry only on that day and then the walls
would fall down. Joshua
6:15-17 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. The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet
blast, Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the
city! 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 precise
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 endlessly. 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 who was stronger than their idols of wood and
stone. 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 by turning to
idolatry, Jehovah Nissi’s Banner of protection was taken away from them. As a
result, they were given over to plagues, famine, death, and 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 had been 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) The Lord’s banner
is over us as His children. We are to follow Him in all that we do. When we are
willfully disobedient, we allow ourselves to no longer be under that protection.
Nevertheless, as we follow Jehovah Nissi, we are able to embrace His loving protection
in our lives and know that His banner over us is one of unconditional love.
Glory to God!
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