Tension hangs over Jericho, the fortified city. It is because of the Israelites who are camped on the plains of Jericho before their entrance into Canaan. All the people of Jericho melt in fear as they hear the news that the Israelites have completely destroyed the two kings of the Amorites and crossed the overflowing Jordan as if they were walking on dry land, by God’s help. They are so scared that they lock up their city gates tightly and forbid people to come in and go out, so that they can defend the city.
Then God instructs Joshua how to destroy the city of Jericho.
“See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 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.”
Following the words of God, the Israelites march around the city once every day, with the seven priests carrying the trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. They do this for six days, and the seventh day has finally come.
Once, twice, three times . . . The seventh time around, when the priests sound the trumpet blast, Joshua commands the people, “Shout! For God has given you the city!”
When all the Israelites give a loud shout, the strong-walled city of Jericho, which has stood firm, is collapsing in a moment. Then the people charge straight in and take the city. Joshua pronounces this solemn oath: “Cursed before God is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho.”
The Israelites destroyed the city of Jericho only by shouting aloud all together, without any weapons or military force. This is a miracle that Joshua and the Israelites achieved by believing and obeying the words of God until the end. God has prophesied that such a miraculous work will take place once again just before we enter the spiritual Canaan. That is the destruction of Babylon the Great (Revelation 18). This miracle will also be accomplished only through the sincere faith and complete obedience of the heavenly children who have been called by God in this age.
Now is the time for all of us to rise and shout aloud. Let us tell all people around the world about the sins and crimes of Babylon the Great, and boldly preach the impending disaster and the wondrous salvation of Elohim to the whole world. Then the spiritual Babylon, which is apparently very strong, will collapse in a moment. Until the glorious day comes, let us not hold back but shout even louder (Isa 58:1), marching towards the eternal heavenly Canaan!
