Joshua and the Walls of Jericho

After Moses died, God chose Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. The first city in their path was Jericho, surrounded by massive, thick walls. It seemed impossible to conquer. But God gave Joshua a very unusual battle plan.

For six days, the priests and soldiers were to march around the city once each day, carrying the Ark of the Covenant, with seven priests blowing trumpets of ram's horns. On the seventh day, they were to march around seven times — and then the priests would blow a long blast, all the people would shout with a great shout, and the walls would fall.

Joshua obeyed every word, even though it seemed strange. On the seventh day, after the seventh march, the trumpets sounded, the people shouted with all their might — and the great walls of Jericho collapsed flat. The Israelites walked in and took the city. This victory taught Israel, and teaches us, that our battles are won not by human strength or clever strategy alone, but by obedience to God. When God says "do it My way," the walls that seem impossible come tumbling down.