Key Points
500 years before the battle of Jericho, the Lord spoke to Abraham about the judgment coming to the land of the Amorites.
The Lord’s character includes both justice and mercy.
There was justice for the city and salvation for Rehab and her family.
Faith and obedience are followed by victory.
God’s direction also includes warnings.
Discussion
God could have destroyed Jericho without the marching, trumpets, and shouts; why do you think He asked Joshua to do this?
How are faith and obedience connected?
How does the backstory of Jericho change your perspective of this battle?
What were the two warnings?
Explain how an understanding of God’s wrath towards rebellion elevates your appreciation of salvation.
The Gospel of the Wall of Jericho, by John Piper
Your wall, O wicked Jericho, your ancient, mighty wall,
Your shame, where you have made your infants’ blood renowned,
Your boast, your monument, your Babel, tall
And endless on its side, bent ’round
Into a ring, a thrust,
Betrothing you
To dust;
Your wall, your peace, your life you thought would ever thrive,
Now hollowed with four centuries of pride
Into a labyrinthine hive
Of honeyed lust inside,
With brothels all
Will fall;
But for one slender segment, with it’s rooms
And beds and washing bowls and creams
And ointments and perfumes,
Enflaming dreams,
Now screams;
Where Rahab and her kindred hide,
All hanging by a thread
The spies supplied
And said
Would save, if they obeyed.
They ’wait the blade
In dread;
But there, instead
Of sword,
The cord.
