Joshua 6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. :2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
When I read Joshua 6 I am reminded of the return of our Lord Jesus. Throughout our study in this book we've often compared Joshua to Jesus. We've also talked about how the Old Testament often times illustrates New Testament truth, not that we should build doctrines from these illustrations but they can come behind the New Testament truth and strengthen and give understanding. As we pass through chapter 6 my mind is on the eminent return of Christ, a subject often times forgotten. Let us be reminded that Jesus could return at any moment, there's no prophecy that needs fulfilling there's no thing we are waiting on besides His return. His 2nd coming won't be anything like His 1st coming. The first time He was meek and lowly riding on a donkey with all tenderness and meekness but ,according to The Book Revelation, the second time He will be coming on a white horse with a sword in His hand to judge the nations. His 2nd return will be a lot like the conquest of Jericho. Joshua was coming with his army to destroy Jericho. The only people that had any hope were the ones found in Rahab's house. The ones who received the messengers and the message that Joshua was coming, that whosoever was not found in that house would be destroyed with the rest of the city. Dear reader, I remind you that the only hope we have is being found in Christ. Have you received the message? That whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, that he that believeth not is condemned already? Dear friend I urge you this moment to run to Jesus, repent of your sin and trust Him for full salvation, because when he returns the opportunity will be over and you will face the wrath of God. Run to the safe house of his forgiveness and love, cast yourself at His Feet and He will not turn you away. He said "all that cometh to me I shall in no wise cast out." Joshua's coming was going to save a few and destroy many. Sadly Jesus' return will save few and destroy many. The Good news is that the invitation to enter in has been extended to us. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and though shalt be saved!! I'm glad that as a 8 year old boy I ran to Him for salvation, He took me in, cleansed me and now when I see the signs of the times I know that I'm sheltered from the wrath to come because of the promises God has given to all who will believe.
Let us look now to our verses.
Joshua 6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. :2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
We know that the people within Jericho were afraid because they had quarantined themselves. They weren't moving in or out for fear of what was coming. They thought their walls and gates and locks would keep out Joshua and his army but little did they know that these walls and gates and any other security they had were about to come crashing down around them. The reason for this is found in verse 2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.God had already given Joshua the victory. They weren't fighting in hopes of a victory but in the fact that God had already given into Joshua's hand Jericho, the king and the men of valour. When I read this this morning my mind immediately went to Psalm 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. :2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Dear reader, God has given all power in heaven and earth unto Jesus. His enemies will be His footstool. He has sat down at the right hand of the Father and when He returns it won't be in an attempt to conquer His enemies it will be in a overwhelming defeat.
Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. :12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. :13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. :14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. :15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. :16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. :17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; :18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. :19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. :20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. :21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
In our verses God gives Joshua the victory before the battle ever starts. Our heavenly Joshua,King Jesus, has had all power and authority given to Him. God is going to make His enemies His footstool. The nations of this earth, the mighty men of wealth and all who despise Him will fall like Jericho did. Dear friend, there is a great day coming and Jesus will lead the armies of heaven in an all out attack on the kings and kingdoms of this world. God has given into His nail pierced hands the victory over the kings and kingdoms of this earth. Like those walls of security failed so will all the securities of man will falter and fail. Money will fail, time will fail, the weapons of their warfare will fail but the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.
There was one place in Jericho that would stand when all else fell that was the house with the scarlet thread hanging from the window. Where will you be when all else fails?
Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me, Let Me Hide Myself in Thee!!
Onward Christian Soldier!!