The fall of Jericho marked Israel’s first major victory in the Promised Land and was accomplished entirely by faith and obedience to God’s command. Joshua 6:2 says, “And the Lord said to Joshua: See! I have given Jericho into your hand.”
God gave Joshua specific and unusual instructions: the people were to march around the city once each day for six days, led by armed men, seven priests blowing trumpets, and the ark of the covenant. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times, then the priests were to blow a long blast with the trumpets, and all the people were to shout with a great shout (Joshua 6:3-5).
When they obeyed exactly as God commanded, the walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed. Joshua 6:20 says, “The people shouted… and the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city… and they took the city.”
Jericho was devoted to destruction, and only Rahab and her household were spared because she hid the spies and believed in the Lord (Joshua 6:17; Hebrews 11:31).
This event illustrates that victory belongs to the Lord, not by human strength or strategy. Hebrews 11:30 says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.”
The fall of Jericho is a powerful example of God’s faithfulness, the necessity of obedience, and the reward of faith in action.
