Crumbling Walls

Several weeks ago I wrote about the crossing of the Jordan river by the Israelites. I've learned a few things since then.

Did you know that where they crossed the river was an important ford when the river was low enough to cross? I didn't know that. That was one of the things Jericho defended. If it was like the medieval days of Europe they probably exacted tax money from travelers seeking to sell their wares in Canaan.

And speaking of Canaan. . .because of it's location Jericho guarded the area as well. Any invading army had to try to get by the fortified city first. And from what I've read it was the largest city in the area. If an army didn't conquer Jericho they most certainly would have been attacked from the rear as they made their way further into the land.

Those two things alone make the city worth attacking. But, there's one more reason to take the city. Did you know that the city was near or right at a spring that gushed loads of water daily? I didn't. This means that not only did they have an optimal location by the river Jordan they had water within the walls of the city more than likely. It must have been like paradise.

But paradise sometimes comes with a price. The Hebrew-Greek Study Bible mentions that the people of that area buried children in the foundations of the walls and gates. Disgustingly unbelievable. Right?

What would give those people the idea to do such a vile thing? Did they think "the gods" would honor their work and keep them safe? Did they think it made their walls impregnable because the spirits of their young would help protect their parents who lived within the walls? Who knows?

I do know one thing. It's rather befitting that the wall they put so much into would fall without the use of weapons or manpower. Think about it. . .they were so afraid of the people who just crossed their powerful river that they locked everyone behind closed doors. No one could leave the city, and no one could come in.

For six days they watched as the Israelite army quietly marched around their city, one time each day. How odd it must have been for them to see seven men without any form of protection carrying rams horns leading the way in front of the very object that caused the water to stop flowing. Their nerves must have been reeling.

Then when the city expected a seventh episode of marching the army does something different. It marches seven times instead of one and then blows trumpets and yells. Can you imagine their surprise and fear when the very thing they depended on for protection crumbles all around them? Without force?

I can't imagine what other vile things were done in this city that God would command that everything be burned, and that no one was to rebuild on this site. The authors of A Visual Guide to Bible Events points out that by not building a new city over Jericho the nation is forced to rely on God for protection and to place their trust in God's will for them.

We should learn from this. That no matter how strong we may think something is, our God is greater and can destroy it with the strangest method. His got our back. And, he will help take down even the most fortified and overwhelming struggle within us.