Joshua 6 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Joshua 6 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• The Israelites were in the wilderness from approximately 1490-1450 B.C., which places the events recorded in Joshua 6 at approximately 1450 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Joshua - Moses’ assistant while he led the people in the wilderness. God selected Joshua to lead the Israelites into Canaan after Moses’ death.

• Rahab – A prostitute who live in the city of Jericho. She helped 2 Israelites spies evade detection in Joshua 2.

WHERE:

• In Joshua 5, Israel observed the Feast of Passover on the plains of Jericho (5:10).

• In Joshua 6, Israel camped close to Jericho to make war with the city.

OUTLINE:

• GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONQUERING JERICHO (6:1-5):

  • The city of Jericho was entirely closed off in anticipation of an attack by the Israelites.

  • God spoke to Joshua and told him He was going to give Israel victory.

  • The Lord instructed the Israelite warriors to march around the city 1 time for 6 days in a row.

  • Seven priests blowing trumpets made from ram’s horns were to accompany the warriors.

  • On the 7th day, the priests and warriors were to march around the city 7 times.

  • When the 7th circumambulation was complete, the priests were to blow a long blast on the trumpets and the walls of Jericho would fall.

• JERICHO IS CONQUERED (6:6-27):

  • Joshua gave the Lord’s instructions to his army and arranged the marching procession.

  • The procession was led by the armed men, followed by the 7 priests, followed by the Ark of the Covenant, followed by the rear guard.

  • The army was to remain silent as they marched. They were only allowed to speak when Joshua gave the order to “Shout!”

  • Joshua told the people that everything in the city was “designated for destruction” and they were not to take any spoil.

  • For 6 days, the army circled Jericho 1 time before returning to camp.

  • On the 7th day, they marched around the city 7 times, the priests blew a long blast on the trumpet, Joshua gave the order to “Shout!”, and the walls of Jericho “fell down flat.”

  • When Jericho was exposed, the Israelites ran straight into the city and destroyed everything, except for Rahab and those gathered in her house (2:12-14).

  • Israel burned the city and Joshua cursed it with the following words, “Cursed before the Lord is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his firstborn he will lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he will set up its gates” (6:26).
    

APPLICATION:

• Why did the Israelites have to march around the city 7 days? Why was that necessary?

• Sometimes God’s methods aren’t as direct as we would like them to be, they may even seem impractical to us.

• We need to remember we aren’t as complex as God, and we may never understand all the reasons He does things the way He does.

• God may reveal His reasons and methods to us, but He doesn’t owe us an explanation. We need to be willing to trust God even when He doesn’t explain Himself to us.