The Wall of Jericho – Preaching
Preaching Outline on Joshua 6:1-2 – Jericho was completely closed off because of the Israelites. No one could go out or in. Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Know that I have given Jericho, its king and its men of war into your hands.
Introduction to Joshua 6:1-2
After traveling through the desert for forty years, the Israelites finally reached Canaan. Now all they had to do was enter the land and make their plot. Right? Wrong. Things weren’t that simple. There was a huge wall in the way.
Development
We often find ourselves in similar situations. Just when we think we’re going to “take possession of the blessing”, an imposing wall appears that seems to mock our hopes.
However, let’s not give up on God’s purposes for us. We’re not going to sit in the middle of the road. We’re not going back to Egypt. That must be our attitude of faith: to look forward and keep going.
Everything that stands in the way of blessing, that stands in the way of success, every problem that seems unsolvable, is a kind of wall put up by Satan and allowed by God. In this context, Satan wants us to fail. However, using the same situation, God expects us to emerge victorious, experienced and strengthened.
Faced with an obstacle, many people try to overcome it by human means. Imagine if Joshua had decided to jump over the wall or dig a tunnel? His story probably wouldn’t be in the Bible and we’d need another subject for this message.
But Israel’s leader chose divine means, even though they were incomprehensible and devoid of logic. The human mind advises us to find a “way”, looking for a worldly or illicit solution to the problem. God, however, changes situations through integrity and justice.
In order for the Lord to act, certain requirements are necessary:
1 – THE ARK
The people had to have the ark in front of them. The ark was a piece of satinwood covered in gold that represented God’s presence and his covenant with Israel. If we want to overcome barriers, we need to have a commitment to God and a real communion with him.
2 – AROUND THE CITY
The people had to walk around the wall. Here is the question of obedience and action. If you are aware that God has given you a command, obey it. That’s your part. If you don’t know what to do about the problem, pray, consult the Bible, consult the church leadership and take action. Jesus said: “I am the way” (John 14:6). So we need to walk. The Christian life is not a parking lot.
3 – TIME
Israel had to walk around Jericho for seven days. Here is the test of perseverance and patience. You must obey today and continue to obey tomorrow, even if the obstacles seem firmer than before. You must be firmer than the wall. Your faith must be more resilient. After surrounding the city on the first day, there were no results. Perhaps it was difficult for some Israelites to get up from their beds on the second and third day and the following days, knowing that nothing had happened the day before. Have you ever experienced this discouragement? Don’t let yourself be overcome by it.
Conclusion of Joshua 6:1-2
Keep obeying the Lord
On the seventh day, the wall fell. We can’t make a rule for God and say that he will always act after 7 days or after 7 prayers, etc. He can act on the first day, or on the seventh, or on the twenty-first, as happened with Daniel (chapter 10), or on any other day.
What we have concluded is that God has a right time for everything, although in some cases we are the ones who delay the blessings due to our unbelief, passivity and disobedience.
After Israel did everything God commanded, the wall collapsed and the people were able to conquer the city. May God bless us and help us to conquer all our spiritual rights in Christ.
Preaching Outline on Joshua 6:1-2 – Jericho was completely closed off because of the Israelites. No one could go out or in. Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Know that I have given Jericho, its king and its men of war into your hands.
More Preaching Outlines
- Nehemiah 6:15-16 – The rebuilding of the Walls is finished
- Arise, O eternal portals – Psalms 24:07-09
- Horse Gate – Nehemiah 3:2
- God’s recipe for perplexity – Exodus 14:13-15
- Jesus, the altar – Hebrews 13:10
