The Book Of Joshua 5 Of 9

When we get to Joshua 6, our attention is turned again to Jericho. Remember, in Joshua 2, Joshua sent two spies to Jericho to spy the land out.

Once they got there, they entered the house of Rahab the harlot. While they were in her house, she admitted to the spies that the people of Jericho had heard how the God of Israel had taken care of them, and had given them victory after victory, and they were afraid they might be next.

Once Israel had crossed over Jordan, Jericho’s worst nightmare was about to take place. God was preparing to give Jericho to Joshua and the Israelites.

The miraculous nature of the conquest of Jericho is so outstanding that it has caused some scholars to dismiss the story as folklore. But this is no folklore, this is something that actually occurred. There is a lot of proof to support the falling of Jericho.

Illus: Over the past century, four prominent archaeologists have excavated the site:

1. Carl Watzinger from 1907-1909.

2. John Garstang in the 1930's.

3. Kathleen Kenyon from 1952-1958.

4. Bryant Wood (current)

The results of their work have been remarkable.

• First, they discovered that Jericho had an impressive system of fortifications. Surrounding the city was a retaining wall fifteen feet high.

• At its top was an eight-foot brick wall strengthened from behind by an earthen rampart.

• Domestic structures were found behind this first wall. Another brick wall enclosed the rest of the city. The domestic structures found between the two walls are consistent with Joshua's description of Rahab's quarters (Josh. 2:15).

• Archeologists also found that in one part of the city, large piles of bricks were found at the base of both the inner and outer walls, indicating a sudden collapse of the fortifications.

• The collapsed bricks formed a ramp by which an invader might easily enter the city (Josh. 6:20). Of this amazing discovery, Garstang states, "As to the main fact, then, there remains no doubt: the walls fell outwards so completely, the attackers would be able to climb up and over the ruins of the city." This is remarkable because when attacked, city walls fall inward, not outward.

• A thick layer of soot indicates that the city was destroyed by fire as described in Joshua 6:24. Kenyon describes it this way. "The destruction was complete. Walls and floors were blackened or reddened by fire and every room was filled with fallen bricks”.

• Archaeologists also discovered large amounts of grain at the site. This is again consistent with the biblical account that the city was captured quickly. If it had fallen as a result of a siege, the grain would have been used up. According to Joshua 6:17, the Israelites were forbidden to plunder the city, but had to destroy it totally.

Thus, current archeological evidence supports the Bible's account of when and how Jericho fell.

Before we can appreciate the magnitude of what the Lord did, we have to appreciate the magnificent walls that surrounded this city. The walls of a city determined it’s strength. You might say Jericho would be considered to be a SUPER POWER in their day, because of these walls.

Even though this was not a small task for the army of Israel, it would be a piece of cake for the God they served. Let’s look at what preceded the fall of Jericho. Look at -

I. THE FEAR

In chapter 2 we learned about some of the fears they had of Israel from Rahab the harlot, when the two spies invaded their city.

Look at Joshua 2:8-11, we read, “And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”

They had been living in fear, knowing that one day, Israel would be knocking on their door.

Look at Joshua 6:1, we read, “Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.”

This was a frightened city because of the things they heard that God had done for Israel..