Joshua 6:1-21

Israel had experienced quite a bit up to this point. God had delivered them from Egypt. God had parted the Red Sea for them to cross. God had supplied everything they needed. For forty years they grumbled and walked through the wilderness, but yet God still provided. He gave them food and caused their clothes to last all forty years. Time after time, God showed them miracles.

Just before our text today, Joshua led Israel across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. (The priests that carried the ark put their feet in the water, and the water stood up and cut off so they could pass.) Now that they were crossed over into the Promised Land, all they had to do was be obedient to God and go claim what He promised them. Chapters 6-12 of Joshua hold the story of the battles Israel fought to claim the Promised Land.

First, we see them come to Jericho. Archeologists tell us that Jericho was not a big city. It may have covered ten acres. There were probably 20,000 people living there. It was about five miles away from the Jordan River. Because of its location, God’s people would have to deal with this city if they were to take possessions of the Promised Land.

Remember, this Promised Land is not Heaven. It is the place where God met their every need. The city was built to withstand any invasion. The walls were anywhere between 30-60 feet hight and 12-20 feet thick (depending on which archaeologist you read).