Joshua 6:1–27 – When Obedience Marches and Walls Fall
“Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in.”
— Joshua 6:1 ESV
🏰 A Fortress of Fear Meets a March of Faith
Jericho was ancient, fortified, and feared. Its massive walls made it humanly impenetrable. But Joshua stood outside, armed not with siege weapons—but with instructions from the Lord that sounded more like a worship service than a battle plan.
Joshua 6 offers one of the most iconic accounts in all of Scripture: the fall of Jericho. But beneath the marching and the shouting is a deeper truth—God brings victory through obedience, not through might. Faith is not proven in how strong you feel, but in how fully you follow.
📖 The Jericho Strategy: God’s Plan, God’s Power
1. Walls That Intimidate (v.1)
Jericho was “shut up”—locked down in panic. The people inside had heard of Israel’s advance. Fear had paralyzed them. But human fear does not equate to divine favor. God is not intimidated by walls, no matter how thick they are.
The lesson here is simple but profound: God allows us to face barriers we cannot breach so that we learn to trust in His strength rather than our own.
2. Instructions That Defy Logic (vv.2–5)
God gives Joshua the plan: march around the city once a day for six days. On the seventh day, march seven times. Then, when the priests blow the trumpets, the people are to shout. Then the walls will fall.
“You shall march around the city… Thus shall you do for six days… On the seventh day… then all the people shall shout…”
— Joshua 6:3–5 ESV
This was not conventional warfare—it was worship-infused obedience. The ark of the covenant went before them. The priests led the way. No swords. No speeches. Just silent obedience followed by sacred noise.
This is the paradox of faith: sometimes the greatest spiritual victories are won through methods that seem foolish to the world (1 Corinthians 1:27).
3. Obedience That Perseveres (vv.6–16)
Joshua relays the command to the people. And they obey. For six days they march in silence. Around and around. No words. No weapons. Just feet walking, priests blowing trumpets, and hearts pounding in anticipation.
Imagine the questions that must have crept into their minds: “Is this really going to work? What are we doing? How long do we have to do this?” But they kept marching.
Obedience doesn’t always feel powerful—but it is always potent. God often uses persistence more than power. It’s not how loud you roar—it’s how long you obey.
On the seventh day, they march seven times. The priests blow the trumpets. Joshua commands the people: “Shout!” And they do.
“As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat…”
— Joshua 6:20 ESV
4. Mercy in the Midst of Judgment (vv.17–25)
Jericho is placed under the ban—everything is to be destroyed. But one household is spared: Rahab’s. The spies had made a covenant with her (Joshua 2), and God honors it.
“Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live…”
— Joshua 6:17 ESV
Here we see that God’s judgment does not cancel His mercy. The walls fell, but Rahab’s faith stood. Her house, built into the wall, survived when the rest collapsed. What protected her? The scarlet cord, her faith, and God’s faithfulness.
As the city burned, Rahab’s future began. She would become part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. God delights in saving those who call on Him, even in the midst of judgment.
5. The Ban and the Obedience of Devotion (vv.18–19, 26–27)
The people are warned not to take any of the devoted things. Jericho was the first fruits—it belonged to the Lord. All gold, silver, bronze, and iron were to be placed in the Lord’s treasury.
This theme—devotion to destruction—is difficult but important. God is holy. Jericho was not just a city; it was a symbol of entrenched rebellion against God. To touch what God had forbidden was to invite disaster, as we’ll see in the next chapter.
Joshua pronounces a curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho. Centuries later, it’s fulfilled in the days of King Ahab (1 Kings 16:34). God’s Word is not a suggestion—it is sovereign.
🧠 Word Study – “Devoted to Destruction” (Hebrew: herem)
The Hebrew word herem refers to something devoted to God, usually by destruction. It is a term of holy consecration. In the case of Jericho, everything was to be either destroyed or placed in the Lord’s treasury. Nothing was to be kept for personal use.
This principle teaches us that God alone decides what is holy, what is His, and what must be removed. When He brings judgment, it is never unjust—it is righteous and precise.
💡 Life Application – How to Face Your Own Jericho
1. Don’t Be Intimidated by the Walls
What stands in front of you may look massive, but if God has spoken, it cannot stand. Remember, Jericho was shut up tight—yet it still fell. Your Jericho cannot withstand your obedient march.
2. Obedience May Look Foolish Before It Bears Fruit
Marching may not make sense. But God’s ways are not ours. The path to victory often runs through humility, patience, and strange instructions.
3. God Honors Persistence Over Performance
You don’t need to impress God. You need to trust Him. Keep walking. Keep obeying. Keep circling in faith. The seventh day will come.
4. Judgment and Mercy Can Coexist
Even as Jericho fell, Rahab rose. Never doubt that God can save you, even in a city set for destruction. His mercy is never too late.
5. Give God What Belongs to Him
The first victory was God’s. The first fruits belonged to Him. Are you trying to enjoy the Promised Land while holding onto what should be devoted? Give Him the first and the best.
💬 Questions for Reflection
- What wall in your life seems unmovable right now?
- Are you walking in obedience, even when it feels slow or strange?
- Have you trusted God’s plan—or are you still trying to bring your own sword?
- Is there something God has asked you to give up as a sign of devotion?
🎯 Final Thought
The fall of Jericho wasn’t about shouting. It was about believing before the walls fell. Every step around that city was a sermon in motion: God is faithful. God is powerful. God is enough.
Next: In the wake of Jericho’s victory, Israel stumbles at Ai. Why? Because disobedience had entered the camp. When sin hides, defeat follows.
It’s fascinating how Joshua and the people followed God’s plan without hesitation, even when it seemed unconventional. Their faith and obedience are truly inspiring, especially during those silent marches around Jericho. The moment when the walls fell must have been a powerful testament to God’s sovereignty. It’s a reminder that God’s ways are often beyond our understanding. Why do you think God chose such a unique strategy to bring down the walls of Jericho? WordAiApi
But, without faith it impossible to please God. The Lord often uses unconventional methods to reveal our inability to accomplish His plans without Him. The miracle is the intimacy that God desires for His people to join Him in His work. Remember, with God all things are possible. There were no weapons, no warriors, no words, just walking and a shout of praise! In my life He often uses ordinary means to meet extraordinary needs eliciting increased faith from me. Thank you so much for your comment. I pray that our site brings you great blessing and insight. I thank Him for using it to speak to you. Barry